8/6/2019 French Ardennes HISTORY
1/2
Travelling through 2,000 years of history
in The French Ardennes
It is 70 years ago this year since Hollywood first told the
story ofSergeant Yorkto the world, and 125 years next year since
the birth ofAlvin Cullum York in Pall Mall, Tennessee.
One of the most decorated American soldiers in World War I,
SergeantYork received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a
Germanmachine gun nest in Chatel Chhry, in the south of the
FrenchArdennes, taking 32 machine guns, killing 28 German soldiers,
andcapturing 132 others.
This action occurred during the US-led portion of the
Meuse-ArgonneOffensive in France, which was part of a broader
Allied offensivemasterminded by Marshal Ferdinand Foch to breach
the HindenburgLine and ultimately force the German forces to
capitulate.
The real life story of Sergeant Yorks incredible act of bravery
in 1918was turned into a 1941 Hollywood movie which not only earned
GaryCooper the Academy Award for Best Actor, and the Academy
Awardfor Best Film Editing, but was also nominated in nine other
categories.
Not surprisingly, the story of the war hero and Hollywood movie
has
merited much attention in The French Ardennes over the years
notleast by The Sergeant York Project, which also features the
SergeantYork Tour Guide: http://www.sergeantyorkproject.com.
One thing the anniversary helps to highlight is the way in which
TheFrench Ardennes has been at the very centre of European (and
evenworld) history over the centuries.
Its no accident, for example, that the largest fortress in
northernEurope can also be found here, in The French Ardennes.
Dating backto the mid 15th century, the Chateau de Sedan is now one
of theregions top visitor attractions, with a fine self-guided
trail, regular
events, and a superb boutique hotel nestling within its
walls.
Elsewhere, one of six well-marked Touring Routes which
criss-crossthe whole of The French Ardennes is The Fortifications
Route. Thismanages to combines 88-miles of driving with 2,000 years
of history asit follows the course of the Meuse Valley to the
Rocroi Plateau andthen heads south east, through the regional
capital of Charleville-Mzires to Sedan and onward to the
neighbouring Lorraine region.
Highlights along the way include the last fort on the Maginot
Line,Europe's largest fortified castle at Sedan, the Domaine
Fortifi desAyvelles, and the unique star-shaped fortified town of
Rocroi, where in1643 one of the most important battles in French
history took place
http://www.sergeantyorkproject.com/http://www.sergeantyorkproject.com/
8/6/2019 French Ardennes HISTORY
2/2
The 90-miles Fortified Churches of Thirache Route,
meanwhile,offers a fascinating introduction to a host of churches,
which werereinforced at the time of the Hundred Years War by the
addition oftowers, arrow slits, bastions and turrets.
Key roles in the Franco-Prussian War, as well as both World War
I andWorld War II have helped to reinforce the Ardennes claim as
being ata pivotal point of European history. And there are hopes
that its War &Peace Museum will once again be able to open its
doors to the publicin 2012, following extensive renovation.
Another military-based attraction, meanwhile, is a new
Historical Circuit
of Sedan, which has just been launched. Interpretation panels
inEnglish, French and German - at all of the major historical sites
in thePays Sedanais are already in place . And a small guidebook
(inFrench) entitled Circuit de mmoire is also available now.
Guidedtours will be introduced in 2012.
Further details of many of these historical and military
attractions andtrails are featured in a special Military History
section in the DiscoveryGuide to the French Ardennes, which also
showcases all of its eco-friendly activities, events and
accommodation.
Copies can be obtained by telephoning +33 (0) 3 24 56 06 08, or
by e-
mailing [email protected].
For further information, and a full listing of events,
visitwww.ardennes.com.
-Ends-
Images, further information, and full press packs can be
obtained bycontacting:
Jrg HartwigTEL: +33 (0) 3 24 56 67 77
E-MAIL: [email protected]
Or
Ian WeightmanTEL: +44 (0)1782-680963E-MAIL:
[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]://www.ardennes.com/mailto:%[email protected]%20mailto:%[email protected]%20mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.ardennes.com/mailto:%[email protected]%20mailto:[email protected]
