Best attractions and places to see around Bazentin, a village in the Somme department of France, is primarily recognized for its profound historical significance related to World War I. The area is characterized by rolling open countryside interspersed with woods, providing a natural backdrop to its historical sites. Visitors are drawn to its battlefields, memorials, and cemeteries, which serve as poignant reminders of the past. The region offers a variety of historical and natural sites for exploration.
Last updated: May 10, 2026
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Officially part of the Historial de la Grande Guerre, the Thiepval Museum is located near the impressive Thiepval Memorial and offers an in-depth look at the Battle of the Somme of 1916. Opened in 2016 to mark the centenary of this bloody battle, the museum comprises seven thematic areas, each highlighting a different aspect of the war. One of the highlights is the 60-metre-long panoramic comic strip by artist Joe Sacco, which vividly depicts the events of 1 July 1916. Visitors will gain insight not only into the military strategies, but also into the human suffering and the culture of remembrance surrounding the missing of the Somme.
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The Cratère de Lochnagar, an impressive war memorial, was created by a huge mine blown up by the British Royal Engineers on 1 July 1916, as part of the Battle of the Somme. The explosion marked the beginning of the battle and left a crater 90 metres in diameter and 25 metres deep. Interestingly, the crater was named after Lochnagar Street, the trench from which the tunnel was dug. The crater is now a preserved site of remembrance and a religious service is held there every year on 1 July in memory of those who died.
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An interesting anecdote is that the monument was inaugurated in 1932 by the Prince of Wales and the French President Albert Lebrun. The monument consists of a series of arches supported by sixteen massive square pillars, on which the names of the missing soldiers are engraved. At the foot of the monument is a Franco-British military cemetery with 600 graves: 300 French and 300 British soldiers.
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The Parc Mémorial de Thiepval is an impressive war memorial that commemorates the 72,337 missing British and South African soldiers who died during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the memorial is considered one of the greatest British monumental works of the twentieth century. The park also includes a visitor centre, opened in 2004, and the Jardins de la Paix, where visitors can reflect and enjoy the serene surroundings. Every year on 1 July, remembrance ceremonies are held to honour the victims of the Battle of the Somme.
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The monument to the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is a Celtic cross symbolically erected on the embankment of a sunken road, at the spot where the men of this regiment rushed to capture the village of Beaumont-Hamel on November 13, 1916, at the end of the Battle of the Somme. First, on July 1, when it was located in no man's land, exactly equidistant from the British and German trenches, and served as a refuge for so many soldiers wounded during the fighting; then, five days before the end of that same battle, when the village of Beaumont-Hamel was finally captured on November 13, by the men of the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who had rushed from that position. The 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Scottish regiment that fought on several fronts. A reading of the inscriptions engraved on the different sides of the base of this monument tells us this. Thus, this cross is dedicated to the glory of the battalion's glorious dead and to the memory of those who will never return. Its combat losses, throughout the war, amounted to 51 officers and 831 men and non-commissioned officers, including 105 wounded officers and 2,527 men and non-commissioned officers. Finally, a Celtic inscription reveals "it is good to have friends on the day of battle." Mobilized from August 4, 1914, to November 12, 1919, a period of five years and 100 days, the regiment fought from May 1, 1915, to November 11, 1918, in Belgium and France. Until 1918, the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders belonged to the 51st Division; In 1915, it fought at Richebourg, Festubert and on Thiepval Ridge, which was to leave a sad memory for the British on 1 July 1916 (this is where the memorial to the missing now stands); in 1916, it fought at the Labyrinth, Vimy Ridge, Fourcaux Wood (High Wood), Beaumont-Hamel (there, therefore) and Courcelette; in 1917, it was Roclincourt, Arras, Roeux, Ypres and Cambrai. In 1918, the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders fought as part of the 61st Division at Saint-Quentin, Holnon Wood, Villéveque, Nesle, Villers-Bretonneux and on the Lys; but also within the 15th division which distinguished itself at Soissons, at Buzancy and in the final advance which would lead to the armistice
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The largest Newfoundland memorial in Europe. 30 hectare site with preserved trenches
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Just off the road to Bapaume, is the site of the grand mine. At 7am on the 1st July 1916 the biggest explosion in history cause this hole o e of several that marked the start of the Battle of the Somme. Well worth a visit.
