Visiting the Museum

OUR MUSEUM – An Introduction

The Somme Trench Museum has been set into a series of underground shelters that were used  by the local people on many occasions to shelter from invaders. The last time they were used for this purpose was during The Second World War.

Our museum is however devoted to The First World War as our town and region suffered greatly during that terrible conflict. As you drive around northern France, in particular The Somme, The Aisne, The Nord and The Pas de Calais (all known as départements or counties / provinces) you cannot help but be reminded of the slaughter that took place in this part of France. A plethora of cemeteries and memorials have been built to honour those who died here.

To get to our museum you need to drive into Albert’s town centre. The entrance to the museum is easy to find as it is right by the Basilica, which cannot be missed from miles around. It has a golden dome with a golden Mary and Child on its summit. Inside the museum there is a series of displays set behind glass in alcoves depicting trench life for the soldiers on both sides. When studying the displays you should notice the evolution of weaponry used and uniforms worn. Lessons were learned and these were improved during WW1.

The museum passage emerges in Albert’s Park. You step into daylight and find yourself in our museum shop and dining-cum-conference area. Here you can purchase refreshments, eat packed lunches, buy books, films and WW1 memorabilia, all part of the Iron Harvest that the fields turn up on a regular basis.  If you have time, you can watch a documentary film on the events of WW1 on the large screen provided for this purpose. If the weather is fine, the Park is worth a visit too.