Historial de la Grande Guerre

About the museum

Founded in 1992 in the heart of the Somme battlefields, the Historial is housed in the medieval château of Péronne, built in the 13th century on the model of the castles of Philip Augustus. Badly damaged during the First World War and later remodelled, the château keeps its general shape. The museum occupies a contemporary building by architect Henri-Édouard Ciriani, whose sober forms enter into dialogue with the medieval site. The moat and courtyard gardens were designed by Peter Donegan on the banks of the Étang du Cam.

The route is in two parts. In the château area, rooms present the history of Péronne, a border town often besieged, the destruction of the territory during the war and the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin, where Australian troops distinguished themselves in 1918. In the museum area, a cultural and social approach to the war puts people at the centre: pits with recumbent figures of French, German and British soldiers, display cases on civilians, chronological rooms from before to after the war, and a 30-minute film on the Battle of the Somme.

The collection comprises around 75,000 items and documents: equipment, trench craft, posters, letters, everyday objects and works of art. It includes the complete series of prints “Der Krieg” by Otto Dix, which is rare in French public collections. The Somme département also runs a second site museum at Thiepval.

Highlights

• Pits with recumbent figures of French, German and British soldiers
• Complete series of 51 prints, “Der Krieg”, by Otto Dix
• 30-minute film on the Battle of the Somme in 1916
• Animated relief model of the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin
• Medieval château of Péronne and moat gardens
• Collection of around 75,000 period objects and documents

Permanent exhibitions

• Espace château : histoire de Péronne et bataille du Mont Saint-Quentin – Rooms on the château, the border town of Péronne, the destruction of the territory during the war and the 1918 battle, with an animated relief model.
• Espace musée : découvrir la Grande Guerre – Chronological rooms from before to after the war, pits with recumbent figures and display cases on civilians.
• Salle Otto Dix – The 51 prints of the series “Der Krieg” on the trauma suffered by combatants and civilians.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Département de la Somme

Visitors per year

approx. 131,461

Admission & discounts

Free for children under 7, journalists with a press card, teachers who have booked a class visit, and holders of the ICOM card. Payment by cash, card, cheque, Chèques-Vacances and Pass Culture.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Historial has committed to high accessibility standards in both of its museums and holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label. Staff are trained and provide information at reception about the tools available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

A route suited to all ages. Activity booklets by age group available daily, touch sessions with period objects on request, the “P'tites valises” games cases at weekends and during holidays, family and young-audience workshops during holidays, and quiz booklets during events.

Getting there & parking

By car: A1, exit 13 or 13.1 from Paris or Lille; A29 then A1 towards Lille from Amiens; A26 then A1, exit 13.1 from Calais; A26 then A29, exit 54 from Reims. Follow the signs to Péronne.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Bookshop open to visitors during opening hours. The museum café is temporarily closed. Free Wi-Fi in both museums. Bicycle parking.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit