Franco-American Friendship Museum, Beaune (Historial de l’Amitié Franco-Américaine de Beaune)
A volunteer-run museum on the American army hospital and university camp at Beaune in 1918 and 1919.
- Museum
- In Beaune itself
- Allow about 1 hour
€290for a half-day wine tour starting here, up to 4 guests
At a glance
- Official website
- historial-beaune.fr
Getting there
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About the place
In the First World War, Beaune hosted a large American military hospital, built at the edge of town in 1918. After the Armistice it became a university for soldiers of the American Expeditionary Forces. This small museum, run by volunteers, keeps alive the memory of that camp and of Franco-American friendship.
What you will see
The museum is small and personal. Uniforms, equipment and authentic military objects from both world wars evoke daily life in the American camp, the work of the hospital and the soldier-students of 1919. The volunteers who run it are glad to share stories and answer questions. It is a moving stop for American visitors and for anyone interested in the First World War.
History
The United States entered the First World War in 1917, and Beaune became one of the rear bases of the American Expeditionary Forces. Early in 1918 a hospital centre was built on the edge of town to treat soldiers from the front. According to the Historial, 226 American servicemen died there. Their memory, and the friendship between Beaune and the United States, are at the heart of the museum.
After the Armistice, American soldiers could not all return home at once. In 1919 the hospital was turned into a university for the expeditionary force, where thousands of soldier-students followed courses while they waited to sail home. Today the Historial stands at the heart of the former American camp and is run entirely by volunteers of the association Les Compagnons de la Mémoire.
Planning your visit
Tips for your visit
Allow about an hour. The Historial opens only on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, so plan ahead and check the official website for opening times. It lies east of the town centre, a short drive from the Hôtel-Dieu. Groups can arrange a visit in advance with the association.
Around here
What to combine with Franco-American Friendship Museum, Beaune on the same day, nearest first.
Beaune
2 km awayChorey-lès-Beaune
2 km awayAloxe-Corton
4 km away
- Culture
Mois des Climats
Each year over several weeks in late spring and early summer, usually ending in early JulyBeaune - Wine festival
Beaune Saveurs de Vignes
Usually Ascension Thursday, in May, with staggered departures from late morningBeaune - Music
Festival international d’opéra baroque de Beaune
Usually four consecutive weekends in JulyBeaune
Questions
For the visit, allow about 1 hour.
Did you know? In 1919 Beaune's American hospital camp was turned into a university, where thousands of American soldiers studied while they waited to be shipped home after the war.
Sources
From Franco-American Friendship Museum, Beaune into the vineyards
Half-day wine tour from Beaune: €290 for the car, up to 4 guests