In the middle of the 1980's the General Council of Somme began thinking of a project, which would lead, thanks to European, national, regional (Picardie) and departmental funds, to the creation of an international museum of the Great War (and not only dedicated to the battle of Somme). It was decided that it would be constructed in Péronne, which once was the frontline eastwards of the department. It is an amazing white building, closely related to the medieval site of Peronne (designed by the architecture Ciriani); here the very famous "meeting" between Louis XI, king of France and Charles Téméraire, duke of Bourgogne, took place in 1468.

When it opened on August 1st 1992, the Historial of the Great War uncovered a unique collection of original objects of the every day life of that time. The weapons and military gear, ordered chronologically, are displayed in the centre of the rooms, while in the glass cases along the walls, objects of the civil life and of the families (these objects evoke the cultural, artistic, educative, economic or financial aspects of society at that time) are displayed. These objects come from the three different belligerent empires and this makes the Historial, a museum of international scale.

Quite as contemporary as the architecture, the imagination of the museum stimulates the comprehension and emotions of the war: the uniforms, for example are laid out horizontally in "pits". Thus, without having recourse to the dangerous spirit of reconstitution, this proximity to the object also becomes a proximity to the event.
Like St Quentin, this city also faced German occupation from August 28th 1914. The battle of Marne and of Somme lead to the coming and going of the occupying forces. Bombarded in 1916 and 1918, the city is no more then a ruin, which was released on September 1918 by the Australian 2nd division. The Flag of this division streams in the town hall and the Australian Memorial of Mont St Quentin on the major road 17, seams to protect the hill. The ancient village constituted a strategic observation point. It was also very difficult to reach, because of the trenches and barbed wire network. A moving memorial paying tribute to the victims of the town is situated at the end of the rampart road: it portrays a woman kneeling over a body of a dying resistance fighter (a poilu), holding up her fist evocating anger and rage. This piece is the work of Paul Auban.
 

In brief... The Historial of the Great War in Péronne is a trilingual museum of international renown, housed in a modern building, which is an extension of the medieval chateau. Its purpose is to enlighten visitors on the historical, sociological and ethnological aspects of the First World War. It illustrates everyday life during the war through the experiences of those who lived through it and brings an interactive dimension to the conflict. 56 films from the period are shown along with the collections of objects, works of art, documents, letters and postcards. Uniforms of the various servicemen are displayed amongst weaponry and personal objects, as well as a collection of 50 etchings by the great German expressionist painter, Otto Dix. Documentation centre, educational department, international research centre, shop and cafeteria. "Tourism for the disabled" approved.

Open every day from 10 am to 6 pm (except Mondays between the 1st of November and the 31st of March).

Closed from mid-December until mid-January.

Historial of the Great War

Château de Péronne BP 63 - 80201 Péronne cedex

Phonenumber : 03 22 83 14 18 - Fax : 03 22 83 54 18

E-mail : doc@historial.org

By reservation it is possible to take guided tours of the Historial and the main sites of the Somme battle.

Open every day (except from Monday), from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Closed every year from mid-December to mid-January.

The Documentation Centre provides more then 2,300 works and 70 hours of visual material; the international Research Centre aims to promote university research on the First World War.

The Historial also has at its disposal an important Educational Outreach Department composed of a multidisciplinary team of educators.

The Bookstore presents and sells the principal publications of the Great War.

Comité du tourisme de la Somme

Site de L'historial de Péronne

La Somme 14-18

Somme remembrance association

Clinging to a rocky outcrop above Condamine-Chatelard and towering over the right bank of the Ubaye, the most impressive fort in the Ubaye valley extends over more than 77 metres of uneven ground. In 1709, the French installed an entrenched camp on the rocks around Tournoux, which was designed to defend against the Savoyards and Piedmontese. Construction of the fort was agreed in 1837 by General Haxo, the director of fortifications under the reign of Juillet. Work started in 1843, to be completed in 1866 and required the participation of some 1,500 workmen.

