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In february 1814, the battle extends to the south of the Aisne region. Napoléon and his army barely numbering 100.000 men, threw back the russian, austrian and prussian armies. From Champaubert to Château-Thierry, via Vauchamps and Montmirail, the memory of these battles is present along an historical and touristical itinerary, marked "Route des 4 Victoires" (Road of the 4 Victories) |
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In the centre of this itinerary, "Room 1814"
in Essises displays an important collection of weapons and documents
pertaining to the 1st Empire. An original slides projection shows
the capture of the Caquerets occupied by the prussians ... visits upon appointment to : Christian Tréhel Tél : 33.(0)3.23.69.88.99 site web : essises.free.fr |
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Twice during the Great
War, the region of Château-Thierry was the site of battles
which determined the fate of France In 1918, the american troops engaged in the allied counter-offensive distinguished themselves for the defence of freedom. Now, many cemeteries and memorials are reminders of the sacrifice of these young men thrown into battle, and perpetuate the memory of franco-american friendship during the 2nd battle of the Marne. |
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battle of Belleau from june 6th to june 26th 1918. Right : 42nd Division Patch "Rainbow" battles of Fère-en-Tardenois sector. |
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 american cemetery of Belleau Wood, open to the public : all the year , from 9.00 to 17.00 closed on the 25th december and 1st january |
On the very spot where this cemetery was built, the Americans
stopped the german thrust during the summer of 1918. With 2.289 graves and its commemorative chapel, Belleau Wood has been converted into a memorial dedicated to all Americans who fought there during the First World War. Today the wood itself remains a shrine, where some artillery weapons are a grim reminder of the violent fights which took place there. |
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In this American Military Cemetery with an area of 15
hectares (about 6 square miles) are laid 6.012 graves. Most of
the soldiers resting there belonged to the Rainbow Division (42nd
Infantry) and were killed during the fighting on the Ourcq sector
and the river Oise valley in 1918. On its rise the Memorial made of rose granite and white marble, with its semicircle peristyle opens on an open air choir flanked with two chapels, one displaying a map of the combats during 1918, and the other showing the list of M.I.A. (missing in action) during the fighting. |
 American Cemetery - Seringes-et-Nesles open to the public : all the year , from 9.00 to 17.00 closed on the 25th december and 1st january |
 Hill 204 Memorial |
This majestic monument overlooks the Marne valley from
an altitude of 204 metres above sea level, on the very spot where
the Americans took the hill after the 1 and 2 july 1918 attacks. It is a monumental and triumphant portico, with two rows of fluted pillars comprising two tall allegorical statues and an ornemental map showing the troops' moves during the Aisne-Marne Battle. It was dedicated on october 7th 1937 with general Pershing attending. |
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A fountain used as a trough was offered by the Roosevelt
family, in memory of their son Quentin, killed in aerial fighting
on 14 july 1918, his plane having crashed on the village area. The epitaph reads : only those are fit to live who do not fear to die. Quentin's body was transferred in 1955 at Omaha Beach American Cemetery. He now lies alongside his brother Theodore Jr who died after the allied landing in 1944. |
 Quentin Roosevelt Fountain |
 Protestant Church - Château-Thierry visit upon appointment : Tourist Office |
Built with funds left from the soldiers recreational activities,
this church was erected after the First World War from plans
by architect Chauquet. The furniture, painted windows and organ were financed by american families in memory of a relative or by solidarity with the sufferings of the french people. The memorial aspect is marked by a slab bearing the names of protestant soldiers fallen on the field of honour, and by a magnificent painted window, representing Pershing landing at La Rochelle, in front of his troops. |
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As of 1916, a remarkable recumbent figure called "The Shroud" made of white marble was installed in the vicinity of the ossuary. Work of the sculptor Achille Jacopin, a native of Château-Thierry, it represents the body of a still armed soldier covered with snow. Born on 2 november 1874, Achille Jacopin mastered early the
arts of painting, singing and sculpture. After studying in Paris,
he settled down in Château-Thierry where he worked assiduously.
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 Franco-Britannic Cemetery - Château-Thierry |
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contact Tourist Office of Château-Thierry or Fère -en-Tardenois. |
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