JustinL Posted 24 July , 2017 Share Posted 24 July , 2017 In mid-August my son is meeting up with a friend who lives near Lyon. Their current plan is to drive north, spend some time at Verdun, before heading further north into the Ardennes to do some WW2 touring. However, they are open to better suggestions. It struck me that the Vosges area would be closer and might be a good alternative destination. I would really welcome some advice, recommendations or suggestion about sites to visit along that eastern end of the Western Front or should they consider the front to the west of Verdun in Champagne. Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly Posted 24 July , 2017 Share Posted 24 July , 2017 Hello Justin, There's a lot to see at Verdun and some good threads on this forum. The Vosges area is fascinating too but you need to know where to go and walk to discover some of the hidden gems. Other sites that are a "must see" to me are: - Butte De Vauquois: in my opinion the best WW1 site with preserved trenches ; craters and tunnels website here: http://butte-vauquois.fr - Main de Massiges: a very well done recreation of trenches, saps, on the Champagne front website here: http://www.lamaindemassiges.com Lyon was far away from the WW1 battlefields but there are some interesting sites to see nearby: - CWGC Saint Germain au Mont d'Or cemetery http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/33986/ST. GERMAIN-AU-MONT-D'OR COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION - the French cemetery at La Doua at VIlleurbanne it contains 6359 graves ( 3622 are from WW1), including a large Muslim plot and also the graves of 450 French soldiers who were coming back from the italian front and were killed in a railway accident on 12 December 1917 at Saint Michel de Maurienne. It is considered to be the deadliest railway accident in France. And some WW2 sites: - the "Tata sénégalais" at Chasselay. It is a UNIQUE war cemetery in France, it contains the graves of 194 Senegalese riflemen slaughtered by the S.S. Division Totenkopf in JUne 1940. "Tata" means in senegalese "enclosure of sacred ground", the cemetery has a unique and very specific design. Well worth a visit ! http://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/fr/le-tata-senegalais - the German cemetery at Dagneux (Ain) containing the graves of 19.913 germans soldiers who died in 1944 after the landing in Provence. Enjoy your visit ! Regards, Sly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinL Posted 25 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 25 July , 2017 Hello Sly, that's fantastic. Thank you very much. I shall pass the details on to my son. Rgds, Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 25 July , 2017 Share Posted 25 July , 2017 Plenty more places to see as well. Pristine tenches untouched since 1918 (my secret), in several places. WW2, Battle of the Bulge, Maginot Line forts. They could easily spend the rest of their lives exploring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 25 July , 2017 Share Posted 25 July , 2017 (edited) Hi Justin Sly's list is indeed fascinating and I would definitely recommend Vauquois; apart from Les Eparges which is the other 'bookend' of the Verdun salient it is unique in my experience. Since your son is in the area I would recommend the American Memorial on the Butte de Montfaucon. If they are up to climbing the 230 odd steps the views from the top are awesome. Apart from the US sites in the immediate vicinity the view to the Verdun battlefield to the east are stunning if you get a clear day. The Butte de Montsec American Memorial is equally good for viewing the St Mihiel battlefield if they happen to be in the area. As Healdav says there is a lifetime's worth of places to see. Pete. Edited 25 July , 2017 by Fattyowls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinL Posted 25 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 25 July , 2017 Thank you both. Clearly I should be going with them . I'm very envious. Healdav - The site of the Battle of the Bulge is indeed why the lads are heading further north. Where are your secret pristine trenches? Let me guess ... it's a secret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 25 July , 2017 Share Posted 25 July , 2017 2 hours ago, JustinL said: Thank you both. Clearly I should be going with them . I'm very envious. Healdav - The site of the Battle of the Bulge is indeed why the lads are heading further north. Where are your secret pristine trenches? Let me guess ... it's a secret. And if they would like to see the American front line at the start of the Battle, with foxholes still intact, PM me. If they are very polite, I might even takethem to see the trenches (a whole day's trip). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ServiceRumDiluted Posted 30 July , 2017 Share Posted 30 July , 2017 Another vote for the trenches at Massiges, an essential site to visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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