Monument et Parc commémoratifs du Canada à Vimy, Givenchy-en-Gohelle

Fascinating memorial and associated visitor centre and trenches commemorating Canada’s sacrifices in the Great War. As is ever the case with these places, beautifully maintained but sombre and evocative. The visitor centre was brief but interesting and the guided tour of the preserved trenches equally brief but fascinating, particularly the tunnels and the proximity of Canadian and German lines. The only improvements to the tour would have been slightly slower movement to allow more time to look and absorb together with slightly fewer generic factoids about the war. Really enjoyable though.

I have long wanted to visit this memorial. It is a somber but awe inspiring structure and every Canadian should you have the opportunity, must visit this site. The area surrounding the site is still scarred from the war, with the massive craters from the explosions that started the assault still evident. The land is still littered with live explosives so is off limits. There is a large free parking lot near the memorial. Toilet facilities are provided too.