EN

Museums, interpretation centres and must-see sites

VISIT OUR REMEMBRANCE SITES AND TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD IN 1 DAY ! EMOTION IS PALPABLE AND COMTEMPLATION SINCERE, FACED WITH THE SACRIFICE MADE FOR OUR FREEDOM.

In 1916, the department of the Somme became a global focal point, the meeting place for some twenty different nationalities who came together to fight or work for the three empires (France, Germany and Great Britain).

For the United Kingdom and its former empire: South Africa / Australia / Canada / Newfoundland / New Zealand / India / Burma / Pakistan / Barbados / Rhodesia / Republic of Ireland, as well as - independently - Russia / Belgium / Italy / United States / China and Egypt.

For France and its former empire: Burkina-Faso / Ivory Coast / Guinea / Mali / Niger / Senegal / Vietnam / Madagascar / Algeria / Tunisia and Morocco.

20 000 dead July 1st, 1916
25Nationalities
410Military cemeteries in the Somme
50 tonnesof vestiges found every year, and for the next 700 years...

Visitors are captivated by the museums’ accounts of the conflict, and moved by the monuments that stand as permanent witnesses to this sometimes ill-known part of history. From a walk through the Newfoundland park at Beaumont Hamel, where the trenches are still visible at the foot of the great Caribou, and where you’ll be greeted by Canadian young people... To the famous Lochnagar Crater (100 m wide mine crater), one of the vestiges of the terrible 1st July 1916 battle, in which the British suffered their heaviest losses in their military history.

From the pillars of the great arch of the Thiepval Memorial, the largest war memorial in the Commonwealth, on which are engraved the names of 72,205 soldiers whose bodies were never found and who forever lie in the Somme earth… To the “little” red dragon in the village of Mametz: it’s quite difficult to find, but incredibly moving… Did you know that the members of the Welsh national rugby team never miss an opportunity to come here and reflect?

Mémorial Suf-Africain de LonguevalMémorial Suf-Africain - Ronan Le Bideau

From the South African Memorial and Museum in Delville Wood, symbolic of national courage and the sacrifice made, when on 15th July 1916, the outnumbered South Africans, practically decimated and attacked on three sides, managed to hold part of the wood… To the “modest” Ulster Tower, replica of a tower on the Clandeboye Estate in Northern Ireland.

Last but not least, the 28,000 m² Rancourt necropolis and chapel of remembrance, final resting place of 8,566 French soldiers. This list is far from complete, and each place of remembrance deserves a visit.

 

“Whatever the visitor’s origin, religion or age... these places command admiration, instil respect and provide solace coupled with an indescribable feeling of eternity! It would be no surprise if you were moved to tears..."

As we said, a visit to the Somme is like a world tour, all thanks to our history!

The museums welcome you for a closer look

The Poppy's

Starting at 305
@Raphaelle Wavrant

Hôtel-Restaurant Ibis Albert

Located in the heart of the Poppy Country in the Somme and close to the airport Albert - Picar...

©AS Flament

La Basilique

Hotel-restaurant located in the center of the city, in front of the Basilica, a city located in the heart of the...

Hôtel-Restaurant de la Paix

Establishment with a warm welcome in a completely renovated setting. Traditional cuisine of high quality.

L'Albertine

Starting at 250

Cottage de l'Ancre

Starting at 490

Gîte de Beaucourt-sur-Ancre

Les coquelicots

Starting at 235

Les paquerettes

Starting at 225

Amicale des Avions Anciens d'Albert

An incredible collection of old planes to visit!

Editoriale