Le Chemin des Dames de France
The poetic sounding road was named after the daughters of Louis XV, but in 1917 it became a tragic part of the memory of the Great War.
Le Chemin des Dames de France
The poetic sounding road was named after the daughters of Louis XV, but in 1917 it became a tragic part of the memory of the Great War. A memorial trail of 30km on the high plateau between the Aisne and Ailette Valleys takes visitors past the sites of horrifying fighting which led to a complete medical disaster. At Hurtebise, you may hear the soldiers’ protest song, « La Chanson de Craonne » wafted on the east wind. The memory of the tragic events lives on, but the Chemin des Dames has come back to life and visitors can enjoy walking accompanied by birdsong, the wind in the trees or maybe just the silence of the countryside.
What to see and do along the Chemin des Dames
Chemin des Dames milestones : Moulin de Laffaux, Memorial chapel at Cerny-en-Laonnois, Caverne du Dragon, village of Craonne, California Plateau and its observation tower, National Tank Memorial at Berry-au-Bac, Monument des Basques.
The ruined Cistercian Abbey de Vauclair and its medicinal herb garden.
Vauclair national forest and its Military Postal Trail walk , south of Laon
Discovery route of villages which totally disappeared and the troglodyte village of Paissy.
The Caverne du Dragon on the Chemin des Dames
In and around the Chemin des Dames
The Caverne du Dragon and the Chemin des Dames Visitors Centre.
A choice of walks along designated footpaths, ranging from family micro walks to memorial circular tours.
Cycle paths : L’Ailette ‘greenway’ (16km), Strategic Route (39km), Chemin des Dames (35km).
Horse rides through the countryside with local riding centres.
Microlight flight with commentary over the Chemin des Dames, a different way to discover the natural fortress.
Watersports centre and golf course (9 and 18 holes) on the banks of Lac de l’Ailette.
Lac de Monampteuil, its nature park, AXO Plage beach and outdoor activity centre.
Our favourite comment : "A wonderfully moving experience at Craonne on 16 April on the « sans casque et sans arme (no helmets, no weapons) » memorial walk. At 6 o’clock in the morning, I joined the silent column of walkers of all ages to follow in the footsteps taken by ‘Poilus’ (French troops) in 1917. A moment of close harmony that I wouldn’t have missed for the world ! "
How to get to Chemin des Dames
Musée du Chemin des Dames
Chemin des Dames - RD 18 CD
02160 Oulches-la-Vallée-Foulon
By road : N2 and D18 : 1½ hours from Paris
D944 : 35 minutes from Reims
A1 and A26 : 2 hours from Lille
E19 and A26 : 2 hours 40 minutes from Brussels
By rail : to Laon (from Paris - Gare du Nord)
Nearest airport : 1½ hours from Roissy – Charles-de-Gaulle"
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
Gîte de Vendresse-Beaulne
in VENDRESSE-BEAULNE - Aisne
