Historial of the Great War – Château de Péronne

This fascinating museum with the subject of the First World War covers longer periods. The historial indeed explains in a very interesting way the preparation of the war, the war itself and how Europe was rebuilt after this tragedy.

The museum has two parts: You enter through the Château de Peronne which dates from the 13th century, and was built during the reign of Louis-Philippe. The second structure, which is more recent, dates from 2016. It is the work of architect Henri-Edouard Ariani and is located on the edge of the Cam pond.

This museum is located on the front line of the Battle of the Somme. The design in white beyon by architect Henri-Edouard Ciriani describes a gentle arch, incorporated into the southwest wall of the medieval castle. It forms a harmonious whole with the four large round towers with a diameter of 9 m. The building on the etang du Cam stands on a series of smooth white concrete columns, which results in a beautiful reflection in the water. The rooms are accessible through an opening in the wall of the 13th century castle, which was built by the counts of Vermandois. Charles the Bold locked Louis XI in one of the towers.

In 1992, a modern museum building on the history of the First World War, designed by Henri Ciriani, was integrated into the ruins of the castle, integrating the Historial de la Grande Guerre.