At the end of the 19th century, General Séré de Rivières ordered the strengthening of the defence system using higher forts culminating at an altitude of over 1,800 metres: particular examples are the construction of the batteries of Vyraisse, Mallemort and le Cuguret and the redoubt of Roche-la-Croix. Liaison tunnels were dug into the rock between the high parts of the fortress and a cable car - which has since disappeared - linked the high battery and the middle fort with the valley below. During the First World War, the fort accommodated Serb volunteers, who underwent military training before going into action and it later served as a place of imprisonment for German soldiers. In June 1940, the fort housed the command posts of the units that defended the Ubaye valley. It had a baptism of fire, as its artillery fire accompanied that of the more modern forts in order to stop the Italian troops.
In April 1945, the fort was the French base for the troops who seized back the forts of Saint-Ours and Roche-la-Croix from the Germans. The fort was used as an ammunition store until 1987. Designed like a staircase along a ridge, the fort de Tournoux is composed of an upper fort and a middle fort, linked by a winding road. The upper fort is a square-shaped building and has a tunnel leading to a double caponnier. The scarp has vaulted casemates.
Access to the middle fort is through a fortified entrance with a wooden bridge. It comprises an officers' wing and barracks on the earth platform above the bastions, and is remarkable for its barrack rooms accessed by long external walkways attached to the rock. Troglodyte premises used for logistical purposes were built inside the excavated caves. The middle fort was completed with a casemated battery in 1934. Nicknamed the "19th Century Military Versailles" and often compared to a miniature Wall of China or to a Tibetan monastery, this majestic construction clinging to a steep slope has been the nucleus of the strategic system of the Ubaye valley since the middle of the 19th century.
The fort de Tournoux and the principal forts of the Ubaye valley are open to the public. Guided tours are regularly organised in season. Access to Barcelonnette, the heart of the Ubaye 85 km from Digne-les-Bains, via the D 900. 100 km from Briançon via the N 94, and then the D 954 (via Savines-le-Lac) and the D 900. Links Tourist centre of the community of towns of the Ubaye. 4, avenue des trois frères Arnaud 04400 Barcelonnette Tel. + 33 (0) 4 92 81 03 68 Fax + 33 (0) 4 92 81 51 67 e-mail: info@ubaye.com

November 11th 1918 at 5:15 a.m. the German plenipotentiaries accepted the armistice conditions of Marshal Foch. Some hours later at 11:00 a.m., the ceasefire announced the end of four years of horrible war. Fit out, in 1922 by the architect Mages in collaboration with M. Binet Valmer, president of the league of the Veterans, the Armistice Glade will become a symbol of victory and peace. Decorated by a monument for the inhabitants of Alsace and Lorraine ( piece of Edgar Brandt), it is pierced by an alley measuring 250 meters, leading to a sort of roundabout of 100 meters of diameter. It commemorates the end of the war, under the constant glance of Marshal Foch's statue.

Used for the signature of the armistice in 1918, the carriage n° 2419D was fit out in an office for Marshal Foch, by the Company "Wagons-Lits". Installed in 1927 on the glade, this symbolic wagon will be used by Hitler for the armistice of 1940 before being confiscated and burned in Germany in April 1945. Today the museum exhibits another carriage of the same series of 1913.
(...) When Marshal Foch had to determine the place, where he would call together the congressmen in charge for the armistice demand, he had many solutions. Would it be a more or less important locality? Would it be better to chose a place in the rear or a recently released region? Wasn't the Headquarter of the Commander-in-chief meant to be the place, where those who implored the suspension of hostilities had to be meet? (...) he will chose the forest of Compiègne, near the train station of Rethondes. Many times, during the war he established his Headquarter in his train. The congressmen will visit him at his headquarter. The loneliness of that place will ensure the tranquillity, the silence, the isolation and the respect of the adversary (...) Maxime Waygand, November 11th, 1932.
November 12th 1918, Marshal Foch addresses to his armies the following message: "Officers, Warrant Officers and Soldiers of the allied armies; after having resolutely stopped the enemy, during several month, you have attacked him without rest and tireless faith and energy. You just won the biggest battle of history and saved the a holy cause : the world's freedom. Be proud of an immortally glory, you have defended your national flags and the posterity will be forever thankful."
The Glade of the Armistice - 60200 Compiègne Phone number / Fax : 03 44 85 14 18 Opening : Opening From April to August 10h 18h last admission 5:30 p.m. daily September to March last admission 5:30 p.m. 10h 17h closed on Tuesday except school holidays price Adult : 5 euros Child rates 7-13 years : 3 euros

