Discover Cuiry-Lès-Chaudardes

Cuiry-Lès-Chaudardes is shaped by two widely separated periods: the construction history of the Église and traces of Neolithic settlement. The area also has historical connections to the First World War, and the archaeological sites are set within the landscape along the Aisne. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip here, this thematic perspective can help you decide what to focus on during your stay without conflating the different stories of the place.

The Église and historical periods

The Église in Cuiry-Lès-Chaudardes is classified as a Monument historique. It was designated by decree on 16 October 1922. Its main construction phases date to the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. To understand the building, it is important to consider not only its protected status but also its construction history, which spans several centuries. If you are interested in architectural history, this sequence offers a distinct focus on a particular period—one that differs considerably from the much older traces of settlement in the area.

Another historical connection dates to the First World War: in January 1918, work was carried out on a second line of defence between Vassogne and Cuiry-Lès-Chaudardes. This forms part of the broader regional history of the area. It marks a different period from the medieval construction phases of the Église and the archaeological themes of the Neolithic.

Neolithic settlements and house types

The excavations at Cuiry-Lès-Chaudardes are among the exemplary excavations of several Neolithic villages in Picardy. The described house plans offer a specific way to explore this subject. A ground-level view of a Danubian house shows postholes and palisade-like partitions. Neolithic houses are generally described as trapezoidal; side pits may be visible from the air.

These details shed light on different aspects of the settlements: the Danubian context places a house within a cultural framework, while its trapezoidal shape refers to its described ground-plan form. Postholes and palisade-like partitions add traces and divisions within the ground-level view. This makes it possible to explore the archaeological perspective through both the shape of the houses and the details of their plans.

Le Champ Tortu also helps to establish the chronology. The building plans help fill a research gap between the Michelsberg period and the later and late Neolithic. Their contribution therefore goes beyond describing a single house type: they are important for connecting different archaeological periods.

Sites in their landscape

Les Fontinettes–Les Gravelines lies west of Cuiry-Lès-Chaudardes and extends partly into the commune of Beaurieux. The archaeological site is on the right bank of the Aisne, within a large meander that encloses an area of around 100 hectares.

Le Champ Tortu is also on the right bank of the Aisne, on a low terrace that is not prone to flooding.

Planning your trip

Samara in La Chaussée-Tirancourt is also connected to finds from Cuiry-Lès-Chaudardes. It features a reconstructed Neolithic farm based on these finds. Alongside the described house plans and archaeological sites, this provides an example of how finds from Cuiry have informed a reconstruction. Samara is a separate regional connection, not another site in Cuiry-Lès-Chaudardes.

When planning your trip, you can separate the main themes according to your interests: the Église represents construction history from the 12th to the 14th century, while the Neolithic house types and Le Champ Tortu relate to different archaeological questions. The connection to 1918 adds to the regional history, while Samara offers a reconstruction based on finds from Cuiry.

Discover more destinations: Maissemy, Merval, Vic-Sur-Aisne, Dallon, Grandrieux, Résigny, Charly, Rozoy-Sur-Serre.

For the broader travel overview: Aisne.