Take the history trail to Alsace

The Alsace-Moselle Memorial at Schirmeck, in the Vosges Mountains south west of Strasbourg is one of the most poignant reminders of European conflicts that have taken place during the last 140 years. The Memorial is expected to attract many visitors in the next two months as Remembrance Day (November 11) approaches.

The Memorial (memorial-alsace-moselle.com) is built on a site overlooking what was a Nazi internment camp. The 3,000 sq metre cultural facility recounts through sight and sound, the history of the Alsace region from 1870 onwards, a period during which it has changed nationality four times. It puts particular focus on WW2 and Alsace’s annexation to the Third Reich.

Military history enthusiasts will also be interested in Alsace’s many remains of the famous Maginot Line, built between 1920 and 1940. The 700 kms line of fortifications was designed, unsuccessfully as it turned out, to keep invaders out of France and nearly 200 kms of The Line ran through Alsace. There are many remains to be seen, including blockhouses, forts, bunkers and underground communication headquarters, some of which have been restored. Amongst the most impressive is the fort at Lembach open everyday until the middle of November. For more information on this fort and other remains of the Maginot line visit lignemaginot.com.

Travelling to Alsace is now very convenient thanks to the Eurostar -TGV Est link from London to Strasbourg, which takes under six hours city to city (raileurope.com). November return fares start at around £94.50 and car hire is available at Strasbourg station. Ryanair (ryanair.com) fly scheduled services from London’s Stansted airport to Karlsruhe-Baden with November flight prices starting at around £65 per adult.

There are a number of excellent hotels in the area surrounding Schirmeck including La Belle Vue in nearby Saulxures (la-belle-vue.com) where a double room costs from 86€ per night.

For further information on Alsace visit Tourism-alsace.com.