Twenty minutes by sea off the coast of Marseille, on the smallest island in the Frioul archipelago, not far from the islands of Pomègues and Ratonneau, the island of If displays its three hectares of limestone rock. Until the 16th Century, If was a wild islet, an occasional refuge for pirates and smugglers, or fishermen caught out by storms. In 1516, François 1st became aware of the place's strategic importance and decided to build a fortress there as an outpost of the town, designed to control entry into the Phocean port. Work began in 1524 and was completed in 1531. The fortifications consisted of ramparts erected on the white rocks, and a keep flanked by three round towers, linked by high walls and equipped to house a defensive system composed of heavy artillery.

The structure still retains the oppressive appearance of a feudal chateau of pre-bastion craftsmanship, but it is definitely a fortress, most notably because of its corner towers, which are more compact than medieval towers. Housing canons whose range was no more than 150 metres, the château d'If could not fulfil its defensive duty during the siege of Marseille in 1536 by Charles Quint's troops. Having never experienced war, the fortress was converted into a state prison at the end of the 17th century. From 1689 onwards, many protestants died within the damp walls of its terrible dungeons, whilst more favourable conditions of imprisonment were offered to eminent prisoners, wayward women or the bad boys of the family, such as the young Mirabeau.
The insurgents of 1848, the communards: the château d'If held political prisoners before losing its prison status in 1890, when it was opened to the public. Today, within the compound's walls, commemorative plaques still evoke the memory of the thousands of protestants and political internees of 1848. Contrary to the legend, the Iron Mask and the Marquis de Sade were never incarcerated at the château d'If. Between myth and reality, the château d'If also conjures up images of Alexandre Dumas' "Count of Monte-Cristo", although José Custodio Faria and Edmond Dantès probably never stayed there. During the First World War, Germans and then French draft dodgers were detained there. Classified as a historic monument in 1926, the château was taken over by German troops during the Second World War.
Château d'If Ports Iles du Frioul 13000 Marseille Crossings Embarkation: 1, quai de la Fraternité - Old Port - Marseille Tickets available on the day from the ticket office. Reservations for groups by fax on + 33 (0) 4.42.82.33.48. Opening times 1st May to 31st August, every day from 9 am to 6.30 pm 1st September to 31st March, every day except Monday from 9 am to 5.30 pm 1st to 30th April, every day from 9 am to 5.30 pm Last entry depends on the timetable of the boat Closed: 25th December and 1st January Full (adult) price: 5 € Reduced rate (18 to 25 years old): 3,50 € Group rate (from 20 adults): 4,20 € Free up to and including 17 years old Marseille Tourist Information Office Tel. +33 (0) 4 91 13 89 00 - fax +33 (0)4 91 13 89 20 E-mail: info@marseille-tourisme.com

Located in the town of Mont-lès-Neufchâteau in the Ouest Vosgien, Bourlémont is a “stopping fort” in the Séré de Rivières system of fortifications that extended the fortified town of Toul.

Built from brick between 1878 and 1881, its purpose was to defend and keep watch over the rail and road hub of Neufchâteau and slow down the advancement of the enemy who would be forced to pass through the Trouée de Charmes or Charmes Gap. Considered as a second line outpost following the torpedo shell crisis, Fort Bourlémont was declassified in 1885.

The structure, called Fort Choiseul from 1887, has remained in its original architectural state, with the exception of a few modifications made by the Germans during the Second World War. It presents the military organisation of the 19th century with its vast barracks, powder stores and remarkable double caponier.

