The best traffic-free bike rides around Chivres-Val

This large German war cemetery is located near Fort de La Malmaison, along the Chemin des Dames. It was established in 1941 by the Wehrmacht to centralize scattered graves from the Aisne region. After the war, the site was officially recognized by a Franco-German convention in 1954 and solemnly inaugurated in 1965. Nearly 11,850 German soldiers rest here, primarily fallen during the 1940 campaign and the fighting after the Allied landings in Normandy in 1944. Between 1960 and 1961, over 6,800 bodies were reburied from six surrounding departments. The cemetery is sober and serene, with rows of dark crosses and a memorial stone. It serves as a silent reminder of the fierce fighting in this region and is an important stop on remembrance routes along the Chemin des Dames.

Small 20th century village church, built on the site of an older, possibly medieval church. Situated next to the town hall and cemetery, it forms the religious heart of the village. The church is dedicated to Saint Medard, a popular patron saint in Northern France. The village was destroyed after WWI, but the church was only slightly damaged.

The Chapelle Sainte-Marguerite in Bucy-le-Long is a charming 12th-century Romanesque building surrounded by an ancient cemetery that gives it an almost timeless feel. Although badly damaged during the First World War, it was lovingly restored and was listed as a monument in 19202. Inside, you’ll find a mix of period features and modern additions, including colorful stained glass windows depicting the life of Saint Margaret. Local legend has it that even Joan of Arc once stopped here—a place where history and legend collide.

The coat of arms of Bucy-le-Long is a historical coat of arms with elegant symbolism: “D’azur à la bande d’or accompagnée de trois fleurons d’or, deux rangés en chief, un en pointe.” That is to say: a blue shield with a diagonal gold band, accompanied by three gold floral motifs—two at the top and one at the bottom2. This coat of arms is derived from that of Thierry II, Knight of Bucy in the 13th century, whose grandson Simon Matifas became Bishop of Paris and enriched the family coat of arms with these fleurons as a symbol of his ecclesiastical dignity. A fine piece of heraldry that reflects the medieval roots of the village.

The Nécropole Nationale de Crouy is a French military cemetery in the Aisne, created in 1917 during the Battle of the Chemin des Dames, and contains the remains of almost 3,000 soldiers who died during the First World War. Of the 2,991 dead from that period, 1,465 are buried in individual graves and 1,476 in two ossuaries, while 50 British soldiers are also buried there, 20 of whom could not be identified. After the war, bodies were transferred from temporary cemeteries at Bucy-le-Long and Missy-sur-Aisne to the site, which has since served as a sober but impressive reminder of the fierce fighting in the region. It is also the resting place of one French and two Polish soldiers from the Second World War.

Ailette Lake is a haven of tranquility surrounded by greenery. Its calm and clear waters invite you to relax, whether for a stroll along the lake, a canoe trip or a picnic break. The preserved natural setting offers magnificent views of the surrounding wooded hills and the developed beaches.

great hike on foot and by mountain bike. see hiking the mountains of Missy see you in 2025. To discover .

For a brief stopover