The best cycling routes around Minaucourt-Le-Mesnil-Lès-Hurlus

Mill and museum, here the French army fought the decisive battle for the French Revolution in 1792

Here, in 1792, during the Battle of Valmy, French troops stood against the Prussian armies. A simple windmill on a hill… which became a symbol of resistance.

On September 29, 1918, the village of Séchault was liberated by the 369th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army – better known as the Harlem Hellfighters. This African-American unit fought bravely on the Western Front and made history through their dedication and sacrifice. Today, a memorial in the village commemorates this event. It is a quiet place, but with deep historical significance. Ideal for a short stop during your drive along the front line of 14-18.

During the opening stages of the First World War, Manre was at the heart of the Battle of the Frontiers (August 1914), a series of bloody confrontations between French and German troops in the Ardennes. The region was severely affected by artillery fire and troop movements. Close to the front line, Manre experienced evacuations, destruction and military occupation. Today, it is a silent witness to the chaos of 1914, with traces of trenches and monuments in the area that recall the fierce fighting.

The Église Saint-Martin in Manre was rebuilt in the early 20th century, probably after the devastation of the First World War. The church is notable for its slender, neo-Gothic tower, which rises like a vertical marker above the open landscape of the Champagne-Ardennes. The architecture reflects the reconstruction style of the region, with its sober lines and understated elegance. Today, the tower serves as a visual beacon for those following the former front line.

Various families succeeded one another as owners of the castle until its acquisition by the Institut de France in 2007. The castle had then already been empty for several years. The Institute then left the castle empty until it was finally purchased in a very dilapidated state by its current owners in 2014. The castle and gardens can now be visited - for a fee (temporarily closed in 2023).

Neuville-au-Pont is a small village in the Marne department in the Grand Est region.

The famous Valmy mill, which symbolizes the French victory over the Prussians at the Battle of Valmy in 1792, was destroyed on the evening of the battle itself by order of Kellermann, because it offered an ideal target for the enemy. A second mill was built and then demolished in 1831. In anticipation of the 150th anniversary of the battle of Valmy, the mayor of the village, André Procureur, decides to reinstall a mill in Valmy thanks to a national subscription. The mill then comes from Attiches. The work, which began in 1939, was interrupted by the war and a temporary roof was installed. Work resumed after the war and the mill was inaugurated on September 20, 1947.