Join Us in France Travel Podcast

In this episode, Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin delve into the extraordinary life of Simone Veil, a monumental figure in French politics and a stalwart advocate for women's rights. From her harrowing experiences as a Holocaust survivor to her pivotal role in shaping modern French history and the European Union, Veil's story is one of indomitable spirit, courage, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Explore how she navigated the aftermath of World War II, championed abortion rights, and contributed to European unity. Veil's legacy as a beacon of resilience and a visionary for peace and cooperation across borders is a testament to her profound impact on the 20th century. Join us to honor the life and achievements of Simone Veil, whose influence continues to inspire change and progress.

Table of Contents for this Episode

• Intro
• Today on the podcast
• Podcast supporters
• The Magazine segment of the podcast: Giant Marionettes in France
• Annie and Elyse: How Simone Veil Changed France
• Early Life and Family Background
• Impact of World War II and the Holocaust on Simone Veil’s life
• Surviving Auschwitz and the Aftermath
• Post-War Life and Return to Normalcy
• The Unexpected Appointment as a Health Minister
• Reproductive Rights in France
• Passing the Abortion Law
• Simone Veil’s Influence on the European Parliament
• The Vauban Club
• The End of an Era: Simone Veil’s Later Life and Death
• Honoring Simone Veil: The Journey to the Panthéon
• Thank you Patrons
• New patrons
• The Giant Puppets
• Copyright

On today’s episode, I bring you a trip report with Jennifer Warner about the World War I sites she visited with her husband and sons earlier this year. The whole family has an interest in history. Her teenage sons particularly enjoyed getting a better understanding of what happened on these battlefields.

In preparation for this episode, I read a wonderful book called A World Undone: the History of the Great War 1914 to 1918. But the history of this war is a tremendously complex subject. Our purpose was not to discuss the history in depth. Our intention was to learn details of Jennifer's visit to the WWI battlefields in France and what makes some of them better than others for visitors.

WWI ended on November 11, 1918. Making this year the centennial anniversary of the end of the Great War. As a result, battlefield sites like Verdun and Vimy will be holding special celebrations and special events to mark the centennial. We don't go into any details these centennial celebrations, but if you plan on visiting, make sure to do some research to see if you can participate in some of them.

You see rows upon rows of not just dead but also missing people. It is so sobering, even for teenagers.

What are the must-see places you need to visit in order to get an overview of WWI or the Great War? In this episode we mention major WWI battlefields in the East and North of France. A sobering topic, but as you can see from Jennifer's report, also a wonderful family vacation.

• Verdun
• Verdun Ossuary
• Fort Douamont
• Fort Vaux
• Ossuary Douamont
• Camp Maguerre
• Abandoned Villages
• Arras City and Tunnels
• Vimy Ridge
• Wellington Tunnels
• Thiepval

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