6. Visiting a memorial site – the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris

This method, in situ, aims to discover and visit a historical and memorial site, and above all to feel the emotions that the site evokes.

• To discover the historical and memorial dimension of a site through a presentation
• To question the importance and place of memory
• To develop one’s sense of observation and sensitivity

• History
• War
• Memory
• Remembrance
• Commemoration
• Ceremony
• Nation
• Symbol
• Monument
• Veteran
• Touristic place
• Heritage

15 – 20

• This activity can be carried out with a wide range of target groups, especially schoolchildren aged 12 and over.
• However, it is preferable for young people to have a keen interest in history, memory and remembrance.
• Ideally, participants should be at least 15 years old, so that they can begin to develop critical thinking skills and, above all, find the places of remembrance that they can relate to personally when they explore Paris on their own.

2 to 3 hours maximum

• Smartphone for pictures, videos, and internet access
• Maps of Paris
• Notebooks, pens, pencils

Step 1 (45-60 min): visit of the Arc de Triomphe: its history and architecture, its meaning and symbolism.

The group can take the tour with the facilitator or with an accredited guide (but there is a charge for this). Direct access to the site is quicker with a guide. It is interesting at this point for young people to explore the monument freely, taking photos and making notes. It is important to engage all the senses.

Step 2 (45-60 minutes): visit of The Memorial: the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Flame of Remembrance

• Explanations: the facilitators shall explain the story of this anonymous hero and chosen soldier, the burial, and the birth of the Flame. It is then necessary to insist on the reason for this monument and its meaning to this day. The veterans‘ association holds a ceremony every evening at 6.30 pm; the facilitator provides a detailed description of the event.
• This is followed by a discussion with the whole group, using these questions as a
  guideline to highlight the importance of memorials in perpetuating history and
  remembrance:
  1. How do you feel now after the visit?
  Additionally, how did you feel during the visit itself?
  Give one or two words.
  2. What struck and/or impressed you, and why?
  3. Do you think it is important to have monuments like this?
  Additionally: Why?

Step 3 (20 minutes): the Arc de Triomphe in people’s lives today

Group reflection on the cultural and political dimension of the site and on the current appropriation of this monument by Parisians and French people on a daily basis.
Due to the noise of the traffic and the large number of visitors to the site, it is recommended to leave the site for a quieter place, such as the nearby Parc Monceau.
The facilitator asks the participants, which place this moment, may have in the lives of Parisians or other French people. Then the importance of this monument in the daily life of Parisians and the French people is explained:

• the Bastille Day military parade on July 14
• the laying of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• the starting or convergence point for gatherings during specific celebrations: sports victories, New Year’s Eve or national tributes to celebrities
• “L ‘Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped” by Christo in 2021 (posthumous). This is a work originally conceived with Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon in the 1960s.

Free personal work:
After this visit, it is important to let the young people wander freely and discover traces of the past by observing different monuments in the city. They should look for monuments that remind them of the wars.

Their task is to take a picture, write a short description and an explanation, and post all three in the shared WhatsApp group. The following day, there will be a time dedicated to sharing their information with the other participants and/or writing a short blog article with the help of the facilitators.

Be mindful about step 2: the place is very noisy due to traffic and visitors. It might be a good idea to find a place nearby to start the discussion. You might also consider splitting the group into two smaller ones to facilitate discussion.