In the heart of the Somme, the Historial de la Grande Guerre opens the pages of a chapter that we thought we knew well. Nestled behind the ramparts of the medieval castle of Péronne, this museum tells us history in the very place where it was written a century ago. Drawing on a unique collection in the world bringing together no less than seventy thousand pieces, original documents and works of art, this journey plunges us into the heart of the war, on the front as well as at the rear, alongside the French, British and German armies. Here we follow the stories of anonymous people, observe the disturbing “open graves” covered with clothes and uniforms before discovering with emotion the now famous face of the unknown soldier, the result of the superposition of several thousand portraits. The story continues a few kilometers further at the foot of the memorial

The second Historial museum here recounts the deadly battles of the Somme, notably thanks to this spectacular reproduction of the first day of the conflict in a brutal fresco sixty meters long, signed Joe Sacco.

The Thought of the Absents by André Devambez
Painted in 1924, this monumental triptych, five meters wide, constitutes one of the masterpieces of the permanent exhibition at the Historial, since its arrival at the museum in 2000. It plunges us into the horror of the conflict by evoking the memory of the Great War and mourning. Today, the painting is visible in the Louvre-Lens exhibition, entitled “Underground Worlds, 20,000 Places Under the Earth” until July 22, 2024.
It will then find its place in the heart of the Péronne museum where it continues to challenge, impress and move visitors.

HISTORICAL OF THE GREAT WAR
Permanent collections
Château de Péronne, Place André Audinot
80200 Peronne