La Voie Sacree and World War I sites in Meuse, Lorraine: any advice?
 

My husband and I are planning to visit WWI sites in France next year, as we both have relatives who served in the Great War. I was thinking of driving the Voie Sacree from Bar-le-Duc to Verdun, and then doing the circuit of battlefields around Verdun (I did that part several years ago, but my husband hasn't been there yet).<BR><BR>Has anyone driven the Voie Sacree? I wanted to see Bar le Duc because my grandfather was there prior to his being wounded near Verdun. I'd appreciate any insight anyone may offer.

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Sorry I can't help you with the Voie Sacree. But about 10 years ago my husband and I were on a wine tour of France and were based in Epernay. We did a day trip to Reims and the near by Belleau Wood - site of a WWI battle. There is a US cemetary there and you can also go to the wood and see the remants of the trenches. It was very moving. It is very near Reims/Epernay in the Marne Valley.<BR><BR>Good Luck,<BR>Michelle

Thanks. I am hoping to take in champagne sites as well as those relating to WWI, so that's a good suggestion.

The best WW I museum in France is the Memorial de la Grande Guerre in Peronne, in the Pas de Calais departement, on the autoroute between Paris and Lille. It's quite modern and moving, the equivalent for WWI of the Caen museum for WWII. If you have time, I think you should include it in your tour.

un petit bimp.

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We toured Verdun July 2002; although you've been there, it was fascinating to us...especially the Citadelle Souterraine and the Ossuarie de Douaumont plus the Bayonete Trench. My husband's father fought in France during WWI so we had a special interest; he was wounded trying to cross the Marne. Was pleased that many places in Verdun offered English translations. Our 13 year old son was just instructed to write a fictional letter from the point of view of a soldier in the trenches; didn't hurt that he'd been to Verdun!!!

Thanks for that, Peggi. Verdun, the Ossuarie and the bayonet trench should not be missed!

I have not driven the Voie Sacre but I did spend an entire day in Verdun during a home exchange in Nancy a few years ago. I found it quite worthwhile. I did not have nearly enough time to see everything. That would probably take two days.<BR><BR>Verdun is maintained as a memorial. There is no post World War I building except for the museum. You will see remains of destroyed towns and the repository of bones from the battlefield called &quot;L'Ossuaire&quot;.<BR><BR>Like a previous poster, I was moved by the Citadelle Souterraine.<BR><BR>You can go down into Maginot Line installations (my mind is fuzzy about whether those are WW I or WW II). I went into one in a town called Bitche (yes, that is a real name). You can see how the soldiers lived like rats while they fought. The biggest entertainment was getting drunk (lots of empty wine bottles). The show facilities were virtually nonexistent. Anyone interested in militar history would find this interesting.<BR><BR>The Musee Lorrain in Nancy is very interesting if you are in the area but has NOTHING to do with either World War. I went twice during my stay because I found all the historical items fascinating.