The best road cycling routes around Latilly

In a brochure entitled "A Call for Peace, Because Peace Is Possible," Father Klaus Schäfer of the Pallottine Order (Societas Apostolatus Catholici), founded in the mid-19th century by Saint Vincent Pallotti, writes: "The large military cemeteries of the two World Wars, not only those located in France, clearly demonstrate that former enemies can become friends. After the two bloodbaths of these nations, there were no recriminations about who shot first, who was more guilty, who was more cruel... instead, there was a clean break and a genuine new beginning. For this reason, the large military cemeteries of the two World Wars are worthy of being declared World Heritage Sites. This is not to elevate war to the status of culture, but to show the world that even after such a bloody past, peace is possible. Europe has shown us: PEACE IS POSSIBLE. Former enemies can become friends, true friends." (Fr. Klaus Schäfer SAC)

Peace and serenity await you at this natural site, which is the starting point of the Ourcq Canal.

The Château de La Ferté-Milon is an unfinished castle in La Ferté-Milon, France. It was commissioned by Louis of Orléans at the end of the 14th century but was never completed due to his death. The castle is known for its long façade and the remains of a gateway, which are now a popular attraction. The castle is a reminder of the grandeur Louis of Orléans envisioned, but also of the ravages of time. It is a popular destination for tourists and history and architecture enthusiasts.

Nestled on the banks of the Ourcq River, in the shadow of the ruins of the impressive fortress, lies the charming town of La Ferté-Milon. La Ferté-Milon Castle was founded at the end of the 14th century but was never completed due to the assassination of the Duke of Orléans in 1407. Nevertheless, you'll find interesting remains here, such as the impressive façade with its window openings, the machicolations, and the low reliefs, the most remarkable of which depicts the Coronation of the Virgin. Magnificent views over the Ourcq valley can be admired from the castle's forecourt... Other monuments you can visit in La Ferté-Milon include the Saint-Nicolas Church, with its 16th-century stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Christ and a vision of the Apocalypse, and the Church of Our Lady, dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries, where the famous fable writer Jean de La Fontaine married Jean Racine's cousin. Literature enthusiasts should definitely visit the Jean Racine Museum, dedicated to the life and work of the famous playwright, which houses many memorabilia from his paternal grandmother's house, where the writer spent his childhood.

The Holy Father known as Pope Urban II was born here around 1035. His name is known as Odon de Lagery, also Eudes de Châtillon, or Otton de Châtillon. He joined the Benedictine Order named after Benedict of Nursia (OSB for the Latin "Ordo Sancti Benedicti") and became prior of the highly important Cluny Abbey. In 1088, he was elected pope, taking the name Urban II. As the supreme shepherd of the Roman Catholic Church, he supported the Reconquista in Spain and the First Crusade in support of Byzantium. His theological reasoning was based on the second chapter of the Old Testament Book of Daniel, which describes a turning point in history. He died in 1099. His feast day in the calendar of saints is July 29, the recorded date of his death.

On market days there is a lot of activity here!

The view from the beautiful rest areas around the monument of Pabst Urban II over the Marne valley and the vineyards of Champagne is magnificent ☺️

The castle ruins are quite large. Of the important 13th-century castle, only the advanced structures remain today. The keep itself had already been destroyed in the 15th century.