Attractions and Places To See around Apremont - Top 20

Freely accessible and located along the Route de la Haute Chevauchée. Climb the stairs for an impressive view and to admire the monument up close. Behind the monument is the entrance to the ossuary and a cross of reconciliation.

A silent tribute in the heart of the Argonne Inaugurated in 1922, this impressive monument commemorates the thousands of fallen soldiers of the Argonne during WWI. The ossuary contains the remains of approximately 10,000 unknown soldiers of various nationalities. The obelisk-shaped structure, topped with a soldier's head and sword, is a powerful symbol of sacrifice. In 2023, the monument was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ravin du Génie: Located in the woods of Lachalade, less than 1.2 km from the front line, this ravine was an important logistical camp for the French engineers during WWI. Soldiers found rest there, and equipment was stored for mine warfare in the Argonne. Today it is an open-air museum with the remains of barracks, warehouses and trenches – a tangible reminder of daily life behind the front. Free access with information panels.

Mémorial de Pennsylvania – Varennes-en-Argonne Erected in 1927 by the state of Pennsylvania, this neoclassical monument honors the American soldiers from Pennsylvania who helped liberate Varennes in 1918. Designed in the Greek style, the monument offers impressive views over the Aire Valley and bears the words of President Wilson: “The right is more precious than peace”.

The American military cemetery in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon contains the graves of 14,246 soldiers who died during the First World War in northwest France. It is the largest American military cemetery in Europe. The cemetery site is located in the old front line of the Meuse-Argonne offensive that took place between September 26 and November 11, 1918. The plot of land was used as a cemetery on October 14, 1918 after it had been occupied by the American forces just before. 32nd Infantry Division. The site was given on permanent loan to the US by the French government. The 14,246 graves are spread over eight fields. There are lime trees surrounding the fields, the fields themselves are covered with grass. Each grave has its own stone. For Jewish graves, the top of the stone is shaped like a Star of David. The text on each stone states the soldier's name, rank, division, state and date of death. Of the 14,246 graves, 486 soldiers have not been identified. The stones of the unidentified soldiers bear the text: Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to god. On the south side of the cemetery is a memorial building, designed by the architectural firm York and Sawyer from New York. The center of the memorial gives access to a chapel containing the flags of the US and the other allied countries. The stained glass windows show the insignia of the various divisions that operated in the region. The two loggias outside the chapel display the names of 954 missing soldiers. The visitors building is located on the north side of the cemetery. There is a book here in which a visit can be registered. The entrance to the cemetery, both on the west and east sides, is 'guarded' by two white towers with the American eagle on top. There is a large pond in the middle of the site. The maintenance and management of the cemetery is the responsibility of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Impressive square with views over the region

Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964), also known as Sergeant York, was one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I.[1] He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, gathering 35 machine guns, killing at least 25[2] enemy soldiers and capturing 132 prisoners. York's Medal of Honor action occurred during the United States-led portion of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France, which was intended to breach the Hindenburg line and force the Germans to surrender. He earned decorations from several allied countries during WWI, including France, Italy and Montenegro.

World War I cemetery