vimy memorial

DKD94

The entire site of this memorial was beautifully kept and the monument itself is very impressive and well worth the visit. The staff in the visitor's centre were very helpful and were able to answer any questions that we had. Unfortunately, we visited on a busy day and as we were a large group of 14, we were not able to go into the tunnels without prior booking. However, you can explore the vast network of trenches without a tour guide which was enjoyed by all ages in the group.

fromstalbans

The trenches have been reconstructed with concrete sandbags so you get a good idea of layout . You can't step on the surrounding grass so it is all very neat and tidy and the guides were efficient but tight o their time keeping looking continuously at their watches, there did not appear to be any groups after ours. The tunnel network is interesting.- the tunneling companies were apparently all Welsh miners.The memorial is impressive.

OPCanada

Most impressive! The monument stands tall and proud. Must be seen at night as well as the day. The Canadian tour guides did an excellent job. The site, including the surrounding cemetery were well kept. An all around great experience. Je me souviens.

nipo

Hard to understand the amount of Canadian died here, but the impressive monument make it clear that this place suffered a lot in WW1.Go even just to make a tribute to the soliders

UncleBausta

The memorial is situated on top of be hill that is know as Vimy Ridge, an important battle for WW1 and Canadian history. The memorial itself is huge, and very beautiful. It is absolutely a must see for any Canadian in France.

heatherct_2012

As a Canadian, I was proud to visit this monument. The sculpture is pretty impressive and picturesque, up on the top of the ridge. It's really interesting to see the trenches and pockmarked land around it. You can see how the German and Canadian trenches were so close to each other. Inside the visitor's center, there's a short film that gives a good overview of World War I. I was very moved by this. Proud of our Canadian troops.

lea3838

A wonderful opportunity to pay our respects in this beautiful memorial park.....Excellent re-creation of the trenches, the tunnels and the horrors of the battles fought so bravely there.

Killage

It was an amazing experience that all Canadians should experience. It was an $80 CND trip via train (Dec 2014) + $20.00 Euro taxi each way. The train leaves from Gare du Nord and travels to Arras. If you are there in December, you should ask the Taxi driver to drop you at the Christmas markets instead of the train station if the timing allows. It was remarkable and it is only a 10 min walk from the train station. Prepare for crowds at the market though.

MrsDetail

It's hard to express in words the emotions that this memorial stirs; Love, gratitude, commitment, honour, devotion, patriotism, tragedy, loss... Thank you for your sacrifice!

xtrapnel

Just *how* close were the trenches to each other...how deep the earth has been gouged by warfare...how two sides faced each other for nearly 3 years...what a dreadful sacrifice made by young men from around the world...and thank God that you were not one of them.

shanea122

A heart breaking view of Canadian sacrifice. Very moving, emotional experience... We are so isolated back in Canada... every Canadian needs to visit here and Juno Beach and then maybe be able to accurately reflect on what is truly important in life and let the little things go.... WE Canadians should be very thankful that we live in the greatest country in the world. Yes we may have issues as a country but we have the freedom and choice to address them with honour, the moral guidance to do the right thing and apply forethought and vision

qualityvsquantity

Every Canadian should visit. See and realise the sacrifice of the fellow Canadians 100 years ago. They were heroes and they were selfless and brave....

glamborghini

"In Flanders fields the poppies growBetween the crossesRow on row."It is heart-breaking to look out on the acres of crosses, to walk among them, to note the names and extreme youth of most of those buried here. Let us not forget the Moroccan soldiers' cemetery close by. They were the first to take Vimy Ridge but could not hold it. The Canadians did so, now they lie in camaraderie, fallen in WW1, supposedly "the war to end all wars." For a side-trip, do go to nearby Beaumont Hamel, to the smaller cemetery for the soldiers of the First Newfoundland Battallion who died here. Newfoundland was not part of Canada at the time, yet the Regiment sent 760 men, part of the British Expeditionary Force, of whom 684 were killed. The cemetery was established by the Mothers of Newfoundland. Observe everywhere the grassy hillocks that cover unexploded shells. This was war on a massive and brutal scale.

StuartH761

I have visited here many times. The Vimy memorial is simply breathtaking. It does get busy here, but if you can get here early, I would recommend it. There are no entry fees here. The visitor centre is very good, staffed by Canadian University students that volunteer to work here and other Canadian Memorial sites for a few months. They are friendly, approachable and well informed. They seem to be very proud to be working at these sites. The preserved trenches and craters are an interesting addition, but the highlight, other than the memorial is the guided tour of the tunnel system below the site. The tour is guided by the students. Unfortunately, due to the fact the tunnels are underground, the tunnels are not disabled friendly, however the memorial and visitor centre are. All in all I would recommend this as a must see location on the Western Front. The Students, I would like to add are all a credit to their country and the memory of the men who fought and for many, fell here.

SherilynD572

The Vimy Memorial was our first stop on a drive around the Somme. The first thing we noticed were the mounds scattered over the countryside. It really hits you that you are right there where the soldiers were fighting. The memorial itself, with the views over the Somme and the names of the soldiers is incredibly moving. The tours conducted by the Canadian students are brilliant. They show you the trenches and explain in detail how the war was fought. You also get to go underground into the subways to hear about the part they played in the war.A very fitting tribute to all the Canadians who took part on the battle.