Discover Bruyères-Et-Montbérault

Bruyères-Et-Montbérault brings together the Via Francigena, sites of military history, a distinctive detail of the Église Notre-Dame, and a signposted short walking route. The following points show the different ways visitors can explore the commune.

Via Francigena and outdoor activities

On its 125-kilometre stretch through the Aisne département, the Via Francigena also passes through Bruyères-Et-Montbérault. In the commune, it is designated as a walking and pilgrimage route. If you include routes like this in your travel plans, it provides a concrete reference point when choosing your destination. Check the local waymarkers again before setting out.

Another activity option is quad biking with Quads center in southern Laonnois. The rides are led by a professionally qualified instructor; the routes pass through natural areas. This makes them quite different from a walking or pilgrimage route. If you plan to take part, check the operating conditions in advance.

Military history and church architecture

One specific link to the history of the Second World War is the Maison visitée par de Gaulle. On 14 May 1940, it served as Colonel de Gaulle’s command post, where he prepared the Serre Offensive, also known as the Battle of Montcornet. Fort de Bruyères belongs to a different period: it was built from 1876 to 1879 as part of a second line of defence to protect Paris. It is also one of the four forts that protected Laon. The four-fort system includes underground fortifications that are relatively well preserved and surrounded by dry moats. Together, the two sites represent different military contexts: the construction of a defensive line in the 19th century and a command post in 1940.

The Église Notre-Dame also features a clearly defined architectural detail. Its eastern end comprises a central apse and two apsidioles. These are richly decorated on the exterior and vaulted in the shape of a half-dome. An apsidiole is a small apse; the term helps identify the two structures beside the central apse. For visitors interested in architectural forms, this detail complements the military history with another aspect of local history.

Getting around and local history

The Fontaine Minérale is still visible at the junction of the Tour de Ville and rue de la Batterie. Its exact location provides a clear landmark in the commune. At the Aire d’accueil de Bruyères-Et-Montbérault, two information boards tell the story of the commune: one is by the car park and the other is in front of the town hall. A signposted short walking route also starts at the town hall. You can choose between information on a board and a walk with signposting. Check the waymarkers on site if you would like to take the short walking route.

Seasonal visits to the goat farm

The Chèvrerie de Bruyères is located in a former Fort Séré de Rivières. Seasonal visitor activities include bottle-feeding kids, giving hay and grain to the goats, brushing them, learning how to milk them, and tasting milk. This combines interaction with the animals and a tasting. The Chèvrerie also offers cheese and goat’s-milk soaps. As the activities are seasonal, check the dates before your trip; product availability may also change.

Discover more destinations: Montreuil-aux-Lions, Hirson, Rouvroy-Sur-Serre, Ribemont, Essômes-Sur-Marne, Beaulne, Ambleny, Beautor.

For the overview of the wider area: Aisne.