Paris - Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery

Unfortunately most Americans visiting WW1 sites see the British and French sites but skip the American sites. So you’re going to have trouble getting recommendations here. Note that your great uncle is buried in the largest American cemetery in Europe.

This would be a long day trip from Paris, about 3 hours driving each way.

I have seen a few years back the cemetery on tv and the functionary there was and likely still is an American. He must be able to give information about good guiding tours. There is as far as I can see no website of Meuse-Argonne itself, but the American Battle Monuments Commission hopefully can help you to get in touch with the functionary. Under the next URL you can find driving routes and more info under “publications”. Good luck!

http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/meuse-argonne-american-cemetery#.WmRaEExFx9D

The cemetery is 152 miles from Paris and there is a direct train there

According to the abmc website there is a fast train from Paris to outside Verdun, which is still at least 40 minutes driving to the cemetery.

The cemetery superintendents are always American, you could email questions there.

As the above poster says, it is about 37 kilometers from Verdun to the cemetery, which is about a 35 minute drive. I think your best bet is to call or email the cemetery and ask for the name of a knowledgeable guide, or cab driver, who could meet you at the train station and drive you to the site.

My son lives about a mile from a WWII cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, in Belgium, and I have found the staff at the site to be always more than helpful.

I visited this cemetery on a lovely March day some 15 years ago. As someone already posted, it is the largest American cemetery (as I recall, both WW1 and WW2) in Europe, and I did not see a single other visitor when I was there. These brave soldiers deserve to be remembered as much as those buried at other American military cemeteries.

Yes, it would be a long day trip from Paris, but I hope you go. I, too, encourage you to contact the staff at the cemetery to ask for their recommendations about a day guide.