The best walks and hikes around Berrieux

The observation tower, inaugurated on April 16, 2013, overlooks the Plateau de Californie, a strategic site of the battles of the Chemin des Dames. The 20-meter-high, freely accessible tower offers a historical insight into the landscape and recalls the importance of the heights during the war. It also offers visitors who climb it an unparalleled view of the village of Craonne below, but also of the Chemin des Dames and the Champagne plain... The observation tower is topped with a blue beacon that is activated at night, thus forming a monument in the landscape. During the day, it allows one to survey the plain of Reims, while at night, conversely, it is visible from this plain. The structure of the tower consists of a spatially modular wooden Mikado, whose arrangement has been chosen according to the configuration of the terrain and the orientation of the viewpoints. The dimensions of the steps and handrails facilitate the climb and mitigate the feeling of vertigo that may arise. For this structure built amidst trees, wood was the obvious material. Renewable materials were selected: glued laminated timber from pine for the long supports, posts and beams from larch, larch wood for the steps, and tropical woods (Massaranduba, Cumaru, Ipé, Doussié…) for the platforms and railings. These woods, originating from French Guiana, are certified and their extraction is controlled. Source and further information: https://www.chemindesdames.fr/

The Plateau de Californie in the heart of the Chemin des Dames is, like Verdun, a symbolic site of the First World War. However, while Verdun was quickly elevated to a national symbol of victory, the Plateau de Californie and the Chemin des Dames were long associated with the bitter failure of the Nivelle Offensive in April 1917, the subsequent mutinies, and the collapse in the summer of 1918, and were subjected to a process of exclusion, forgetting, and repression after the First World War. Before 1914, the Plateau de Californie, above the former village of Craonne, was a place for walks and recreation. After the war, pine trees were planted on the plateau, classified as a "red zone", as the land could no longer be cultivated. Today's visitors can follow the marked paths, discovering remnants of trenches and shell craters. Thematic information panels on the First World War, reading panels, and panoramic views of the Aisne valley now line the plateau along this marked hiking trail. Source: https://www.chemindesdames.fr

Inaugurated on April 16, 2013, the observation tower overlooks the Plateau de Californie, a strategic location during the war on the Chemin des Dames. Standing at a height of 20 meters and freely accessible, it offers a historical perspective on the landscapes and serves as a reminder of the importance of high points during the war. It also offers visitors who climb it an incomparable view of the village of Craonne below, as well as the Chemin des Dames and the Champagne plain. Equipped at its summit with a blue lighthouse, put into operation at night, the observation tower constitutes a beacon of memory in the landscape. Allowing a view of the plain of Reims during the day, it is, in a reverse movement, visible at night from this plain. 

Inaugurated on April 16, 2013, the observation tower overlooks the Plateau de Californie, a strategic location during the war on the Chemin des Dames. Standing at a height of 20 meters and freely accessible, it offers a historical perspective on the landscapes and serves as a reminder of the importance of high points during the war. It also offers visitors who climb it an incomparable view of the village of Craonne below, as well as the Chemin des Dames and the Champagne plain. Equipped at its summit with a blue lighthouse, put into operation at night, the observation tower constitutes a beacon of memory in the landscape. Allowing a view of the plain of Reims during the day, it is, in a reverse movement, visible at night from this plain.

this is a 20%+ gradient, so steep hike the bike is the only option

On the Plateau de Californie, above the former village of Craonne, stands a 20-metre-high watchtower that was inaugurated in 2013. This tower offers a panoramic view of the battlefield of the Chemin des Dames and allows visitors to understand the strategic importance of this height during the First World War. The tower is freely accessible and equipped with information panels that historically explain the landscape.

The Plateau de Californie, situated above the ruined village of Craonne, was a strategic high point during the First World War. In April 1917, it became the scene of fierce fighting during the Nivelle Offensive. French troops suffered heavy losses here in their attempt to break through the German lines.

Saint Erme. Without the h