The Museum of the Great War marks Armistice Day with family-friendly activities.

On November 11, France celebrates the armistice of the First World War. The purpose of this commemoration is to honor fallen soldiers, and to remember the horrors of war, so that such actions are not repeated. This date is obviously important for the Musée de la Grande Guerre in Meaux, whose mission is to tell and educate the public about the history of the First World War.

What's more, the Musée de la Grande Guerre was inaugurated on November 11, 2011, marking a very special anniversary and date each autumn. To mark the occasion, the place of history and remembrance has planned a special program.

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This Wednesday, November 11, 2026, marking the 108th Armistice anniversary, the Melun museum is staging a day of special activities suitable for both kids and adults. On this occasion, the institution highlights its collections and offers several educational programs to make history even more engaging. Please note that some museum activities require prior reservation and may be charged in addition to the admission ticket.

Here's the schedule for this important day:

From 10:00 to 16:30: Immersive virtual reality film “Battlefield”
Don’t miss the Battlefield VR experience. A poignant and original immersion inside the Verdun front lines, available with a VR headset.
Booking required, slots every 30 minutes
Additional €7
Strongly not recommended for under 12 years old
10:15 / 11:15 / 12:15 / 14:15 / 15:15 / 16:15: Guided tour of the trench
Follow the guide and discover the museum’s trench. This tour lets you explore the entire space.
Every 20 minutes – book in advance only
Additional €3 per person
No need to book an extra slot to access the trench freely, as this guided tour covers the full area.
10:30 / 11:30 / 13:30 / 14:30 / 15:30 / 16:30: Guided museum tour
Experience the museum’s collections and frontline narratives in a new light with special tours designed to immerse you in history.
40 minutes
Booking required only
Additional €3 per person
10:20 / 11:20 / 13:20 / 14:20 / 15:20 / 16:20: Guided tour of the “Colors of War” exhibition
Explore how color was used and symbolized during World War I. Through uniforms, posters, and artworks from the museum and other institutions, see how these colors were conceived, produced, and used, and their strategic significance for aircraft and ship camouflage.
40 minutes
Booking required only
Additional €3 per person
10:00–12:30 // 13:30–17:00: Workshop “Flowers of Remembrance”: making poppies and cornflowers
This creative session invites participants to craft poppies and cornflowers, symbols of memory and tribute to the war’s fighters. Through shaping, color, and texture, express your sensitivities while learning the flowers’ historical meaning. Create handmade blooms throughout the day to contribute to a collaborative artwork that will adorn the museum forecourt. (About 5 minutes per flower)
No reservation needed, included in the admission ticket
Located in the permanent parcours, Marne 18 space
2:15 PM, 3:15 PM, and 4:15 PM: “August 1914: tribute to the Invisibles”
A solo cello resonates as visitors gather around period tunes. Then follows the sequence: a soldier’s mobilization, the Battle of Charleroi, and a civilian exodus with suitcases and bundles in hand. A girl listens to her grandfather recount the story. Blending heartfelt narration, vignettes, and historical facts, this is the civilians’ story—the often overlooked, invisible victims of war. Set within the museum’s core collection, in the space dedicated to the war’s early days, experience this moving moment offered by the Friends of the Great War Museum.
Duration: 15 minutes.
No booking required
Located in the permanent parcours, Marne 14 space
10:00 and 17:00 – Self-guided trench visit: every 30 minutes
Booking required, included in admission
These self-guided times are prioritized for guests not taking the trench guided tour.
Self-guided visit to the museum and the temporary exhibitions “Colors of War” and “Behind the Masks: Photographs of the Two Wars.”
No booking required, included in admission
Event around the Saint-Chamond tank on the forecourt by the Memory of Poilus association.
No booking required, included in admission
Second-hand book sale and other activities with the Friends of the Great War Museum.
Come discover our new audio-guided route in the outer trench
Explore life in the trenches! Drill slots, observation post, or machine gun—daily life at the front will no longer be a mystery.

And to vary your activities, here's a guide to the museums and monuments open on this public holiday, in Paris and the Île-de-France region.

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