Picardie France

Day 121/France 22
Travelled: 116km from Mery sur Seine 
Stay: La Ferte Milon- parking along Ourcq Canal N49.1818 E3.1349
Visited: American WWI memorial in Chateau Thierry

Once again we spent the day travelling north and doing preparations for our departure in a couple of days. We started with doing a wash of items we are going to leave behind, having spotted a set of washing machines in the E.Leclerc carpark in Sezanne. On our approach to Chateau Thierry we spotted a very distinctive monument on top of a hill and decided to go and have a closer look. It was an American WWI memorial built in 1937. On one side reflects the unity between France and the United States. 





Overlooking Chateau Thierry

The other shows a map of American military operations that took place in the region. 





We also had a look in the visitors centre giving us more detail on America’s involvement in WWI. 







We continued on to La Ferte Milon where we had chosen a spot for tonight. The lovely summer weather has gone replaced by rain, so we busied ourselves with some bookwork, cleaning and sorting. Late in the afternoon the rain eased and we walked 1km along the canal into the village. The Ourcq Canal was built the early 1800’s on orders by Napoleon. It would have a dual purpose of providing shipping channels and also to bring water to Paris. It is still used by pleasure crafts and the water is used now to clean out the sewer systems in Paris.



 In La Ferte Milon it was hard not to notice the ruins of an unfinished castle perched on a rock above the town. 





We walked up and down the main road and then returned to Bluey.

Agnetz, France

Travelled: Melbourne to Paris. Then 28km in Bluey.

Stay:Rousseloy Storage and Agnetz, free parking  N49.3813, E2.38816

Visited: Cauffry Ford Service and shopping.

Our 7th annual trip began on 26th May, departing Melbourne on Singapore Airlines and arriving in Paris early Monday morning.

 The day went as per usual, preparing Bluey for the start of our 4 month journey. After an early nights sleep, we were up around 5am and heading off to the Ford Service in Cauffry. Unfortunately whilst we waited for their 8:30am opening, Bluey’s battery went flat. Luckily we were just outside and they were able to jump start us. A new battery was added to the bill along with new rear brakes and a roadworthy certificate (required every 2 years). This year, instead of waiting around we got a courtesy car, so we decided to drive to the CLC motorhome supplies and nearby shops to begin filling up Bluey’s cupboards. 

By mid afternoon the jet lag we setting in so we didn’t want to drive too far away. The parking area next to an old château, now the town hall in Agnetz seemed a quiet spot to spend  the rest of the day and hopefully tonight. 

We were impressed at the size of the church in this small village.

We saw these building scattered around...very interesting design.

Compiegne France

Travelled:70km

Stay:Pont Sainte Maxence - 3km from town, near lakes 49.3184, 2.63138

Visited:Compiegne

After a stroll through the village, admiring the Chateau, we followed the front line route to Tracy le Mont. 

We stopped at a German and then a French war cemetery and read the info panels regarding WWI battles fought here.

Saw our first wild deer in France in this forest.

 We then decided to go to see the town of Compiegne. We have previously just skirted around it and of course, looked at the Armistice Clearing in the woods nearby. 

We were pleasantly surprised at quality of the buildings here, this was helped by King Louis XV building a Royal Castle here before the revolution. Later Napoleon enhanced the palace.

The gardens were lovely to walk around and there were numerous statues.

 In the centre of town, we admired the gothic façade on the 16thC town hall.

Joan of Arc played a role in defending the town in the 1430’s. 

Unfortunately it was here that she was captured and then sold to the English. 

She said her last prayers in the 13thC church of St.Jacques, with its beautiful timber panelling. 

We walked along the Oise River and past the remains of the medieval ramparts. 

After our explorations it was time to do some laundry, so we drove to Intermarché in Pont Sainte Maxence that has washing machines and dryer in the car park. Then we spent the rest of the day just out of town next to a lake in the hope of a quiet night. 

Soissons France

Travelled:46km

Stay:Vic sur Aisne- parking next the the Aisne River N49.4030 E3.1153
Visited: Soissons

It was a cloudy and rainy day as we made our way to Soissons one of France’s most ancient towns. Along the way we stopped to have a look at a couple of War Cemeteries. The first one was at Soupir.

A mass grave for German soldiers- 5955 known the 5173 other unknown

A little further on there was a British Cemetery (no Australians).

We parked just near Soisson's Town Hall.

We managed to arrive on the last day of the Fete des Haricots (festival of the bean). We strolled through the food tent area and then watched the parade. Local growers of the beans, grapes and other produce, along with dance and music clubs entertained us as they passed by.

 The towns’ mascot

 A Géant

 Historic bean shape lolly maker

 Just about to get sprinkled with confetti

Guilds protecting the authenticity of their products




We then went in search of the huge gothic cathedral built during the 12thC. 

We walked back to Bluey in the rain and had some lunch before driving Bluey to have a look at the Abbaye St. Jean des Vignes. Unfortunately it is now in ruins as it was taken apart and the stones sold off after the French Revolution. 

There was not much more we could do today in the wind and rain, so we drove to a spot on the river and waited it out in Vic sur Aisne.