SAL ILHAN

Quick Takeaways 🇫🇷 Large and impressive monument to the French armed forces 🏞️ Vast scale, set in a scenic landscape with beautiful vistas 👨‍✈️ Presence of retired service personnel highlighted the site’s ongoing importance 🛠️ Less well maintained than many non-French memorials, especially on the periphery ☕ Onsite café/restaurant and museum (cash only) — unusual for a memorial site 😕 Impressive in scale and architecture, but maintenance issues made it feel a little disappointing Full Review This is a large and impressive monument dedicated to those who served in the French armed forces. Its scale is vast and, as with many Great War monuments, it is set within a landscape of striking natural beauty. When I visited around midday, the site was not busy, though there were retired service personnel present. I am not sure if this occurs daily, but their presence reinforced for me the continuing importance of the site to the French people. That said, the memorial felt a little more earthy, even grubby, and not as well maintained when compared with other, non-French, memorials. There is an onsite café/restaurant and a museum — though unusually, the museum does not accept card payments, which makes it stand out compared to most other memorial sites. Overall, I was impressed by the sheer scale and architecture of the monument, but the slightly run-down condition, particularly around the peripheries, left me a little disappointed.

I visited this cemetery during mid November on a class trip. It was truly a stark reminder of the number of casualties that occurred during the war. Over 40,000 people are buried here. Each individual cross is etched with a symbol of recognition for their work. All the crosses are laid neatly in rows. It is truly a constant reminder of the constant suffering soldiers had to experience fighting in the war. This church , which is located in the cemetery, has been kept well and is in good condition. In a point of view, the neatness of the crosses symbolises the sense of unity experienced amongst the soldiers. This cemetery is slightly out of the way. However, it is definitely worth visiting as you can take a few moments to appreciate the efforts made by the soldiers who fought in the war. I would definitely visit this cemetery again if I had the chance.

At first this seemed like another of the many cemeteries in the area. But the oval memorial wall is very unique and an incredible reminder of just how many soldiers sacrificed their lives over 100 years ago during WW1.

An exceptional experience 🐻🌟 So moving and touching 🥺 but still with a great honor and full of hope for the future 🥹 It’s unbelievable how many brave soldiers lying there… 🪖🪦 the rows of cross and names never end ✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️ It was also a nice sight to see all the volunteers around, with a smile and open for questions ✨ With this monument, I really think they have succeeded to give all the lost ones a honorable rest. Everyone involved have my deepest respect 🐻🙏 There’s also a museum and restaurant onsite 🏛️🍽️ I never visited it though, cause most of the information were in French 🇫🇷🙈 Thank you for this! 🙏🙂

After visiting a number of other war monuments on the same trip, this one stands out as an incredible reminder of the sacrifices made during WW1. Spent the night here in our motorhome and despite an incredible storm, there was a real sense of peace and calm that I cannot explain.

The Ablain Saint Nazaire French military cemetery at Notre Dame de Lorette is an absolute must for the history buff and casual tourist alike. Located on the Ridge of Mont du Lorette above the village of Ablain Saint Nazaire , a walk of the cemetery and at the centre the Basilica and Lantern Tower is very touching and emotive. Also visit the new Ring memorial where the names of all who fought and died in the Pas de calais and Calais Nord sectors are forever etched on the memorial walls.. I visit every year when going to my great uncles war grave for Remembrance. There is plenty of parking and also a museum and restaurant nearby. Lest we forget ❤️ 🌹

Notre Dame de Lorette is a large, beautiful, and moving French Military Cemetery. The number of graves is immense, and somewhat overwhelming. In the middle of the cemetery is the church of the same name, with beautiful stained class windows. There is also a tomb to the unknown soldier, with coffins inside, as well as a box of ashes from victims of concentration camps, and most major French wars of recent. There is an honour guard that stands watch, so the dead are never alone - over 3000 volunteers take on this task, many of who were present at the front gate, and in the tomb. Across from the cemetery is the ring of names or ring of remembrance - and immense and powerful list of all those who died in WWI, regardless of country, rank, religion, nationality, or which side of the war they were on, as the memorial was constructed in a time of peace. It is beautiful and so incredibly moving. We are so glad that we stopped to spend time time here and pay our respects and remember those who fought so that others may live. Without a doubt, highly recommend.

Ashamed to admit didn’t know this place existed till I visited the 14-18 museum just down the hill. Stunning creation of a ring housing over half a million names of fallen soldiers. Sat on a hill top affording incredible views. Very moving and somber