Voie Verte de l'Ailette & Abbaye de Vauclair

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La Voie Verte de l'Ailette (the greenway of the Ailette) is an 8km walk near the lake Ailette. During the walk you can discover different themes alongside the road. If you complete the walk you'll reach the remainings of Abbaye de Vauclair (abbey of Vauclair).

Originally we did not intend to do the complete walk. But since the kids didn't get tired when time (and kilometers) passed bye, we decide to walk until the end. At that time we didn't thought at the fact that we had to walk the whole way back ;-)

The first village we passed bye was Neuville-sur-Aillette. Apparently, there is a museum over there. But since we were heading for a walk, we didn't stop there.

At the lake there were several cabins, where you can discreetly watch the birds and the fish of the lake. Though I have to admit, that I haven't seen many of them...

During the world war, there were heavy fightings in this region. Many original villages have disappeared because this. Nowadays you see a few farms alongside the road and commemorative plates remembering the world war.

And then, finally after a long walk through the forest of Vauclair, we finally reached the abbey of Vauclair. I found it quite impressive.

The abbey was founded in 1134 by Saint Bernard. It had to be quite large in the past. Nowadays there remains only ruins. But beside the ruins there is also a medical garden. Sometimes there are outdoor concerts in the remains. I regretted that we could not experience such a concert.

The way up to the abbey went fairly smoothly. But since the kids became tired, and we had to walk back the 8 km, the way back was a different story...

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