Courcelles-Au-Bois: History and Historic Routes

The history of Courcelles-Au-Bois offers several perspectives: Pierre de Moy, described as Lord of Courcelles; a war memorial; the extension of the communal cemetery, with Commonwealth burials from the First World War; and two route themes. A circular walk offers a side view of a very long chestnut avenue; an old route was known for transporting goods to Amiens. In this way, personal history, remembrance and landscape stand side by side as distinct themes.

A Person Connected with Courcelles

Pierre de Moy, who is described as Lord of Courcelles, was elected mayor of Amiens in 1496. The year places the election at the end of the 15th century. The two place references are distinct: Courcelles forms part of his title as lord, while Amiens is where he was elected mayor. This distinction helps place his connection to Courcelles and his office in Amiens separately. The 1496 election takes us to a different period from the First World War burials. Together, these themes span the period from the late 15th to the early 20th century. Personal history and war burials can thus be viewed as distinct historical connections.

War Memorial and Cemetery Extension

The Courcelles-au-Bois war memorial was erected at the patriotic initiative of Mayor Lefebvre. The extension of the Courcelles-au-Bois communal cemetery contains 115 Commonwealth burials from the First World War. The two sites draw attention to different aspects of remembrance: the memorial highlights the initiative behind its erection, while the cemetery extension highlights the number and historical attribution of the burials. With 115 burials, this memorial site has a specific scale; its attribution to the Commonwealth and the First World War places it in its historical context. You can therefore distinguish the story behind the memorial’s creation from the burials in the cemetery.

Routes Between Landscape and History

The “Aux 4 chemins” circular walk offers a side view of a very long chestnut avenue. This specific landscape view sets the walk apart from the stories of people and sites of remembrance. If you would like to include landscape in the focus of your stay, the avenue is a clear point of reference: it can be seen from the side. This route theme therefore focuses on a particular perspective on the landscape.

The “chemin de convoie” is an old route that was known for transporting goods to Amiens. Its former function distinguishes it from the landscape perspective of the “Aux 4 chemins” circular walk: that walk offers a side view of the chestnut avenue, while this route is historically associated with transporting goods to Amiens. The route themes thus appeal to different interests—landscape on the one hand, and a former transport function on the other. As you look for a hotel in Courcelles-Au-Bois, you can use these themes as a guide and consider whether you are more interested in local history, remembrance, or the routes and their different connections.

Discover more destinations: Bresle, Sailly-Flibeaucourt, Bernay-en-Ponthieu, Mareuil Caubert, Miannay, Saint-Léger-Sur-Bresle, Rouy-le-Petit, Neuvillette

View the regional travel guide: Somme.