
Volunteer movers
At the request of Yves Chambon, our volunteers turned into movers.
Indeed, following the dissolution of the association of Veterans of Châteauroux, Yves Chambon, former president of this association, was mandated by his former board to pass on the furniture of the association to “Les Amis de La Martinerie”.

Our volunteers in action
The volunteers of the association met this Friday, May 26 to work on improving “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”.

More visitors at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Tuesday, May 23, we had the pleasure of welcoming around twenty members of the “Amicale des Tabacs” of Châteauroux.
On Wednesday May 24, the second group from the “Les Amis des musées de Châteauroux” association came over to visit the different rooms of “La Maison Départementale de la Mémoire Militaire”.

“Les Amis de La Martinerie” welcomed “Les Automobiles Anciennes de l'Indre” (AAI)
It was at the request of Frédéric Alapetite, member of the AAI and organizer of the event, that “Les Amis de La Martinerie” hosted, on Saturday May 13, for their lunch break, the first annual outing of the members of the association.

PCB Sécurité in training at La Martinerie
Partner of “Les Amis de La Martinerie”, the company PCB Sécurité used the premises of the association for a safety training on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 May 2023.

Monday April 17, twenty four Parisian high school students visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Present in the Indre department for a cultural stay, about twenty students from the private high school Catherine Labouré, located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, accompanied by 3 teachers, learned about the military history of the Indre department on Monday 17 April.

The Society for Historical Studies of the Canton of Saint Gaultier in the footsteps of the Americans
It was as part of their traditional spring outing that, on Thursday April 13, 2023, we had the pleasure of welcoming the members of The Society for Historical Studies of the Canton of Saint Gaultier (SEHC S-G).

Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the director general of the ONaCVG visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Present in the Indre department as part of her mission, Mrs Véronique Peaucelle-Delélis, Director General of the ONaCVG (National Office for the Combatants and Victims of War), accompanied by Frantz ROY, departmental director of the ONaCVG, came to visit “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” created and run by “Les Amis de La Martinerie”.

Sunday, April 2, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” were present at the ARVMC military show
At the invitation of Georges Rebardeau, president of the ARVMC (Association for the Restoration of Military Vehicles - Center) and organizer of the "Bourse-Expo Militaria de Châteauroux", that “Les Amis de La Martinerie” set up a display about the association and “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”

Volunteers in action
Friday, March 31, some of our volunteers met at La Martinerie to continue the development work around “la maisons départementale de la mémoire militaire” and its surroundings.

“Les Amis de La Martinerie” present at the 2023 Indre tourism fair
Like in 2022, our two Marie-Claude were present at this year's tourism fair organized by the Indre Attractiveness Agency (A2I).

Renovation of the chairs in the 517th RT hall of honor
One of our elder discovered talents he didn't even know he had, and was able to renovate the 11 table chairs in the hall of honor of the 517th RT.

A regular Wednesday at La Martinerie
Friendly visits from members, just to chat, sit down, have a coffee, spend some time together,

Teachers visiting La Martinerie
A dozen visitors, including several retired teachers, visited “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” this Friday, March 17.

“Les Amis de La Martinerie” support the association "Les Cadets de la Gendarmerie"
After welcoming the 25 Cadets of the Indre Gendarmerie for a visit of the “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” premises, close order sessions and a study of La Marseillaise, “Les Amis de La Martinerie”, once again, partnered with "Les Cadets de la Gendarmerie" to provide logistical support for the Cadet orienteering initiation on Wednesday February 15.

A souvenir of the Americans discovered at “La Martinerie”
Remember, on Saturday February 5, 1944 at 2:01 pm the American air force bombed the La Martinerie base occupied, at that time, by the German Air Force.
A successful general assembly
The general assembly of “Les Amis de La Martinerie” took place in Châteauroux, on Monday February 6, 2023, in the Barbillat Touraine hall, in the presence of 112 members, 74 power of attorney and a dozen of partners.

