The Fontenelle National Necropolis and the hamlets that fell for France

The start is located near Launois church, on the road to Senones.

(S/E) From the car park, with your back to the church, take Chemin du Chauffour opposite and keep left at the next junction. Continue uphill for about 150 m.

(1) Turn left to reach the Croix de Mission, then continue across the plateau.

(2) Cross the D49 carefully towards the Fontenelle site. You can follow the memorial trail through the remains of the trenches.

(3) After visiting the necropolis, follow the sign for “Hameaux morts pour la France” (hamlets that died for France), marked with a Yellow Rectangle crossed by a White Rectangle, to reach the hamlet of La Fontenelle.

(4) At the bottom of the descent, head left and follow the road marked with a Green Saltire.

(5) At La Vercoste, turn left onto the Chemin des Hameaux Morts pour la France. After about 500 m, turn right and head down into the woods to pass by the shelters. Continue along this path.

(6) Keep to the left until the next junction.

(7) Turn left onto the path marked with a Yellow Rectangle crossed by a White Rectangle to head back up through the meadows.

(8) At the junction, head right and follow the Yellow Ring markings for about 1.2 km until you reach a road on the right.

(9) Turn right onto Chemin du Tilleul, then after 150 m, head left to return to the car park at Launois church (S/E).