Old Craonne, Archaeological site in Craonne, France
The remnants of Old Craonne stretch across the slopes of Chemin des Dames plateau, with foundations and street patterns now covered by natural vegetation.
French artillery completely destroyed the original village in 1917 during the Chemin des Dames offensives, leading to its reconstruction 800 meters away.
The site preserves the memory of the Song of Craonne, an anti-war anthem of French soldiers expressing their weariness during the 1917 battles.
The walking trail maintained by the National Forestry Office includes an arboretum and information panels explaining the history of different areas.
Author Yves Gibeau selected the old village cemetery as his final resting place, where he was buried in 1994 among the historical ruins.
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