My grandfather was a Marine who fought in the first WW at places like Chateau-Thierry and Belleau Woods, and was at the Meuse River near Sedan on the last night of the war. As I am learning about him, I am also preparing for my first trip to France, basing out of Paris. Are there museums, memorials, or anything in these areas that are about WW1? The intense stories handed down through my family from this time for some reason draw me to go see these areas. I am intrigued, too, with finding the spot on the river near Sedan, which I think I can almost pinpoint based on old writings.
Thank you for any insights you can offer.
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
http://www.abmc.gov/home.php
American Battle Monuments Commission has maps of where all the monuments and cemeteries are where you are looking. It's a great resource.
Posted by
OP
The Sierra, CA
32 posts
Thank you, Kathy. That site makes a good start for my planning.
Rich
Posted by
San Francisco
14980 posts
Hi, I've been to Chateau-Thierry just under one hour from Paris Gare de l'Est. Go there...the 3rd Infantry Division memorial (it's not a mere plaque) is there along with a joint Anglo-French military cemetery from WWI. In the distance on the hill is the large American memorial. You'll need a taxi or rental car. The American Church is in the town center in Chateau-Thierry. At the train station is the tourist office, which will assume you want to see Bois de Belleau since you're American. That was my experience when I walked in.
I don't know about Belleau Wood, didn't visit that site.
Posted by
OP
The Sierra, CA
32 posts
Thank you, Fred. It's good to get some first hand information. Some of the monuments and memorials I have seen online look very well done, beautiful and impressive. There are several that include climbs to the top to view the countryside in the vicinity. Appreciate it.
Rich
Posted by
San Francisco
14980 posts
Hi, You're welcome. If you're going to be in Sedan, then my next question is why not all the way to Metz? Stay the night or two there, visit Metz, (after all, it was the strategic objective three times), do a day trip r/t to St Avoid, where the large American WWI military cemetery is located. That's east of Metz near Forbach on the border. I haven't been there at St Avoid but Metz a few times and once in Forbach, or mostly passing through. Of course, you can stay in Forbach. If you're motorised on the way eastward towards Metz, you'll get an idea what must have happened when you see the unmistakeable military cemeteries along the road side.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2778 posts
I went to Belleau Wood two and a half years ago with my husband. He was a Marine. Though he didn't fight there. : ) Anyway, he was dying to see it. We stopped first at Chateau Theirry, then headed to the battle site, which is within walking distance of the American Cemetary. The Cemetary is beautifully maintained and very moving. The battlefield is quite interesting - you can walk through the woods and get a good feel for how the battle developped. I liked it a lot, and my husband loved it. The only other WWI site in France that I've been to is Verdun. There are a number of sites there and they are very easy to get to by car. I thought it was terrific, although all WWI sites are very sad and sobering to me.