Naval troops veterans at La Martinerie
On Sunday January 29, 2023, Roland de Vassoigne and Michel Truffaut, members of “Les Amis de La Martinerie”, welcomed several memebers of the ABAOMTDM (“Association Berrichonne des Anciens d'Outre-Mer et des Troupes de Marine” / Berry association of overseas veterans and naval troops) and the GR167 of the FNAM (André Maginot federation) for their general assemblies.

“Les Amis de La Martinerie” remembers
At the initiative of one if the association member, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” became interested in the sinking of the submarine “La Minerve”, which disappeared at sea on January 27, 1968.

The Indre Reserve Officers General Assembly at La Martinerie
It is with great sadness that the members the Indre Reserve Officers association met for the last time. An ultimate general assembly to ratify the dissolution of their association.

The former legionnaires of the Indre department general assembly
Saturday January 14, 2023, as for 2022, the legionnaires of the Indre department held their general assembly on the “les Amis de La Martinerie” premises.

The last visit of 2022 to La Martinerie
It is the new Departmental Fire and Rescue Director, Colonel Stéphane Calimache, who closed the 2022 cycle of visits.
He was accompanied by his family and by Jérôme Pische, a visiting member.

A great way to keep 2 dozen of kids busy on a rainy day
Following up with their initial visit, a little over a year ago, the Clique family finally came back, but this time, with brothers, wives and children.

Reserve officers and non-commissioned officers of the Departmental Military Delegation (DMD 36) visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
On Wednesday December 7, 2022, “les Amis de La Martinerie” had the pleasure of welcoming Lieutenant-Colonel Drapeau, Departmental Military Delegate, Captain Eurin, his Deputy, the staff, as well as numerous reserve officers and non-commissioned officers, from the DMD (Departmental Military Delegation), for a visit of the “Maison Départementale de la Mémoire Militaire Indrienne”.

The Renault R 2087 N van returns to its carport at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
This Wednesday, November 30, a team of volunteers, led by Dominique and Philippe, finished setting up the old Renault van carport.

The "Belle Etoile – Sports et Loisirs" association from Chateauroux visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Following up with our first meeting during the association forum, about ten members of the "Belle Etoile – Sports et Loisirs" association came to visit “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” on Tuesday afternoon, November 22.

About twenty volunteers present for the “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” clean up day
The tradition was respected, our biannual cleanup took place with a cheerful attitude, on Thursday, November 17.

The R 2087 N van arrives at “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”
It is with the active support of Georges Rebardeau, president of the ARVMC, our loyal partner, assisted by his two acolytes, Daniel and François, reinforced by Dominique and Philippe, two of our loyal volunteers, that the Renault R 2087 N van, stored since December 2021 in the premises of the CNTS, finally arrived on the “les Amis de La Martinerie” premises this Monday, November 14, 2022 for a total renovation.

Kids from the Fernand Maillaud primary school in Etrechet visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
As part of the preparation for the commemoration of November 11, the students of two classes from the Etrechet primary school came to visit the premises of “les Amis de La Martinerie” on Tuesday afternoon, November 8.

Thursday, November 3: Operation “Insulation” at La Martinerie
The renovation of Building 001 continues. This Thursday, November 3, a team of volunteers was on the site of “la maison de la mémoire militaire” to evacuate the old glass wool insulation from the ceilings and to replace, part of it, by a better one.

Gendarmerie cadets in training at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
It is as part of the 2nd phase of the Universal National Service (SNU) that “les Amis de La Martinerie” welcomed, on Friday October 28, 2022, the first class of cadets from the Indre gendarmerie.

Legionnaires visiting “La Martinerie”
The music of the Foreign Legion concert scheduled in Châteauroux on Sunday October 16 was an opportunity to combine this event with another, more important for a legionnaire: the presentation of the white kepi to the latest recruits.

