2 military cemeteries are the witnesses of the huge WW1 battle of Charmes (1914)...
History and description
After the failure of the battle of Morhange (19-20 August 1914), the French pulled back to the Moselle nera Bayon. The Bavarian soldiers of Kronprinz Rupprecht advanced between Nancy and the first slopes of the Vosges mountains, thinking that the French are permanently weakened, and that they will be able to drill the French lines. But they cannot reach the Moselle and are stopped 6km East from Bayon...
From 24 to 26 August, the counter-offensive of the French 2d Army (Général De Castelnau) on the sides of the 6th German Army forces the German to back up to the Meurthe.
Highlights 1:
At the exit of Gerbévillers stand 2 military cemeteries: one German and one French. They align their tombs in slightly different styles, but emotion is the same in both camps.
5.462 soldiers from the 17th and 18th Regiment (21th Corps) are lie in the German cemetery.
Of the 2.167 listed French, the majority belonged to the 74th Regiment of infantry and the 36th colonial infantry regiment.
A tip for a unique visit
It is interesting to discover the battle of the "Charmes breach" by visiting the French and German military cemeteries. This pilgrimage has the advantage to bring you to many different picturesque villages. In addition, military cemeteries are peaceful and well maintained places.
Getting there:
See map:
Afficher Cimetières militaires de la Bataille de la trouée de Charmes sur une carte plus grande
Map of Gerbevillers, German and French military cemeteries and around !
Military necropolis of Rambervillers, Vosges
Rambervillers is a peacefull little town on the Mortagne river in Lorraine.
WW1 Monument de Lorraine, Charmes
The Lorraine Monument was built in the wake of the 1914-1918 war to celebrate the French victory of Charmes battle (also called the Mortagne battle: 24-26 August 1914).
Ménil-sur-Belvitte French military cemetery
The small village of Ménil-sur-Belvitte, in the heart of the peaceful Lorraine campaign, hosts a nice military cemetery, with a appealing War Memorial.
Gerbevillers, German and French military cemeteries
2 military cemeteries are the witnesses of the huge WW1 battle of Charmes (1914)...
Velo-rail of the val of Mortagne, Magnières
An original way to discover the Lorraine campaign, away the roads, slowly to the rhythm of the calves...
Baccarat Crystal museum
The Baccarat crystal has an international reputation and owns its exceptional quality to 2 centuries of know-how. The Museum presents all facets of this particular art of Crystal.
Col de la Chipotte battle, Vosges, WWI
From 26th August to 10th September 1914 , the pass of "la Chipotte", (col de La Chipotte, 453 m) was a key position on the road from Rambervillers to Raon - l'Etape. It has been the scene a violent battle: the pass changed 5 times in the hands of the French and Germans and saw fall 4.000 French soldiers and at least as many Germans.
Rambervillers, flammed pottery
An unique variety of ceramics in the tradition of the "Ecole de Nancy".
Baccarat, Saint-Rémy Church
Next to the Meurthe river stands an original modern church in which we absolutely must enter. Inside you will appreciate the mystery and contemplation atmosphere created by the coloured light of Baccarat stained glass and the sobriety of plain concrete walls.