The museum officially opened in May 2008, with support from the Château-Thierry community of communes and Picardy Region. The project is the initiative of the mayor of Belleau, and the design and management of the collections is in the hands of the district authority of Château-Thierry, in conjunction with many collectors of First World War memorabilia, all of them true enthusiasts.

In a first area of the museum is a permanent exhibition on the American Cemetery and the Marine Corps.

In a second area, temporary exhibitions look at themes related to the First World War.

History of the Battle of Belleau Wood:

The Battle of Belleau Wood took place in June 1918, with the involvement of American soldiers of the 2^nd Division, notably Marines who had just arrived from eastern France. After one month of fierce combat, the American soldiers, including the Marines, won this battle which today is still considered as the first major engagement and the founding event of the Marines’ reputation. Each year they send a delegation to celebrate Memorial Day at the end of May.

The Marine Corps had 1,062 dead, 33 missing, 3,170 wounded and 445 victims of gassing during the fighting in the Belleau sector. That was more than half the Marine Brigade troops: more than all the losses recorded since the creation of the Marine Corps in 1775. But Paris was saved, the Americans had proved their valor in combat, and the French Army had regained morale and was able to count on its new allies. After Belleau, the Germans never again progressed toward Paris until the end of the War. This was the beginning of the road to Victory. The Marines earned their nickname of “Devil Dogs” at Belleau for their tenacity in combat.

A few days later, on 29 June 1918, General Degoutte, commander of the 6the French Army, proclaimed on the agenda: "Given the brilliant behavior of the 4^th Brigade of the 2^nd Infantry Division of the United States, which took Bouresches in hard-fought battle and the control point of Belleau Wood, fiercely defended by the numerous enemy, the Commanding General of the 6^th Army hereby declares that in all official documents, Belleau Wood shall forevermore be referred to as “Marine Brigade Wood”.

Sources : ©Musée de la Mémoire de Belleau 1914-1918

Musée de la Résistance en Bretagne

Les Hardys Behelec - 56140 Saint-Marcel

Tel.: +33 (0)2 97 75 16 90

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Its sizeable collection brings visitors into close contact with history.

Large numbers of objects, archive documents, materials, photographs and weaponry are displayed in three rooms: Occupation, Resistance, and Liberation and Remembrance.

Midway through the visit, a digital portrait from the Morvan “Digital Gallery” plunges visitors into the world of the maquis rural resistance groups.

The Occupation

The first room, on the Occupation, looks at patriotic feeling and the defence of Morvan from 1940, followed by the impact of the German Occupation: occupied towns and villages, restrictions on freedoms, rationing, requisitioning, Nazi repression, and so on.

The Resistance

In the face of German and Vichyist propaganda, the Resistance organised itself, with underground newspapers and pamphlets, brave acts by local personalities, etc.

This second room presents the first acts of resistance through to the formation of the maquis, through a variety of materials, photographs, weapons and clothing, and the assistance provided by the Allies (parachute drops, containers, letters, mannequins, etc.).

Liberation and Remembrance

Morvan played a strategic role in the liberation of the region.

The maquis liberated Morvan in September 1944, through acts of sabotage, fighting and pitched battles, represented here by photos, reconstructions and objects.

The visit ends with a look at remembrance and the philosophy of the Resistance, through photographs of expressions of remembrance, steles and monuments (poems, texts, letters, etc.).

Digital Gallery

“The Morvan Maquis” is a new digital portrait from Morvan’s “Digital Gallery”.

Situated at midway point in the permanent exhibition, “The Morvan Maquis” is an immersive projection space presenting daily life in the maquis.

In this space, a film is shown on two screens: one shows documents directly related to maquis life, while the other places events in the national and international context of the war.

The installation immerses the visitor in the world of the Morvan maquis, showing how they were organised on a day-to-day basis, and examining their actions, their camps, the roles played by their leaders, and the hunger, fear and courage involved.

From personal stories to major historical events, the portrait focuses on the people, both men and women, involved in these maquis groups, who ultimately played a key role in the liberation of France.

Educational activities

The museum makes an excellent contribution to curriculum requirements in history, history of art and civic education for schools and colleges. It offers students and teachers a practical approach to various themes specific to the Second World War, as well as the concepts of human rights, freedom, political engagement, tolerance and solidarity. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the values of the French Republic and the founding principles of European unity.

Finally, it offers students a practical insight into civic engagement.

Exhibitions, conferences, film screenings, national events (European Heritage Days, European Museum Night, etc.), ceremonies and more

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Educational offering (workshops, tailored visits, learning resources, etc.)

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Source : ©Musée de la Résistance en Morvan

The cemetery covers an area of 7.5 acres and the US was granted perpetual use of this land free of charges and taxation by the French government.

