Only part of the vast original edifice (similar in style to the Cathedral of Soissons) was retained when the church was rebuilt. In 1650, when the Spanish occupied the surrounding country, the peasants took refuge in the towers of the church. They were discovered, and the church set on fire, most of the peasants being burnt alive. [Illustration: MONT-NOTRE-DAME CHURCH IN 1914 SEEN FROM THE CEMETERY. _Compare with photo above._] [Illustration: RUINS OF THE CASTLE AT MONT-NOTRE-DAME IN 1918.] The ruins of the 18th century château, destroyed by the bombardments, stand on the left of the church. The entrance-gates, enclosure wall, and an isolated outbuilding are all that the bombardments have spared. Inside the park a heap of débris and stones marks the spot where the castle stood. The castle was protected by a fortress with massive towers and donjon, which was destroyed and rebuilt several times. _From the top of the hill_ fine panorama of the valley of the Vesle to the north. There was much severe fighting on its banks throughout the War. _At the bottom of the hill turn to the right and follow the uphill road G. C. 14 to_ =Chéry-Chartreuve=. _To visit the church keep to the left of the village, and climb on foot the small hill_, on which the church stands. _To visit the_ American Cemetery (about three-quarters of a mile from the village) _follow G. C. 21 in the same direction_. _Return to Chéry-Chartreuve and continue along G. C. 14 to_ =Dravegny=, _passing straight through_. [Illustration: CEMETERY IN CHÉRY-CHARTREUVE VILLAGE. AMERICAN AND FRENCH GRAVES SIDE BY SIDE.] [Illustration: INTERIOR OF CHURCH AT CHÉRY-CHARTREUVE.] [Illustration: AMERICAN ARTILLERYMEN NEAR CHÉRY-CHARTREUVE.] [Illustration: AMERICAN TROOPS PASSING THROUGH DRAVIGNY VILLAGE.] [Illustration: COULONGES VILLAGE.] Fine run down to =Cohan=. _Turn to the right in front of the_ church, _then to the left, to cross the river, and afterwards to the right towards_ =Coulonges=. This village existed at the time of the Roman invasion. In 1838 the foundations of Gallo-Roman houses and various objects belonging to the same period were discovered in the court-yard of the notary’s house. The Americans captured the village on August 2. _On leaving Coulonges turn to the right and cross the river. At the following fork, if not pressed for time, visit the_ Castle of Nesle (2-1/2 miles); the American Cemetery at Seringes (3-1/2 miles); and the village and castle of Fère-en-Tardenois (5-1/2 miles). To this end take _the G. C. 2 on the right to_ =Nesles=. _The road leading to the castle (on the right) is rough._ Portions of the castle are well preserved, including the enclosure walls, flanked by six towers 60 feet high. The door opening on the northern curtain is protected by two similar towers. The donjon, now in ruins, was 100 feet high.