The War and Peace Museum in the Ardennes is located in the town of Novion-Porcien. It is a separate museum, since where museums dealing with contemporary wars generally focus on a particular conflict, it has the particularity of being interested in three wars that have marked its history, 1870-1871, 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. Indeed, on three occasions, the Ardennes has been a place of confrontation between the French and German armies. It is therefore quite naturally that the museum has sought to present the history of the department during these three wars that have forever marked the territory. The scenography is intended to be immersive and offers a journey through time through multiple devices, for all ages, life-size settings, settings, settings, projections, shows... A surprise awaits visitors to this unique place in Europe, since an Escape Game offers a fun journey through time, from 1870 to spring 1944
A rich collection that tells the story of nearly a century of history
Three times in history, the Ardennes has been the scene of clashes, and it is therefore in the name of the duty of memory that the Department has decided to redevelop the War and Peace Museum in the Ardennes, in order to make it a unique cultural site in Europe. The project was first of all to create an architectural space of scale to accommodate all the richness of the collections. Today, therefore, two levels are dedicated to exhibitions: a low level of 3,000 m² and a mezzanine of 900 m². For more than 10 years, an active policy has been pursued by the Department to acquire donations and deposits concerning the conflicts of 1870-1871 and 1914-1918, of which it was incomplete, the 1939-1945 conflict being very largely represented by the acquisition of three private collections: those of Alexandre, Avril and Forget. Today, the museum has 14,000 objects that transport visitors along the route to the heart of the three conflicts. First of all, there are heavy equipment, civilian vehicles and reconnaissance equipment. There are about fifty of them, most of them rare French and German material. Then there are the headdresses, uniforms and equipment. It shows how uniforms have evolved over time, but also what characterizes each state. In total, the museum has 135 full uniforms and nearly 400 police hats and caps. The collection of weapons is also very rich and diversified: firearms, blanches, collective weapons, mines, grenades and explosives decorate the display cases. Soldiers also had to feed, heal, wash or communicate, so it is interesting to spend time in the part that puts all the objects of daily life first. It is also necessary to count on the presence of objects of the culture of war and related to patriotism, resistance, commemoration and an important iconographic and documentary collection with postcards, posters, newspapers, photos, everything that made it possible to relate the events and represent them graphically. The 5 exhibition spaces take the visitor on a journey rich in information, from the advent of Napoleon III in 1852 to the surrender of Japan in 1945
Experience a playful and historical moment at the museum's Escape Game
The War and Peace Museum in the Ardennes offers an extraordinary experience until 29 March 2020, that of an Escape Game with the theme "The Secret of Godefroy de Bouillon - the museum at the heart of the investigation". Six game zones spread over more than 250 m² offer a journey back in time from 1870 to the spring of 1944. The idea is to be in perfect harmony with the museum's theme and to dive into the heart of the three conflicts, but in a revisited and playful way. A moment that appeals to families and children aged 12 and over looking for action. The plot is that of the Holy Spear, a holy relic that was hidden by Godefroy de Bouillon in the Sedan region. It is sought by the French and Germans, because it has the power to give victory to those who possess it. Hidden in a trunk in the museum, a malicious society seeks to seize it, and the mission of the players is therefore to protect it, to save Peace. Along the way, teams must travel through the six investigation areas, inspect the corners and find clues to solve puzzles in order to find the code of each lock in the different rooms. The spear must be found quickly, as the game only lasts one hour. An hour that allows us to relive the history, that of these three conflicts that have marked the Ardennes, with elements inspired by historical facts, but also a large part of fiction. Observation, reflection and speed are essential
