Theatre of the Great War of 1914-1918, the land of Picardy holds dark reminders. All along the remembrance trail at Villers-Bretonneux, Longueval, Rancourt, Thiepval... memorials give the nations that took part in the conflict the opportunity to mourn. At the Dragon's Lair, on the Chemin des Dames or in the Forest of Compiègne where the Armistice was signed, History bears its full weight and commands respect. The 48 walking paths proposed in this guidebook invite hikers to follow in the footsteps of the "Poilus" and Tommies—but also in those who opposed them—these soldiers who were perhaps their grandfathers or great-grandfathers. What better way to get a sense of what a million men lived through a century ago in Picardy than to walk!
