Linge Memorial, War memorial and museum in Orbey, France

Linge Memorial is a war memorial and museum in the Vosges featuring preserved military trenches and defensive fortifications from World War I. The exhibition halls display recovered artifacts and materials from the battlefield period of 1914 to 1918.

The battle of the Linge raged from 20 July to 16 October 1915 around the collet du Linge, causing about 20,000 casualties, including some 3,500 dead on each side. Trench warfare and artillery duels continued until 11 November 1918. The battlefield was classified as a Monument Historique in 1921, and Orbey was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 on 2 November 1921.

The site tells the story of soldiers through their personal belongings, weapons, and photographs found on the battlefield. Visitors gain insight into how soldiers lived and what they carried with them during the fighting.

The museum sits at the Collet du Linge, reached by mountain roads above Orbey; the battlefield trenches and blockhouses lie on open, uneven ground, so sturdy shoes are needed. The site is exposed to Vosges weather and the museum has been enlarged in stages, most recently in 2015. Several hundred soldiers still rest on the battlefield, so visitors stay on the marked paths.

German fortifications stand just meters from French earthen trenches, creating a rare side-by-side view of how each army engineered their defenses. This proximity reveals striking differences in construction methods and military strategy.