Its perfectly symmetrical footprint alone conveys the harmony and precision of construction from this period. Its style is just as aesthetic as strategic; its vaults, orillons and sheltered rooms are excellent architectural masterpieces.

In 1996, the town of Mont-lès-Neufchâteau bought the fort then entrusted its rescue and management to the AAFB (Friends of Fort Bourlémont Association) founded the following year. Today the association organises guided tours to show visitors how life was in the barracks between 1881 and 1914 (the garrison provided a roof for 700 men and 19 officers) and remind them of the tensions that reigned during that time between France and Germany.

For example, during the First World War, the structure received those wounded during the Battle of Verdun, Bourlémont being the only fortification to have been equipped, at the time of its construction, with a group of casemates intended to serve as an infirmary.

For young visitors, treasure hunts are organised during which they can discover the architecture of the fort and some military features including the optical telegraph which, using Morse code, provided a means of communication between the forts. The association regularly organises events.

Fort Bourlémont

Contacts: Asssociation des Amis du fort de Bourlémont (AAFB)

9 place de l'Eglise 88300 MONT LES NEUFCHATEAU +33 (0)3 29 94 35 69

email :aafb@ifrance.fr

Available on site: Picnic area, arboretum, car and coach parking, toilets including disabled facilities, snack bar with patio, gift shop.

Opening hours: Open from 2.30 to 5 pm (last tours). From 1 May to 30 June and 1 to 30 September: Sundays and public holidays. From 1 July to 31 August: every day except Monday. All year, by appointment only. Late night visits by appointment only from 1 to 22 August, Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.30 pm.

Admission: Individual adults: €4; teenagers (10-18 years): €1 ; Children under 10: free; Groups: €3

Site du fort de Bourlemont (88)

The soldiers buried here include Marcel Gueugnon, who died for France on 9 June 1940 and is buried alongside his father, Lieutenant Marius Gueugnon, who died on 20 August 1918. Grave 8 contains the remains of two brothers killed in 1917, Georges and Prosper Humbert.

The cemetery on the Route de Solesmes

Located on the road to Solesmes, this cemetery not only evokes the fate of this town, occupied by the Germans from 26 August 1914 to 9 October 1918, but most importantly the first battle of Cambrai, from 20 November until 3 December 1917, the German offensive of March 1918 and this second battle of Cambrai, the last battle on the Hindenburg line, which was to finally liberate the city in October 1918, the town by then having endured terrible destruction.

Later the town was "adopted" by the County Town of Birkenhead. The cemetery had been created by the Germans during their occupation from March 1917. They had constructed a few monuments and a stone cross there. On 11 August 1918, the Bavarian commander of the town had handed over the maintenance of the cemetery to the town. Afterwards the German Military cemetery that was in Cambrai was transferred there to the Saint-Sépulcre cemetery. The graves have now been regrouped. The remains of 10,685 Germans, 192 Russians, 6 Romanians and 502 British are to be found there.

13 km to the north east of Bapaume on the road between Cambrai and Bapaume is the Louverval Memorial. It commemorates the 7,048 British and South African soldiers who died at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917 and whose graves are unknown. The Battle of Cambrai, marked by a breakthrough on 20 November, a cessation on positions on 22 November and a German counter attack between 23 and 29 November, resulted in a limited gaining of ground but taught the Allies some valuable tactical and strategic lessons. For their part, the Germans had discovered that their line of defence was vulnerable. The Memorial, situated on a terrace at the far end of the military cemetery, was designed by H. Chalton Bradshaw and the sculptor C.S. Jagger, whose two bas-reliefs illustrating battle scenes are to be admired.

