Admin Michelle Young Posted 21 September , 2004 Admin Share Posted 21 September , 2004 Can anyone tell me please whether there are any commemorations planned for November 11th in France? Thanks, Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Birch Posted 21 September , 2004 Share Posted 21 September , 2004 Michelle I don't know about large scale commemorations, but there are certainly local village ones. We were in Authuille a couple of years ago on 11 Nov and the villagers held a ceremony in the little British Cemetery by the Ancre before marching back through the village to the village hall where there was wine and cheese. Seeing our British car they implored us to join them, which would really liked to have done, but we were already running late to get back and catch our ferry. I don't know if this was a one off or regular annual event? Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevew Posted 21 September , 2004 Share Posted 21 September , 2004 This is a good question................I maybe in Paris for Armistice day, and was wondering whether anything happens at the Arc d' triomphe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 21 September , 2004 Share Posted 21 September , 2004 I was lucky enough to be at the service at Thiepval last year. This is well attended by French locals and officials as well as legion members and assorted Brits such as ourselves. Numbers grow each year and all are welcome for a drink at the Marie after - IIRC! I was talking to Derek H. last week (many will know him as a previous keeper of Ulster Tower as well as a militaria dealer), much credit must go to him for promoting the service at Thiepval. It seems the WFA and other organisations prefer to do 'all their remembering at Ypres'. It is of course a national holiday in France and as Tim says I am sure there are numerous local events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 21 September , 2004 Author Admin Share Posted 21 September , 2004 Dear All, Many thanks for your help. Regards, Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 23 September , 2004 Share Posted 23 September , 2004 You will find ceremonies taking place all over France. There is nothing that says that these have to be held, it all depends on the mayor and the council. I know one village near me that lays wreaths and has a vin d'honneur. Another village has a wreath laying and then the names of all the people who have died in the village during the year are read out. Then they go home. Sometimes there will be a Mass, sometimes not, depending on the mayor's opinion and how he gets on with the priest (and his opinion as well). The vin d'honneur depends on the state of the budget and how keen the mayor is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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