Musée Guerre et Paix en Ardennes

About the museum

The Musée Guerre et Paix was created on the initiative of the Ardennes Department and inaugurated in July 2003. It closed in 2008 because of roof leaks, was renovated and redesigned, and reopened with a new museography on January 22, 2018. It is devoted to the three conflicts that affected the department: the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, the First World War and the Second World War. Its distinctive feature is that it presents nearly a century of history, from 1852 to 1945, in a continuous chronological route.

The museum’s collection holds more than 14,000 objects. It originated with the purchase of three private collections, the Alexandre, Avril and Forget collections, which consisted mainly of heavy Second World War vehicles and firearms. Acquisitions, donations and deposits later filled the gaps for the wars of 1870–1871 and 1914–1918. The building is partly sunk into the ground on the entrance side; inside, a ten-metre-high glass façade opens onto two exhibition levels, totalling 3,000 m² on the ground floor and 900 m² on the mezzanine.

The route comprises 18 rooms in five areas: an introduction on the Ardennes as a territory marked by history, three areas devoted to the three wars (before the war, the war and after the war, each with its own colour), and a final area that asks the question “War and Peace?”. A long display case, the Gallery of Time, links the eras. The central atrium hosts temporary exhibitions and shows.

Highlights

• Gallery of Time: a display case more than 150 metres long with nearly 120 complete uniforms
• Monumental curtain wall of 41 archival photographs from the Second World War
• Reconstruction of a French front-line trench
• Staging of the June 1940 fighting with a life-size B1 bis heavy tank cut in two
• More than 14,000 objects, including many heavy vehicles

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours permanent : trois guerres, 1852-1945 – Eighteen rooms in five areas tell the story of the wars of 1870–1871, 1914–1918 and 1939–1945, with the Gallery of Time, the trench and the heavy vehicles.
• L'espace « Guerre et Paix ? » – Final area that explains how today’s world was built on the legacy of the contemporary conflicts.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Département des Ardennes (Conseil départemental)

Admission & discounts

The ticket is valid for the day. Free admission with proof for children under 6, Pupilles de la Nation (war orphans), journalists, tourism and culture professionals, teachers and collège students from the Ardennes. Payment by cash, cheque, bank card, Chèques-vacances and Pass Culture.

Accessibility

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

Ramps for people with reduced mobility in the main areas of the building; two induction loops for hard-of-hearing visitors, at reception and in the cafeteria; brochures in FALC (Facile à lire et à comprendre, easy-to-read French) at reception and for download; sensory kits; trained or sensitized staff. Assistance dogs wearing a harness are admitted. The museum notes that it did not receive a derogation for motor disability when it was built.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The museum presents itself as a visit for both adults and children. A children’s route, “Mission Guerre & Paix”, for ages 6 to 12: a treasure hunt with a map and 14 challenges during the visit. Activity programme during school holidays.

Getting there & parking

The museum is 7 km from the A34 motorway, halfway between Charleville-Mézières and Reims. From Charleville-Mézières, take the A34 to exit 14 (Faissault, Aire des Ardennes rest area); from Reims, to exit 16 (Saulces-Monclin). Towards Novion-Porcien: D985, then D8 and D21 in the village.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Fast-food cafeteria using produce from local producers (closes at 16:30, and at 18:30 from May 2 to September 30). Free-access bookshop with merchandise, specialist books, scale models and figurines. Animals are not admitted, except assistance dogs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 75 guests.

Auditorium with 75 seats used for performances, screenings, colloquia and lectures; reception room designed for groups.

Plan your visit