Canadian National Vimy Memorial Park

Canadian National Vimy Memorial Park occupies a ridge just north of the village of Neuville-Saint-Vaast, a few kilometres from Arras in northern France. It is one of Europe's most significant First World War memorial sites, commemorating the Battle of Vimy Ridge fought between 9 and 12 April 1917.

Why does this site matter so much to Canada?

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together as a single formation. Canadian troops captured the strategically vital ridge, helping to advance the broader Battle of Arras. The victory became a defining moment in Canadian national identity, though it came at a heavy cost within the more than 60,000 Canadian lives lost across the entire war.

Neuville-Saint-Vaast itself had been under German occupation since 1914 and was only retaken by the French army in street-by-street fighting between May and June 1915. The front line ran through the area until 9 April 1917, when Canadian soldiers advanced from the village to launch their assault on the ridge.

What can visitors see in the park today?

The site's centrepiece is a monumental memorial designed by Canadian architect Walter Seymour Allward. It took eleven years to build and was unveiled by King Edward VIII in 1936. The structure contains 15,000 tonnes of concrete and steel faced with 6,000 tonnes of pale stone brought from Croatia, its two towering pylons representing the sacrifice of Canada and France.

Around the monument, roughly 100 hectares of the former battlefield have been preserved. The ground is still marked by numerous depressions and craters left by relentless shelling and mine explosions during the war — now grassed over or wooded, but still clearly visible across the landscape.

Ahead of the battle, Allied tunnellers dug thirteen tunnels through the chalky subsoil, used as shelter for troops, ammunition storage, and routes for communication and transport. The Grange tunnel system, which forms the basis of today's visitor route, once housed dressing stations, command posts, water pipes, electric lighting, and a narrow-gauge railway. Restored trenches and sections of tunnel can be explored on guided tours lasting around 30 minutes, offered free of charge, though visitor numbers are limited during the peak season from April to October to protect the fragile tunnel structures.

A museum on site is dedicated to the history of the battle and the experiences of the soldiers who fought there.

Are there any burial grounds nearby?

Yes. Canadian Cemetery No. 2 lies adjacent to the park, established by the Canadian Corps shortly after the ridge was captured in April 1917. Close to 3,000 First World War casualties are buried there — some who fell during the battle itself, and others whose remains were later brought in from the surrounding battlefields.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the park free? Yes, access to the memorial grounds and guided tours of the tunnels and trenches are free of charge, though booking ahead is recommended during the summer season.

How far is it from Arras? The park sits just a few kilometres north of Arras, next to the village of Neuville-Saint-Vaast.

Is the site open all year? Yes, the park and monument are open year-round, though tunnel tours are subject to seasonal capacity limits.