Aisne-Marne American Cemetery

Located at the foot of the hill where the infamously fierce Battle of Belleau Wood was fought in World War I, the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial overlooks the Marne Valley and is dedicated to the memory of lost soldiers. It was designed by famed French-American architect Paul Cret, who also planned several war memorials and battlefield monuments across Europe and in the United States. At 42 acres, it is one of the most important American cemeteries and memorials in France and commemorates the sacrifices and achievements of fighting men in the region, as well as the cooperation of French and American forces during World War I. Because of the role the US marines played in the battle, the Aisne-Marne Cemetery is often considered to be a pilgrimage site for American soldiers on leave. It features a T-shaped cemetery and a memorial chapel, which is built on top of a small hill, directly over the front-line trenches dug during the battle. Of the 2,288 burials in the cemetery, 251 contain unknown remains; 1,060 soldiers’ names are inscribed on the Chapel's walls. Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial is located nearby the Chateau-Thierry American Monument and the Belleau Wood US Marines monument, which hold equally significant importance in military history of World War I.

Practical Info

Aisne-Marne American Cemetery is located in Belleau in the region of Picardie, 87 kilometers (60 miles) outside of Paris. It is reachable in just over an hour via route A4 and D1003. The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9am to 5pm, except December 25 and January 1. It is open on French bank holidays. There is ample on-site parking. Admission is free for everyone.