Driving through northern France today, it’s hard to imagine the brutal fighting that occurred 100 years ago. The pock-marked ground, barren landscape and trenches of World War I are now softened and hidden by time. Today, farms and rolling green countryside fill the horizon, and tucked within this peaceful landscape are World War I battle sites and markers relevant to the American experience that are sometimes overlooked by visitors. To give visitors a better understanding of where these sites are located, the American Battle Monuments Commission has released 21 specialized routes of interest on ABMC.gov for download.

From fields where fighting occurred to damaged churches to French cemeteries, these routes will give visitors a richer understanding of World War I. To explore sites in the countryside, driving directions are provided and for sites in Paris or London walking/public transportation directions are provided.

Download these free routes of interest:

• Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Battles around Belleau Wood
• From Brookwood American Cemetery, Woking, Surrey, to the Museum of Military Medicine
• Cantigny American Monument, the 1st Infantry Division Attacks Cantigny
• Chateau-Thierry American Monument, 3rd “Rock of the Marne” Infantry Division, and Hill 204
• Flanders Field American Cemetery and Audenarde Monument
• Kemmel American Monument, the 27th “New York” and 30th “Old Hickory” Divisions, Ypres, and the Menin Gate
• London #1 Royal Air Force Museum London, Colindale Station, Hendon
• London #2 – The Cenotaph, and Guards Memorial, London
• London #3, The Imperial War Museum London
• Meuse Argonne American Cemetery to the South, Montfaucon Monument, Hindenburg Line
• Meuse Argonne American Cemetery to the Southwest – “Rainbow” Division, Sergeant York, Butte de Vauquois, Pennsylvania Monument
• Oise Aisne American Cemetery to the north, Quentin Roosevelt, and the 4th “Ivy” Division advance to the Vesel River at Fismes
• Oise Aisne American Cemetery to the south, the “Rainbow” and “Keystone” Divisions
• Paris #1 Suresnes American Cemetery to the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial
• Paris #2 Pershing-Lafayette Versailles Monument
• Paris #3 – Arc de Triomphe at the Etoile to Place des États-Unis Monuments and Paris #4 – From the Place de L’Opera
• Paris #5 Les Invalides Historic Site and Museum
• From Reims east to the Sommepy American Monument
• Saint Mihiel American Cemetery to the Montsec American Monument
• Somme American Cemetery, Hindenburg Line and Saint-Quentin Canal
• Sommepy American Monument, 93rd Division Monuments, the Lost Battalion, Sgt. York, Pennsylvania Monument

In addition to these routes of interest, ABMC also includes a free copy of American Armies and Battlefields in Europe on its website. This nearly 600 page book was first published in 1927 to commemorate America’s involvement in World War I and it served as a guide for Americans traveling overseas to visit World War I battle sites, cemeteries and memorials.

By 1938, the book was expanded with additional research to serve as a history of the American Expeditionary Forces’ accomplishments. For those traveling overseas to explore World War I sites, this book is a perfect companion piece.

About ABMC:

Established by Congress in 1923, the American Battle Monuments Commission commemorates the service, achievements, and sacrifice of U.S. armed forces. ABMC administers 26 overseas military cemeteries, and 29 memorials, monuments, and markers.