Museum of the War of 1870 and the Annexation
At Gravelotte, about a dozen kilometres west of Metz, on the very ground of the deadly fighting of August 1870, this departmental museum tells the story of the Franco-German war of 1870 and its aftermath: the annexation of Alsace and Moselle to the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. Housed in a contemporary building opened in 2014, it is Europe's only museum entirely devoted to this chapter of history, through both French and German collections.
Understanding the 1870 war
The summer of 1870 saw France and the German states clash around Metz. The battles of Gravelotte and Saint-Privat, on 18 August, were among the bloodiest of the conflict and sealed the fate of the French army. The museum sheds light on this pivotal moment: its origins, the course of the fighting, the siege of Metz and the defeat that led to the proclamation of the German Empire. The account stays measured and documented, attentive to the experience of soldiers and civilians alike.
French and German collections
Across some 900 m² of permanent display, the museum brings together uniforms, weapons, cannons, paintings, sculptures, photographs and everyday objects from both sides. This confrontation of French and German viewpoints is what makes the place so distinctive. Highlights include fragments of the famous Rezonville panorama painted by Édouard Detaille, a vast canvas that once immersed viewers in the heart of the battle. A collection of several thousand objects also feeds the temporary exhibitions.
The annexation of Alsace-Moselle
After 1871, Alsace and part of Lorraine, including Metz, became the Reichsland, an imperial territory attached to Germany until 1918. The museum devotes considerable space to this often-overlooked period: everyday life under German administration, questions of identity and language, and the choices residents faced between leaving and adapting. By setting the annexation in the long term, it helps explain why Metz and its region still bear such a visible Franco-German imprint today.
Architecture along the battlefield
The current building, by architect Bruno Mader, opened in 2014. Its glass facade, animated by pivoting brass panels, echoes the metal of period cannons and converses with the surrounding battlefield landscape. Nearby stand memorials and military cemeteries that can be linked to the visit. Holding the 'Musée de France' label, the museum is run by the Moselle Department within the Moselle Passion network.
Infos pratiques
Adresse : 11 rue de Metz, 57130
Questions fréquentes
Where is the museum and how do I get there?
At 11 Rue de Metz in Gravelotte (57130), about fifteen minutes by car west of Metz. Parking is available nearby.
When is the museum open?
Generally Tuesday to Sunday in the afternoon; as hours can vary by season, check on mosellepassion.fr or call +33 3 87 33 69 40 before you go.
What makes this museum unique?
It is Europe's only museum entirely devoted to the 1870 war and the annexation, with both French and German collections.
Is the visit suitable for families?
Yes: the route mixes objects, artworks and documents in a clear layout; allow one to two hours and, if you wish, add the nearby memorial sites.
Wikimedia Commons — Lukas Lober · Wikimedia Commons — Cristo6772