Established in 1917 by the Graves Registration Service, part of the army’s quartermaster corps, it was intended to shelter the remains of soldiers who fell during the First World War. Many of them died of their wounds or illness in the hospitals in Paris or were victims of the influenza epidemic of 1918- 1919. 

At the end of the Second World War, it was decided that this cemetery would be dedicated to victims of both world wars. Consequently, an additional plot of graves was reserved to hold the remains of 24 unknown soldiers killed during World War II.

Loggias and memorial rooms were added either side of the original chapel. The graveyard comprises four plots of burial places: three for victims of the First World War with a total of 1,541 graves, and a fourth plot where 24 soldiers, marines and pilots lie, all unknown and killed during the Second World War.

The exterior surface is limestone from Val d'Arion and the four peristyle columns are monolithic. Inside the chapel, the walls and columns are made from Rocheret limestone. The ceiling is oak panelled. Four bronze plaques bear the names of the 974 men buried or lost at sea during the First World War.

The door in the left-hand wall of the chapel leads to the First World War loggia, a covered walkway with a side opening through which visitors can see the graveyards further down and, in the distance, Paris. The walls are limestone. The door in the right-hand wall of the chapel leads to the Second World War loggia, similar to that dedicated to the First World War, with the exception of the inscriptions on the walls. The original chapel, designed by the architect Charles A. Platt from New York was completed in 1932. William and Geoffrey Platt, sons of Charles A. Platt, created the loggias and memorial rooms added to the chapel in 1952. The original cemetery was inaugurated in 1919, on Memorial Day. The inauguration of the Second World War cemetery was held on 13 September 1952.

American Battle Monuments Commission

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), founded by United States Congress in 1923, is an agency of the executive branch of the federal government. Its mission is to preserve the memory of the sacrifices and deeds of the American military forces wherever they have served since 6 April 1917, the date the United States entered the First World War.

Visits Open every day (except 25 December and 1 January) from 9 am to 5 pm.

Admission and guided tours are free of charge.

Information is available from the visitor information centre.

Getting there

By train (SNCF): From Paris Saint-Lazare or La Défense, take the train to Suresnes Mont Valérien.

By bus: take the 160, 241 or 360 (Stop: Cluseret Hôpital Foch)

By road: From Pont de Suresnes (bridge), follow the blue signs: American Military Cemetery and Memorial

Suresnes American Cemetery

123 bd Washington 92150 Suresnes - France

Tel: +33 (0)1 46 25 01 70

Fax: +33 (0)1 46 25 01 71

E-mail: suresnes@abmc.gov

American Battle Monuments Commission

68 rue du 19 janvier BP 50 92380 Garches

Tel: +33 (0)1 47 01 37 49

American Battle Monuments Commission

Four permanent displays and a temporary exhibition at the Mémorial de Caen give visitors a broad understanding of 20th century history.

Permanent spaces:

• Berlin at the heart of the Cold War
• Taches d'Opinions – Global current affairs through press cartoons
• World War, Total War
• The Normandy Landings and the Battle of Normandy

The Mémorial de Caen offers visitors a comprehensive multi-language audioguide service in addition to its guided tours.

The Mémorial de Caen

Esplanade Eisenhower B.P. 55026 - 14050 Caen Cedex 4

Tél : +33 (0)2 31 06 06 45

Fax : +33 (0)2 31 06 01 66

Email : contact@memorial-caen.fr

Opening times

 Prices

Site of the Caen Musée de la Paix memorial

Memory of Normandy

Site of the Calvados tourist board

Website of Normandy's regional tourist committee

This 21-hectare cemetery is situated at the foot of the hill on which Belleau Wood stands. Many of those buried in the cemetery lost their lives in the wood.

The cemetery's official name, Aisne-Marne, refers to the Aisne-Marne offensive which took place between May and October 1918, mainly in the south of the Aisne department and the west of the Marne department. Of the 2,289 graves in the cemetery, 250 contain the bodies of unidentified service personnel. The servicepeople who lie here originated from the 48 American states which existed at the time and the District of Columbia. Most of them died during the second battle of the Marne.

The Chapel

The chapel was built above the trenches on the front line dug by the 2nd American Division to defend Belleau Wood after it was captured on 25 June 1918. The chapel, a fine example of French Romanesque architecture, is more than 24 metres high. The exterior steps, the walls and the terrace are built of limestone from St. Maximin, Savonnières and Massangis. The sculptures around the entrance depict trench scenes from the First World War. The names of the 1,060 personnel who lost their lives are written on the walls of the chapel.

