Historial, Museum of the Great War, Péronne
A highly respected museum devoted to the history of the First World War, the Historial studies the full cultural, social and military scale of this important chapter of history. The perspectives of the three main European nations at war (France, Germany and Great Britain) interweave through the memories of war experienced from the battle front to behind the lines. The idea of a new museum at the heart of the battlefields was conceived by the Somme Departmental Council who decided to incorporate it into the 13th century castle of Péronne, which had suffered so greatly during the Great War.
While the castle marks the entrance to this symbolic site of WW1 history and culture, the permanent exhibition is installed in the modern part of the museum, designed by Henri-Edouard Ciriani. The museum has thus been placed at the heart of Péronne, on the banks of the Cam pond, providing visitors with a pleasant, peaceful setting.
In July 2014, in the context of the commemorations of the centenary of the Great War, the Somme Departmental Council unveiled the Garden of the Sixth Continent, a landscape creation by Gilles Clément located on the Cam pond. This symbolic garden represents peace and union and recalls how the Somme was the meeting place for many different nations involved in the war. Visitors are invited to come to the island to plant shrubs and flowers of their choice.
