Attractions and Places To See around Tracy-Le-Val - Top 20

In the heart of the Compiègne forest, the Armistice Glade marks the place where the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, and then that of June 22, 1940. The site today includes the memorial with the “Armistice Wagon” (recreated car), the statue of Marshal Foch and the Alsace-Lorraine monument.

A must-see history

Anecdote: A bitter historical turning point occurred in 1940, when Adolf Hitler chose the exact same spot to sign the French surrender to Nazi Germany — in the same train car. He literally reenacted the 1918 scene, but with the roles reversed. Shortly afterwards, he had the car shipped to Berlin as a trophy. The site was partly destroyed, but was redeveloped as a memorial site after the war.

The Clairière de l'Armistice, or Armistice Place, is a clearing deep in the Compiègne Forest in northern France. It was here that the armistice ending World War I was signed on 11 November 1918. The signing took place in a railway carriage belonging to Marshal Foch, who had been brought to this remote location especially for discretion.

The Château Mennechet is a historic castle located in Chiry-Ourscamp, in the Hauts-de-France region. The castle was built at the end of the 19th century by Alphonse Mennechet de Barival, a wealthy and learned man. It was originally intended as a richly decorated gallery, but it was never completed. Architecture: The castle is an example of neo-Gothic architecture with beautiful sculptural decorations. The building is surrounded by an ornate garden and has an imposing facade with detailed stonework. The ruins of the castle can still be admired and offer a unique insight into the rich history and culture of the region.

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Noyon is an impressive Gothic building in the heart of Noyon, in the Oise department. Built between 1145 and 1235, the cathedral is a major religious and cultural monument. It exemplifies the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture. The cathedral is 103.11 meters long (exterior) and 91.33 meters (interior), with a nave height of 22.73 meters. The interior is richly decorated with works of art and features a magnificent Merklin organ from 1898. The cathedral also has a Louis XVI-style high altar.

The armistice agreement of World War I was signed here on November 11, 1918 in a clearing in the forest of Compiègne in a railway carriage. In June 1940, France's capitulation to the German Reich was also signed here and in the same carriage. For this purpose, the carriage was brought back here from a museum on Hitler's orders. The original carriage no longer exists, but you can admire an identical carriage here in the museum for a fee. Today you can also find a lot of patriotism and commemoration here.

The complex of buildings surrounding Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture. You can admire the cathedral's rich liturgical furnishings, the elegant canons' residences, the remains of the episcopal chapel, and the chapter library, one of the oldest in Europe. You'll also discover the history of Noyon, the ancient episcopal city that witnessed the coronation of Charlemagne and the birth of John Calvin. The cathedral chapter of Noyon is a true treasure trove of art and history that will delight both the eyes and the mind.