The Memorial is the work of architects Cram and Ferguson from Boston, Massachusetts. The décor in the chapel was designed by William F. Ross and Co., East Cambridge, Massachusetts and crafted by Alfred Bottiau from Paris. In 1934, the President of the United States allocated responsibility for the management of the cemetery, which was inaugurated on Memorial day (30 May) 1937, to the American Battle Monuments Commission.

The Bois Belleau

The Bois (wood), a site covering 81 hectares bordering the cemetery behind the chapel, is a memorial dedicated to all the Americans who fought during the First World War. It features the remains of trenches, shell holes and artefacts from the war found in the surrounding area.

On an island in the road through the clearing in the middle of the wood lies a monument erected by the Marines and a flag pole. The monument is a black granite stele to which is attached a bronze bas-relief by Felix de Weldon depicting a life-sized Marine attacking with a rifle and bayonet.

This monument commemorates the 4th Brigade, 2nd Division Marines who were primarily responsible for the capture of the wood. On 30 June 1918 the wood was officially renamed "Marine Brigade Wood" by the Commander General of the 6th French Army.

American Battle Monuments Commission

This American government agency manages 24 American cemeteries and 25 commemorative monuments, war memorials and other remembrance sites in 15 countries. The Commission plays a part in achieving the vision of its first president, General of the Armies of the United States John J. Pershing. General Pershing, Commander in Chief of the American expeditionary corps during the First World War, vowed that "Time will not dim the glory of their deeds".

Visits

Open every day (except 25 December and 1 January) from 9am to 5pm.

Entrance is free and guided visits, also free, are organised on reservation. Information is available from the visitor information centre.

Access

Take exit 19 from the A4 motorway then follow the N3 to Belleau.

Aisne Marne American Cemetery

02400 Belleau - France

E-mail : aisne-marne@abmc.gov

American Battle Monuments Commission

68 rue du 19 janvier BP 50 92380 Garches

Tel: +33 (0)1 47 01 37 46

American Battle Monuments Commission

This 28-acre cemetery was established on a temporary cemetery set up just after the region was liberated by the 8^th Infantry Division (US) on 2 August 1944.

After the war, when the temporary cemeteries were closed down by the American identification and interment services, the remains of American soldiers killed at war and whose families had request a burial abroad, were transferred from the temporary cemeteries to 14 permanent cemeteries.

The French government granted perpetual use of the land free of charges and taxes to the American government, in recognition of the sacrifices made to liberate Europe. The majority of the soldiers buried here were killed during the liberation of Brittany, the fall of A ranches and the violent battles around Saint Lô and Mortain.

The cemetery holds the remains of 4,410 soldiers. They account for 43% of burials made in the region.

The graves are divided into 16 plots, set out in concentric rows spreading out from the central lawn. These dead soldiers, who laid down their lives for their homeland, came from every State of the Union, the District of Colombia, Hawaii, Alaska and also Canada. Some 95 steles bear the inscription “Unknown Soldier” and shelter the remains of soldiers who could not be identified. Two of these graves contain the bodies of two soldiers who could not be separately identified. In 20 cases, two brothers lie side by side, and two others are buried in neighbouring plots.

The chapel, made from La Pirye granite from the Hanglé region in Brittany, comprises a vestibule, tower, memorial room and chapel. At its east end stands a sculpture representing “Youth Triumphing over Evil” made in Chauvigny limestone.

The Wall of the Missing, slightly curved, supports the terrace and bears the names, grades, units and home states of 498 unknown soldiers. They gave their life for their homeland yet there bodies were never found or formally identified. A bronze rosette marks those whose bodies were found.

The architect of the cemetery and memorial was William T. Aldrich from Boston, Massachusetts. Shurcliff & Shurcliff, also from Boston, landscaped the grounds. Lee Lawrie, from Easton, Maryland, designed the sculpture group “Youth Triumphing Over Evil” and the sculpture above the chapel’s entrance.

The cemetery’s inauguration ceremony took place after its completion on 20 July 1956.

American Battle Monuments Commission

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), founded by United States Congress in 1923, is an agency of the executive branch of the federal government. Its mission is to preserve the memory of the sacrifices and deeds of the American military forces wherever they have served since 6 April 1917, the date the United States entered the First World War.

Brittany American Cemetery

50240 Saint-James - France

Tel: +33 (0)2 33 89 24 90

Fax: +33 (0)2 33 89 24 91

E-mail: brittany@abmc.gov

Tours

Open from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission and guided tours are free of charge. Information is available from the visitor information centre.

Closed on 25 December and 1 January.

Getting there

South of Avranches via the A84, one mile from the village of Saint James.

American Battle Monuments Commission

68 rue du 19 janvier BP 50 92380 Garches

Tel: +33 (0)1 47 01 37

American Battle Monuments Commission