Traveling in France: The Great War (Part 1 of 6)

Recently, we took a road trip with Greg's brother Mike, who was visiting us.  The overall theme of the trip was The Great War, or World War I.  Mike, who enjoys history of all types, had taken a similar trip many years ago.  Along the way, we visited Reims, Verdun, Sedan, Arras and Albert, all of which are important sites of The Great War.  

We learned a lot.  We learned how the armies fought, how the soldiers lived and died and how devastating the war was for the towns and terrain along the battle lines.  

We experienced mixed emotions during the trip.  To see monuments commemorating the loss of 9 million lives was staggering.  On the other hand, the courage of the soldiers and civilians was inspiring.

Our first stop was in Reims, where we again visited the Musée de la Reddition (Museum of the Surrender), the place where the German military agreed to unconditional surrender at the end of World War II.  Although the site relates to WWII, not WWI, the museum was a fitting place to start, since it is the place where two terrible wars finally ended.    

We enjoyed our return visit to the museum and viewed some interesting items we had overlooked during our earlier visit.  

A painting depicts the signing of the act of surrender.

After visiting the Musée de la Reddition, we left Reims for the nearby Fort de la Pompelle.  The fort was one of a group of forts that ringed and defended Reims.  The fort was built during the early 1880's, following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.  During The Great War, the fort was the site of many battles.  It changed hands twice and suffered a lot of damage from bombardment.  The fort has been partially restored as a museum.  

Artillery at the Fort de la Pompelle, with Mike and Jean-Claude

It's time for a pop quiz.  At the fort is a group of six national flags of countries that had important roles in The Great War in general and at the Fort de la Pompelle in particular.  Can you identify the six national flags below?  (The answers tomorrow.)

We next visited the town of Verdun in the Lorraine region of eastern France.  Verdun is known for many things, including the terrible Battle of Verdun during The Great War.

It is also known for something more pleasant -- sugar covered almonds known as Dragées.  Since the 1200's, the fine folks of Verdun have been creating all sorts of candy treats with almonds.  They are traditionally served to celebrate weddings (as are Jordan almonds), baptisms and other events.  Susan remembers that her host family (during her study abroad year) gave a pretty packet of dragees to a young family when their baby was christened.    

We visited the factory of one of the best known makers of Verdun's almond candies, Dragées Braquier.  Marie-Chantal left with a bag filled with several varieties of Dragées.

While visiting Dragées Braquier, Jean-Claude spotted an odd-looking product, the Obus Braquier.  Obus refers to artillery shell in French.    

The Obus Braquier is like a piñata, with a surprising difference.  Click here to see for yourself.  

Next Up:  The Battle of Verdun