The best road cycling routes around Fontenoy

Very pretty

can see the castle even at night

Bakery, bar, tobacconist... Perfect for starting and finishing a hike

Ideal for starting a hike

In the heart of the village of Vic-sur-Aisne, surrounded by a leafy park and overlooking the Aisne valley, lies the imposing Château de Vic-sur-Aisne. What today appears to be an elegant country house, bears in its walls the traces of a turbulent past. Originally built on the foundations of a medieval castrum, the estate grew in the 17th century into a stately castle, with symmetrical facades, round towers and an impressive thirteen-metre high keep — a remnant from the 13th century. The architecture reflects the transition from defensive structure to residential comfort: robust, but refined. The gardens, partly in French style with straight lines and box hedges, partly in English landscape style with winding paths and romantic corners, invite you to stroll and contemplate.

The National Military Cemetery of Vic-sur-Aisne, created in 1921, is an impressive necropolis containing the remains of 3,046 French soldiers, mainly killed during the Battles of the Aisne in World War I. Of these, 932 are buried in two ossuaries, and seven others died during World War II. Among the thousands of French soldiers is Ma Yi Pao, a young Chinese legionnaire who died of wounds on September 2, 1918, at the age of 24. He was one of the few Chinese to actually serve as a soldier in the French Foreign Legion, while most of his compatriots were employed as laborers. His grave (plot F, grave 59) is unique: he is the only officially recognized Chinese soldier to have died for France in this war.

Rethondes is associated with the armistice of 1918. On Sunday 10 November, Foch and Weygand attended mass in the small church. Outside hangs a commemorative plaque. Inside, the portraits of the two commanders are included in the stained glass window of the apse.

Anecdote: Among the thousands of French soldiers lies Ma Yi Pao, a young Chinese legionnaire who died of his wounds on September 2, 1918 at the age of 24. He was one of the few Chinese who actually served as a soldier in the French Foreign Legion, while most of his compatriots were deployed as laborers. His grave (plot F, grave 59) is unique: he is the only officially recognized Chinese soldier who died for France in this war.