DAY 16 - LAON to SAINTE-CROIX (Tuesday 2 May)

After our restful day yesterday we resumed our walk, heading southwards on a combination of walking paths and roads. We left Laon via a staircase path, joining up with the GR145 after a couple of kilometres. We then followed the GR through the village of Bruyères-et-Montbérault, and on to Martigny-Courpierre, where we stopped for our morning refreshment. 

Leaving Laon.

Heading south on the GR145

On the GR145 to Martigny-Courpierre 

The village church in Martigny is quite striking.  The original church was destroyed in 1918. Its replacement was erected in Art Deco style, using reinforced concrete,  in the early 1930s. 

Scenic rest stop - Martigny-Courpierre with its dramatic concrete church

We continued on to the nearby Lac d'Ailette, walking on a Voie Verte (combined walking/cycling path). Much of the lake's foreshore was given over to what looked like a holiday village, so our water views were a bit restricted. 

Around the Lac d'Ailette 

Just past the lake we visited the site of the former village of Ailles, one of several villages destroyed during the first world war and never rebuilt. All that remains at Ailles is a memorial to mark the spot where the village once stood. 

Ailles - destroyed village

Ailles

From Ailles we made our way through paths of varied surfaces to the Chemin des Dames. This area was on the front line during World War I and was the scene of ferocious fighting between the French and the Germans. A major tourist site in the region, the Caverne du Dragon, has a display of the fighting in the area, as well as offering guided tours to the underground quarries where the two armies faced off. 

From Ailles to the Chemin des Dames - a variety of paths

We had our lunch of bread and cheese outside the Caverne du Dragon centre. We then headed inside to read about the history of the site during the First World War. 

Bread and cheese for lunch,  Chemin des Dames 

Caverne du Dragon visitors' centre - a popular tourist attraction

Memorials along the Chemin des Dames 

We headed northwards from the Chemin des Dames to the small village of Sainte-Croix, where we are staying the night. On the way, we stopped at the ruined Abbey of Vauclair and ate some chocolate. 

Abbaye de Vauclair

"Health rating 'e' - I imagine that's pretty good. "

Last stretch of the day - on to Sainte-Croix 

Day 16 - Healthy Fruit  (the fruit's on the inside)

Day 16 - Birds

Day 16 - Elevation Profile

Day 16 - Route 

Day:  16

Distance: 28.43 km

Walking time:  5 hrs 54 mins

Elevation gain: 474 metres

Cumulative distance:  371.47 km