Vauxaillon lies at the western entrance to the Chemin des Dames. The town brings together two very different travel interests: military history and remembrance, and exploring a wetland. The French military cemetery lies on the outskirts along the railway line; the Marais de Longchamp is also in Vauxaillon. This offers two distinct areas of interest: the cemetery and historic events along the Chemin des Dames on the one hand, and ecological restoration and seasonal nature watching on the other.
Military Heritage along the Chemin des Dames
The French military cemetery in Vauxaillon contains the remains of 2,078 French service personnel. Most of those buried in the cemetery who died in the First World War were soldiers killed in the battles along the Chemin des Dames. The cemetery is freely accessible from sunrise to sunset. Check access conditions before your visit, as they may change.
At Mont des Singes near Vauxaillon, south of the Ailette Canal, the 61st Senegalese Tirailleurs Battalion launched an assault on April 16, 1917. In April 1917, the Vauxaillon-Laffaux salient was a target for the 1st Colonial Army Corps during the Chemin des Dames offensive. In September 1918, fierce fighting took place at Mont des Singes, involving the 370th US Infantry Regiment. The Battle of La Malmaison is also part of the history of this area: during the battle, Mont des Singes fell to the French army.
The events can be distinguished chronologically: the attack and the corps’ objective date to April 1917, while the fierce fighting involving the US regiment took place in September 1918. The fall of Mont des Singes to the French army is associated with the Battle of La Malmaison.
Alongside its military history, the town’s church is another point of interest: the “Autour de Vauxaillon” walking trail passes Église Saint Médard de Vauxaillon. The church is therefore another named landmark to help orient visitors, alongside the cemetery and battlefields.
Wetland and Nature Trail
The Marais de Longchamp is a wetland in Vauxaillon on the site of a former poplar plantation. A 2020 report describes ecological restoration measures aimed at restoring a remarkable sloping fen.
The 2020 activity report states that the ecological measures enabled the appearance of Orchis négligé, Ophioglosse, and a community of wetland invertebrates. This community includes the spider Epeire alsine, described as uncommon. Observations may vary by season; if you are interested in particular plants or invertebrates, take this seasonal context into account when planning your visit.
A 2020 activity report records that the Sentier de la demoiselle had been established at the Marais de Longchamp as part of an educational nature area. The path had information boards, and an insect hotel was incorporated into it. The Marais thus offers seasonal observations of plants and invertebrates alongside an educational trail with specifically named features. These different perspectives can help you decide whether to focus mainly on individual species or on the natural area as a whole.
Discover more destinations: Puisieux-Et-Clanlieu, Marigny-En-Orxois, Ronchères, Ohis, Courmelles, Crécy-Sur-Serre, Essômes-Sur-Marne, La Neuville-Lès-Dorengt
For the main travel overview: Aisne.
