Events - Musée de la Grande Guerre : The Trench, A Striking Immersion in 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 celebrated the anniversary of the armistice of the First World War with the inauguration of a monumental educational trench, an 800 m² space recreated to convey to visitors the harsh reality of soldiers' lives in the trenches. In the presence of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, Meaux mayor Jean-François Copé and numerous history buffs, this space, the only one of its kind in France, is a place of remembrance, learning and emotion.

Located in the museum's rear grounds, the educational trench is a striking reproduction of a First World War trench environment. Under the eyes of the American monument, this reconstruction offers an immersive scene where every detail evokes the harshness and danger of the front line: earthen embankments, barbed wire, tree remnants, shell holes, abandoned helmets and various debris litter the devastated ground. This hyper-realistic environment is complemented by a powerful, immersive sound system, simulating explosions, the whistling of bullets and the cries of soldiers, to reinforce the sense of immersion and danger felt in these once-beleaguered surroundings.

Michel Barnier welcomed the re-enactment initiative, underlining the importance of places of remembrance in reminding us all of the painful history that has shaped our contemporary society. “We can't think about our country without remembering our history,” he declared. For him, this trench is much more than a simple historical device: it is a tribute to the soldiers and an invitation to reflection for current and future generations.
Designed to be a powerful educational tool, the educational trench is accessible to all visitors, including those with reduced mobility. The tour begins from the museum's west corridor, where visitors can look out over the battlefield. This initial viewpoint enables them to appreciate the immensity and complexity of the environment before entering the labyrinthine trench. Entrance to this underground world is via a staircase or elevator, and once inside, visitors walk across a grating floor, inspired by period fittings, which takes them from the second line to the front line of battle.

The tour is punctuated by various strategic points, such as the observation post, listening post and artillery post. Each area presents a different aspect of the military life of the poilus: resting places, firing posts, no-man's-land, all designed to show visitors the many facets of daily life in wartime. Along the way, interactive displays and explanatory panels explain the function of each area and how soldiers organized themselves to survive. Visitors can also discover the first-aid post, where the wounded received first aid in rudimentary conditions, and the soldiers' shelter, a cramped space where they ate and slept between battles.

This educational trench is the fruit of several months' work, combining historical expertise and immersive scenography. Conceived with the help of Great War specialists such as historian Michaël Bourlet, the project draws on archives, soldiers' diaries and period plans to offer as faithful a reconstruction as possible of life in the trenches. Every detail has been designed to reflect historical reality: firing crenellations, periscopes, narrow shelters dug into the ground, and even fake rats lurking in nooks and crannies, recalling the daily struggle of the poilus to maintain basic hygiene in unsanitary conditions. The authenticity of the re-enactment impressed the enthusiasts present, like Christophe, a member of the historical re-enactment association dressed in a period uniform. For him, “it's a remarkable piece of work, recreating not only the setting, but also the oppressive atmosphere of the trenches. You really feel like you're there.

The museum has designed the trench as an active learning space, particularly suited to school groups. Guided tours specially designed for CM2, 3e and 1re pupils enable young people to discover the Great War in a way that is different from what they read in history books. Every year, the museum welcomes between 30,000 and 40,000 schoolchildren, and with this educational trench, it hopes to attract even more school groups to raise awareness of this significant historical period.

Jean-François Copé, Mayor of Meaux, pointed out that this war remains a “key to explaining everything we're experiencing today”, whether in terms of contemporary geopolitical conflicts or the socio-political developments that shaped the 20th century. In his opinion, this re-enactment gives young people a better understanding of the impact of this war on today's world.

The educational trench at the Musée de la Grande Guerre is first and foremost a place of remembrance. The no-man's-land visible from the trench - that neutral, ravaged, uninhabited zone between the front lines - embodies the absurdity of war. Dotted with shell holes and other debris, it is a reminder of the many shattered lives and human losses that marked this total war. Visitors can also see various elements evoking the soldiers' survival, such as tins of corned beef, symbolizing the meagre rations available.

For Audrey Chaix, the museum's director, this trench is “much more than a reconstruction”. It's a way of inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the reality of war, to feel the fear, isolation and endurance of the soldiers of 14-18. “It really is the symbol of the Great War, and it was essential for us to go further than just exhibiting objects.” French Prime Minister Michel Barnier emphasized the importance of this type of display in preserving the collective memory. “The 14-18 war was a tragedy that continues to resonate today. It reminds us of the importance of peace and dialogue, and it is our duty to pass on these values to future generations”, he declared.  The educational trench embodies this desire to pass on, to perpetuate remembrance and to encourage understanding of the atrocities of war to prevent them from happening again.

Since its opening in 2011, the Musée de la Grande Guerre in Meaux has established itself as one of the world's leading centers of remembrance of the First World War. With this educational trench, it continues to renew its commitment to history and education, offering an experience that combines sensory immersion, historical rigor and pedagogy. For the public, a visit to this trench is much more than a simple historical discovery: it's an invitation to reflect on the legacy of the Great War and the importance of peace.

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Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville