OSSUARY MONUMENT OF THE HAUTE CHEVAUCHÉE
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The Haute Chevauchée is a communication route that follows the eastern ridges of the Argonne forest
The Haute Chevauchée is a communication route that follows the eastern ridges of the Argonne forest and joins the great Roman axis from Reims to Metz. During the First World War, it was the scene of bloody confrontations between the French, Allied and German armies. Today, all along the road, the vestiges of the battles can be seen. Inaugurated in 1922, the ossuary monument is dedicated to the dead of the Argonne, "so that memory never dies". It contains the remains of approximately 10,000 unknown soldiers of all nationalities who fell as heroes for their country. It is a sculpture by Edmond-Henri Becker representing a French soldier wearing an Adrian helmet, whose bust emerges from a massive obelisk, his hands resting on a sword. It is possible to visit the crypt, whose walls have been covered with hundreds of ex-votos. Outside, you can see the names of the French, Italian, Czechoslovakian and American regiments that fought in the area. Behind the ossuary monument, you can see a gigantic funnel that was caused in 1916 by the explosion of the largest German mine, estimated at 52 tons. On the rim of the gaping crater, a Franco-German reconciliation cross was erected in 1971. From the parking lot, a historical path is marked out with seven explanatory markers: the walk allows you to learn more about the mine funnels, saps and trenches.
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