While the trench warfare lasted the headquarters, supply-depôts and hospitals for the Argonne front were centred in St. Menehould, and for four years it was entirely given over to military activities. Frequently bombarded, the first shells were fired at the station at 4.30 a.m. on April 26, 1915, when some houses were struck and two civilians killed. On July 20 of the same year another bombardment was directed by aeroplanes. At 1.30 a.m. on August 28, an aeroplane dropped a few bombs. On September 14, a heavy bombardment set fire to the evacuation hospital, killing two civilians, one of whom, M. Bocquillon, the Deputy Mayor (acting for the Mayor, who was ill), was struck on his way to the Hôtel-de-Ville. During 1918 the town was frequently bombed by enemy aeroplanes. A VISIT TO THE TOWN _On arriving by the Avenue Victor Hugo, after crossing the bridge over the Aisne_, the Gendarmerie, _at No. 8 on the right_, should be noticed. It is the old post-house where Louis XVI. was recognised during his flight in 1791. Over a door which opens into the Rue de la Porte-des-Bois, the word “Poste” carved in the stone may still be seen. The royal carriage stopped near this post-house in broad daylight, arousing the curiosity of the bystanders by its imposing appearance and by the respect paid to the traveller and his family by the members of his suite. The postmaster, Drouet, thought he recognised Louis XVI., whom he had seen at Versailles, and he was confirmed in his belief by an _assignat_ (paper money) with the king’s head stamped upon it, which had just been given him. After the departure of the carriage, Drouet followed it to Varennes, where he caught it up and had the royal family arrested. [Illustration: SAINTE-MENEHOULD HÔTEL-DE-VILLE] _The Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville is next reached with the_ Hôtel-de-Ville, an 18th century building, _on the right_ (_photo above_). _Cross the “Place,” keeping to the left, via the Rue Chanzy, which is the main street. On the right, at No. 33, is the_ Hôtel-de-Metz, an old inn on the road from Metz to Paris, formerly well known, the original kitchen of which has preserved its ample dimensions and innumerable copper utensils. _The Rue Chanzy ends on the bank of the Aisne at the Place d’Austerlitz. At the sharp turning on the left, before crossing this “place,” take the Rue de la Côte-du-Château, then the Rue des Ormes, which leads to_ the church.[2] [2] The church is reached by a flight of steps; the entrance is close to No. 72, Rue Chanzy.