1917 had been a terrible year for all the fighting nations during the ongoing First World War. At the end of the year, the British, seeking to destroy the Hindenburg line (the defensive system for the territories occupied by the Germans), decided to launch an offensive to the south of Cambrai involving the large-scale use of tanks. The battle was merciless: the first battles were a great success for the British troops, except at Flesquières, but the Germans, at first thrown into confusion, very quickly started a powerful counter-offensive. For 15 days, attacks and counter-attacks were to follow in succession, with neither of the two armies chalking up decisive success. The human losses were enormous: 45,000 British and 55,000 Germans were killed, as whole villages were destroyed. During the First World War, a new weapon appeared on the battlefields: the tank. Tanks were designed to support the attacks of the infantry, driving them across enemy lines. During the battle in November 1917, the "Tank Corps" of the third British Army (a total of 476 tanks) was engaged to break through the Hindenburg line.

The objective of the battle was to take the strategic positions of the Flesquières ridge and the Bourlon woods before targeting the liberation of Cambrai. At Flesquières, the British attack came up against fierce resistance from German troops, who managed to destroy or immobilise several tanks. One of those destroyed was buried by the Germans in the spring of 1918. In November 1998, thanks to a handful of enthusiasts, it was unearthed. Today this war relic can be seen in Flesquières. At Cambrai, the memory of this battle lives on through the monument to the soldiers from the Cambrai regiments, opposite the gate to the citadel and through the French Remembrance monument listing all those from Cambrai who died in combat during the Great War. The Louverval cemetery is an important place of remembrance for them.

Characteristics: - 26.5 tonnes - 8.50 metres long - 3.20 metres wide - 52 cm wide tracks - 5 machine guns with 13,000 to 30,000 cartridges - Crew of 8 men.
It was on the Flesquières ridge that the most important episode of the Battle of Cambrai took place. Overlooking the valley, it is possible for us to imagine the starting point of the British attack on 20 November 1917, on a front of about 8 km stretching from Havrincourt to Bonavis. There used to be a mill there, but since it could be used as a reference point for the British artillery, it was destroyed by the Germans. Today there is a project to build an orientation table showing the Hindenburg line's defensive system and erect a monument to the glory of the soldiers who fell on the battlefield.

This raised German bunker is characterised by its shape and its use, as it served as an observation tower. In fact, its position allowed communication with Cambrai using visual signals. The observation post was attached to the château garden. The building is still very well preserved today.

An exact replica trench was created for the filming of the documentary "he Trench" by the BBC. Tours of the site are possible on request to complement a tour of the tank.
 

Flesquières Hill British Cemetery

In this cemetery, as in all those with more than 400 graves, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has built a "Remembrance Stone" on which is engraved the inscription "Their Name Liveth For Evermore". In addition, the cemetery contains the graves of 589 known and 332 unknown soldiers. Next to the British are buried the soldiers from New Zealand and Australia who took part in the fighting at the end of the war.

Orival Wood British Cemetery

The remains of the famous English poet, Lieutenant Ewart Alan Mackintosh are buried here. In the same place there are also the graves of Canadian and German soldiers killed in the Flesquières sector.

A prestigious museum The Army's Health Service Museum, is situated in the monument grouping of Val-de-Grâce in a splendid cloister. This museum is a traditional institution, which was completely restructured and attached to the Army's Health Service School. A historic site The Benedictine abbey, transformed into a military hospital in 1793, and thus preserved from the revolutionary destructions, was built on the XVII Century. It results from the wish of Anne of Austria, thanking this way the birth of Louis XIV. Its realization is the result of the work of several famous architects, for example: François Mansart, Jacques Lemercier, Pierre Le Muet, Pierre Mignard, Michel and François Anguier. The church symbolizes the nativity and is the most sculptured church of France. It is the most exhaustive example of the French Baroque art.

