Everywhere pillage preceded destruction. The houses, whose walls (more or less damaged) still remain standing, were completely emptied. The doors, partition-walls, windows and wood-work were taken out and burnt. All the safes, including those of the Banque de France, were broken open. All articles of any value were carried away, and the rest destroyed. In 1917, mattresses ripped open, battered perambulators and cradles, broken furniture, dislocated pianos, even books and family photographs, torn to pieces, were found among the ruins. In the gardens, the fruit-trees were either cut down or hacked at their roots. [Illustration: PÉRONNE IN 1918. THE GRANDE PLACE. CAPTURED GERMAN GUNS.] [Illustration: Passing through Péronne] VISIT TO PÉRONNE. _On reaching the town by N. 37, cross the Faubourg de Bretagne_, the roadway of which was, in places, destroyed by mines. In 1917 this suburb had suffered less than the other parts of the town. Many of the houses could easily have been repaired, had they not sustained in 1918 new and much more important damage. At the end of the suburb stands the Bretagne Gate, built of brick and stone. This interesting specimen of late sixteenth century military architecture--although the vaulting bears the date of 1602--is preceded by another eighteenth century gate, and surrounded by remains of the old fortifications. Although struck by shells several times, and rather severely damaged, its vital structure is still standing _(photos, p. 101)_. _Follow the Avenue Danicourt, which leads to the Rue Saint-Sauveur._ [Illustration: BRETAGNE GATE. EXTERIOR FAÇADE.] The Rue Saint-Sauveur and the Grande Place which prolongs it, formed the centre of the town, and there the finest shops were to be found. This part of the town was the most completely destroyed of all. Some half-burnt, dilapidated house-fronts without roofs are still standing; the other buildings were destroyed by fire or explosions. The adjacent streets are in the same pitiable condition. [Illustration: BRETAGNE GATE. INTERIOR FAÇADE.] The Grande Place and Hôtel-de-Ville The Hôtel-de-Ville, in which the Museum was installed, was built in the sixteenth century, but was restored and enlarged in the eighteenth century. Of its Renaissance west front, facing the Grande Place, only the lower part--in ruins--remains, forming a porch with balcony _(photos, p. 103)_. The carved salamanders which ornamented it were smashed with blows from hammers. Two of the arcades of the porch collapsed in 1918 _(see second photo on p. 103)_. The Louis XVI. south front, facing the Rue Saint-Sauveur, was less damaged _(photo below)_. [Illustration: PÉRONNE. THE HÔTEL-DE-VILLE. _The front facing the Rue Saint-Sauveur._]