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Imagined in the 19th century by the industrialist Jean-Baptiste André Godin, the Familistère de Guise is a unique place in France. Conceived as a true “social palace” for the workers of his factory, this architectural complex combines housing, collective spaces, and cultural facilities. Today transformed into a museum and visitor site, the place offers an immersion into the social and industrial history of the Hauts-de-France region.

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Must see! Social project before the letter

This is where the Somme River rises. Its name is traced back to Celtic origins and also gives its name to the department of the same name. At the time when Gaul was part of the Roman Empire, the river was called the Samara. It ends its approximately 245-kilometer-long river life in the Baie de Somme, where it flows into the English Channel.

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The Église Saint-Martin et Sainte Anne de Macquigny is one of the westernmost fortified churches in the region and is often considered part of the Thiérache. Built in the 12th century, it still retains elements of the original Romanesque structure, such as the south wall with two now bricked-up arcades and a simple entrance with the date "1501" indicating the fortification of the tower. The building has imposing buttresses and unique watchtowers with loopholes and machicolations. The choir was restored in 1754 and inside are 15th century baptismal fonts, a 16th century wooden statue of Christ and stained glass windows by master glassmaker Carl Mauméjean. Although the church is usually closed to the public, guided tours are organised by the municipality from April to September.

The Guise Familistère, located in the commune of Guise, wanted by the industrialist Godin for the accommodation of his workers.

As a memorial to the many dead, such a "MONUMENT AUX MORTS" (usually called a "Central Memorial" or "War Memorial" in German-speaking countries) is still very important today. "Now, Lord, you let your servant depart in peace, as you have said..." it says in the so-called "Hymn of Simeon" (Luke's Gospel, Chapter 2, Verse 29). However, the people who are remembered here did not depart in peace, but became victims of war and tyranny. Therefore, the term "fallen memorial" is now sometimes used instead of the "war memorial" that was previously common in German. In the French-speaking world, however, this aspect of commemoration of the dead has long been included in the most commonly used term "MONUMENT AUX MORTS". Regardless of language and nation, such a memorial has two important and at the same time everlasting tasks: -1- to keep the memory of the suffering and horror of war alive, -2- and to remind people of the need to maintain peace in the long term.