The Battle of the Ourcq

Imagine the soldiers of 1914, with their red pants charging bayonets in the middle of wheat fields, near the famous farms of Poligny and Champfleury, the high points of the Battle of the Ourcq.

1) At the church, turn left (north) on the D146, then right, past the cemetery to the monument. Take the track on the left, then the track on the right. It climbs up to the plateau.

2) Continue straight ahead along the path for about 500 meters, then turn left to find the Poligny farm. Continue along the small road to the village of Puisieux.

3) Turn right onto the main street that passes in front of the church. Turn left onto Church Street and then cross the D38. Take the Chemin du Clos opposite, turn left, and rejoin the D38. Cross and then reach the valley. Turn right onto a small road and continue straight ahead to pass near the Champfleury farm.

4) Before the bend, turn left down the shady lane. Go straight east, along the wood, then past the pumping station. At the entrance to Etrépilly, turn right onto the D 401 and cross the Thérouanne.

5) Turn left onto the attractive track running alongside the marsh. Turn left on the D146, continue along rue du Pont-des-Planches, cross the Thérouanne, then turn left to reach the church.