Darney

DARNEY, Cradle of Czechoslovakia

At Camp Kléber, a spire towers over the city, serving as a reminder that 6,000 Czech and Slovak legionnaires lived through the terrible conflict of 1914–1918. Darney is, in a sense, the cradle of Czechoslovakia, for it was here on June 30, 1918, that President Raymond Poincaré officially presented Mr. Edouard Beneš with a flag donated by the city of Paris, thereby finally giving this regiment its “official status.” This was, in fact, a prelude to the future proclamation of this people’s right to independence, which would be declared on October 28, 1918. Thomas Mazaryk would become the first president. [source]

A Franco-Czechoslovak museum has been set up on the^first floor of the old castle and bears witness to the historical ties between Darney and Czechoslovakia through an exhibition of works of art and official documents.

Also worth seeing in Darney:
– The ground floor of the castle is dedicated to Damia, a singer from the 1930s whose grandparents lived in Darney, known as the tragedienne of song!
– The Intercommunal Prehistoric Park
– The Delisvosges confectionery

Article on the history of Darney to read Article on the history of Darney to consult