The Somme tourist board

The Somme Memorial, erected in 1932 by the British government, is dedicated to the 75,085 British and South African soldiers missing in action between July 1915 and March 1918 and who have no known graves. Their names are engraved on the 16 pillars that form the base of the 45-metre high arch. Designed by the architect Sir Edwin Luytens, this memorial to the missing soldiers is the most important British monument in France and remains a veritable pilgrimage site for visitors from across the Channel.

© CDTSomme

The military cemetery is founded upon British commemorative principles: the names are engraved on headstone or memorial; the headstones are uniform and there is no distinction made on account of military or civil rank, or religion. The Cross of Sacrifice set upon an octogonal base bears a bronze sword upon its shaft. The Stone of Remembrance is inscribed with the words from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, “Their Name Liveth for Evermore”.

A ceremony is held here on 1st July each year, to commemorate the opening of the Battle of the Somme.

© CDTSomme

On 24 September 2004, the Museum of the Great War, the Somme County Council, Europe and the Thiepval Project inaugurated the Thiepval Visitor Centre. Intended to inform visitors who wish to learn more about the Battle of the Somme and the world war 1, it houses a permanent trilingual exhibition of texts, photos and videos as well as a bookshop.

The village formed one of the two key positions on the German defensive line in the northern sector of the British front. This veritable natural fortress was protected at it base by the marshes of the River Ancre, and by numerous very deep tunnels. It was known as "the Leipzig salient" and on 1 july 1916 was one of the principal dispaster points of the British offensive on its left wing.The loss that day of 58 000 men of whom 20 000 were killed, was the greatest tragedy in British military history. The Battle of Thiepval began on 1st July 1916 and ended only on 26 September.