In the heart of Coucy-le-Château-Auffrique lies the Domaine national du château de Coucy. During the visit, visitors can move freely through the building and its park.
Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Coucy-le-Château-Auffrique will plan their stay around this location.
Culture and history
The impressive remains of the Château fort de Coucy and the town fortifications were built at the beginning of the 13th century. The Tour Musée has two exhibition levels that illustrate medieval life and Coucy before its construction through costumes, weapons, books, panels, engravings, postcards and objects. The upper platform of the Tour Musée offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the site and the Ailette valley.
The origins of the Saint-Sauveur church date back to the 12th century; the church’s historic features include the central section of the façade and the Romanesque portal. After its destruction in 1917, the Saint-Sauveur church was faithfully rebuilt and is listed as a Monument historique. Its modern stained-glass windows were created in 1936 by Mazetier and Delange. The church also has Romanesque baptismal fonts from the 11th century, made of black-and-blue-veined marble.
The medieval Capitulaire de Charlemagne garden at the foot of the fortress, the garden of the Sires de Coucy, includes a medicinal herb garden, a vegetable garden and an orchard.
Trails and landscape
The GR12A long-distance trail runs through the municipality of Coucy-le-Château. The themed trail to the Canon de Coucy is 3.7 kilometres long, takes about one hour and is considered easy for children and people with reduced mobility.
The Le Point du Jour circular trail starts at the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville and is 9.5 kilometres long. The De la Bertha circular trail is 10 kilometres long and offers an exceptional view of the fortress across the plain. The Bas Rozieres circular trail is 9.7 kilometres long and leads through fields and woodland. The De Gommeron circular trail is 7.7 kilometres long and extends the circuit of the town walls towards the Verneuil-sous-Coucy and Coucy-la-Ville plain. The La Gloriette circular trail is 5.5 kilometres long and extends the circuit of the town walls towards the Domaine de Moyembrie.
Fishing at the municipal pond in the lower town is organised by the Association de Pêche et de Protection des Milieux Aquatiques. The Canon de Coucy is a 38-cm SKL/45 Lange Max gun that was mistakenly called “Big Bertha”.
