Craonne, commune in Aisne, France
Craonne is a small village in the Aisne region, situated on a hillside. The original settlement was destroyed in 1917, and a new village was rebuilt starting in 1921 in a different valley.
The village was occupied by German troops in 1914 and destroyed by French artillery in 1917. After the war, it was classified as a red zone and remained too dangerous to rebuild for many years.
The name Craonne reflects an old settlement, and the ruins today show where homes and streets once existed. Visitors can see the layout of the former village and its cemetery, which speak to the life people lived before the war.
The site is open year-round and free to visit, with parking and picnic areas available. A marked walking trail guides you through the former village with information signs about the history.
The site features an arboretum with various tree species including giant sequoias and cedar trees. The place also inspired the famous Chanson de Craonne, a song sung by soldiers during the war that remains well known in France.
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