World War I structures in the Bois des Maires and Bois des Barres in the Amance Forest

The walk starts at the crossroads known as Rond Bouteiller on IGN maps or Carrefour Michel Buffet on the signpost. Parking available.
In the village of Champenoux, at the junction with the D70, take the small road towards INRA. At the INRA buildings, continue straight on along the sandy track.

(S/E) Set off along Route de Bouxières towards INRA. After about 50 m, turn left onto the cycle path. On the left is a small retention basin; this is an SNCF structure. Continue towards a crossroads.

(1) 20 m before the junction, enter the woods on the right to make a quarter-circle, where you will see two concrete bases and a trench area; this leads to the Tranchée des Princes. Turn left, pass the crossroads and continue straight on, then cross over the stream and take the^first path on the right. Cross over another stream.

(2) Take the^first path on the right and, after a few metres, you will come to a small shelter and an area of trenches. Return to the junction and continue straight on along the barely visible path. Before the climb with small mounds, take the path on the right. After about 300 m, you will reach an area with multiple trenches or artillery emplacements.

(3) After the visit, return to the path and continue north-east until the path disappears. At this point, turn right at a 45° angle into the forest, reach a trench and turn right. After 30 m, leave the trench on the left and follow the downward slope to reach the four blockhouses. They are easily spotted.

(4) All around is a ring of trenches. After your visit, head down towards the stream, find a place to cross it, and turn left onto the path running alongside the field. Continue straight on to cross the Pointe de l’Épine Noire and follow the edge of the woods.
After the bend in the woods, take a few steps into the forest to see an ascending trench, return to the edge and continue the climb.

(5) Before the corner of the edge, enter the forest, find the trench and what appears to be an artillery emplacement. Return to the edge and continue the climb.
Before the end of the climb, take a short detour into the woods to see an area of trenches. Return to the edge of the woods and finish the climb. After about 40 m, continue straight on, enter the woods and join a track.

(6) Cross it and continue deep into the forest to quickly come across a trench area; return to the track and turn right. Pass a vehicle barrier and take the^second path on the left. You will soon find one of the entrances to an underground shelter.

(7) After the visit, return to the track and turn left, walking alongside the Étang de Brin. Before the junction, take a detour to the left into the woods to see an area of trenches and possibly an artillery position. Return to the track, turn left and, at the Rond des Chênes junction, continue left along the Tranchée des Princes. 600 m further on, take the first sandy track on the right to reach the Rond Bouteiller crossroads (S/E).

To be undertaken with a GPS or the PDF (description and map), plus a good sense of direction and keen observation skills.

A walk with very little elevation gain, but deep in the forest.
A slow walk through the woods; allow 4 to 4½ hours.
In this part of the forest, there are certainly still structures that I haven’t found. If you’re more observant or luckier than me and you spot any, please let me know so I can complete this walk.

(1) a set of trenches with two concrete bases where you can see the mountings for artillery pieces.
(2) a small cross-cut shelter and its access trench.
(3) an area of trenches and mounds, most likely wooden casemates filled in by the ONF.
(4) four blockhouses, clearly visible and positioned for observation of Bois Ramont.
(5) a trench running uphill along the edge of the woods, which most certainly leads to an artillery emplacement, with an area of trenches a little further on.
(6) an area of trenches with mounds (most likely wooden casemates).
(7) a large underground shelter and a trench area.
The Étang de Brin and its birds.
After the (5), at the top of the hill, on the left a view of Moncel-sur-Seille.
After the (7), just before the junction, on the left is a trench area with a mound (most likely a filled-in wooden bunker).