Paths of memory in the Bois des Loges

Starting point and access: Bois des Loges war memorial.
On the D142, at the Crapeaumesnil war memorial (at the entrance to the village when coming from Fresnières, elevation 97), follow the signs for "route du Bois des Loges". Head south on a small tarmac road and park on the wide grassy verges near the memorial.

Yellow signs for "route du Bois des Loges"
The signs are one-sided, in the direction of the description. They are only present at the main intersections.

(S/E) Head south on a track between the fields.

(1) At the fork, continue straight ahead towards a wood (ignore the small road on the left, which will be the way back). Cross the wood briefly (information board) then continue south between the fields.

(2) At the end of the path, continue along a small road. Before entering Canny-sur-Matz, turn left onto a path leading towards a wood.

(3) At the edge of the woods, turn right towards the René Rivière monument. After about 300 metres, you will see a very simple stele on the left, framed by yew trees. Retrace your steps.

(3) Continue straight ahead (north-east) along the edge of the woods (information board) and then between the fields. Ignore a path branching off to the right.

(4) Cross the D142 (take care) by making a zigzag right-left turn and continue north-west on a farm track. Ignore a path on the right.

(5) Turn left onto the track and walk alongside a copse (information board). Continue straight ahead and ignore a path branching off to the right.

(6) Cross a small road and continue straight ahead on another small road. Go downhill and you will come to a stop sign.

(7) Turn left and cross the village of Fresnières: pass the town hall and a large farmhouse, and continue to the church (information board).

(8) Cross the D142 at the pedestrian crossing and follow it to the right towards Crapeaumesnil. At the exit of Fresnières, let the road turn right and take a small road on the left.

(1) At the end of the road, turn right and follow the track you took on the way there to return to the war memorial in Bois des Loges (S/E).

Hiking boots are recommended, especially in wet weather, as some paths may be muddy.

No water sources or shops along the route. Picnic tables at the starting point.

Although the route is straightforward and signposted, a detailed map is always useful (at least the one accompanying this description).

Hike completed by the author on 10 November 2018.

This hike follows the "route du Bois des Loges", designed, signposted and provided with information on site by "Musée Territoire 14-18 Aisne-Oise".

The Bois des Loges was the scene of fierce fighting in October 1914, shortly after the first battle of the Marne, and in August 1918, during the Allied counter-offensive following the second battle of the Marne. See a detailed account of the battles of the Bois des Loges.

The war memorial pays tribute to the soldiers who died in this fiercely contested sector. The Bois des Loges National Necropolis is located a few kilometres north-west of Crapeaumesnil, in the commune of Beuvraignes, in the Somme department.

Next to the Bois des Loges war memorial is a stele in tribute to Jean-Julien Chapelant, who was shot as an example on 11 October 1914 at the age of 23. On 11 November 2012, he was declared "Died for France" by the Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs. See the page dedicated to him on the Picardia website and the page on the Colonial and Postcolonial History website.

Along the route, information panels (mentioned in the description) cover various aspects of the war in the area: combat, the life and death of soldiers, the rehabilitation of the area after the conflict, etc.