Between Sept. 14-21, nine American Battle Monuments Commission’s sites will be featured in a series of events dedicated to highlighting European cultural heritage and ensuring citizens are aware of the historic significance of these sites. This year’s theme is “Heritage and Architecture: Windows to the Past, Doors to the Future.” 

“During European Heritage Days, we honor the shared history that binds our nations,” said Karen Wurzburger, Chief of Visitor Services and Interpretation at ABMC. “ABMC sites are outstanding architectural art pieces that stand as enduring symbols of sacrifice, courage, and remembrance.” 

This year, the European Heritage Days are held at the following ABMC sites: Chateau-Thierry American Monument, Flanders Field American Cemetery, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Montsec American Monument, Montfaucon American Monument, Normandy American Cemetery, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Suresnes American Cemetery. 

Participating sites will offer free activities including tours and exhibitions for the public to learn more about ABMC, its collections, the two World Wars, the history of the sites, as well as stories of service men and women buried or memorialized within their grounds. Registration is required for some of the sites. 

The program at ABMC sites:  

• Chateau-Thierry American Monument – The history of ABMC architecture is hidden under the Chateau-Thierry Monument. 

Chateau-Thierry American Monument is home to the architectural history of the American Battle Monuments Commission. Six one-hour guided tours of the archives below the monument are offered during European Heritage Days. Limited to 20 visitors per tour.  

• Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. CET. 

• Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. CET. 

Registration via phone +33 (0)3 23 70 70 90 or email chateauthierry@abmc.gov. 

• Flanders Field American Cemetery – To never forget  

At Flanders Field American Cemetery visitors are surrounded by a specific design that transforms remembrance into quiet beauty and shared memory.  

• Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

No registration required. Event created in collaboration with the City Archives of Waregem.   

• Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery – Building remembrance: Symbols and legacy of the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery 

Visitors will find out Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery is a truly peaceful place but also a silent witness of one of the deadliest battles of World War I. 

• Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. CET.  

• Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. CET.  

No registration required. Fifty people per tour. Meeting point at the central fountain. More information at meuse-argonne@abmc.gov  

• Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery – Fighters of yesterday to ensure peace for tomorrow 

Visitors are invited to uncover the fighters of the Meuse-Argonne who fought bravely to ensure us a bright and peaceful future.  

• Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. Guided tours or self-tour of the visitor center. The exhibition is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thirty-minute guided tours on request from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. CET.  

No registration required. Thirty people per tour. More information at meuse-argonne@abmc.gov. 

• Montsec American Monument – Architecture at the service of memory 

Montsec American Monument has always been a shrine to the memory of those it was built for. Visitors are invited to explore and learn more about the architecture of the site with a display of historical pictures. 

• Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. A guide will be available to guide visitors from 9 a.m. until noon, and from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. CET.   

No registration required. More information at saint-mihiel@abmc.gov. 

• Montfaucon American Monument – Montfaucon monument: a shared legacy between U.S. and French Armies 

Montfaucon American Monument magnifies the shared efforts and sacrifice of the two armies who fought in this area. Visitors are invited to join one-hour guided tours. 

• Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. CET.  

No registration required. Fifty people maximum per tour. More information at meuse-argonne@abmc.gov  

• Normandy American Cemetery – When they got off the beach, the GIs took the path leading them towards their future. 

Omaha Beach and Normandy American Cemetery are a window to the past and a door to the future. This year, the visitors are invited to a rare opportunity to walk the path from the beach to the cemetery.  

• Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at 3 p.m. CET.  

Registration required at NormandyVisits@abmc.gov or +33 (0)2 31 51 62 00. Thirty adult people maximum. Please note the path is quite steep and people with walking difficulties may not be able to access. For those visitors, another tour starting at the overlook will be offered.  

• Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, time TBD. 

Talks will be offered as well as workshops on specific topics for children and adults who cannot attend the walk up the path. Registration required at NormandyVisits@abmc.gov or +33 (0)2 31 51 62 00.  

• Sicily-Rome American Cemetery – Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial architectural windows to the past and doors to the future 

Visitors will step into the history of the site and its architectural symbolism. 

• Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at 3 p.m. Exhibition and guided tour.  

No registration required. Information at sicilyrome@abmc.gov. 

• St. Mihiel American Cemetery – Architecture at the service of memory 

The effect of time on St. Mihiel American Cemetery has not dimmed the memory of the service members honored in it. Visitors will discover an exhibition of historical pictures.  

• Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. A guide will be available to guide visitors from 9 a.m. until noon, and from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. CET.  

No registration required. Information at saint-mihiel@abmc.gov. 

• Suresnes American Cemetery – Faces of Suresnes  

Visitors will discover the faces of those memorialized at the Suresnes American Cemetery providing a window to the past and allowing the public to walk through the doors that carry their legacy into the future. More than 1,000 pictures of U.S. service members will be displayed at the cemetery.  

• From Sept. 19 to Sept. 21, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

No registration required. Information at suresnes@abmc.gov or +33 (0)1 46 25 01 70.