The voluntary pedagogic presentation of the collections helps to give, to all kind of visitors, a better understanding of the bases and multiple vocations of the Medicine of the Armies. Every topic is further developed by the use of an audio-visual production. It is developed in occasion of temporary exhibitions. The first halls of the museum evoke the personnel of the Health Service, in particular the evolution of their uniforms and their teaching. It also illustrates the principal mission of the service : the medical support of the armed forces during the conflicts, from the collecting of the wounded men on the battle spots and their evacuation, to the hospitals in the rear on the ground, the sea and the air.
The visitor also discovers the research activities of the Health Service, which so often were put into rhythm by the conflicts and for the benefit of the armies. The wax forms point out the research activities in the oral and face surgery field, during the war of 1914-1918. The Carli, Sudre or Leriche statuettes testify to the research of the Health service in the domain of the psychiatry. A decompression chamber as well as a "Véronique" rocket head, illustrates the underwater medicine and the aerospace medicine. The research undertaken by the military pharmacists, during their discovery journeys around the world, on war poisons is exhibited as well.
The participation of the Army's Health Service in the civil domain is recalled since the XIX century, by its human actions, its care for the population, the creation of medical schools or Pasteur Institutes and the fight against the big diseases. Exemples are Calmette, Yersin, Jamot. The Army's Health Service has also a vast experience in the progress of hygiene. In particular the food and clothing hygiene but also the general house and behaviour hygiene. Its experience is predominant in the fight against metropolitan or exotic infectious diseases. For example, diseases like typhoid, meningitis, the plague, the viral hepatitis and malaria.
The visitor can also admire the collection of pharmacy objects of the doctors Debat. It is fitted out in the old kitchens of the Benedictine nuns and gathers Italian and French pieces of earthenware, instruments of medicine and mortars. The "Majoliques" are Italian ceramics of the Renaissance and which illustrates the production of Faenza, Montelupo, Deruta or Venice. Here it is possible to discover the instruments of the pharmacy and medicine domain, like the amputation saws or special trepans, first-aid kits and microscopes, for the majority coming from the 18th century. A pharmacy is reconstituted and exhibits earthenware and porcelains coming from Ile-de-France or the Netherlands. Other ceramics, coming from factories in Lille, Rouen, Nevers, Nîmes, Saint-Cloud, or also in the South-west or even the Far East are exhibit close to the blown glass bottles. The collection of the 103 mortars is one of the most prestigious worldwide. This splendid typology shows objects of the ancient Egypt to our days, coming from productive areas and realized in all kind of materials.
Museum of the Arm's Health Service (Musée du Service de Santé des Armées) : 1, place Alphonse Laveran 75230 Paris Cedex 05 Tél. : 01 40 51 51 92 - Fax : 01 40 51 51 93 Timetable Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday : from 12 a.m. to 5p.m. Group visits on reservation under the Phone number : 01 40 51 51 94 Tariffs Adults :4,60 €. Children (under 12 years) : 2,30 €. Free entrance for children less then six years, active militaries, the civil staff of the Ministry of Defence. Public Transports RER (Train) : Port-Royal. Subway : Goblins. BUS : 91, 83.

Avec ses 19 blocs de combat et ses 10 km de galeries, l’ouvrage du Hackenberg est le géant de la Ligne Maginot.

Sa construction débuta dès 1930 parmi les tout premiers. Il fut en fait le prototype des ouvrages d'artillerie de la ligne Maginot. 1800 ouvriers environ travaillèrent avec des moyens relativement rudimentaires pendant six années pour construire les 19 blocs de combat et percer environ 10 kilomètres de galeries. Après 1933 et l'achèvement du gros oeuvre, on installa l'équipement intérieur et l'armée française prit livraison de l'ensemble en 1936.

Après la déclaration de guerre en 1939 et la période de vigilance maximale de la 'Drôle de guerre', le Hackenberg remplit son rôle lors de l'offensive allemande de 1940 et sa reddition ne fut effective que quelques jours après l'armistice. En novembre 1944, il fut investi par la 3e armée américaine du général PATTON lors de la terrible bataille pour la libération de la Moselle.

Sous la conduite d’un guide de l’association AMIFORT, le public y découvre des installations d’origine en parfait état de fonctionnement, une usine électrique et des groupes électrogènes en état de marche, des salles reconstituées à l’identique et un musée militaire.

La visite se poursuit à bord du petit train d’époque qui transporte les visiteurs vers les blocs de combat, dont l’imposant bloc 9 où l’on peut assister à la démonstration du fonctionnement de sa tourelle d’artillerie de 163 tonnes.

