Sir John Monash Centre

Over het museum

The Sir John Monash Centre sits behind the Australian National Memorial, at the top of the military cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux in the Somme. It is named after General Sir John Monash, who successfully commanded the Australian Corps in 1918; his victory at Hamel served as a model for later operations.

More than 295,000 Australians served on the Western Front between 1916 and 1918; around 132,000 were wounded and 46,000 died. The centre aims to preserve their memory and pass it on to new generations.

The route is built on the journals, letters and military files of soldiers and nurses, drawn from Australian archives and supplemented by a few historical objects. More than 400 screens, reconstructions and archive images make up a large audiovisual installation, including an immersive 360-degree gallery devoted to the battles of Villers-Bretonneux and Hamel. A mobile app guides the visit, and the centre serves as the gateway to the Australian Remembrance Trail on the Western Front.

Hoogtepunten

• Multimedia route based on letters, journals and files of Australian soldiers
• Immersive 360-degree gallery on the battles of Villers-Bretonneux and Hamel
• Visitor app available in English, French and German
• Tactile model of the Australian National Memorial with Braille inscriptions
• Free admission, behind the Australian National Memorial

Vaste collectie

• Le front de l'Ouest vu par les Australiens – Multimedia route guided by an app, based on the written testimony of soldiers and nurses, with an immersive 360-degree gallery.

Opgericht

2018

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

De toegang is gratis.

Admission is free. Visitors are advised to bring their own earphones; earphones are sold on site.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The centre holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label for all four types of disability. Entry is via ramps and automatic doors, and the visit takes place on the ground floor. Three wheelchairs are available. The app's audio content comes with a real-time written transcript, and staff help connect hearing aids. A tactile model of the memorial with Braille inscriptions is provided. Identified assistance animals are welcome.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk

Free tablets with the game Digger Quest are provided for children aged 6 to 11. Most strollers are admitted, with possible restrictions.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

About 20 minutes from Amiens and 90 minutes from Paris by car. From Villers-Bretonneux, the centre is 3 km away on foot. There is no taxi rank near the memorial or at the stations, so booking is advised. The centre holds the Accueil Vélo label, with free bicycle shelters.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Kluisjes
• Wifi

Free Wi-Fi covers the whole site. The café serves drinks, hot dishes and homemade cakes, and the shop with books and souvenirs is open from 10:00 to 17:00. Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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