French soldier’s room unchanged 96 years after his death in the first world war

Exactly.

Under Napoleon, France had an empire that ruled over most of Europe, exceeding even Germany's later attempt at same. To describe France as a country that surrenders easily is to declare yourself ignorant of history.

France was well prepared for a war with Germany, but what they weren't prepared for was the new tactics Germany had developed. Aircraft and tanks were a revolution in combat, they'd never been used on that scale before. France was the first country to get a lesson in how difficult it can be to defend against a well coordinated assault.

It's worth noting that France's army at the opening of World War II was vastly beyond the capability of America's. It was well trained, well equipped, heavily fortified along the border, and expecting Germany to make a move.

I doubt it's typical or even genuinely untouched. Maybe he was a tidy-freak, or maybe he tidied it specially before going to the war. But it's surely not a typical person's room. That takes away some of the historical interestingness.

Of course but the chance of that room to be changed, destroyed, dismantled etc is quite hight as it relies on owner's good will and luck.

Also, you could visit it !

Like the famous untouched apartment in Paris. Never really understood what it became except they sold painting they found in it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8042...

I visited the Getty Museum this summer and found the displayed rooms of European apartments quite great and interesting, as I was fascinated by the Napoleon III ones at the Louvre.