Oradour sur Glane
 

Has anyone been to Oradour sur Glane? It's a town near Limoges, where in June l944 the Waffen SS rounded up all the men, women and children and announced that they were searching for arms of the Resistance. After the villagers were killed fires were set to burn the bodies. The town has been left as it was and may be visited.

Yes, I have visited it twice, and it is an incredible monument.<BR><BR>The women and children were burned in the church. The men were rounded up and shot. <BR><BR>Everything in the village has been preserved exactly as it looked after the massacre. It is shocking and horrifyingly real to walk down the streets with the abandoned, burned cars and bicycles, the sewing machines still perched on ledges of people's houses, the debris of everyday life still in place. The dwellings are marked with plaques, so you know that the butcher worked here, this was a coiffeur's shop, this where such and such a family lived.<BR><BR>The museum also houses lots of small things that were retrieved from the site.Little things like collections of eyeglasses really got to me.<BR><BR>If you're going to be in the area, I wouldn't miss it. But be prepared for a sobering visit.

Thanks again...you've answered two of our questions. My son was just curious as to whether or not you are also a collector of militaria or have an avid interest in WWII. We're trying to locate just exactly where Ouradour sur Glane is; we know about 14 km NW of Limoges but I don't have a map handyand can't picture where it is.

No, I'm afraid my only claim to interest in WWII militaria is that I picked up a German WWII helmet at a brocante a few years ago for 50FF. I have read a good bit about that war, but if anything I'm a WWI afficionado. Better novels about that period, IMO.<BR><BR>Oradour is on the D9, southwest of Limoges, not northwest. Take the N21 west out of Limoges and head for Nieul. From there it's a warren of teensy roads, too small to be designated on even my Atlas Routier, but they are well marked with signs, as the place is a bit of a mecca.

Hi, Linda,<BR><BR>Stopped there for several hours in September 2000. Very sobering experience. You need not be a WWII junkie to have an interest in visiting this sight -- should be seen by all, "lest we forget" (or, in the words used at Oradour, "Remember").<BR><BR>Here's a link that is helpful:<BR><BR>http://www.aulton.demon.co.uk/html/o...sur-glane.html <BR><BR>Have a good trip.<BR><BR>John H

Hi Linda...Oradour sur Glane is a very powerful experience and I would highly recommend a visit. It's a pleasant country drive well worth working into the itinerary. Souviens-Toi. Remember.

According to my EuroAtlas, Oradour-sur-Glane (specially designated "ville d&eacute;truite on the map because there are several Oradours) is indeed NW of Limoges on D9. For the most direct route from Limoges, take E603/N141 WNW toward St. Junien and pick up the D9 after about 15 km. From there it's about 10 more km. It is truly a sobering sight.

Linda:<BR><BR>Sue is correct -it's northwest. I was looking at my very detailed Atlas Routier, and Limoges is on one page and Oradour on the preceding page. I didn't realize the maps weren't lining up from page to page. Follow her directions.

Hi Linda:<BR>My husband and I visited the site last month. It's as the other posters have stated .....very sobering,very sad.<BR>My husband is a teacher and has just put together a power point show for his students. It's something we don't often hear much about, how civilians suffered and are suffering because of war.<BR>I walked out of the church in tears, you can just imagine the horror of the events that day while walking through the streets. <BR>Definitely visit the Memorial centre before walking over to the old village. It's an excellent place, the staff very helpful and several if not all speak English. There is background info on the events leading up to that terrible day, as well as information on the Resistance, how France functioned ? during the occupation etc. Everything is in French.German and English including the film.<BR>Regards,<BR>Lynn<BR>