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Monument Napoléon – California Plateau loop from Craonne

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Hiking trails & Routes

Monument Napoléon – California Plateau loop from Craonne

Moderate

4.0

(2)

hikers

Monument Napoléon – California Plateau loop from Craonne

02:27

8.93km

140m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: May 8, 2026

Waypoints

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4.77 km

Monument Napoléon

Highlight • Other

On a raised point along the Chemin des Dames, on the site of the former Moulin de Vauclerc, stands a stone statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, erected in 1974. It marks the spot where Napoleon observed the Battle of Craonne on 7 March 1814, during the French campaign against Russian and Prussian forces. The battle claimed more than 12,000 lives. The emperor is depicted looking out over the horizon – a symbol of strategy, battle and memory.

Translated by Google •

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4.85 km

Napoleon Statue in Craonne

Highlight • Monument

This stone statue of Napoleon 1st, sculpted by Georges THUROTTE, commemorates the victory of the French armies at Craonne against the Russian and Prussian armies of General Blücher on March 7, 1814, which caused 12,000 deaths (7,000 French and 5,000 Russians, including the graves communes were dispersed during the battles of the First World War).

Placed high on a mound and built on the former location of the Moulin de Vauclerc which served as an observatory for the Emperor, the limestone statue represents the Emperor scanning the horizon, in a dignified position.
An enamelled table presents the plan of the battle of Craonne

Erected by the Departmental Tourism Committee and the Departmental Union of Offices and Syndicates of Initiatives of the Aisne, the building was inaugurated on June 30, 1974 by Michel Poniatowski, then Minister of State and Interior.

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6.73 km

California Plateau

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Plateau de Californie, situated above the ruined village of Craonne, was a strategic high point during the First World War. In April 1917, it became the scene of fierce fighting during the Nivelle Offensive. French troops suffered heavy losses here in their attempt to break through the German lines.

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7.65 km

Craonne Memorial Stone

Highlight • Other

This memorial stone, located on the Plateau de Californie above the old Craonne, commemorates the fierce fighting of April-May 1917 during the Nivelle Offensive. It stands on the spot where the French army suffered heavy losses in the battle against the German defenses. The stone also pays tribute to the destroyed village of Craonne, which was not rebuilt after the war. The site is closely linked to the famous “Chanson de Craonne”, the pacifist song of the French soldiers

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8.93 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.21 km

3.87 km

446 m

371 m

Surfaces

4.21 km

359 m

115 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (190 m)

Lowest point (70 m)

Weather

Saturday 11 July

36°C

17°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

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Monument Napoléon – California Plateau loop from Craonne

Monument Napoléon

Napoleon Statue in Craonne

California Plateau

Craonne Memorial Stone

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