La Main de Massiges

Are you passionate about history and curious to know more about the First World War!? Visiting the Main de Massiges site will undoubtedly fascinate you. Located to the east of the Champagne Front, at the junction of the Argonne Front, the Main de Massiges trenches represented a strategic point on the Champagne Front during the Battle of the Marne in 1915.

As soon as they retreated in September 1914, the Germans entrenched themselves on this natural height. Its shape resembles a hand, each finger was a bastion of this natural fortress. Countless underground passages were dug by the Germans and the French. The terrain of the Main de Massiges has remained as it is with its mine funnels and its battle trenches from 1914-1915 that were restored.

All of the galleries, updated and maintained by the La Main de Massiges association, make it a mecca for historical and archeology tourism of the Great War. It also offers beautiful views of the Argonne, the Meuse and the Ardennes.

The "Poilus" who went up in front line passed in front of the statue of the Virgin of the village. Exposed to projectiles, a bullet pierced her left breast and a swarm of bees found refuge there. The soldiers impressed by this revival then baptized her the Virgin of the Bees.

On a free or guided tour (on request), discover what the daily life of soldiers in the trenches was like.