Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Museum of the Great War has its origin in the private collection of Jean-Pierre Verney, a passionate historian. For nearly fifty years, he patiently gathered outfits, weapons and objects from the First World War daily, forming an exceptional heritage ensemble. This collection, now a historical treasure, reflects the diversity of experiences experienced during the conflict, both on the front and behind. In 2005, the Land of Meaux, a region deeply marked by war, acquired this collection as the heart of a future museum.

In 2006, a scientific council led by historian Marc Ferro defined the concept and historical discourse of the museum. The following year, in 2007, the project obtained the name Musée de France, an official recognition of its heritage value by the Ministry of Culture. An architectural competition was launched in 2008, leading to the choice of the master's team led by Christophe Lab, whose contemporary design is harmoniously integrated into the landscape. Construction began in 2010, and the museum was inaugurated on 11 November 2011, in the presence of its partners.

The museum collection is enriched between 2007 and 2018 by donations and acquisitions, bringing the number of pieces to nearly 70,000. These objects, ranging from military uniforms to art works and archival documents, illustrate the internationality of the conflict and the technical adaptations of the armies. In 2018, a first catalogue of collections was co-edited with Liénart, marking an important step in the development of this heritage. The museum is distinguished by its educational and memorial approach, complementing the nearby American monument with an architectural and historical dialogue.

The building, designed by Christophe Lab, combines concrete, glass and metal to create a modern space of 7,000 m2, including 3,000 m2 dedicated to the permanent exhibition. Its horizontal architecture contrasts with the verticality of the American monument, symbolizing the complementarity between memory and knowledge. Symbolic spaces, such as the domes housing planes or the tank with a tank, immerse visitors in history. The museum thus establishes itself as a place of discovery, where the diversity of collections – from decorative arts to ethnology – offers a multidimensional vision of the Great War.

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