At the roadside in Beaumont-en-Beine, the only still-recognizable remnant of the Paris Gun site is visible. A little farther down, the camouflaged Site XXV was located in the forest. From there, the German gun began shelling Paris on 27 May 1918. The visible roadside remnant and the historical starting point of the shelling are two different places: the camouflage and the start of the shelling refer to Site XXV.

A memorial site with precise historical context

The interpretive area “Le Saint Quentinois: territoire mémoriel multinational en zone occupée: Ligne Hindenburg et offensive Michael” includes the remnant as a memorial site. Its name refers to a multinational memorial landscape in the occupied zone, as well as to the Hindenburg Line and the Michael Offensive. This places the local relic within a broader historical theme. At the same time, its precise context remains tied to Beaumont-en-Beine and the specific episode of 27 May 1918. Two scales are helpful for orientation here: the individual site of the Paris Gun and the broader framework of the interpretive area.

Woodland landscape in the Noyonnais

Beaumont-en-Beine is one of the municipalities within the ZNIEFF “Forêts de l'antique massif de Beine”. It encompasses extensive, varied woodlands that provide habitats for diverse fauna and flora. The area extends beyond the individual locality: it includes woodland on two Tertiary hills in the Noyonnais and stretches from Noyon to Tergnier. Beaumont-en-Beine’s inclusion describes the local connection, while Noyon and Tergnier indicate the area’s wider geographic extent.

The landscape also includes forest paths on oligotrophic sandy soils. These habitats are considered rare in Picardy. The nature around Beaumont-en-Beine is therefore characterized not only by its extensive woodlands: soil conditions and the importance of these areas as habitats are also specific features. For nature enthusiasts, this offers a different perspective on the surrounding area from the history of the individual memorial site.

Church and architectural history

Eglise Notre Dame adds a look at architectural history to the historical themes. It dates from the 19th century and was restored after the First World War. Its bell tower is made of wood. The construction period and the later restoration can therefore be viewed as two distinct stages; the wooden tower is a specific architectural feature in its own right. Those interested in the church will find both a sense of its historical period and a detail about its construction here.

A specific running route

The “Mont des pierres” running route is a 10.2 km loop starting from Beaumont-en-Beine. This distance refers to the named route, not to the extent of the ZNIEFF. Thus, two different scales sit side by side: a single, specified running route and a larger woodland area with diverse habitats. Route details may change, so check them before your outing.

Discover more destinations: Ambleny, Gandelu, Artonges, La Neuville-Lès-Dorengt, Vassogne, Liesse-Notre-Dame, La Fere, La Chapelle-Sur-Chézy.

View the broader travel overview: Aisne.