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 Jeff Steiner's Americans in France.Resource for people that would like to live or travel in France. |
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AttractionsOradour-sur-Glane
Today you will find two Oradour-sur-Glanes one new and modern and the other destroyed and much as it was on June 11th 1944. That is the day after it was burned by a German Waffen-SS company and 642 of its residents killed. The ruined village was never rebuilt but left as a memorial to those that died on June 10th 1944.
It’s not know why Oradour-sur-Glane suffered the fate it did but thanks to the fact it was left as it was, that is never rebuilt. You are able to experience how those that saw the village on June 11th 1944 must of felt.
The ruined village today is just a hollow shell of itself. This is symbolized in the village church that is still standing and you can visit but is without a roof. It was in the church were most of the woman and children were killed. Also visible is the once tramway that passed through the village, including tract and overhead wiring. Many of the still standing buildings have a marker on them stating what the building was used for.
In what is left of the destroyed Oradour-sur-Glane two important buildings were built. The fist is a subterranean memorial, where many artifacts from the village can be seen. Most being villagers possessions found after the massacre. Just behind the memorial is the cemetery where most victims are buried. The other building is the visitor’s center, called Centre de la mémoire in French, just outside the village walls. It is through the visitors’ center that you pass to enter the ruined village of Oradour-sur-Glane.
The ‘new’ Oradour-sur-Glane is just across from the ruined one. There is free visitor parking between the two. Oradour-sur-Glane is located on the D9 road about a half hour drive from the Limoges Airport and A20 Autoroute.
For more reading on the web about Oradour-sur-Glane Wikipedia has an article and there is an official web site is here (site is in France).
If you would like to see photos of Oradour-sur-Glane please see the Oradour-sur-Glane photo page.
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