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Bazentin is primarily recognized for its profound historical significance, particularly its role in the Battle of the Somme during World War I. The area was a key objective during the Battle of Bazentin Ridge in July 1916, with British forces capturing the villages and surrounding woods. Visitors are drawn to its battlefields, memorials, and cemeteries, which serve as poignant reminders of the past.
You can visit several significant WWI sites. The Newfoundland Memorial is a 30-hectare park with preserved trenches and memorials. The Lochnagar Crater is an impressive war memorial created by a massive mine explosion that marked the start of the Battle of the Somme. Additionally, the Thiepval Memorial commemorates missing British and South African soldiers, and the Scottish Divisions Memorial at the Sunken Lane marks a significant battle location.
Yes, Bazentin and its immediate surroundings were central to the Battle of the Somme. The villages of Bazentin-le-Petit and Bazentin-le-Grand, along with their woods, were significant objectives. High Wood (Bois des Fourcaux) was a strategically important objective during the Battle of Bazentin Ridge, and the Bazentin Ridge itself was the location of a major British offensive.
For scenic views, visit the Vaux Viewpoint, which offers an exceptional panorama of ponds, marshes, and meanders overlooking the upper Somme valley. The area's landscape is characterized by rolling open countryside interspersed with woods, such as High Wood, providing a natural backdrop to the historical sites.
The area around Bazentin offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for running, cycling, and gravel biking. For example, there are running trails like the 'Mémorial de Thiepval — loop' and cycling routes such as the 'Froissy Lock – Vaux Viewpoint loop'. You can explore more options on the dedicated guides for running, cycling, and gravel biking around Bazentin.
Yes, there are several cycling routes. For example, you can try the 'Froissy Lock – Vaux Viewpoint loop from Carnoy-Mametz' (52.3 km, difficult) or the 'Thiepval Memorial Park – Lochnagar Crater loop from Carnoy' (56.9 km, difficult). For an easier option, consider the 'Aveluy Wood Cemetery – Somme Trench Museum loop from Albert' (15.9 km, easy). More routes are available in the Cycling around Bazentin guide.
Absolutely. There are several walking and running trails. Popular running routes include the 'Mémorial de Thiepval — loop' (8.4 km, moderate) and the 'Fricourt Salient and Lochnagar Crater Loop' (10.1 km, moderate). For longer distances, there's the 'Somme Trench Museum – Thiepval Memorial loop' (22 km, difficult). Discover more options in the Running Trails around Bazentin guide.
Many of the historical sites, while poignant, are suitable for families interested in history. The Lochnagar Crater and Thiepval Memorial are listed as family-friendly. The preserved trenches at the Newfoundland Memorial can also be an engaging experience for older children.
Visitors particularly appreciate the historical depth and the well-preserved nature of the WWI sites. For instance, the Newfoundland Memorial is praised for its preserved trenches and detailed documentation, offering a precise picture of the events. The Lochnagar Crater is noted for its impressive scale and the annual commemoration ceremonies. The Vaux Viewpoint is loved for its tranquility and beautiful natural panorama.
To fully appreciate the historical sites, it's recommended to dedicate at least a full day, or even two, to the area. Sites like the Newfoundland Memorial and Thiepval Memorial each warrant a few hours, especially if you visit their visitor centers. The Lochnagar Crater can be explored in about an hour. Many visitors combine these with drives through the surrounding battlefields.
Public transport options directly to the smaller villages and specific battlefield sites around Bazentin are generally limited. Most visitors find it easiest to explore the area by car, which allows for flexibility in visiting the various scattered memorials and historical points of interest. Some larger towns in the Somme region may have train stations or bus services, but onward travel to Bazentin often requires a taxi or personal vehicle.
While the major memorials are well-known, exploring the smaller military cemeteries like Bazentin-le-Petit Military Cemetery offers a more intimate and poignant experience. Additionally, simply driving or walking through the rolling countryside and woods, such as High Wood, allows you to connect with the landscape that was central to the WWI battles, often revealing smaller, less-frequented memorials or preserved trench lines.


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