Glade of the Armistice, War memorial clearing in Compiègne, France

The Glade of the Armistice is an oval clearing about 100 metres across in the Forest of Compiègne, reached by a 250-metre alley. Between two parallel railway tracks lies a cut stone inscribed "Maréchal Foch"; at the centre stands a granite slab with Binet-Valmer's 1918 inscription. A statue of Foch by Firmin Michelet was added in 1937, and a carriage of the same 1913 series as the original is displayed in a nearby building.

German and Allied leaders met here in November 1918 to sign the agreement ending the First World War. Two decades later, Germany returned to the same location to force France into surrender.

This clearing holds meaning for France as a place of both triumph and sorrow, marking peace after the First World War and then humiliation when the same location witnessed surrender in 1940. Visitors today see how the site honors both moments as part of the nation's story.

The site is set within the forest, so visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be ready for unpaved paths. It is best to allow plenty of time to read the information boards and explore the different monuments at a relaxed pace.

The original railway carriage used in 1918 was displayed after the war before being destroyed during later events. Visitors today can see a detailed replica showing the spaces where these critical moments took place.