D. Pazery
Museum
Includes a section corresponding to...The Museum of the Great War
Meaux
Distance
51km
Elevation
161m
Duration
5h
Difficulty
Moderate
Presentation
Departing from the Great War Museum, go back in time and follow in the footsteps of the soldiers of the first battle of the Marne, at the heart of the Multien of September 1914.
In the heart of the Multien, the Battle of Ourcq and the first battles of the Battle of the Marne took place, from September 5 to 12, 1914.
Since the outbreak of war in August 1914, the German army has driven through Belgium and pursued the retreating French armies and British Expeditionary Force.
The Battle of Ourcq pits General Maunoury's 6th French Army against General von Kluck's 1st German Army.
From September 5 to 10, 1914, the fighting reached a rare level of violence and the losses were heavy, especially on the French side. The villages of Barcy, Etrépilly, Chambry, Iverny, Monthyon, Chauconin, Neufmontiers, Puisieux, Penchard and Villeroy are the most disputed places. At the beginning of September 1914, more than 300,000 men were fighting in the region.
Set off on a historic 50 kilometer loop through the Briard plains, to discover this decisive battle of the First World War, in an almost unchanged landscape.
To know everything about the first Battle of the Marne in 1914:
www.circuit-bataille-marne1914.fr
This route is offered by Meaux Marne Ourcq Tourisme in collaboration with the Association Meaux Cyclotouriste.
Type : Signposted loop
Average altitude : 130m
Audience : Cyclists
Medium gradient : 1m
Details regarding signposting
Cycling circuit n°3 (blue)
Services for cyclists
Germinale lends you a bike for free (adult bike) at the Great War museum.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1. At the Great War Museum, go up the road to Varreddes. Bypass the roundabout and take the agricultural track for 1.5 km. At the fork, turn left. At the roundabout follow the direction of Chambry. 2. In Chambry, at the end, turn left onto rue de la Ville. Take a break at the communal cemetery (back wall pierced in 1914). Continue on rue d'Ortheuil and leave the village. 3. At the D97 crossing, turn left towards Barcy and take a break at the National Necropolis (on the right). 4. On leaving, turn left and drive on the D97 to Varreddes. (On the way make a stop at the German necropolis). 5. At the crossing of the D405 (town hall of Varreddes), turn left. Go up Avenue Guy Denis. In the climb, turn left and drive to Etrépilly. 6. In Etrépilly, follow the main road until the crossing of the D401. Turn left (rue Chef de Ville), then take the 1st right (rue du Colonel Dubujadoux). Go up the street and stop at the National Necropolis of Etrépilly. 7. Continue straight on the D146 for about 3 km. At the 1st intersection, turn left on D146a3. At the crossing of the D38, turn left towards Puisieux. 8. In Puisieux, at the stop sign, turn left and follow Grande Rue. Leave the village and continue straight for 2km. 9. Caution! In the bend of the D38, turn left. Follow the D38 to Barcy. 10. At the entrance to Barcy, turn left on D97 towards the Notre-Dame de la Marne monument. In the parking lot, turn around and enter Barcy. Follow the D97 to Monthyon. 11. Warning! At the traffic lights, cross the N330 straight ahead. Turn right, rue de la République (at No. 57, observe the Villa La Grimpette). At the church, turn left; then left on rue Gambetta. 12. At the stop sign, turn right on the D97 and drive 3km to Iverny. At the stop sign, turn right (D27, direction Juilly). Enter Iverny and take the 1st left (rue Fortière). Turn left, rue du Fresne. Drive for 1.5 km to Villeroy. 13. At the intersection, turn left (hairpin) on Chemin de Puisieux. Observe the Puisieux well in the middle of the field. Continue on rue du Puits. At the stop sign, turn left (rue Saint-Pierre). 14. Take the 1st left (at the corner is the 14-18 Jacques Braquet Museum) and drive for 4.5 km, to Chauconin-Neufmontiers. Along the way, observe the Charles Péguy stele and the Great Tomb. 15. Cross Chauconin-Neufmontiers (Saint-Barthélémy church). Continue on the D140 to Penchard (2km). On the edge of the Bois de Penchard discover the tomb of Captain Hugot-Derville. 16. Still on the D140, cross Penchard towards Chambry, as far as the Monument des 4 routes. 17. At the D38 crossing, turn right. Before the roundabout, cross to the left to take the agricultural path. Return to the Great War Museum.
Other details
Wear appropriate clothing and check your equipment carefully before leaving.
