Cerermony - Inauguration of the Educational Trench at the Great War Museum: A Moving Journey into the Daily Life of the Poilus

By Mulder, Meaux, Musée de la Grande Guerre, 11 november 2024

On November 11, 2024, the Musée de la Grande Guerre in Meaux inaugurated an open-air educational trench in the presence of Prime Minister Michel Barnier and the Mayor of Meaux, Jean-François Copé. The immersive 800-square-meter space meticulously recreates a World War I trench system, offering visitors a unique experience of the horror and reality of soldiers' lives in 14-18.

On his arrival, Michel Barnier praised the initiative of the town and its mayor, underlining the importance of places of remembrance in anchoring history in people's minds. Accompanied by Audrey Chaix, Museum Director, and Jean-Louis Thiériot, Minister Delegate, the Prime Minister discovered an impressively realistic environment. Earthen embankments, barbed wire, tree remnants and period uniforms embody the harshness of soldiers' daily lives. “We owe everything to the soldiers who experienced this tragedy,” he recalled with emotion.

The trench showcases the different zones of military life: the observation post, the rest shelter, the first-aid post, and even a glimpse of the dreaded no-man's-land. For each area, a hyper-realistic reconstruction of living conditions, personal objects and abandoned munitions immerses visitors in the dark, oppressive atmosphere of the trenches.

Designed to offer an immersive historical experience, the trenches incorporate modern, immersive features, including a soundtrack that alternates between moments of calm and sequences of bombardment or assault. Visitors can hear the crackling of bullets and the cries of soldiers, a sound dimension that enhances the authenticity of the experience. This setting is designed to foster understanding and empathy with those who lived through these tragic moments.

Access to the trenches is also adapted for people with reduced mobility, ensuring an inclusive tour for all. Visitors can explore the trenches from a passageway that offers a first panoramic glimpse of the battlefield. With the help of telescopic views and explanatory panels, visitors can appreciate the sheer scale of the defensive system.

The Musée de la Grande Guerre, inaugurated in 2011, has always been dedicated to transmitting the history of 14-18. With this new trench, it hopes to attract even more visitors, especially schoolchildren. Every year, thousands of schoolchildren from all over the region come to discover this place, which embodies both the duty to remember and the importance of understanding the past to better grasp contemporary issues.

Michel Barnier, recalling the current situation in Ukraine, underlined the poignancy of this site, a permanent reminder of the tragedies caused by conflict. “This re-enactment is not entertainment,” concluded Jean-François Copé, ”it is a tribute to all those who have suffered, and to the peace we must preserve.

To enhance the experience, the museum offers guided tours led by historians and members of the historical re-enactment association. This educational program also includes mediation tools adapted to young children and schoolchildren, offering them a gentle but authentic immersion in the realities of the Great War.

This inauguration marks a new stage for the Musée de la Grande Guerre, which, thirteen years after its opening, continues to bring history to life and preserve the memory of the poilus. Thanks to this new space, the museum remains true to its mission: to offer visitors a journey of reflection, remembrance and education on a crucial period in our history.

You can see our photos on our Flickr page

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville