The (W)Artoise and the Maginot Line in Cendron

Depart from Cendron, at the border, near the sign with the map of walks.

(S/E) Head north towards Belgium. At the crossroads, turn left towards Macquenoise/Hirson and at the next crossroads, take Chemin du Saule on the left.

(1) At Ferme Artoise, leave the road and take the country lane straight ahead (start of the Gratte Pierre route). Enter the forest, then, at the exit, continue on the tarmac road.

(2) At the bend near the houses, leave the road and continue along the path that crosses a stream and the border. Note some rather strange concrete remains intended to protect France. The path climbs and you arrive at Route de Bertignon and the first blockhouse.

(3) Opposite the blockhouse, leave the path and take the trail on the right that enters the forest. This is route no. 2, which is marked by white arrows on a green background. The trail is not very visible due to the brambles, but with the help of the arrows and the fact that you have to follow the anti-tank ditch, you can't really go wrong. At^{the fifth} blockhouse you come to, the terrain has been disrupted by forestry work (end of 2025), the path has disappeared and you will need to find your own way to reach the forest road.

(4) Turn left and follow the road for 800 metres until you reach a four-way crossroads, Carrefour La Cantine.

(5) There is an information panel about the Maginot Line. Turn left and follow the Route de Gratte Pierre. After 1.5 km, you will come to the Artoise again (picnic spot). Cross it at the fork, turn left and head for the Rond-Point du Charme Baudet: a star-shaped crossroads.

(6) Turn left onto the^second road: Route Forestière Isaïe and route no. 3. Some remains of the Maginot Line can be found 50 m to the right of the road after about 700 m. After a long straight stretch, you will come to a crossroad, Route Forestière de Cendron.

(7) Follow it to the left and leave it after 50 m to take Laie de la Potassière on the left. Continue straight ahead until you reach a point about ten metres before joining the Artoise.

(8) Turn right onto the path that takes you back to Route Forestière de Cendron. Turn left onto it and then left again onto the D34, cross the bridge and admire the war memorial before returning to your vehicle (S/E).

• The starting point can only be reached by car. No public transport available.
• There are no shops, cafés or restaurants along the route.
• Good walking boots required.
• Beware of hunting! Dates available at https://www.onf.fr/

• Maginot Line. Information panels along the route.
• Saint-Michel Abbey.
• Fortified church in Signy-le-Petit.
• Trout fishing in Cendron.