In the Tardenois region

Date of walk : Apr 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very enjoyable hike through varied landscapes (woods, open spaces, villages, two castles, etc.) that we will undoubtedly return to quite regularly.
I agree with some of the comments made by previous hikers:
- There are two points where the route is a little unclear:
1. at the Château de Fère, where it may not be obvious how to follow the description to the letter,
2. at Nesle Castle, where the path back to the American cemetery is poorly maintained and not necessarily easy to find (although, if you look closely, there is a marker!)
But these two points are no big deal; there is no real risk of getting lost; you just need to think a little; it doesn't detract from the enjoyment of this hike.
Overall, the paths are passable and pleasant, even if during our hike, wild boars had thoroughly disrupted and destroyed the path through the Bois de Nesle, which in spring, after rain, could be a problem, mitigated however by an airy and open undergrowth that allows for the necessary detours. to tell the truth, I have never seen anything like it: there must be a lot of wild boars and they are having a field day, over a long distance, on a path where oak trees abound. But there is nothing anyone can do about it; it's part of the game when you love nature; otherwise, you might as well stay in front of your telly!
In the end, this hike left us with very fond memories and I can only recommend it.

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Aug 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I confirm Domino51
at point 14 before entering the forest and at the end of the forest to reach the cemetery, the path was blocked by a chain and an electric fence at the forest exit.
At point 14, we met the owner of the Château de Nesles, who confirmed that it was private property.
But as there were no other ways to reach the cemetery, we took this path

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Jul 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant, varied hike with many points of interest. No difficulty entering Fere Castle with a smile and respect, and the option to cut short for those who do not wish to enter. Picnic under the cool, shaded porch of Mareuil Church. The American cemetery caretaker is very friendly, knows this hike well and is full of advice. In July, the forest paths are dry and very passable - A GREAT, EASY HIKE!

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Jun 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike with varied landscapes and points of interest. We had no trouble parking in the cemetery car park; the caretaker is now used to seeing hikers leave their cars there for the day.
Just two comments: at Fère Castle, the hotel section, you have to enter the private area to reach the trail, even though there is a no entry sign. Fortunately, you can get through quickly and at the end of the hike, we had some doubts at point 14 at the end of the forest to reach the cemetery, as the path was blocked by an electric fence, but with the map it was no problem.
I recommend this hike.

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Apr 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very good route, allows you to see two castles.
Just one question: at Fère Castle, do you really have to drive through the hotel (there are signs everywhere saying "private road")? We weren't sure where to go.
The caretaker of the American cemetery is not happy to see us parking our car there.

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Aug 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany route, muddy in sections 1 and 2, 5 and 7, 12, 13 and 14. Lack of signage in the Château De Fère-en-Tardenois and Château de Seringes-et-Nesles sections.

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Jun 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant hike with two castles to see, but due to forestry work and heavy rain, the trail was slippery
and badly damaged in three parishes specific to Brittany in the forest. Otherwise very pleasant.

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Mar 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant, well-marked hike through beautiful forests and two ruined 12th-century feudal castles for lovers of French history, including the castle at Nesles, which can be visited with a document provided by the owner (€3) to learn about the historical events that took place there. Impressive. A very beautiful walk.

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Feb 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike on a magnificent sunny winter's day... passing through beautiful forests after the Château de Fère (also worth seeing inside, climbing the small internal staircase to see the "Pont galerie") and in the woods above Mareuil en Dole with its beautiful oak trees.
Thank you

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Sep 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

lovely walk. Varied. Thank you!

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Nov 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hiking in the countryside and forest, beautiful landscapes, the Nesles keep, a remarkable view of the Château de Fère-en-Tardenois. After a period of rain at the beginning of the week, some paths are muddy and slippery
Already knowing the Château de Fére helped us, as the trail markings are lacking.
best regards
Alain

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Jul 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike done today, despite the heat. It was a wonderful discovery, two castles and a 12th-century church.

Thank you for suggesting it.

Automatically translated

Good evening,

Thank you for these details regarding the start of the hike, as at the time of its description, the pirate lookout problem had not yet arisen.

Kind regards
Philippe

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Oct 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant, varied walk with beautiful, long stretches through the forest interspersed with sections between fields. Some sections are tarmac but not too many... For me, the highlight of this route is the Château de Fère, perched on its mound! And the American cemetery adds an undeniable touch of remembrance.

Some additional information:

1) From Paris, allow about 1½ hours by car.

2) The military cemetery site (S/E) is closely monitored. When parking in the car park, it is recommended that you report to reception (open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; outside these hours, speak to a member of the "Guard Force"... if one is nearby). Having left shortly after 8 a.m. without telling anyone, on my return I was given a (friendly) talk by a site manager about my vehicle, which, due to a lack of information, appeared suspicious. An unexpected consequence of the Vigie-Pirate and other plans... A word to the wise...

3) The route is marked in yellow and green. However, the density of the markings varies along the route.

4) It is possible to cross the grounds of the Château de Fère (no markings) and see the ruins up close (same comment as foufry and BeNiBeN77). N.B. Private property, please respect the premises and staff. After passing through the hotel park gate, leave the hotel on your left and the car park on your right. Go to the footbridge that leads to the ruins, cross it and you will immediately see the entrance to a staircase on your right. Go down this staircase. At the bottom, turn left, walk along the moat, find a gravel path and then turn right towards the car park (follow the yellow and green markings). Cross the car park and go to the road. At the stop sign, turn right onto a path running parallel to a telephone line and rejoin the route at the point (5).

Automatically translated

Date of walk : Jul 01, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike undertaken in high temperatures but very pleasant as most of it was in the woods.
Two weak points on the route: 1) When crossing Fere Castle, we were told to head towards the tennis courts and take a sandy path that we never found.
2) Just before the end, the path from Nesles Castle to the American cemetery car park is not maintained, difficult to find and really impassable.
Otherwise, it is a very beautiful walk with a beautiful view of the Château de Fere.

Automatically translated