Musée du fort de la Pompelle

About the museum

The Fort de la Pompelle is part of the fortified belt of Reims, built after the war of 1870. Works were completed in 1883. The fort was occupied without a fight by the Germans on September 4, 1914, then retaken by French troops on September 24, 1914. It then remained in Allied hands for the rest of the war and contributed to the defense of Reims.

The Musée du fort de la Pompelle opened in 1972. Today run by the City of Reims, it is devoted to the First World War and to the history of the fort from 1883 to the present day. It is a major memorial site of this conflict.

The collections include the Friese collection, with more than 300 helmets and headgear of the Imperial German Army, uniforms, everyday objects of the soldiers, mannequins and artillery, including the 75 mm field gun. The route also evokes the Russian Expeditionary Corps in Champagne and the pilot René Dorme.

Highlights

• Friese collection: more than 300 helmets and headgear of the Imperial German Army
• Uniforms, everyday objects of the soldiers and mannequins
• Artillery, including the 75 mm field gun
• History of the fort from 1883 to the present
• Russian Expeditionary Corps in Champagne and pilot René Dorme

Permanent exhibition

• Le fort de la Pompelle et la Première Guerre mondiale – Route on the history of the fort from 1883 to the present and on the 1914–1918 war, with the Friese helmet collection, uniforms, mannequins and artillery.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Ville de Reims

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month, Journées du Patrimoine (heritage days), Rendez-vous aux jardins, Museum Night, National Archaeology Days and November 11

Tickets are bought on site at reception. Free entry also for job seekers, recipients of the RSA, young people of the Mission locale, teachers preparing a school visit, holders of a press card, veterans, active military units and members of ICOM and AGCCPF. Free self-guided school visit; guided visit €42 per class outside Reims.

Accessibility

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

The museum is only partly accessible to people with reduced mobility (first floor). Visit tablets are available, and the timeline has a Braille screen. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted to the exhibition spaces.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Family tour “In the Shoes of a Poilu” (1 hour 30 minutes, from age 9), with a guide playing an infantryman in the casemates. Workshop “Words in Memory” (1 hour 30 minutes, ages 7 to 12): children write a short text on a postcard. Free digital investigation game “Alerte verte à la Pompelle !” for families, and the free Baludik app for a treasure hunt on the site. Children’s workshops €2; free for children under 5.

Getting there & parking

Access by road only: RD 944 (Route de Châlons-en-Champagne), exit “Fort de la Pompelle”.

Amenities & dining

• Lockers: not available
• Wi-Fi: not available

Snack vending machines on site. The museums in Reims do not offer Wi-Fi to visitors. Lockers exist only at the Musée Saint-Remi.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit