2023 Calendar
- 25000 visitors
- 1stJuly : first day of the battle
- 6ceremonies
The ceremonies
in the Somme
Over twenty different nations fought in the Somme during the five years of war. One hundred years later, we remember these men at many international ceremonies held throughout the year.
From the ANZAC Day ceremonies held on and around the 25th April at the Australian National Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux and the New Zealand memorials in Longueval, to the services of remembrance held at the local war memorials of every village of the Somme on 11th November, visitors are encouraged to join the local residents and help keep the memory alive.
Remembrance is Everyday.
Lest we forget
©ADRT80-Céline François
©Philippe Sergeant
©New Zealand Embassy
©DR
©ADRT80ANZAC DAY
April 25
ANZAC, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, was formed during the First World War. These troops saw their baptism of fire in Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. They were then sent to the Western Front from 1916 where they fought with extreme courage and determination, especially in Villers-Bretonneux, when they helped stop the German Spring Offensive on 25 April 1918, three years to the day after Gallipoli.
Each year on the 25 April, Australians and New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day in remembrance of their servicemen and women who have served in various wars and peace keeping missions.
A poignant Anzac Day Service is held every year at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. This year in 2022, the ceremony will be held at 5.30am. Along with the Anzac Day Service, a week of festivities will take place in Villers-Bretonneux : sportive events, concerts, walks of remembrance...
Others ceremonies in the Somme
April 5 : Qingming Ceremony at the Noyelles-sur-Mer Chinese Cemetery.
April 26 : ANZAC Day Ceremony at the New Zealand Memorial, Longueval.
The Battle of the Somme was New Zealand’s first major engagement on the Western Front.
July 1 : Ceremonies of the Battle of the Somme (La Boisselle, Contalmaison, Thiepval, Beaumont-Hamel, Fricourt)
July 5 : Ceremony at the South African Memorial, Longueval.
Delville Wood is well known in South African military history; it represents the national symbol for bravery and sacrifice as it was here that the 1st South African Infantry Brigade accomplished one of the finest feats of arms of the First World War in July 1916.
November 11 : Ceremonies of the WW1 Armistice
©Philippe Sergeant
©Peter Edwards
©Nicolas Bryant
Battle of the Somme commemorative ceremonies and events
The 1st July marks the beginning of the Battle of the Somme, one of the deadliest battles of the First World War. It is now a poignant date for commemoration in the Somme.
Every year, thousands of visitors gather here in remembrance of the men who fought and died during the battle of 1916. Come and be a part of this memorable day charged with emotion.
30th June
- 6.30pm: Bus-les-Artois war memorial and English memorials.
- 7.40pm to 8.00pm: The bagpipes of the Leaning Madonna at the Place d'Armes in Albert.
1st July
- 7.10 am : Sunken Lane, Beaumont-Hamel
- 7.28 am : Lochnagar Crater, La Boisselle
- 9 am : Contalmaison
- 10. 30 am : Thiepval Memorial to the Missing
- 2.30 pm : Ulster Tower
- 4 pm : Newfoundland Park Memorial, Beaumont-Hamel
- 5 pm : German Cemetery, Fricourt
- 6.30 pm : Albert parade (Place Emile Leturcq)
- 7.40pm to 8.00pm: The bagpipes of the Leaning Madonna at the Place d'Armes in Albert
2nd july
- 7.40pm to 8.00pm: The bagpipes of the Leaning Madonna at the Place d'Armes in Albert.
8th July
- 10am: Longueval South African Memorial.
- 10.30am: Le Hamel Memorial with bagpipes march.
21, 22, 23 July
- 9.30pm: Sound and light show "Pozières, in shadow and light" (access via rue de l'Eglise, 80300 Pozières)
© nos coeurs voyageursEuropean Heritage Days 2023
The 40th European Heritage Days will be held on 16 and 17 September 2023, on the themes of "Living Heritage" and "Sports Heritage". Take advantage of these days to discover the heritage of the Samar region!
- Franco-Australian Museum
Saturday 16 September and Sunday 17 September from 10am to 5pm.
Smartphone guided tour / typed cards on 11 museum objects.
- Sir John Monash Centre
Saturday 16 September at 11am / Sunday 17 September at 3pm
Guided tours must be booked in advance - meeting point in the visitors' car park.
Sunday 17 September at 11.30am.
Concert by the Orchestre de Cuivres d'Amiens in the courtyard of the Sir John Monash Centre.
- Val de Somme Tourist Office
Sunday 17 September - 9am and 10.15am (booking recommended)
Guided tour of the Australian National Memorial: The Battle of Villers-Bretonneux ended on 26 April 1918. The victory of the Australian troops led by General Sir John Monash halted the German advance and prevented the capture of Amiens. The memorial commemorates the sacrifice of the Australian Imperial Force. With a guide, discover the story of these men whose sacrifice changed the course of the war.
- Haute Somme Tourist Office
Friday 15th September
Launch of Heritage Days at Proyart: public opening of the museum on the Battle of Proyart (August 1914).
Saturday 16th September
Tasting of local products at the Tourist Office.
Pays du Coquelicot Tourist Office
Saturday 16 September (registration required)
Gastronomic heritage rally (Discover the local and regional culinary heritage)
- Thiepval Memorial
Saturday 16th September - 10.30am
Engraving and stonemasonry workshops: demonstration by engravers and stonemasons from the CWGC and introduction to the technique.
Horticulture workshop: discover horticulture with CWGC gardeners.
Sustainable development workshop: cleaning the headstones and creating insect hotels for younger visitors.
Guided tours of the Thiepval Memorial.
- Le Ptit train de la Haute Somme
Sunday 17 September from 10am to 6.30pm
Visit the workshops. The Weidknecht steam locomotive, on loan from the Musée Malartre, has just been restored and will be previewed before it returns to the museum.
- Historial of the Great War
Saturday 16 September from 9pm to 11pm
Video Mapping Festival): 4 new mappings on the Historial castle and inside the museum.
Sunday 17th September
Les P'tites valises de l'Historial (Péronne): Dive into the captivating world of playful learning with these suitcases combining play and education. Discover our collections through a variety of themes, including animals in war, daily life, food and the medieval period, all while having fun!
- Chapel of the Souvenir Français
Saturday 16 September and Sunday 17 September at 11.30am and 3pm
Guided tour on the theme of sport and the traditions of military service during the Great War.
- Biaches French Necropolis
Saturday 16 September from 2pm to 3.30pm (pah@coeurdeshautsdefrance.fr / 03.64.76.11.03)
The game of long-palm is an integral part of Picardy's identity. A living heritage, it has adapted over the years. During the Great War, players were sent to the front. The game was not far from the fighting. Then, at the time of Reconstruction, many villages developed a playing field. This became a typical feature of Reconstruction in the communes.
- The Underground City of Naours
Saturday 16 September and Sunday 17 September
First World War activities (military camp) by the Digger Cote 160 association: find out what life was like behind the front line and what food was eaten in wartime.
- Vignacourt 14-18
Saturday 16th September - 3pm
Concert with musicians Anne Pannet and Christophe Pecqueur (flute, guitar, accordion, vocals). Presentation of the association Le Monde d'Antoinette, which will be providing cultural activities at the Vignacourt 14-18 centre from now on.
Sunday 17 September - 12 noon
Barbecue and refreshments available on reservation, plus a concert by Trio Celtic and Co in the afternoon.
- Doullens Citadel
Saturday 16 September and Sunday 17 September
Themed guided tours, hire of audio walks, major collection of archives relating to the Citadel.
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