WWI Centenary: Visit the Musée de la Grande Guerre

A main part of the museum’s centenary remembrance will be a temporary exhibition, Join Now! The Entry of the British Empire into the War, running from June 28 until December 29. This will detail the actions of British forces during the first year of the war. Paradoxically, when chronicling Britain’s decisive role in the conflict, the years 1916-1918 are usually focused upon, so this exhibition will throw light on an important, relatively unknown period.

The exhibit will concentrate on British troops’ recruitment, mobilisation, Channel crossing and initial engagements with the Germans in Belgium and northern France – including the First Battle of the Marne, in the very territory where the museum is located – up until the famous ‘Christmas truce’ that saw the opposing forces exchanging gifts and playing football on ‘No Man’s Land’. It is to be complemented by a series of conferences, workshops, concerts, dramatised visits and films.

TIP: A very civilised idea is that the museum’s ticket provides the freedom to enter and leave at will during the day. This allows visitors to start their visit in the morning, enjoy a delicious lunch nearby, then continue a leisurely museum tour during the afternoon.