"War and Peace in Ardennes" Museum

Historical information

"From the defeat of imperial France at Sedan in 1870 to the famous German breakthrough in 1940, the Ardennes region has found itself at the heart of all major European conflicts" says the official leaflet of the museum named in French the "Musée Guerre et Paix en Ardennes" which depicts the history of the (French) Ardennes from 1870 to 1945.

This departmental museum has a 4500 m² size. It includes diaporamas of three conflicts (1870, 1917 and 1940) which took place in the Ardennes. Using original scenery combined with sound, lighting and immage effects, each scene is accompanied by a video which provides historical information, resulting in a documentary lasting more than an hour. You can visit the museum at your own pace via audio guides available in French, English, German and Dutch. There is also a rich collection of weapons, uniforms and armored vehicles, they have all been restored, this explains their excellent state. The official website of the “Conseil Général des Ardennes” stands here. More information about the museum is provided there.

Location information

The museum is located in the Ardennes 10 km from Rethel in the district of Novion-Porcien between Reims and Charleville-Mézières. Take exits 14 or 16 of the A34 motorway.

Personal note

Even if some vehicles are also presented in other museums, the high quality of the displayed vehicles (outstanding paintings) and their presentation in sceneries with historical movies bring an unquestionable added-value to this museum.