This Friday on 11.11.11, The Great War Museum (Le Musee de la Grande Guerre) was inaugurated at Meaux. Meaux is located 41.1 km (25.5 mi) east-northeast from the center of Paris.
The museum lies in front of the American monument Liberty in Distress by Frederick MacMonnies, erected in memory of the soldiers who fell at the two battles of the Marne.
The museum takes us through journey of old days. All the explanations are in French, English and German. The first section of the museum depicts the era of late 19th century and the 1870 Franco Prussian war, and moves through to 1914. The second section, from the 1914 to the 1918 Battles of the Marne, is grouped around the ‘grand nef’. The final section takes you from 1918 to 1939 with all its illusions of victory, all the grand hopes and slowly revealed failures that led to World War II. The full round across the museum takes about 90 minutes.
The museum takes up different subjects right from techniques of warfare, the participation of women in wars, the effect of war on scientific and medical advances and also the impact of war on social lives. Another section of the museum shows everyday objects from the front and the home front and also real works of art such as the delightful mandolins made out of Adrian helmets. The Museum has a café for light snacks and drinks, and a good book and gift shop.
The charges for admission in the museum are as follows:
- Adult 10 euros
- Students under 26 years, senior citizens over 65 years, war veterans, members of the military 7 euros
- Under 18 years old 5 euros
- Free for children under 8 years, teachers and museum curators
- Family ticket: 2 adults and 2 children under 18 years old 25 euros
If you want to take a visit to Meaux, you can stay in these hotels in Paris:
Etap Hotel Paris La Villette 19ème
57-63 Avenue Jean Jaurès
Paris
08 92 68 08 91
Libertel Canal Saint Martin
5 Avenue Secrétan
Paris
01 42 06 62 00
Buttes Chaumont Hotel Paris
4 Avenue Secrétan
Paris
01 42 45 33 81
Relais Bergson
124 Avenue Simon Bolivar
Paris
01 42 08 31 17