Maissemy: Wetlands and memorial sites

The Omignon flows through Maissemy; ponds, wetland habitats and several memorial sites also shape the character of the commune. The following distinctions can help you choose the main focus of your stay.

Wetlands and birdlife

The Étang de Bihécourt is shared by the areas of Maissemy and Vermand. It is a nesting site for resident birds and a stopover for migratory birds. For a seasonal perspective, it is worth making a distinction: resident birds nest at the pond and migratory birds stop there; the ponds in a larger natural area are also important for migrating and overwintering waterbirds.

The entry for the Type 1 ZNIEFF “Étangs de Vermand, marais de Caulaincourt et cours de l’Omignon” was updated on June 11, 2025, and lists Maissemy as part of the area. According to this entry, the inventoried area covers 460.34 hectares and features a wide variety of aquatic and amphibious habitats. The entry describes its ponds as an important stopover for waterbirds during migration and in winter. The named natural area and the individual Étang de Bihécourt therefore provide different scales for understanding the landscape.

In the wider area around Maissemy, the “Des marécages aux portes de la plaine” hiking route follows a former railway line. It reaches the ornithological area of the Bihécourt ponds and continues into the marshes of the Omignon Valley. Along the way, the route links a former railway track with pond landscapes and wetlands; it is therefore a distinct point of reference alongside the nature information specific to the commune.

Memorial sites and post-war reconstruction

The German military cemetery in Maissemy was established by French military authorities in 1924. A total of 15,000 dead are buried there in two mass graves; 30,481 victims of the First World War are buried in the cemetery overall. According to the tourism information, the cemetery is open year-round; opening conditions may change. It is accessible via the D 33 road. Check current road conditions and visitor information before your visit.

The Maissemy war memorial was also inaugurated in 1924. It was designed in the colonial style, based on plans by the mayor at the time, the physician Luc Arbel. The Church of Saint Peter adds the story of post-war reconstruction: the present church was built in the 1920s on the same site as its predecessor.

The Vadencourt British Cemetery in Maissemy contains the graves of 760 British Army soldiers. 212 of the soldiers buried there could not be identified. Lieutenant-Colonel John Henry Stephen Dimmer is also buried in this cemetery. Together with the German military cemetery and the war memorial, this site represents another dimension of remembrance of the First World War.

When planning your trip, you can distinguish between different areas of focus: the ponds and wetlands are associated with nature and birds, while the cemeteries, memorial and church convey different aspects of war remembrance and reconstruction. Use these themes to decide which side of Maissemy matters most to you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Boue, Dole, Coucy-Lès-Eppes, Courtemont-Varennes, Chamouille, Besmé, Marle, Suzy

For the main travel overview: Aisne.