Armistice Site | Second World War 1939-1945, place with historical importance, First World War 1914-1918

 Second World War 1939-1945, place with historical importance, First World War 1914-1918

A historic site park called the "Clearing of the Armistice" this is where the Allies, led by Marechal Foch met the German Armistice Commission Plenipotentiary and negotiated and finally signed the Armistice of 11 November 1918, ending World War One. The spot was selected because both sides could reach the spot by rail on two separate tracks and the armistice was signed in Foch's carriage on the French train.

22 years later, Hitler had the same carriage brought back to the clearing and he had Marechal Petain sign the Armistice of 22 June 1940, signifying Nazi Germany's victory over France in WW2.

Today the site is dedicated to the 1918 Armistice and the clearing features the rail tracks and markers for the two sides arrivals and a central marker between them.
There is also a fine museum with a replica of the armistice carriage (the original was taken to Berlin and burned at the end of WWII) and many other great WWI exhibits and artifacts.