Après une sortie en surface, les visiteurs découvrent le bloc 8 qui porte encore les stigmates des combats de 1944 entre les troupes allemandes et américaines.

C'est un voyage dans le temps et dans l'Histoire d’une formidable fortification du XXème siècle que les bénévoles et salariés de l'association AMIFORT vous proposent.

L’ouvrage du Hackenberg est l’un des très rares ouvrages militaires possédant un circuit pédestre balisé par le Club Vosgien qui vous permet d'admirer les dessus de ces 19 blocs de combat en transitant par le Mur Antichar de 800 mètres de long et 8 mètres de haut, une curiosité unique en Lorraine.

La visite du fort dure environ deux heures et se déroule dans un environnement souterrain où la température est stabilisée à 12° toute l'année. Pour votre confort prévoir des vêtements en conséquence.

Compte tenu des contraintes liées à la visite d'un ouvrage souterrain ancien à plusieurs niveaux, seule la découverte de quatre-vingt pourcents du parcours est assurée pour les personnes à mobilité réduite. Les poussettes sont acceptées.

Une boutique souvenir vous est proposée à la fin de la visite.

Sources : ©GROS OUVRAGE MAGINOT DU HACKENBERG - PHOTOS libre de droit Crédit photo association AMIFORT

Erected in 1927 by René Quillivic, in memory to the soldiers who died for France during the wars waged in the 20th century.

In homage to these men, the small defensive fort has been turned into a cenotaph where everyone can congregate in their memory.

A place of remembrance for the victims and past conflicts, this funerary space , handed down from generation to generation, is sure to affect and speak out to all its visitors.

The two crosses: these two neighbouring steles mounted with a cross, today known as the “monks' gallows”, have been adorned with religious insignia since the iron age.

Set in the ruins of the Benedictan abbey, the lighthouse dates from 1835. Standing 58 metres above sea level, the top can be reached by the 163 steps and makes the perfect spot from which to admire the splendid panoramic view from the Crozon peninsular to Ouessant. Don’t think twice about mounting the stairway, the unspoilt view of the islands is more than worth the small effort.

The Abbey

Listed as a Historic Monument in 1867, the Abbey, which dates from the 6th century and is now in ruins, continues to attract admiration still today. Every year on the first of August, the Abbey hosts amidst its ruins the Pardon of St Matthew celebration, a traditional religious ceremony that has survived the decades.

The Maurist convent and cellar. The museum of the Abbey of St Matthew: This museum, set up in the centre of the Abbey grounds, presents the site, the monastic life of its former inhabitants and the Abbey through history.

A 17-minute video explains to visitors why this site is so unique.

The chapel: Once the church of St Matthew's parish, today it contains ancient statues and engravings that evoke the past of the saints venerated on this site.

Museum

Tel: +33 (0)2 98 89 10 52

“The Friends of St Matthew” association

Tel: +33 (0)2 98 48 35 73

Tourist Information Office

Tel: +33 (0)2 98 48 30 18

Lighthouse visits

Opening times

From 7 April to 30 April: Every day except Tuesday (closed) from 2.00 to 6.30 pm

May and June: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (also open 7 and 18 May) from 2.00 to 6.30 pm

July and August: daily from 10 am to 7.30 pm

From 1 to 16 September: every day except Tuesday (closed) from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm and 2.00 and 6.30 pm

From 17 to 30 September: Every day except Tuesday (closed) from 2.00 to 6.30 pm

From 27 October to 7 November (also open 8 to 11 November): every day except Tuesday (closed) from 2.00 to 5.30 pm

From 22 December to 6 January: every day except Tuesday (closed) from 2.00 to 5.30 pm (also closed 25 December and 1 January).

Ticket with abbey museum €3 for over 10s, €1 4 to 9 years, free for under 4s

In summer: St Mathieu and Trézien (Plouarzel) lighthouse visitor pass €4 for over 10s, €2 for 4-9 years

Site officiel de la commune de Plougonvelin