montfaucon monument & ruins

montfaucon monument & ruins印象

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  BoreDa2U

  A place to relax for a while enjoying the birdsong. The ruins were part of the original village which was destroyed during the 1st World War. The monument is impressive and, if you are up to it, you can climb approximately 250 steps up to the top where their is a great view.

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  mpd

  In the middle of nowhere rises this wonderful monument. The town was existed in this spot but only the ruins of the church are visible now.

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  JLFkin

  The monument was erected on a town that was all but completely destroyed. The ruins of the old church stand as a bleak reminder behind the imposing, towering pillar.A stark reminder of the price of war both to people and structures alike.Worth a visit

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  dougd731

  Its massive 200' granite Doric column is topped by a Statue of Liberty. There is an observation platform on top of the memorial that can be reached by two hundred and thirty-four steps, giving you a superb view of the battlefield, but not by me.Immediately behind the Monument can be found the ruins of the village church.Montfaucon was founded in 587 on this high peak. The Germans took the town early in the war and raised it to the ground. They then turned this ancient church into a fortified bunker.For nearly four years the French shelled this site without result other than to completely destroy the building.Ultimately the U.S. dislodged the Bosch in September 1918 in an advance of over 30 miles--almost unheard of during that war. Here is an example of American handiwork.

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  lelahelm

  .... quel ravage !Si l'on est courageux (225 marches à monter à pied) et du haut : un paysage MAGNIFIQUE

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  MarkVdNieuwenhuysen

  Doen. Een bezoek waard met leuke gids.Taal enkel in Frans (klein nadeel voor sommige mensen). Kan individueel of met gezin, groep.

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  AVG31

  We visited this location on a cold, rainy and windy day, and we were completely alone. It's not a place for a long visit, but on a clear day I assume the hike up the tower offers a wonderful view.

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  Snailkite

  Photos cannot adequately show the grand size of this monument. Adults standing at the base appear Lilliputan in comparison. The monument commemorates the American victory in the Meuse-Argonne campaign of WWI, with Victory standing triumphant 200 feet above at the top of the doric column. Upon the base are carved fasces, symbolizing power through unity (a bundle of staves being stronger than a single stave). The monument is maintained by the American Battlefield Monument Commission, whose website (ABMC.gov) supplies information about the site.While the 234 stairs may be intimidating to some, the tower is not claustrophobic, and is well lit with benches for resting. The view from the top is breathtaking, with inlaid bronze arrows pointing to the locations of important battle sites. Congress required such monuments to include a map showing the important actions of the Meuse-Argonne campaign, which is engraved in the stone walls.Montfaucon was one of the "lost towns" of France. These towns were obliterated during WWI and never rebuilt. Behind the monument are the remains of a destroyed church, a stark reminder of the civilian cost of the war and well worth visiting while there.

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  RavenLB

  The monument is moderately interesting but the location is spectacular. It sits atop a hill where once stood a village. If you walk behind the monument, you will see the ruins of that village's church. Walking to the fron tof the monument, you can see the vista that once belonged to villagers in a peaceful time. I was taken with the siting of the monument---go to see the location but not necessarily the monument. Just too big and not in harmony.

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  Sailorsgirl

  The Montfaucon American Monument is 7 miles South of the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery. There is a parking area in front of the Monument and a Visitor Information Center across the street.The Monument itself is a massive, 200 foot column topped by a statue symbolizing liberty. It commemorates the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. German troops were entrenched in the Benedictine monastery which was directly behind where the monument now stands. It was founded in the 6th Century by a monk who believed a falcon had led him to that spot to build the monastery. The Germans had held this position for almost four years until the Americans took it from them. The monastery was reduced to ruins, but there is enough of it left to wander through. We were the only visitors, and it was completely silent except for the birds singing in the trees.If you have the stamina, you can climb the 234 steps to the top of the Monument for a great view of the battlefield and surrounding countryside. I didn't attempt it, but my husband did. You can see him as a tiny speck at the top of the monument in one of my photos. This wasn't on our planned list of stops, we just happened upon it traveling from one cemetery to another. It was one of those travel bonuses you don't expect but are really glad you found.For more information about this Monument and the Montfaucon Ruins, go to www.abmc.gov.