The Chemin des Dames, literally, the Ladies' Way, was a pleasure walk along a ridge offering views across the Aisne River and the surrounding landscape, and designated by the French king, Louis XV for the amusement of his daughters.

World War I

The ridge's strategic importance on the Western Front of World War I led to several important battles being fought for control of the Chemin des Dames. The name therefore applies to several battles fought here between 1916 and 1918.

The most famous one, also called the Second Battle of the Aisne , took place between April 17 and April 25, 1917. General Robert Nivelle attacked the Germans in the caves of the Chemin De Dames, under the hill from which the German positions commanded the area. The first day, the French lost approximately 40,000 men. Overall the French lost about 97,000 men. This was disastrous for Nivelle, already very short on man power and risking mutiny.