Cerny-lès-Bucy Tower

Cerny-lès-Bucy Tower, locally known as Donjon de Cerny-lès-Bucy, lies in the village of the same name in the Aisne department in France.

Cerny-lès-Bucy Tower is the last remnant of Cerny-lès-Bucy Castle. The tower, which probably served as a keep, was situated at a corner of a rectangular enclosure. The castle was first built by the Suzanne family, who were Lords of Cerny, probably in the 12th century. The present tower was built in the 15th century. The Suzannes kept ownership of the castle until 1593.

In the early 17th century the 30-Years War ravaged the region and left the castle in ruins. The villagers then used the ruin as a source for cheap building materials.

During World War I Adolf Hitler, just a simple corporal then, was stationed in the area of Cerny-lès-Bucy. This probably led him to return here more than 20 years later during a kind of victory tour through France. So, on June 25, 1940 he also visited Cerny-lès-Bucy Tower which was then part of a farm. The first B&W picture was taken during his visit. At that time the tower still had its roof. When the roof disappeared and why, I don't know.

At present Cerny-lès-Bucy Tower is private property. It is situated on the grounds of a farm and can not be visited. Too bad.

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