Situated on the Chemin des Dames, this is an excellent WWI historical sight. The exterior has... read more
Situated on the Chemin des Dames, this is an excellent WWI historical sight. The exterior has... read more
Went first thing and was able to go on a tour led in French, though we had headset with commentary... read more
Due to reasons beyond our control, we arrived about 15 mins late for the guided tour. We were curtly advised that it was not possible to catch up the only English tour. However, we could take the French tour in 75 minuets. Whilst this this was entirely acceptable position to take, what was not acceptable was the pleasure the three staff sitting at the reception desk gained in giving their answer.
Really wanted to go to this as looked very interesting, but were told very curtly on trying to buy tickets there were no English tours today, no headsets available and you can't go around by yourself. I speak a little French but my Australian visitors didn't. You can book ahead I found out there is about one tour a day. This seems mad as its dedicated to the Tommies.
As an old quarry, using it as a fort to fight each other in WW1 .... and at a certain time inside these spaces Germans and French only on 20m from each other .... it mades you sad and in a unimaginable mood !!! But the guide was useless, unfortunately .
Visit the area of "Chemin des Dames" and visit this place to get a feeling yourself of how horrible, cruel ... the fights of this war has been !
We travelled from Berny Rivière campsite as it was a rainy day. This is a guided tour attraction and you can book an English guide at 12 noon everyday but unfortunately we missed that so had a French guide. You can muddle through as they have information boards in English around the tour. It will be cold all year round so take a coat. If you don't like caves then this won't be for you. Was interesting and surprising. Both our 5 and 11 year olds enjoyed it. Worth a visit, and reasonably priced for a family of 4.
It was a very interesting visit but nothing for younger kids. Inside the cave its very cold so be sure to bring a jacket and some long pants, the tour guide was very good at explaining in english as this was one of her first tours. Inside the cave it was amazing to see how the germans and french fought for the cave. They also told us about the trenches and even had left over from the first world war.
Drove here from Berny riviere campsite and passed the most beautiful, peaceful and moving German WW2 cemetery. It is a bit out of the way on the Chemin de Dames but well worth it. The fields were lined with blue cornflowers (the French poppy) for the Tour de France coming this way the following day. (for the 100 year centenary of WW1)
The caves are very good and a guide takes you round. The caves can be very cold. There is an English speaking tour at 12 o'clock on certain days and an English speaking film show. There is also a small coffee shop.
We unfortunately visited on the wrong day so it would be worthwhile phoning ahead and booking an English tour. It is amazing to think that the caves were used by both French and Gemans during the war.
There was an exhibition about some of the VC holders and their histories. A large number mentioned from Leith and Scotland. Some very moving pieces.
Makes history real.