[Illustration: APSIS OF AMBLÉNY CHURCH (1919).
(_Compare with photo below taken in 1917._)]
_At the next fork go straight ahead._ The valley here was badly ravaged.
Numerous wire entanglements, trenches, heaps of ammunition, débris,
etc., are seen.
_Keep straight on as far as N. 31, into which turn to the right._ All
along are wire entanglements, trenches, heaps of ammunition, shelters,
and various organizations. _Cross the railway (level-crossing) and take
the first road on the right towards_ =Pernant=.
[Illustration: APSIS OF AMBLÉNY CHURCH IN 1917.
(_See above photo._)]
[Illustration: PERNANT CHURCH.
_In front, on the right_: Baskets of German shells; _behind same_: Wall
pierced with loop-holes. _In one of the outside walls of the church, a
shell uncovered a stone_ Virgin _previously walled in_.]
[Illustration: INTERIOR OF PERNANT CHURCH.]
[Illustration: THE OLD CASTLE AT PERNANT, SEEN FROM THE ENTRANCE SIDE.]
_Cross the railway again (level-crossing), then turn to the right
towards the Church._
_Go straight up the hill, take the first road on the right leading up a
steep hill_ to the very interesting Castle, which dates from the
Middle-Ages. Built on rock foundations it contains a deep cavern. The
roof and eastern portion were damaged by the bombardment. Fine view from
the terrace.
_Continue to climb the hill as far as the plateau_; very fine view.
_Descend to_ Pernant. Caves are visible in the hill-sides. _At the_
church _turn to the right, then to the left_. _Recross the
level-crossing last mentioned, then turn to the right into N. 31._
Along the road numerous military organizations are met with.
(_If not pressed for time, instead of going straight on to Soissons by
N. 31, take the road on the right, about 1-1/2 miles after Pernant,
leading to Mercin_,
[Illustration: PERNANT CASTLE.