What You Need to Know About Armistice Day in France

The final resting place of France’s unknown soldier was decided on, after much debate, in 1920. Eight bodies were exhumed from major conflict sites, and one was chosen from Verdun. A ceremony took place in which a fictitious family walked behind the coffin, and his body was kept in vigil at the Salle des Palmes at the Arc de Triomphe until the time was ready for his burial.

In the evening, the Arc de Triomphe was illuminated. The final burial of the Unknown Soldier took place at the Arc de Triomphe in 1921.

This was created in 1923 at the Arc de Triomphe and has never been extinguished since. Each evening, at 18.30 there is a service of remembrance for those who have died.

Armistice Day is a national day of remembrance and a jour férié, so shops, schools, restaurants and businesses will be closed.

Our first experience of Armistice Day in France was an invitation to the service at the War Memorial held by the Maire in our children’s school village of Verdille in the Charente. I wore my black dress and formal coat, the family dressed smartly, and we all had our poppies on our lapels which had been knitted by the sewing group in our former village of Hurworth.

On arrival, we sensed we were over-dressed –  our effort was hopefully appreciated and we think, naturally viewed as respectful. There was lots of interest concerning our poppies – in France, the symbolic flower is a “bleuet” which is a cornflower. I remember inwardly feeling as though I stood out like a sore thumb as the only British family from school. It was early days in France for us and I so much wanted to fit in. The school children took part in the ceremony, and I remember our daughter’s efforts with the National Anthem.

We too felt a strong sense of community and reflection – my husband and his family members have served and still do serve in the RAF. Even though I could not understand exactly what was said and I could not join in with the La Marseillaise, it was a shared moment that I will always remember.

There are services of Remembrance in every Commune throughout France and in every French city there is a military gun salute at 11am. Military Parades to war memorials are the same as those across Europe with world leaders present in Paris to lay wreaths and the Tricolore French National flag taking pride of place.

Given current world events, it is arguably more vital than ever that we learn from our common history and that the world and its leaders always remember them.

 “Never again, plus jamais ca !”

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