| If we needed an example of the influence
of geography on history, we should look no further than
Péronne. Built on an island formed on the meandering course
of the Somme, in a blurred world where land and water
are indistinguishable, the town has seen its destiny linked
with its strategic position on the ancient natural frontier
that is the river. |
 |
| Built between the outer walls of the
old castle, where Charles the Bold imprisoned Louis XI,
and the ponds, the Museum
of the Great War is a symbol of this marriage with
the history of a town which still today maintains a living
memory. |
 |
To discover
The
Museum of the Great War **** and Péronne castle
The castle was built at the beginning of the XIIIth
century, when the county of Vermandois had finally just been
incorporated into the crown domains. Péronne therefore became
a frontier town. The facade that faces the town, restored
in 1938, comprises 4 large towers almost 10 m in diameter.
A fortified door opens between the two central towers behind
a ditch. It gives access to the courtyard and is the entrance
to the Museum, which was opened in 1992, the work of the architect
Henri Ciriani.
The Museum is the European museum of the Great War. Completely
trilingual (French, English and German), it offers an interpretation
of societies and attitudes from the beginning of the XXth
century, to give a better understanding of the context of
the first-ever world war. Its outstanding museography, its
very fine collection of Otto Dix etchings and its remarkable
architecture make it a must-see for anyone visiting the Somme.
Behind the castle and the Museum, you come out on to the
Cam pond, a pleasant walking area with an open-air theatre
and games area. On returning, note the Mac Orlan area (the
writer was born in Péronne in 1882 and fought in the Great
War).
Battlefields
of the Somme ****
This tour, which visits the main memorable scenes
of the Great War and in particular those of the Battle of
the Somme in 1916, can be done by car, with the possibility
of hiring a guide to accompany you.
The town hall and the Danicourt
museum*
It was rebuilt in 1920
in the Neo-Renaissance style following the original plans
of the old building. It houses the Danicourt museum, a collection
of Gaulish and Roman coins, ancient seals, and Merovingian
and Carolingian jewellery. Open Tuesday to Friday 2.30pm-5.30pm,
Saturday 9am-12pm and 2.30pm-4.30pm.Visit with sound commentary
on request
Péronne town Hall
Porte de Bretagne ** and the "Hardines"
Built in the XVIIth century, this gate comprises
two independent brick and stone lodges on two successive archways.
From there, a walk takes you to the ponds, at the heart of
a market garden setting (here they are called "Hardines").
Nearby
Albert
The town of Ancre, almost completely destroyed
during the Great War, retains the memory of its history with
the Notre
Dame de Brebières Basilica, destroyed in 1915 and rebuilt
in its original style in 1926. The prosperity of the town
in the interwar period, linked with the aviation industry,
enabled it to build some beautiful Art Deco facades and large
public buildings. Today, thanks to Aérospatiale and its engineering
and hydraulics industries, Albert has remained an industrial
town, but with much charm nonetheless.
A bit of history
History of a town, a town
of history
Situated in an area which overlooks the Somme and
its ponds, Péronne has been, since the Merovingian era, an
important strategic military position. From the IXth onwards
the first ramparts were built and then refurbished down the
ages, the only remnant of which today is the Porte de Bretagne
(XVIIth century).
The history of the town is marked by countless royal visits
and by the signing of treaties. Charles the Simple died here
in prison in 929.
Philippe Auguste granted it extended municipal freedoms whilst
still retaining control of it. He had towers built on the
castle thereby maintaining control of this strategic fortified
town.
Philip the Handsome granted the town the authority to hold
a fair on 29 September on the feast day of Saint Michael;
this tradition is still alive today.
It was in 1468 that Louis XI, held prisoner in the castle
by Charles the Bold, ceded to the latter the towns of the
Somme, which he quickly won back.
In 1536, during the Thirty Years War, the town was laid
to siege by the armies of Charles V who did not succeed in
taking it. This episode earned it the motto given by François
I: "URBS NESCIA VINCI" (Lat. roughly "invincible town")
Another treaty, which still has consequences for today, was
that signed on 14 September 1641 by Louis XIII and Honoré
de Grimaldi placing the Principality of Monaco under the protection
of France.
Few towns have been as embroiled in history as Péronne, and
few towns have suffered so much pillaging, burning and destruction.
In more recent times, when the country's border was stabilised
further north with the incorporation of Artois and Flanders,
the town was invaded by the German army in 1870, completely
destroyed in 1917, and bombed and burned in May 1940.
The town's coat of arms bears 2 Military Crosses and the
Legion of Honour.
Péronne today
Péronne today is a lively little town between river
and history. It has succeeded, despite all its attacks, in
maintaining and bringing to life its past.
In contrast to other towns in the east of the Somme département,
a bias towards rebuilding in the original style has been maintained
here. This is why today you can admire the Renaissance style
town hall and the Flamboyant Gothic-style Saint Jean Baptiste
church (1525) of which only the front was left standing.
The Porte de Bretagne (XVIIth century), like the castle towers,
remains a testimony to its history as a fortified town. It
was in this castle that the architect Ciriani built an unashamedly
contemporary building, opening onto the ponds, and housing
the Museum
of the Great War. An allusion, perhaps, to the fact that
the river Somme has finally shed its role as a place of confrontation
and become a place of peace, leisure activities and walks…
Activities
Walks
The
D.Richard guide "52 Family walks around Amiens and in the
Somme" suggests a 2 1/2 hr circular walk "Around Péronne"
starting from the Museum of the Great War in Péronne.
Flying
Péronne
Flying club
Fishing
Cours d’eau :
Canal de la Somme
Practical info
Markets
Wednesday mornings and Saturday mornings, Place
du château
Guided tours
All year round :
- Historic tours of the town with audio guide (in French or
English)
4 € the visit (approximately 1:30)
July and August :
- Historic conference tours of the town every day at 3 pm
Adult : 4 €
Tourist office
1 rue Louis XI
80200 PERONNE
Tel : +33 (0)3 22 84 42
38 – Fax : +33 (0)3 22 84 51 25
E-mail : accueil@ot-peronne.fr
Website : www.ot-peronne.fr
Population: 8380 (figures from
INSEE [French national institute for economic and statistical
information] – 1999 census)
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