Tag: Aisne
Where and Why to Visit the American WWI Sights of France
A France Revisited “Conversation with an Expert” in which Gary Lee Kraut speaks with Ben Brands, the historian with the American Battle Monuments Commission about the U.S. First World War sights of France.
Arcs of War and Triumph
The France Revisited Newsletter: I write this in the wake of two major events in Paris over the past month that occurred by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe. On Nov. 11, the gathering of leaders of the belligerent nations of the First World War to commemorate the centennial of the armistice.
On Dec. 1, the vandalization of the arch by some affiliated with the Yellow Vest movement.
ABMC WWI Museum Opens at Chateau-Thierry’s American Monument
History has never been America’s strong point, and our grasp of our own role in the First World War is no exception. We need more context and basic information than other combatants of the Great War in order to begin to understand its significance. Thanks to the new little museum at the foot of the American Monument above Chateau-Thierry, context and information are now readily available on a daytrip or more from Paris.
The American Traveler and the First World War Sights in France
Between America First and me first there isn't much daylight for a national history lesson. Nevertheless, you don't have to be a war buff or a history buff to visit American-related First World War sights in France and to understand how they relate to our place in the world today.
Wine Travel: Respect for Pinot Meunier in Marne Valley Champagnes
An introduction to Marne Valley champagne, from the western portion of the winegrowing region, where 70% of the vineyards are planted with pinot meunier, the Rodney Dangerfield of champagne grapes. An encounter with grower-producers who give the grape the respect it deserves. And good reasons to attend the annual October champagne festival in Chateau-Thierry.
Château-Thierry Reaffirms Its Bond with the United States
In the aftermath of the Great War of 1914-1918, American philanthropy and charitableness made its mark in Europe with initiatives to assist in the social, economic and structural reconstruction of devastated regions of northern and northeastern France. Château-Thierry, 55 miles east of Paris along the Marne River, benefited from the dedication of Reverend Julian Wadsworth and his wife, who created the House of French-American Friendship.
An Hour from Paris: Chateau Thierry’s American WWI Sights (photolog)
Belleau Wood, the Aisne-Marne American War Cemetery and the Chateau Thierry War Monument are only an hour’s drive east of Paris, an easy stop on the way to Champagne, yet it took me over 20 year to get there.
Daytrip from Paris: The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Laon
Eighty-five miles northeast of Paris there stands on the plateau of the old town of Laon one of the great, undervisited Gothic cathedrals of...