Wine & War

Montreuil-sur-Mer is well-known to members of The Wine Society who have ventured across the Channel to pick up their favourite wines at favourable French rates of duty and discovered the many delights of this atmospheric walled town.

What is far less known is that Montreuil was home to the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the largest army Britain ever put into the field – the British Expeditionary Force – from 1916 to 1919.  Montreuil was a key strategic stronghold in the 11th and 12th centuries, and its site on a hill surrounded by impressive ramparts still played a role in its fortunes right up to the middle of the 20th century. The part played by Montreuil in The Great War is  now celebrated with a permanent exhibition in the blockhouses of the Citadel. Members at our event on Saturday 18th June will have the chance to visit as part of the ‘treasure hunt’ during the afternoon.

The exhibition is a joint venture between the Musée de Montreuil and The Expeditionary Trust, and more information can be found on The Society’s website here.