Laon walks

To sum up this walk, here is what Victor Hugo wrote on 1 August 1835 in a letter to his wife Adèle.I left Laon this morning, an old town with a cathedral that is another town within it, an immense cathedral that was supposed to have six towers but only has four; four almost Byzantine towers, open like the spires of the 16th century. Everything is beautiful in Laon, the churches, the houses, the surroundings, everything...

A lovely walk through forests and valleys. The place names reflect the region’s wine-growing activities, which flourished between the 8th and 18th centuries but have now almost disappeared. However, as you wander through the streets, you’ll have the chance to admire a wine press, a wash house or even a remarkable church in each of the villages you pass through.

A bucolic walk through fields, meadows and woods. A few rare remains and street names recall the tragic history of the two villages you pass through, their destruction during the First World War and their reconstruction. Route designed and maintained by the Val de l'Aisne Community of Municipalities.

An easy hike in a very calm and relaxing environment. Ponds dug into the peat, birds and flowers depending on the season.

The twenty-fifth stage from the Jura to Hauts-de-France via the Francigena. After passing through the village of Neuville-sur-Ailette, you enter the Domaine du Lac d’Ailette. From every angle, this expanse soothes with the serenity it exudes. Then, the further you go, the more clearly you can make out the silhouette of “the crowned city”, visible for miles around. You arrive in Laon, the departmental capital, with its “airy” cathedral and its numerous openings in the towers, its Templar chapel and its church with the Dutch name Sint Martinus kerk. You will also discover the imposing former episcopal palace as well as the fortifications with their strange leaning tower.

This is a very beautiful, though sometimes challenging, walk through woodland edges and clearings, past ponds and the remains of sacred sites dating back almost a thousand years, in a beech forest dotted with oaks bearing evocative names: the Oaks of Europe, the Three Maidens…

On one of the sites of the ill-fated Chemin des Dames offensive of April 1917, this route is mainly through forest but with clear passages offering superb views that give an understanding of how perilous the operation was. The route through the site of the former village of Craonne, which was razed to the ground under a barrage of artillery fire, is particularly moving. The remains of Vauclair Abbey provide a beautiful heritage-filled end to the walk.

A pleasant hike through woods, marshes, lakes and history.

Between fields and woods, a hike in the western sector of the ill-fated Chemin des Dames offensive of April 1917. Several memorial sites invite reflection on the absurdity of the massacres that wars cause.

A very short walk through the Vauclair forest, marked by information panels about the battles of the Chemin des Dames during the First World War. No difficulty in finding your way on this pleasant and informative walk, suitable for young children.

On the Chemin des Dames, where so many tears were shed, cross the village of Vieux Craonne, destroyed in 1917, with its ruins and commemorative trees. Then cross the woods, walk along the hillsides and fields, and a vineyard on the outskirts of Craonnelle... to soak up the atmosphere of these places steeped in the history of the Great War.

Immerse yourself in history and nature with this 10 km hike in Bois-lès-Pargny! Admire the elegance of the Bois-lès-Pargny keep, a unique 17th-century pink brick construction, listed as a Historic Monument since 1927, as well as the serenity of Saint-Rémi Church. For the more curious, don't miss the detour (only 2.6 km round trip) to the mythical Verziau de Gargantua. This menhir, over 4 m high and listed since 1889, is linked to an ancient local legend. A perfect getaway, harmoniously combining a walk in the woods, rural discovery and the remains of a rich past.

Let yourself be tempted by a rejuvenating getaway of just over 7 km in the heart of the Aisne region. This circular route, located between the Vilpion and Serre rivers, offers a moment of absolute calm between Marcy-sous-Marle and Voyenne. Heritage enthusiasts will be delighted to discover two architectural gems: the majestic Saint-Médard Church in Marcy and the elegant Saint-Rémi Church in Voyenne, silent witnesses to local history.

This short hike takes you through several villages in the Septvallons. You will see creutes (troglodytic dwellings used by soldiers during the First World War) and no fewer than four typical churches or chapels in varied landscapes.

Escape on this route that combines natural tranquillity and historical resonance. Your walk begins along the peaceful Canal latéral à l'Aisne, offering a bucolic interlude. Then, history reveals itself. You will come across the Saint-Rigobert Chapel, a thousand-year-old place of worship that served as an observation and rescue post for General Mangin during the relentless Great War. Finally, the route takes you to the Berry-au-Bac National Necropolis, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made on the nearby Chemin des Dames.

Discover a unique hike steeped in history, starting from Berry-au-Bac. This route invites you to immerse yourself in the landscapes that marked the First World War. By skirting the famous Côte Cent Huit, a major battleground, you will walk in the footsteps of history, where the memory of the vanished hamlets of Sapigneul and La Neuville is omnipresent. The hike is varied, alternating between quiet forest trails, vast stretches of countryside and the tranquillity of the greenway along the canal linking the Aisne to the Marne

From the church in Guyencourt, you’ll head to Roucy and its church. After a circular route through Roucy, you’ll set off again towards Bouffignereux. The whole route follows good farm and forest tracks. You’ll be treated to beautiful views of the villages and the Aisne valley.

With a history stretching back two thousand years, the city of Soissons boasts a wide variety of architecture: Gallo-Roman ruins, Gothic abbeys and churches, Renaissance and Louis XIII pavilions, Art Deco buildings, and more. This urban hike invites you to discover this rich heritage! There are also several memorials in this city, which was on the front lines of the First World War.

Twenty-fourth stage of the Jura to Hauts-de-France via the Francigena. For this stage, you leave Champagne by crossing the Saint-Thierry massif. Once you reach Cormicy, the terrain becomes a little flatter. You pass through Berry-au-Bac. This is where the Berry-au-Bac National Necropolis is located, which contains 3,972 bodies, 2,014 of which are in individual graves and 1,958 in ossuaries. You then continue on to Corbeny, where you can see the Oratory of Saint-Marcoul. Then you follow the "Chemin des Dames", a major site of remembrance of the Great War, to arrive in the village of Bouconville-Vauclair, where you will find the Abbey of Vauclair, the Château de la Bôve and a network of trenches from the 1914-18 war.

This circular mainly follows paths through the Hermonville communal forest. In the first part, you will walk alongside a limestone outcrop from which the stones used to build historic monuments were extracted, then enjoy the deciduous woods at the bottom of Les Marcelaines, before coming out through the vineyards with a lovely view of Marzilly Castle.

Set off to discover the farms and châteaux of the Hermonville plateau on this circuit that will take you through the Saint-Joseph farm, the Luthernay farm, the Château de Vaux-Varennes and the Château de Châlons le Vergeur, along paths and through forests.

A short stroll through fields, vineyards and forest.

"Forest bathing" (Shinrin-yoku)This walk takes you straight into the forest on the outskirts of the village and follows a lovely circular route with little elevation gain. Parking available in the village square.