Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée de la Grande Guerre du pays de Meaux (M2G) is a project created by the acquisition in 2005 of the private collection of Jean-Pierre Verney, a recognized expert of the First World War. This rich and varied collection (uniforms, everyday objects, artillery pieces, newspapers) covers all aspects of the conflict and belligerent countries. Several exhibitions, like 1914... Left for a summer in 2004 at the Meaux Bossuet Museum, had already revealed its value to the public.

The museum is located northeast of Meaux, near the Varreddes road, on a symbolic site near the Battles of the Marne (1914 and 1918). He pays tribute to the soldiers who fell during these decisive clashes, whose traces (military cemeteries, memorials) are still visible today. The building, designed by Christophe Lab, extends over 7,000 m2 and incorporates environmental considerations, with panoramic views of the city from its rooftop terrace.

Inaugurated on November 11, 2011, after six years of preparation, the museum offers an interactive scenography (reconstitutions, multimedia, sound atmospheres) to explain the Great War and its impact on societies. It also houses a documentation centre of 6,000 books and a statue of Marshal Gallieni, installed in 2016. In 2024, a corridor reproducing a trench of 100 meters by 800 m2 will enrich the immersive experience.

The museum project highlights the two battles of the Marne and the evolution of nations during the conflict. As early as 2011, the museum innovates by sharing on Facebook the fictional newspaper of a hairy, Léon Vivien. The collection, labeled Musée de France in 2007, offers a generalist and pedagogical approach, accessible to all audiences.

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