Ring of Remembrance and Somme Battlefields Memorials

Start your road trip with a monumental WWI site: the Ring of Remembrance. Erected in 2015, this international memorial has been engraved with the names of the exact 579.606 soldiers who died in Nord-Pas-de-Calais between 1914 and 1918. They are listed in alphabetical order, without reference to nationality, rank or religion. This spectacular ring has a radius of more than 345 metres.

Notre-Dame-de-Lorette is the largest necropolis in France, where 42.000 soldiers fallen on the Artois and Flanders front, rest in peace. At the centre, rise the lantern-tower and the basilica. You will encounter there the guards of honour who take care of the location. Don't hesitate to question them about the history of the necropolis. Every sunday at 11:45, they rekindle the eternal flame.

Located in a distinguished building made of black concrete and glass, the Lens' 14-18 Museum provides an introduction to understand World War I on the French Front. More than 300 extraordinary photos show daily life of the soldiers in the trenches. You can enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding old battlefields.

Ideally located in front of the Lens' 14-18 Museum, this restaurant is an excellent venue and the perfect place to have lunch. The food is fresh and delicious and the prices are reasonable regarding quality.

The Vimy Memorial Park is one of the best places to see conserved trenches in the North of France. After the war, the French wanted to erase all signs of battle and return to agricultural use on these devastated landscapes. But the Canadians, who where donated this piece of land to build a memorial, made their best efforts to keep this battlefield untouched. Nowadays, it is a poignant place to face the hell of WWI.
A very impressive memorial is built on the site. It bears the names of 11.285 Canadians who died in France with no burial place. The main statue represents a woman grieving for the deads.

Like Vimy, this memorial bears witness of the Western Front in the state it was at the end of the war. Numbers of craters are still visible, as well as barbed-wire barriers. You can walk along the zigzag trenches which were full of mud in winter times.
If it's a rainy day (or the previous day), don't forget proper waterproof shoes. Rain boots will suit you well!
At the entrance, a bronze caribou statue honours the soldiers of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who lost their lives during the war.

Erected at the top of a hill, the impressive 45 metres-high Thiepval Memorial can be seen from far away. Dedicated to the "Missing of the Somme", it bears the names of more than 72.000 British and South African whose bodies were never recovered or identified.
At the foot of the Memorial, there is a French and Commonwealth cemetery, which expresses Franco-British fraternity in matters of death and life. The exhibition centre nearby displays information about the Somme Battle.

This enormous crater, 100 metres large and 30 metres deep, was done by an explosion on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the 1st of July 1916. It was created by British forces in the purpose to disrupt the German front lines.
Take the time to walk all around the crater and read the story boards. You will learn about personal stories of soldiers who died here. Nowadays it's such a peaceful place in the middle of agricultural fields. There is also a memorial dedicated to the women, most of them nurses, who lost their lives during the war.
Free access all year.

You have arrived at the small town of Albert. Located near the front line, it has been almost completely destroyed and then rebuilt after the war. Wandering in the centre, you will enjoy typical Art Déco façades.
The landmark of Albert is the spectacular Notre-Dame de Brebières basilica. Its neo-Byzantine architecture is unique in the area. The interior decor is full of colours, with mosaics and Art Déco statues. Don't miss the Golden Madonna at the top of the bell tower.

Right in front of the basilica, with a nice terrace, it is the best place in Albert to have dinner. It offers both traditional and modern cuisine, with good service.

After this long and poignant day, it is time to rest in this family style hotel right across the square from the basilica.