Attractions and Places To See around Mangiennes - Top 11

🔭 **Observatoire de l’Étang d’Amel – Nature Observation at the Pond** At the Étang d’Amel, there is a wooden observation post from which wildlife can be observed undisturbed. Waterfowl such as herons, ducks, and geese are particularly easy to spot here – depending on the season, even with their young. 🌾 The platform is sheltered from the wind, offers information panels about the regional fauna, and is idyllically situated among reeds, trees, and riparian grass. **Tip:** Bring binoculars! The chances of spotting birds are particularly good in the early morning or late afternoon. Ideal for nature lovers and families.

Ornes was a real city, larger than the other destroyed villages, but which eventually found itself, after the First World War, on the same site, or almost, under their stones. In the course of its history, its lord's castle suffered the same fate, when it was taken in February 1653 and then destroyed by the Catholic troops of Lorraine, while he, like his ancestors since 1563, vigorously defended Protestantism. As early as 1587, a very bloody battle took place between his troops and the Catholic troops of the Duke of Lorraine. In the mid-19th century, the city had 1,367 inhabitants, but in 1914 the number of inhabitants fell again to 750. This was mainly due to the rural exodus, which provided labour for the large industrial centres that were growing rapidly at the end of the 19th century. However, this city has an industrial textile and processing factory that is well suited to local agricultural production and textiles from the neighbouring Woëvre plain. But its geographical location, close to the border with the annexed Moselle and then on the front that had been stabilised after the Battle of the Marne, was not favourable for the area. In the event of an enemy offensive, the area would quickly find itself on the front line. For this reason, on 25 August 1914, the population was asked to leave the village. But not everyone left, at their own risk, because the bombardments and German patrols in the village became increasingly intense. In September 1914, two children were killed by shrapnel. In October 1914, several villagers who were about to leave were taken prisoner by the Germans... In 1915 and until February 1916, French troops held the village where units were positioned, in the second line opposite the front, at the beginning of the great German offensive. But from 21 to 24 February, the German advance was so strong that the village of Ornes was taken by their infantry on 24 February 1916, after heavy bombardments that destroyed all the houses and buildings in the village. It was not until 23 August 1917 that the area was retaken by our soldiers. At the end of the war, the area was classified as a 'red zone' and could never be rebuilt. Source: Tourism Verdun

In September 1914, the 186 inhabitants were evacuated from the village, which was temporarily left in no man's land. In October 1914, it was occupied by French troops who transformed it into a strong point. Beaumont unfortunately lay just behind the front line where the first German attack took place on 21 February 1916. Lieutenant-Colonel Emile Driant's chasseurs defended the Caures Wood to the north, in the most advanced position. Despite the heroic resistance of the chasseurs, the wood fell and Colonel Driant gave the order to withdraw to Beaumont. As the columns emerged from the wood, they came under withering German machine gun fire. The colonel, who formed the rearguard, was killed, but fragments of his sections managed to reach Beaumont and reinforce the garrison there. February 24 was the critical day. From the village, elements of two French regiments (four companies) fought off repeated attacks. As the troops of the 18th German Corps entered the village, they were mowed down by machine guns firing from cellar windows. The enemy formations, which were extremely densely packed, advanced so rapidly, with each wave passing the previous one, that the French automatic fire at first seemed to overwhelm them and they suffered terrible losses. The Germans began a systematic shelling of the village again. When the infantry attack was resumed, they again encountered fierce resistance, but the balance of power was now too unequal. As more of the attacking troops managed to break through, the French officers realized that a withdrawal was necessary. The French were able to keep an escape route open and a number of their survivors were able to escape the following morning. Beaumont was lost and it was to become a formidable stronghold for the German army for the remainder of the battle of 1916. Read the full story at https://roadstothegreatwar-ww1.blogspot.com/2022/10/three-battles-at-beaumont-en-verdunois.html

You can observe birds there without disturbing them. The pond is home to many rare and protected plant and animal species, such as the greater bittern, the little heron and the marsh copper. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this wetland habitat. An ideal break for your race.

You can observe birds there without disturbing them. The pond is home to many rare and protected plant and animal species, such as the great bittern, the dwarf heron and the marsh copper. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this wetland habitat.

Stationed in Longuyon in 1954, with an air base in Marville, the Canadians left our region in 1966/1967 following General DE GAULLE's decision in 1966 to no longer belong to NATO. The Canadians, in thanks for the welcome received by the French, proposed to the municipality, chaired by Robert DRAPIER, to build a totem characteristic of the Canadian nation. It was inaugurated on March 11, 1967 by the Indian chief KHUT LA CHA and his squaw "Princess of Peace", in the presence of the mayor and the city council, as well as the 4 colonels who had succeeded each other at the base. After many Indian dances and songs to the accompaniment of a tambourine, the chief gave his headdress to Colonel CHRISTIE, the last base commander, who unveiled the plaque affixed to the Totem's base. As a testimony to the warm welcome given by the French people to all Canadian personnel of the First Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force, who stayed at Marville Base from 1954 to 1967. Worn out over the years, our unusual Totem was replaced thanks to Canadians from the LAHR base in Germany. Renovated and carved from larch, 5.40 meters high, the new brand new totem was re-inaugurated by Pierre MERSCH, Mayor, on June 8, 1986. It is regularly maintained and some parts have been refurbished. weather and pollution would soon have overcome this memory of the past. In 2005, the second Totem, which still retained the original sculptures and designs, had to be replaced. It is now in resin, which should make it more resistant to the test of time. (https://www.longuyon.fr/Patrimoine/Totem.html)

This is one of the destroyed villages from WWI that were not rebuilt

This is one of the destroyed villages from WWI that were not rebuilt