The best walks and hikes around Villers-Bretonneux

In his address on National Day of Mourning 2015, the then Federal President Joachim Gauck expressed some thoughts that I would like to offer to visitors of this soldiers' cemetery for consideration: + "This ... is our greatest hope: that the memory of the suffering of war does not give birth to revenge, but rather increasingly leads people and nations to seek the way out in a peaceful coexistence of peoples. Just as it succeeded in making European integration the great peace project of our continent. (...) That soldiers' cemeteries, as Albert Schweitzer once said, may finally be the great preachers of peace. Then, as we have experienced, reconciliation over the graves becomes possible. Then peace can be lasting. For this, we bear joint responsibility."

Villers-Bretonneux military cemetery; this cemetery contains the graves of Commonwealth soldiers, sailors and airmen: 1089 British soldiers, 779 Australians, 267 Canadians, 2 New Zealanders and 4 South Africans

Nice view of the ponds and the villa "Les étangs".

The Saint-Pierre de Corbie Abbey Church is a Gothic church which was once the main building of a powerful Benedictine abbey. Founded in the 7th century by Queen Bathilde, the abbey played an important role in the Carolingian Renaissance and produced numerous manuscripts and missionaries. The church itself has been rebuilt several times following fires and wars, and today only a third of its original length remains. You can admire its impressive façade, its high vaults and its rich furnishings, as well as discover the history of the abbey and the town of Corbie at the nearby museum. The Abbey Church of Saint-Pierre de Corbie is a monument that will take you back in time and will inspire you with its beauty and its heritage.

As a memorial to the endless number of war dead, such a “Cimetiere militaire” – in German they are usually referred to as a “war cemetery” or “soldiers' cemetery” – is still very important today. “Now you, Lord, let your servant depart in peace, as you said...” it says in the so-called “Song of Simeon” (Gospel of Luke chapter 2, verse 29). However, the many people buried here by no means died in peace, but rather became victims of war and an inhumane tyranny. The most important and at the same time enduring function of military or honorary cemeteries or war cemeteries is to keep the memory of this suffering alive and - every generation anew (!) - to remind us of the lasting preservation of peace.

The Etangs de la Barette are a natural site of approximately 40 hectares located in the communes of Corbie and Vaux-sur-Somme. The site is made up of large artificial ponds which were dug by the monks of Corbie Abbey to serve as a fishpond, then used for peat extraction in the 19th century. You can enjoy the view of the water and wetlands, and observe the diverse flora and fauna that populate the site. You will also be able to see the Blue Fountains, water springs that appear blue due to the reflection of sunlight on the chalky bottom. The Etangs de la Barette are an ideal destination for nature lovers who wish to discover a rich and preserved environment.

This path, formerly used for hauling boats by horses or men, offers a variety of landscapes and historical sites. You can enjoy the fresh air, nature and tranquility of this charming towpath.

On the towpath, we have on one side the ponds of the Barette and on the other the Somme.