General Mangin Observation Tower, Military observation tower in Retz Forest, France.
The 25-meter wooden observation tower stands on a hilltop, providing views across the Retz Forest and the Ourcq Valley.
General Charles Mangin used this strategic position in July 1918 to lead the French counter-offensive of Villers-Cotterêts against German forces.
The tower, rebuilt in 2018, features information panels in French, English, and Dutch detailing the events of World War I.
Visitors can access the tower free of charge from sunrise to sunset and explore three marked hiking trails in the area.
The site includes a British military cemetery where 98 soldiers who fought to slow the German advance toward Paris rest.
Location: Puiseux-en-Retz
Website: http://tourisme-villers-cotterets.fr
Address: Rte du Faîte, 02600 Villers-Cotterêts, France 02600 Villers-Cotterêts 02600 Villers-Cotterêts
Phone: +33323965510
Website: http://tourisme-villers-cotterets.fr
GPS coordinates: 49.28153,3.14204
Latest update: March 3, 2025 16:30
The French memorial sites and museums of World War I bear witness to the events of 1914-1918. The monuments, military cemeteries, forts, underground quarries, and interpretation centers present major battles like Verdun and the Somme. These places preserve the remnants of the battles and document the history of French and allied soldiers through objects, photographs, and period documents.
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Église Saint-Sébastien de Longpont
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Église Saint-Pierre de Puiseux-en-Retz
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Monument aux morts de Villers-Cotterêts
4.8 kmReviews
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