A New Zealand museum in the French town of Le Quesnoy has encouraged visitors to explore the rich history, art and experiences on offer in the surrounding areas.
The New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata, which tells the story of the liberation of Le Quesnoy by Kiwi soldiers in World War One, has welcomed visitors year-round from New Zealand, France, Belgium and other European countries.
Museum Director, Elizabeth Wratislav, said that the museum has become an incredible drawcard for Le Quesnoy, and there is so much to see after visiting Te Arawhata.
The museum, which is three hours from London and two from Paris, has developed a range of suggested tour itineraries to showcase the Hauts-de-France region.
“Le Quesnoy is a site of pilgrimage for Kiwi families; everyone will have some kind of personal connection here, whether through family, school or where they were born. The great thing about the town is it’s also the perfect base to discover northern France,” said Elizabeth.
One suggested tour will focus on World War One and remembrance, including exploring Le Quesnoy, the Somme, the Carrière Wellington tunnels in Arras, and Passchendaele, where revered All Black captain Dave Gallaher died.
As well as spending a day in and around Le Quesnoy, the other Te Arawhata tour packages will take in experiences from across the wider region, including:
- Heading to Reims in the heart of the Champagne region
- Experiencing Europe’s largest Roman forum outside of Rome in nearby Bavay
- Visiting the Matisse Museum in the famous artist’s hometown of Le Cateau-Cambrésis
- Experiencing the mix of French chic and Flemish cosiness of Lille
Elizabeth added that Le Quesnoy was a unique French experience, unlike the busy, crowded centres of Paris, Nice and Bordeaux. She said that experiences like the ramparts make it an intriguing destination beyond simply the story of liberation.
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