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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Sablonnières trenches network is a historic military site in the Blois forest, in the town of Valencisse (Loir-et-Cher). Discovered by local historian Alain Gauthier, this land of 12 hectares was used, between 1915 and 1918, to train soldiers of the 113th Infantry Regiment of Blois before their departure for the front. The massive losses suffered by this regiment since 1914 necessitated the accelerated training of new recruits.

The site faithfully reproduced the conditions of the front: first and second line trenches, progression hoses, casemates, sentry posts and command areas. These arrangements allowed soldiers to practice trench fighting and the use of machine guns, which became essential after 1914. The network, partially registered with historical monuments in 2015, illustrates the French army's adaptation to new forms of war.

The terrain configuration, in a 10-hectare triangle, included key elements such as chicanes to avoid enemy fire, shelters for squads, and clustering areas before assaults. This site, now labeled "Centenary of the Great War", bears witness to the logistical and educational effort made to prepare the troops. The remains, preserved in the forest, offer a concrete overview of the methods of instruction of the time.

The 113th Infantry Regiment, based in Blois, used this site to form classes of conscripts older than the first lifts of 1914. The objective was to reduce casualties by familiarizing soldiers with the realities of the front, including trenches and machine guns. The site, rediscovered by artifacts like a bayonet, was studied for its historical and memorial value.

In 2015, part of the network was protected by an inscription to historic monuments, recognizing its heritage importance. The Centennial label and the mentions in the local press (such as La Nouvelle République or Le Parisien) contributed to its reputation. Today, the site remains an accessible place of memory, although its exact location in the forest can make its access difficult.

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