War museum The Clearing of the Armistice, historical site and Museum in the forest of Compiègne - Small Group Day trip from Paris

In the morning the driver guide will pick you up at 07:50 am in front of the following adress : LIDO DE PARIS 116 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris

(Easy to access by metro Line 1and to get off at Metro station « George V»)

The Museum

 The museum tour presents the evolution of the Armistice Memorial from one event to the next of both World Wars.

The carriage shelter

The carriage shelter has been fully renovated: a twilit scenography retraces the history of the memorial and the Armistice Carriage from the 1914-1918 period up until 1945. It is Marshal Foch himself who welcomes you with an introductory speech.

1. "Build up to war" exhibition area

Before entering the rotunda, a transition space (displaying a scale model of the carriage) lends context to the beginnings of the Great War and the mobilization of troops. 

2. The rotunda

Enter the rotunda atrium to admire over 800 stereoscopic views of the First World War. Learn about the great early battles, with the “war of movement” and the “war of positions” and a focus on the military means employed in pursuit of these wars.

3. The 1918 Armistice room

Astonishing archives and testimonials explain to you the signing of the 11 November Armistice. A chronological frieze details key events, personalities and figures of the Great War. Scale models of the carriage and clearing are also exhibited.

4. 1919: the treaty of Versailles

A decisive treaty for the final application of the Armistice conditions 

5. The room "from one war to the next"

This newly inaugurated exhibition space links the two World Wars and allows visitors to understand the reasons for a second global conflict. Follow the geopolitical evolutions of the European powers (France, Great Britain and Germany) and their socio-economic situations over the course of both World Wars. 

The crypt

Meditate before the crypt engraved with the names of the bloodiest battles. Surrounding the basin sheltering the memorial flame, uniformed mannequin soldiers represent the Allied forces.

6. THE ARMISTICE of 1940 CORRIDOR

Before entering the 1940 Armistice room, discover this corridor exhibiting two suspended fighter-plane models: a Stuka and a Dewoitine. This space focuses on the German invasion and French surrender of 1940. 

The 3D room

The 3D room immerses you in the heart of the war, with a 3D film focusing on the Great War and presenting moving images of a soldier and his wife.

7. THE 1940 ARMISTICE ROOM

The second key exhibition room retraces central events of the Second World War: from legendary battles to the 1940 Armistice detailing the clauses and conditions imposed on France.   

8. THE END OF THE 2419D CARRIAGE

Informative panels explain the final fate of the Armistice Carriage at the end of WWII

9. the carriage shelter corridor

Before leaving, learn about the evolution of the Armistice Clearing, from 1915 to the present day. A temporary exhibition is also here presented. 

The Clearing

Enjoy a breath of fresh air at this moving and authentic location that marked the end of the First World War.

The creation of the clearing

The Armistice Clearing Memorial was inaugurated on 11 November 1922. At the time, the memorial comprised the Sacred Slab and the Alsace-Lorraine Monument. Later, the clearing would also welcome the museum housing the carriage and then the Marshal Foch statue.

Must-see monuments

Numerous monuments are installed within the Rethondes Clearing, honouring the victims and heroes of the Great War. Come discover them during a digestive stroll about the landscaped grounds.

The Memorial Garden

Meditate a moment in the memorial garden created in tribute to Augustin Trébuchon and all World War victims. 

From its destruction to its reconstruction

 Following the signing of the 1940 Armistice, the clearing monuments and Alsace-Lorraine memorial were dismantled and sent to Germany along with the carriage. The Armistice Crossroads was destroyed, with the avenues devastated, the decorative plants cut and the carriage shelter razed. They were later found in Germany and reinstalled for the Armistice of 11 November 1946. 

During the return drive to Paris you will have time to relax aboard the minivan before to be dropped off in Central Paris  (Drop off just in front of the "LIDO DE PARIS 116 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris") in early afternoon around 02:00 pm.

Easy there to catch a taxi cab either to find metro stations (Ligne 1 Métro : George V)