Northern France 100 years later, we still remember

First World War centenary events in Nord-Pas de Calais

Advertorial for FRANCE Magazine

The Great War has conferred upon the region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais a wealth of heritage in the form of military cemeteries, war memorials and archaeological remains. This heritage is the silent and poignant reminder of the events which shaped the conflict.

The First World War Remembrance Trails take in the sites and memorials which encapsulate the momentous events that took place in Northern France at the beginning of the last century. Behind the peaceful beauty of every site lies the gripping story of a soldier, a regiment, a battle or a place.

Centenary events in Nord-Pas de Calais

6 and 7 September 2014

Centenary of the siege of Maubeuge (FRANCE) and the Battle of Le Cateau Cambrésis (United Kingdom)

Major Sites: – Fort de Leveau – Feignies: bridge destroyed during the bombing restored for the 100th anniversary of the battle

Major Sites : German Military Cemetery in Le Cateau-Cambrésis

March 2014

Armentières – walk on the front line along the River Lys

18 July 2014

Opening of the Battle of Fromelles museum for the 98th anniversary

The new museum project presents a part of the collection of the FWTM 14-18 (Association Fromelles-Weppes – Terre de Mémoire 14-18) and other

collections. The project is made possible through the support of local authorities and the French and Australian governments and includes objects loaned by the Australian Government. It will reflect the archaeology of the site of the mass graves at Pheasants Wood, an extraordinary discovery.

18 October 2014

The Chain of Memory and Peace – Weppes country

This will cover a route of 10 kms along the front line and will commemorate the centenary of the Battle of La Bassée which marked the beginning of the German occupation of the Weppes area. The Chain of Memory perpetuates the First World War heritage in the Weppes and rehabilitates a part of the “forgotten” front line. This project was awarded the Mission Centenaire label.

Information/enquiries: Pays de Weppes Tourist Office

[email protected]7 to 11 November 2014

Remembrance walk from Ypres to Albert. Stop in Fromelles area (8th November)

A four days’ walk in the traces of the First World War from Ypres to Albert. In 2014, the fourth such walk will stop over in the Pays de Weppes on its First World War Men and Landscapes discovery trail. Option of the whole four days’ walk or that one day only.

11 November 2014

Inauguration of the International memorial dedicated to the 600 000 soldiers who died in the Artois region of Nord-pas de Calais on the Western Front, all nationalities being combined, former allies and enemies French necropolis of Notre-Dame de Lorette in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire

TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

1 March to 6 October 2014

Montreuil, exhibition “A friendly invasion. Le monde à nos portes”

The Opal Coast was the allies’ logistics base during the Great War, and Montreuil the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the British army.

Montreuil during the First World War, a permanent exhibition at the Citadelle (Closed December – January)

Musée Roger Rodière and Hôtel Loysel le Gaucher, Montreuil-sur-Mer

www.musees-montreuilsurmer.fr1 February to 31 December 2014

2014: THE COALMINING AREA AT THE HEART OF THE CONFLICTS

Ever since, the Nord-Pas de Calais’ coalmining belt has been swept by the successive conflicts of the Revolution, the Empire, two World Wars and even the war in Algeria. Spread over three centuries, these conflicts had dire and lasting consequences for the mining belt’s inhabitants, who were forced to undergo the sufferings of war and difficulties in getting about and finding food while continuing to work, but who also rose up in revolt, who resisted and who endeavoured to live their lives in spite of everything.

Museum of Mining History – Lewarde

http://www.chm-lewarde.com/fr28 May to 6 October 2014

Exhibition The disasters of war. 1800-2014 at the Louvre-Lens

The exhibition presents a rich set of representations arising from disenchantment with war, considered above all as a dealer in misfortunes from the beginning of the 19th century to our own time.

Louvre-Lens

Rue Paul Bert, 62300 Lens, France

+33 (0)3 21 18 62 62

www.louvrelens.fr14 June to 28 September 2014

Frontline 14-18, around Béthune

As part of the First World War commemorations, Lab-Labanque, Béthune arts center, organise an artistic tour called “Ligne de Front 14-18”. The

project blends historical and artistic exhibitions. A contemporary art trail of 30 km through 11 towns and villages marked by the Great War: Neuve-Chapelle, Richebourg, La Couture, Festubert, Givenchy-les-La Bassée, Cuinchy, Cambrin, Auchy-les-Mines, Haisnes-les-La Bassée, Vermelles and Lens. 11 artists in residence soak up the local history to create permanent or temporary works in the main sites of the Great War. A historical exhibition presents also the story of the First World War in the region.

Cultural and educational actions, visitors guide for self-guided tours and coach tours.

Lab-Labanque 00333 21 63 04 70. www.lab-labanque.frLe Garage – 169, Bd Raymond Poincaré – Béthune

17 December 2014 to summer 2015

Exhibition “Archaeology of the Great War”

The goal of this exhibition is to demonstrate how today’s archaeology and its discoveries continue to enrich, confirm or refute the history of the

Great War as we know it.

Arras tourist office

Tél. 03 21 51 26 95

www.explorearras.comFind out more

Follow the Remembrance Trails of the Great War and take a day to remember in Northern France

http://www.remembrancetrails-northernfrance.comYour great war journey

www.greatwarjourneys.co.ukwww.facebook.com/GreatWarJourneysCome and visit Northern France in the France Show 17-19 January in order to get your diary of Great War Centenary.