Once again, back to my sentimental Meaux , Seine et Marne dept 77 of the Île de France region,. I have visited the museum a couple times and it is hightly recommended especially for those who have no time to reach the battlefields or cementeries themselves; this is a worthy alternative. I like to update this older post with new text and new pictures in my blog, Hope you enjoy it as I.
Meaux is a wonderful town on the banks of the Marne river not far from Paris nor Disneyland. It is where all started for me in France as married a native, told many times in my posts. Of course, many times here if not visiting the town, visiting the still family there around small villages. However, the main reason I came back this time as a visitor, if I can be there, is to see the Great War or WWI Museum . The Musée de la Grande Guerre. It is on the road we normally take route de Varennes to visit friends and family , but it is within Meaux city limits. There you see a huge American monument or Monument Americain, a gift of the people of the USA to France honoring the soldiers of the expeditionary force of Gen Pershing in WWI.
And there it is , modern , grand beautiful , hard to imagine on these lands so much blood was shed. There is the museum or Musée de la Grande Guerre (Great War is what is call here WWI). It is an imposing building on a small hill square in nature, and loudspeakers tell you , you are in the middle of a battlefield as you approach the museum. You go in to the big lobby and go up one floor to get your ticket and start your journey. The street level is for the boutique and café services. You can go up to the top level terrace and get a view of the city of Meaux.
It tells the story of wars since 1870 so you can undertand the events leading to WWI. You go around a thematic sequence showing the never forget theme, how was society at the time, school days , a divided Europe, the event to Sarajevo, the Marne in 1914, the trenches, Marne in 1918, victory and armistice peace ceremony; the illusions of the victory, and the re construction of the memories.
It shows the implication of hospital and school personnel in those days, the role of women, and the bringing together of about 35 nations at war. In all you have machine guns, airplane, armored vehicle, bus troop transports, utensils, small arms and long rifles, canons 75 and 105 mm, etc etc you name it. It is interesting to note that the music played is associated with the times and many exhibits of now playing like family paintings and how to build musical instruments and the music of the time in the trenches. All greatly visually displayed and explained, wonderful.
There are programs throughout the year on musical presentation and exhibitions. Something educational and worth while for the whole family. One event hopefully never repeated again. Hope you too pays hommage to the efforts of many and come here at least once, the Musée de la Grande Guerre or the Museum of World War I at historical Meaux. And Meaux can be a great experience by now usual for me ; some webpages to help you plan your trip, all worth it me think.
The official museum of the Great War of Meaux : https://www.museedelagrandeguerre.com/en/home/
The city of Meaux on the museum : https://www.ville-meaux.fr/fr/culture/musees/musee-de-la-grande-guerre.html
The Pays de Meaux tourist office on the museum: https://www.meaux-marne-ourcq.com/decouvrir/les-incontournables/musee-de-la-grande-guerre/
There you go folks, something worth your time and money to get you out of Paris and into my sentimental Meaux. The Great War museum is a monument to the world and a must to see me think, me encourage you, me recommended it.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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