Description
Nicknamed “the man-eater” or “the mountain of death”, the mountain surrounding the summit of Hartmannswillerkopf (called “Le Vieil Armand” by the French), is one of the emblematic sites of the First World War in the Vosges.
With 957 m in height, the summit is an excellent observation post, which was heavily contested throughout 1915. From early 1916, the lines stabilized, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. Until 1918, artillery duels and hand-to-hand combat were commonplace on a front where the German and French front lines were often only twenty meters apart. The “man-eater” killed over 4,000 French men, and over 3,000 Germans.
Did you know...?
The guided tour of the site includes a visit to the Franco-German historial, inaugurated in 2017, which explains the First World War in the Vosges, a visit to the Monument National built in 1932 and the adjoining necropolis, and finally the battlefield, preserved in its 1918 state. Through trenches, shelters, observation posts and firing ranges, you'll plunge into the heart of the lives of soldiers from both sides.
An outstanding site, where history and memory come together!
COMBINE with a "Route of the Ridges" or "Alsace du Sud" tour, Mulhouse and its Museums.
Caution: a visit to the battlefield requires good shoes and a good physical condition. If you don't have enough time or energy, we recommend a visit to the much more accessible Linge site.
