PAYS DE MEAUX - Musée de la Grande Guerre (Museum of the Great War) in France (Day Trip from Paris)
Directions on how to get from Paris to Meaux, and from Meaux to the museum can be found at the bottom of this post.
In honour of Armistice Day, I would like to post about one of the most moving and informative museums I have had the chance to visit: Musée de la Grande Guerre, located in Pays de Meaux, France.
Around a 45 minutes drive outside of Paris lies the Meaux, a Seine-et-Marne commune within the Île-de-France region. Famous for it’s namesake cheese (Brie de Meaux, which has it’s own museum and cheese-tasting workshops in the La Maison du Brie de Meaux museum), Meaux also houses a moving and informative museum on The Great War (also commonly referred to as World War I).
After having visited Bayeux, Caen, all the D-Day Beaches, and other historically significant sites during World War II, I decided I wanted to educate myself further on the events of WWI. I did some research, and I discovered Meaux and it’s new museum. Unveiled in 2011, the museum makes use of modern technology to enhance its educational purpose. It’s also physically large, which allows it to showcase many authentic weapons, uniforms, cannons, cars, and even include a replica trench and a bunker.
As far as museums go, this is one of the best I have ever seen. I don’t say this lightly; the setup and manner of presenting information is very clear, concise, and accessible to a wide range of audiences.
Despite visiting the museum from Paris during a train strike (meaning I had to take replacement buses), and then subsequently missed the direct bus to the museum (meaning I had to walk around an hour in the dizzying August sun to the museum), I still regard my trip there as one of the highlights from my recent trip to France. If that isn’t a clear enough recommendation to visit, I’m not sure what else I could say!
When you first arrive at the museum, you are greeted by a number of flags blowing in the wind. It’s an impressive site, that begins your educational journey.
The front foyer is large, and you are encouraged to lock away your larger belongings before you begin your visit. There is a café and gift shop inside.
The museum’s collection of artifacts from WWI ranges to over 70, 000 objects and documents. The information is displayed in a number of ways, but there is a large book that contains key pieces of information that is open to different pages all over the museum. I found the book very informative, I ended up purchasing a copy from the gift shop. It’s an accessible way to get an overview of the war, and there are many pertinent photos.
Here are some photos of their historical artifacts:
Among the collection are actual uniforms, weaponry, news clippings, medical advancements, and paintings:
The following are photos of the replica trench and the bunker. These are not as emotive and impactful as they are when seen in person in conjunction with the video:
The museum further brings history to life by putting together battlefield recreations, tank and aircraft displays. There are events throughout the year for kids and adults, such as historical reenactments and readings.
Overall, for an in-depth look at the period of time from1914-1918 as well as pre-war and post-war effects, make the trip to Le Musée de la Grande Guerre de Meaux. This trip is suitable to families, solo travellers, and those who are interested in history. It is well worth it to visit, and thus makes for both an informative and emotional trip.
I truly believe it is important to continuously educate ourselves, and I find great merit in learning about history. The events of The Great War were devastating, and it is up to us to ensure we don’t repeat the atrocities, and that those who served are not forgotten.
The American Monument (Monument américain) enacted outside the museum
Commonwealth War Graves
I could not write a post about Le Musée de la Grande Guerre without mentioning a site I perchance found while walking towards the museum.
As I mentioned above, I missed the bus from the Meaux train station towards the museum. As I was made the uphill walk towards the museum along Avenue du Maréchal Joffre, I found Commonwealth War Graves (Tombes de Guerre du Commonwealth) honouring the solider who fought during the war.
I was not able to find any mention or the exact location of this particular site online, so I’ve provided it’s location in the map below.
It is an introspective and peaceful place.
On top of Commonwealth War Graves, there are also German war graves, commemorating 80 specific soldiers who aided the Allied forces against the Central Powers during WWI.
You must keep in mind that this cemetery pre-dates WWII, and that the perspectives and thoughts on certain historical events differed from today. I found this collection of war graves very eye-opening and fascinating to see.
I highly encourage those who choose to visit the museum to stop by the site of the Commonwealth War Graves as a supplement to their visit.
Final thoughts
Meaux is truly a day-trip from Paris that brings history alive in a moving way. I highly encourage anyone to visit, and to plan to spend at least a half-day there (although I easily spent an entire day).
OK… BUT WHAT DO I PUT INTO GOOGLE MAPS?
Directions
Paris to Meaux
By Car:
45 minutes to an hour —> Via the A4, or the A4 and N3
There is parking available at the museum
By Train:
From Gare de l’Est, take a suburban Transilien train (Île de France) towards any stop with « Meaux » (there are multiple available that leave at different times during the day; it is easy to ask an attendant for directions)
The train journey is usually around 30 - 45 minutes
The train journey usually costs under 10 euros
If you have a Navigo pass/ Mobilis pass that covers Zones 1-5, the train fare is free
Meaux to Musée de la Grande Guerre
By Bus:
Take the G bus from La Gare de Meaux (Meaux train station), and descend at the Musée de la Grande Guerre stop
By Walking:
Once you depart at La Gare de Meaux (Meaux train station), walk straight along Avenue du Maréchal Joffre, and then turn onto Route de Varreddes
Lest we forget.
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