Cycling on the WW1 frontline: French Castles, US History and Champagne
FIT offer
2 days / 1 nightDestination (s)
ChampagneNorthern France
Themes
Cycling stayHeritage – Museums
Places of remembrance
Wine tourism
Lanscapes and gastronomy along the WW1 frontline
US involvement in WW1 can still be seen in the Aisne‐Marne landscapes and contributed to the preservation of the French way of life. This short stay is the opportunity to pay respect to the boys who sacrificed their youth, and too often their lives, in the defense of our freedom. Enjoy a true taste of France at the speed of a bicycle.
program
Day 1 : Castles and WW1 frontline.
Pick-up at Château-Thierry train station.
Road to the hotel. Short stop at the 42nd Rainbow Division Monument, one of the most moving WW1 monument of the area.
From the hotel, ride through woods and hills by the Quentin Roosevelt Fountain to a traditional French Restaurant. (13 km (~8mi) / +172 m (~565ft)).
Lunch.
Ride to the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial. Explanations about the 6,012 US war dead resting there will be provided by your guide. Going by the Meurcy Farm, the Ourcq Valley and typical French farms, you will reach the artwork “Les Fantômes” by Paul Landowki. It stands where the outcome of the Second Battle of the Marne was decided in 1918. These scupltures represent the martyr and the suffering of mankind plunged into war. The view on the landscape will help you to better understand this key moment in WW1.
Way back to the hotel through hills and forests. (36 km (~22mi) / + 271 m (~890ft)).
3 courses luxury diner.
Night at the hotel.
Day 2: The River Marne and Champagne.
Breakfast.
Road by car to the area of Château-Thierry. On the way, stop at the Belleau Wood aka the “wood of the Marine Brigade”. Ride to a gastronomic restaurant along the river Marne with views on the Cote 204 American Monument and going by Château-Thierry (13 km (~8mi) / +28m (~90ft)).
Lunch.
Follow your path among vineyard estates, Gothic churches, and castles with, in particular, the castle of Condé en Brie.(35 km (~22mi) / +277m (~910ft)).
Once the ride done, discover a true maison de champagne with 800yo cellars. One glass tasting included.
Drive to Château-Thierry train Station .Drop off.
End of our services.
Package services
This offer includes
- Fully licensed English-speaking guide and driver from train station to station.
- Full board from lunch day 1 to lunch day 2.
- All mentioned services included
Lunches and diner are 3 courses, drinks are to be paid as extras by the participant.
No drink and drive policy apply to bicycling in France.
This offer does not include
- Train tickets
- Extra tastings at the house of Champagne and Electric bikes have to be booked as extra
Program Designed by
DMC Septentrion Tours
Information request
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Crédits Photos © : ABMC US Gov / Agence Aisne Tourisme / CC-BY-SA-3.0 JpDuburcq