Saint-Gobain walks

This is a very beautiful, though sometimes challenging, walk through woodland edges and clearings, past ponds and the remains of sacred sites dating back almost a thousand years, in a beech forest dotted with oaks bearing evocative names: the Oaks of Europe, the Three Maidens…

A bucolic walk through fields, meadows and woods. A few rare remains and street names recall the tragic history of the two villages you pass through, their destruction during the First World War and their reconstruction. Route designed and maintained by the Val de l'Aisne Community of Municipalities.

To sum up this walk, here is what Victor Hugo wrote on 1 August 1835 in a letter to his wife Adèle.I left Laon this morning, an old town with a cathedral that is another town within it, an immense cathedral that was supposed to have six towers but only has four; four almost Byzantine towers, open like the spires of the 16th century. Everything is beautiful in Laon, the churches, the houses, the surroundings, everything...

A lovely walk through forests and valleys. The place names reflect the region’s wine-growing activities, which flourished between the 8th and 18th centuries but have now almost disappeared. However, as you wander through the streets, you’ll have the chance to admire a wine press, a wash house or even a remarkable church in each of the villages you pass through.

Between fields and woods, a hike in the western sector of the ill-fated Chemin des Dames offensive of April 1917. Several memorial sites invite reflection on the absurdity of the massacres that wars cause.

In December 1914, six French soldiers were shot as an example in the village of Vingré. This memorial hike retraces these events from the beginning of the First World War. The route is first marked by a transcription of the last letter written by these unfortunate men and by the sober monument that pays tribute to them. We pass by the Broken Cross, then the ruins of the Farm and the quarries of Confrécourt, all of which bear witness to the unprecedented violence of this war.

Starting from the village of Fontenoy, climb up to the plateau between fields and woods. The start of the descent is marked by the passage to the Guésot quarries, which served as barracks for French troops during the First World War. The end of the hike takes place in the Aisne valley and along the edge of ponds.

Immerse yourself in history and nature with this 10 km hike in Bois-lès-Pargny! Admire the elegance of the Bois-lès-Pargny keep, a unique 17th-century pink brick construction, listed as a Historic Monument since 1927, as well as the serenity of Saint-Rémi Church. For the more curious, don't miss the detour (only 2.6 km round trip) to the mythical Verziau de Gargantua. This menhir, over 4 m high and listed since 1889, is linked to an ancient local legend. A perfect getaway, harmoniously combining a walk in the woods, rural discovery and the remains of a rich past.

During the First World War, the front line divided the commune of Autrèches in two! This memorial hike recounts the lives of the combatants on both sides as well as those of the inhabitants during those four difficult years.

With a history stretching back two thousand years, the city of Soissons boasts a wide variety of architecture: Gallo-Roman ruins, Gothic abbeys and churches, Renaissance and Louis XIII pavilions, Art Deco buildings, and more. This urban hike invites you to discover this rich heritage! There are also several memorials in this city, which was on the front lines of the First World War.

A walk retracing the period from September to November 1914 and June 1916. This marks the end of the war of movement and the transition to a war of position in the north of the Aisne. We will visit Lieutenant-Colonel Reboul’s command post (June 1916), the monument to those executed at Vingré (November–December 1914), the Broken Cross, the ruins of the Confrecourt farm and the quarries (September 1914).

Let yourself be tempted by a rejuvenating getaway of just over 7 km in the heart of the Aisne region. This circular route, located between the Vilpion and Serre rivers, offers a moment of absolute calm between Marcy-sous-Marle and Voyenne. Heritage enthusiasts will be delighted to discover two architectural gems: the majestic Saint-Médard Church in Marcy and the elegant Saint-Rémi Church in Voyenne, silent witnesses to local history.

A hike through the hills and valleys around the Saint-Martin fountain.

A 10 km walk starting from Bernot, in the Aisne department, near Saint-Quentin, along the banks of the Oise, dear to Robert Louis Stevenson, and the Sambre-Oise Canal. The first part is rural, followed by a more wooded section. Photography enthusiasts, don't forget your camera.

The route begins with a grassy path that climbs 60 metres, offering a beautiful ascent at the start. It then continues on flat terrain, following agricultural paths that are ideal for enjoying the surroundings while walking at a leisurely pace. After this section, a descent leads to the picturesque village of Saint-Pierre-Aigle, a charming place to take a short break. The rest of the route takes you into the forest, with 8 kilometres of forest paths, pleasant and varied terrain, perfect for nature lovers. You then cross the village of Montgobert, adding a touch of diversity before returning to the plain. The return journey is along farm tracks, offering wide views and unobstructed vistas of the surrounding countryside. Finally, a last descent takes you to ValseryAbbey, a historic site that provides a beautiful conclusion to this route.

We invite you to discover an itinerary combining history and nature, offering exceptional panoramic views of the village of Saint-Pierre-Aigle. A grassy path will lead us towards the Dommier quarry, before we take a farm track that will take us to Saint-Pierre-Aigle. Here, we will have a magnificent view of the village's central square and church. The hike continues through Chafossepour to reach the surrounding forest. After this immersion in the rural world, we will continue our journey through the undergrowth for about 2 km, sheltered by the coolness of the trees. Nature will then reveal the place known as Le Trou Madelon, where we will gradually emerge from the forest and enter the plain. From there, we will walk along the edge of Saint-Pierre, on the edge of the woods, before beginning our descent towards Valsery Abbey.

A lovely, easy walk through nature and heritage, best enjoyed in good weather. Peace, tranquillity and fresh air are its main attractions , culminating in a visit to Valsery Abbey. Guided tours are available at weekends in summer. The passage in front of Montgobert Castle also invites you to visit the Wood Museum. At the end of the route, enjoy rural scenery and a magnificent view from the highest point of the plain over the Mont de Valsery farm. The route is very shaded between the various points (2) and (3) by large trees. You pass near the Ferme de Saint-Agnan (3), one of the first properties of the Abbey of Valsery, 2 km away, then near the Château de Mongobert (4) and at the end of the route near the Ferme du Mont de Valsery (6). The path is wide and pleasant throughout.

This short hike takes you through several villages in the Septvallons. You will see creutes (troglodytic dwellings used by soldiers during the First World War) and no fewer than four typical churches or chapels in varied landscapes.

The Retz Forest was the scene of intense fighting during the two battles of the Marne, in September 1914 and during the summer of 1918. Numerous monuments retrace this history, and this hike offers the opportunity to discover several of them, including a replica of a tall observation tower and a moving military cemetery. Starting from a pretty village with a charmingly simple church, the route is mainly through forest.

This loop runs through the Ardre valley, with the first part through woodland and the second part along field paths. The first part from Fismes to Saint-Gilles follows the old Reims Suburban Railway (CBR) line, which served many towns. The second part runs along the ridge of the road from Fismes to Fère-en-Tardenois, where, when conditions allow, many paragliders take flight.