On leaving the park turn to the left to get a view of the Old Entrance to the Castle, which consists of a pointed arch flanked by two large circular towers (photo p. 64).
Return to the Entrance Gate of the Park, then to the Hôtel-de-Ville, via the Rue du Château, in which is St. John’s Hospital (or Hôtel-Dieu), founded by Jeanne, Queen of France and Navarre, in 1304, and rebuilt in 1876.
On arriving at the Hôtel-de-Ville, cross the Square, and follow the Rue du Général Degoutte.
On the left are the Rue Dirigeon l’Ecart and the Rue Lefèvre-Maugras, which were also barricaded by the Germans.
On the right of the Rue du Général Degoutte is the steep Rue Jean-de-la-Fontaine, No. 13 being the house where the author of the celebrated fables was born.
Continue along the Rue du Général Degoutte, cross the Avenue du Maréchal Joffre, then take the Rue St. Crépin, in which is the church of that name. It was in this church that the Germans left behind a great quantity of booty during their hurried retreat. (See photo, p. 43.)
Its heavy square tower, with carved buttresses, is 15th century. The organ-loft, decorated with figures of the prophetesses and others, is 16th century.
The Rue St. Alpin is continued by the Rue St. Martin, which was sacked by the Germans. The photograph below was taken at No. 26.
The visit to the town finishes at the end of the Rue St. Martin, i.e. at the junction of this street with the Avenue Clemenceau.
The excursion to Belleau Wood, described on page 49, starts from here.