Key site to visit on the Remembrance Trail
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100 years ago Northern France was the scene of some of the First World War's more significant battles. 100 years on, visit the areas which played such an important role in shaping the future of Britain and the world.
The Battle of the Somme was Britain's bloodiest battle seeing over 20,000 losses just on the first day, making a visit to the Somme an important part of any pilgrimage.
Key sites to visit include the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme which pays tribute to the 72,195 missing British and South African men who died in the Somme and have no known grave.
The Ring of Remembrance outside Lens is the only international monument created for the Centenary of WW1. On this moving monument, the names of 600,000 soldiers who died in the Nord-pas-de-Calais region are inscribed alphabetically, with no distinction of nationality or religion.
The Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux commemorates 10,774 Australian soldiers lost in France during the war. La Caverne du Dragon (The Dragon’s Lair), a 16th-century stone quarry which became a strategic military location.
The Historial de la Grande Guerre (Museum of the Great War) is a museum housing more than 70,000 everyday civil and military objects from the WW1 period.
The Musée Somme 1916, also opened in 1992, is in a tunnel dating back to the 13th century in Albert, a British Garrison town during WW1.
Discover our selection of Remembrance breaks
Your insider's guide
to Northern France
to Northern France
Whether you’re a history lover, a school or group, or someone trying to find out about a relative who died in World War One, the Somme has sites, events and accommodation suited to your needs.
The Director Christopher Nolan set up his cameras in Dunkirk. Returning to the exact spot, where Operation Dynamo took place to recreate those fateful events of 1940…
A visit to Cambrai, just south of Lille and only 90 minutes from Calais, allows a unique and enriching immersion in the significant use of Mark IV tanks by the Brits. A host of world-class cultural attractions complete a weekend of new insights.
Taking a guided tour over the trenches by light aircraft gives you an interesting perspective on many aspects of a turbulent time in history, including troop deployment and other strategies.
Touring & Tasting
To whet your appetite,
Northern France has so much for couples to do:
- French culture & gastronmy
- Wide sandy beaches
- WW1 Memorials
- Small villages and gardens
- Self-contained accommodation
Ever thought about getting local advice from insiders when you go on holidays? Well, that's exactly what this is all about. We invite you to get information directly from Hauts-de-France locals, knowledgeable visitors, tourism professional and guides, and you can use this information to help you plan your next stay in Northern France.
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Photo credits : Hôtel de l'Univers/Chantal GARCIN, ADRT Somme/baieattitude.com, Somme Tourisme/Garry, CRT Hauts de France / Garry Wasikowski