The best traffic-free bike rides around Willerval

A remarkable story about the Canadian trenches concerns the preparations for the attack on Vimy Ridge in April 1917. The Canadian divisions used an underground quarry and created additional corridors towards the front. These tunnels and trenches played a crucial role in the success of the attack, with the Canadians managing to retake the strategically important ridge in just three days.

A remarkable story about the Vimy Memorial concerns its unveiling in 1936. More than 50,000 people, including 6,200 Canadians, attended the ceremony. The presence of so many veterans and survivors underscored the profound impact of the war and the enduring bond between Canada and France. The memorial has since become a symbol of Canadian courage and sacrifice.

The Mémorial national du Canada à Vimy is an impressive war memorial, commemorating the members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force who died during the First World War. The memorial, designed by Walter Seymour Allward, was unveiled on 26 July 1936 by King Edward VIII. It commemorates the 11,169 Canadian soldiers who died in France and have no known grave.

A special story about the monument concerns the two colonels, Pein and Cros, who were both killed during the division's actions in May 1915. Their names are inscribed on the monument, along with an inscription commemorating the courage and determination of the soldiers: "Aux morts de la division marocaine, sans peur, sans pitié". This tribute emphasises the heavy losses and heroic efforts of the Moroccan Division during the battle.

The Monument à la Division Marocaine in Givenchy-en-Gohelle commemorates the courage and sacrifice of the Moroccan Division during the First World War. This monument was erected in honour of the breakthrough made by the division during the Battle of Artois on 9 May 1915. The Moroccan Division, led by General Georges Louis Humbert, played a crucial role in breaking through the German lines and capturing strategic terrain.

A remarkable event occurred on April 9, 1917, when Canadian troops launched their famous assault on Vimy Ridge, a pivotal battle that resulted in the capture of strategically important heights. The cemetery commemorates the sacrifices of these and other soldiers who fought in the region.

The Givenchy-en-Gohelle Canadian Cemetery is a military cemetery managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). The cemetery was begun in March 1917 by the Canadian Corps and contains the graves of soldiers who died in the First World War. Givenchy-en-Gohelle was captured by the 2nd Canadian Division on 13 April 1917 and remained in British hands for the rest of the war.

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial (Vimy, Pas-de-Calais department) is a memorial dedicated to those who were missing or killed in World War I in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The monument is located on the site of a well-preserved or partially reconstructed battlefield, including trenches and tunnels. Guided tours are offered in French and English, there are several memorials, a permanent and a temporary exhibition, a museum shop and a marked hiking trail that conveys the history of the site.