Organization of an exhibition: a successful test
Remember, a few months ago Thierry Hourquet, President of a club of model makers in Indre, “Workshop M.F.G.”, and Thierry Celor, donated to “les Amis de La Martinerie” a collection of models that had belonged to Bernard Massicot.

An Argentinian at “La Martinerie”. Visits of “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” are becoming international
After many visits from Americans and Germans, “les Amis de La Martinerie” have recently welcomed an Argentinian visiting France, accompanied by his French friend.

Monday, September 26, visit of the ANSORAAE editorial board
It was during a visit to their printer, COLOR 36, that the editorial board of the journal of the “Association Nationale des Sous-Officiers de Réserve de l’Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace” (National Association of the Non-Commissioned Officers of the Air and Space Forces) decided to organize its editorial committee at “les Amis de La Martinerie”, to proof read their issue #171 and prepare their issue #172.

A delegation from Gütersloh visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Saturday, September 24, 2022 afternoon, our president welcomed Mrs. Maria UNGER, former mayor, and the delegation of Gütersloh, a town twinned with Châteauroux Métropole.

“Les Journées du Patrimoine” (Heritage Days): record attendance at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
A total of 81 people was welcomed for the visits and about fifteen of them attended Didier Dubant's conference on "Châteauroux Air Base and the Cold War". Overall, a good surprise and a great satisfaction for the members of “les Amis de La Martinerie” organizing team.

A successful 2022 association forum
On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September, “les Amis de La Martinerie” responded to Châteauroux-Métropole's invitation and participated to the association forum.

EKIDEN volunteers from Châteauroux at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Wishing to remobilize his volunteers, Patrice SOUDY, president of the EKIDEN of Châteauroux, used “les Amis de La Martinerie” premises to host his back-to-school meeting.

A successful fête champêtre
Based on the agreement with Pierre-Antoine DENIS, new president of the UNC committee of Châteauroux-Déols, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” met again at the pond of Corlay for their traditional fête champêtre.

A new showcase at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Eager to present as many objects as possible to the visitors of “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”, Bruno Duteil has decided to provide “les Amis de La Martinerie” with a new showcase of WW1 artefacts.

Temporary end of our Saturday visits
The opening period for the visit of “La maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”, on Saturdays, in July and August, has just ended and we are back to our regular schedule.
A good result with this Saturday, 4 groups of visitors.

“Empty your basement” day at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Wednesday, August 17, forced to find free space to store some of the donations before the exhibition, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” decided to restore one of the basements located under the association building and to, more specifically, remove (or cut out) all the elements of the old boiler room.

Safety training at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
At our request, and due to a large number of visitors, Châteauroux Métropole has agreed to set up a defibrillator, (Manufactured for both children and adults) within “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”.

Thanks to Jackie Bobigeat’s family
Member of our association and recurring donor for a very long time, Jackie Bobigeat passed away earlier this week.
Aware of the ties that bound him to our association, his family decided to offer us all the objects of military origin that he owned (see photos of some of the objects offered to the association).

Roofers in action
Remember, at the end of May 2022, a hailstorm damaged the roof of the “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire" on the "La Martinerie” site.

Cookout at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
On Saturday, July 2, as planned, and despite about fifteen defections due to COVID, the “les Amis de La Martinerie” cookout brought together, at La Martinerie, some 60 people.

Open on Saturdays in July and August at “Les amis de La Martinerie”
If you are available this summer, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” will welcome you in July and August, not only on Wednesdays, but also on Saturdays from 9AM to 12PM and from 2PM to 5PM, with guided tours starting at 9:30AM and 2:30PM. (Registration required: 06.72.69.30.40)
The flag bearers of the Indre department visiting La Martinerie
At the request of Didier THIERY, their president, the flag bearers of the Indre department came to visit “Les Amis de La Martinerie” premises, on Thursday June 30, 2022.
Welcomed by Dominique and Philippe, and after a joint presentation, they split into two groups.
