Three clearly distinct themes define Cuts: the ancient Voie Brunehaut, remembrance of the First World War and a rural community landscape. They are reflected in tangible historical traces: a long-distance road linking cities, a national necropolis and buildings from different periods of construction. When planning, it helps to distinguish routes by their focus: the Parcours des Zouaves turns the spotlight on soldiers of the First World War; the Circuit pédestre Pierre Ramus leads to several sights in the local area. This offers different perspectives on the history of the village.
Ancient Road and Early Settlement
Cuts lies on the ancient Roman Voie Brunehaut. It connects Amiens with Reims and is also part of the Milan–Boulogne road. Traces from earlier times also form part of the village’s history: pottery, lime kilns and cellars suggest a settlement along the Noyon–Soissons road at the beginning of the Common Era. This interpretation is based on the surviving remains. Together with the Voie Brunehaut, these finds give Cuts a multi-layered historical context, without reducing the village’s history to a single period.
Necropolis and Remembrance of the First World War
The national necropolis of Cuts preserves the remains of soldiers who died fighting for France in the various battles in the Oise département between 1914 and 1918. It was established in 1920 and 1922 to bring together the remains of other soldiers exhumed from various temporary cemeteries in the département. At the entrance to the village, the Calvaire de la Pommeraye also commemorates the fighting of 1914 and the destruction of 1917.
The Parcours des Zouaves focuses on the history of soldiers from the colonies during the First World War. The national necropolis of Cuts has been part of the route since 2014; it was created by the Musée Territoire 14-18 and inaugurated in 2015. The video-guided tour comprises two walking routes in Carlepont and Cuts and is available in French and English. Explanatory panels, information points in the municipalities and a free mobile app complement the route. Before visiting, it is advisable to check the current status of the routes and the app’s availability.
Château, Church and Village Architecture
The Château de Cuts is surrounded by moats and a large park. Formerly called “CUS”, it belonged to the former lordship of the Barony of Coucy at the beginning of the 13th century. After being rebuilt in 1636, it was damaged during the offensive of 17 September 1914, set on fire in 1917 and almost completely rebuilt in 1926. These dates tell the story of several turning points in the château’s history.
The church also reflects different periods of construction: part of the 13th-century choir survives, while the foundations of the nave date from the 16th century. Among the other architectural features, the high-quality natural stone buildings and stepped gables herald the Soissonnais. The vast majority of the houses and farms date from the first third of the 19th century. This means that buildings from markedly different centuries stand side by side in Cuts.
Rural Landscape and Walking Circuit
Most of the municipal area consists of forests, meadows and farmland; Cuts is predominantly rural. The Circuit pédestre Pierre Ramus runs through the municipal area and leads to various places of interest, including the château, forests, the Calvaire de la Pommeraye and old houses. The circuit thus combines historic destinations with landscape features, while its focus differs from that of the Parcours des Zouaves. If you plan to walk the route, check its current course before setting off, as route details may change locally.
Discover more destinations: Brasseuse, Estrées-Saint-Denis, Milly-Sur-Thérain, Coye-La-Forêt, Senantes, Crèvecœur-Le-Grand, Lamorlaye, Ormoy-Villers
For the overview of the wider area: Oise.
