Historial franco-allemand du Hartmannswillerkopf

About the museum

The Hartmannswillerkopf, called “Vieil Armand” by the press of the time, is a 956-metre rocky spur overlooking the Alsace plain. Between December 1914 and January 1916, French and German armies fought over this strategic summit, at a cost of around 30,000 dead, wounded and missing.

After the war, the site became a place of remembrance. The Monument national, designed by architect Robert Danis and sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, was inaugurated in October 1932 by President Albert Lebrun. It is one of four major national monuments to the First World War, alongside those at Douaumont, Dormans and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette.

The Historial franco-allemand opened on August 3, 2017, on state-owned land near the monument and the cemetery. Its route gives an overview of the 1914–1918 war, centred on the Hartmannswillerkopf, and sets the two sides against each other. It also explores the Franco-German friendship that emerged after the conflict, when former soldiers from both sides met again on the old battlefields. The visit continues outdoors on the battlefield, where trenches have been preserved.

Highlights

• Staged route on the Great War seen from both sides
• Monument national and crypt from 1932
• Cemetery and the Honour Trench
• Battlefield with preserved trenches, free access
• Models and uniforms to handle, relief map with Braille
• Texts and audio elements in French, German and English

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours permanent de l'Historial – A staged exhibition on the First World War, centred on the Hartmannswillerkopf, with the perspective of both sides and the Franco-German friendship after the war.
• Monument national et nécropole – The 1932 monument with its crypt, cemetery and Honour Trench.
• Champ de bataille du Hartmannswillerkopf – An outdoor route through the former positions, free to visit.

Founded

2017

Admission & discounts

Free entry with the Museums-Pass-Musées, the Pass’Alsace or the Pass Patrimoine. Access to the battlefield is free. On-site payment in cash (no €200 or €500 notes), by cheque, card or vouchers.

Accessibility

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

The Historial building and its café are fully accessible, with two accessible parking spaces near the entrance and a step-free reception. At the Monument national, only the vestibule and the Honour Trench are accessible by wheelchair; the slope of the site can make getting around difficult. Induction loop at reception, large-print texts, seating throughout the exhibition, models and uniforms to handle, relief map with Braille legend. All audio elements are subtitled in French, German and English. Adapted tours for people with intellectual disabilities and a prior presentation for visually impaired visitors, by reservation. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome everywhere; dogs on the battlefield must be kept on a lead.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Activities are offered during the All Saints’ school holidays (Toussaint); educational workshops are available for school classes.

Getting there & parking

The site is on the Route des Crêtes (GPS coordinates 47.857774 ; 7.148905). By car via the Route des Crêtes from Uffholtz (D431), via the Col du Silberloch from Willer-sur-Thur and Goldbach, or via the Col Amic (D13) from the Markstein and the Grand Ballon. The road is closed from mid-November to April.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

No restaurant; terrace with light refreshments and drinks.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit