The best walks and hikes around Saint-Léger-Aux-Bois

The church is believed to have been built in the 12th century under the authority of the Knights Templar[2]. The church was almost completely destroyed during the First World War and was rebuilt identically in its original Romanesque style. It received its new blessing on March 6, 1932. It is characterized by its two-story bell tower, one square and the other octagonal, the capitals in the shape of heads perched on small columns, numerous sculptures along the gutters, and the modillions carved with fantastical figures. Source: Wikipedia

This former monastery was dedicated to the Holy Cross (Latin “Santa Croce”). The patronage refers to the cross on which Jesus Christ died. The veneration of the Holy Cross goes back to a large extent to Saint Helena, who was the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great (who recognized Christianity as a religion after his victory at the “Milvian Bridge” in front of Rome and in the year 312 for a long time the persecution ended with the “tolerance edict” of Milan). In the early fourth century she undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Israel / Palestine) and from there brought numerous relics with her to Europe, including the "True Cross" on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Helena is therefore often depicted with a cross as an attribute. The church celebrates the festival of the discovery, public presentation and veneration of the Holy Cross – called “Exaltation of the Cross” – on September 14th.

The National Necropolis of Tracy-le-Mont is a national cemetery which houses the remains of 3,196 French soldiers who died during the First World War in the Oise. You can explore the tombs and ossuaries of these brave men, some of whom were father and son or brothers, who fought and fell together.

The Carrières de la Maison du Garde is a former quarry which served as a shelter and hospital for French soldiers during the First World War. You can explore the underground galleries and admire the sculptures, graffiti and objects left by the poilus who lived there. You can also learn about the history of the war and the village of Tracy-le-Mont, which was heavily bombed and damaged.

Very nice route starting from Tracy le Mont or St Crepin au bois.

Isolated on the edge of the park of the Château d'Offémont, the ruins of the former Sainte-Croix priory seem doomed to inexorable deterioration. The priory was founded in 1331 by Jean 1er de Nesle to keep a fragment of the True Cross there. Four Célestins from the abbey of Saint-Pierre-en-Chastres, in the forest of Compiègne, had been called for the occasion. The priory had been richly endowed by the lords of Offémont, who reserved their burial there. The Duke of Orléans founded a chapel there in 1403 and the priory also benefited, at that time, from the liberalities of Gérard d'Arthies, archbishop of Besançon, lord of Moyencourt. The priory disappeared in 1779.