First phase of the chapel Juin 1916 (≈ 1916)
Start of sculptures by soldiers
Automne 1916
Second phase of the chapel
Second phase of the chapel Automne 1916 (≈ 1916)
Continuation of underground developments
Janvier 1917
Completion of the chapel
Completion of the chapel Janvier 1917 (≈ 1917)
End of sculptural work
2000
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 2000 (≈ 2000)
Official inscription of the chapel and sculptures
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Lord Kitchener - Sculpted figure
Career-cut representation
Miss Edith Cavell - Sculpted figure
Stone tribute by soldiers
Origin and history
Chapeaumont's quarry is an ancient underground limestone quarry, which has been in operation since Gallo-Roman times. Located in the forest of Chapeaumont, to the north of the village of Berny-Rivière (Aisne), it bears witness to a thousand-year-old extractive activity. Its basement, dug to draw the stone, served as a refuge and a place of life for French soldiers during the First World War, offering relative protection against surface fighting.
Within the quarry, a chapel was built by the soldiers in three distinct phases: June 1916, autumn 1916 and January 1917. Entirely carved in the rock, it is a remarkable example of military craftsmanship and piety in wartime. Other sculptures, such as those representing "Lord Kitchener", "Miss Edith Cavell" or "the telephone booth", accompany this chapel, illustrating the lives and concerns of the fighters.
The ensemble, including the chapel and sculptures, was listed as historical monuments in 2000. This ranking underscores its heritage importance, both as an industrial vestige, memory of the Great War and artistic testimony. Chapeaumont's career is thus part of a network of underground sites in the region, linked to the mining and military history of Hauts-de-France.
