I have been informed by Dr. Lucien Houllemare and his wife Annick that it is intended to open a Cultural Café at Châtel-Chéhéry on July 13th 2008. As well as being a focal point for the village community, visitors to the village will be most welcome to visit and have a coffee. There will be various items of memorabilia on sale. It is situated across the street from the York Memorial tablet to the left of the Church.
Châtel Chéhéry is a village in the Champagne-Ardennes region of France. Approx 10km away is a major American cemetery. The location of the village is visible in Google Maps
More information
Nestling amongst the wooded heights in the Argonne lie the little village of Châtel-Chéhéry.
For the greater part of the war, the village was occupied by the Germans as most of the photographs depict on this website, some were sent home to Germany by the garrison of the time.
The Sergeant York Project Team 2006 is indebted to the people of the village for the hospitality shown during their explorations, in particular the Mayor of the village M. Roland Destenay and his delightful wife and Dr. Lucien and Annick Houllemare. The old photographs of the village are reproduced courtesy of Mayor Destenay.
It is now difficult to envisage the privations to which the villagers must have been subjected during the Occupation, as indeed it is hard to imagine the scenes of carnage that affected this beautiful place in the Great War. But for the actions of Alvin C. York, Châtel-Chéhéry would never have had the opportunity to make a ‘claim upon fame’ in much the same way that Pall Mall, Tennessee is always recognised as being the ancestral home of York.
The Sister Twinning of the two villages in October 2007 will be etched indelibly within the volumes of history, a fine example of how two communities, thousands of miles apart, can be brought together after one short episode that took place nearly ninety years ago.
Accommodation
Locally
Just a short drive away in the village of Vienne le Chateau lies the beautiful hotel Le Tulipier. The Project Team have stayed here and this will be the base for the October 2008 tour to the York 90th commemorations. Warm and friendly, the hotel boasts an excellent menu and a swimming pool for those who fancy a 'dip' before breakfast.
In Châtel-Chéhéry
Sparkling accommodation may be found within the village at the Old Château, where the culinary capabilities of Mme. Huet have been enjoyed greatly by members of the Project Team.
Château de Châtel-Chéhéry
Châtel-Chéhéry, Champagne-Ardenne, France
This Chateau chambre d’hote is in a superb, natural location overlooking the Aire valley. The rustic interior has hunting trophies adorning the walls and the bedrooms are comfortable and clean. Peace and tranquility are guaranteed here and there is a heated swimming pool, situated in a summer house, available from May to September.
The owner, Madame Huet, is a great cook and excellent meals are served at the family dining table. Monsieur Huet often provides the bounty, from his hunting, for the evening meal. An opportunity to meet fellow guests and, perhaps, brush-up on your French. Explore unspoilt surroundings, Romagne sous Montfaucon and its vast WW1 American cemetery (10 km ), Verdun (45 km) or Varennes.
Contact details:
M. et Mme. Huet Tel: 0033 (0)3 24 30 78 54
Email:
jacques.huet9@wanadoo.fr
Website: http://perso.orange.fr/chateaudechatel/
Sergeant York Project EBook
© 2007 Worldwide Copyright Reserved Tom Nolan, M. Kelly
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