thiepval memorial

Amazing memorial with very interesting and well-equipped visitor centre. A definite must for anyone visiting The Somme area.

We had researched the Somme area and had Thiepval on our list of places to visit but nothing could have prepared us for such an incredible memorial to the Missing of the Somme memorial. 72,000 missing French and British soldiers names are inscribed on the pillars of this beautiful monument with views out to the front lines. This is an incredibly moving and essential part of any visit to the Somme region.

This is an impressive memorial that should not be missed on your battlefields trip in 'The Somme'. To walk around here is an emotional and very humbling experience.

Our trip was to find out more about a family member lost in World War 1, he has no known grave and is on this memorial. The two girls in the visitor centre were fantastic, they helped fill in some missing infirmation. A very moving place.

There is a small car park leading to a small shop and interesting, interactive exhibition. It is a very short walk to the actual memorial, but I suggest a hooded jacket (even in the summer when we last visited) because the wind can be bitter and relentless. Gazing upon the thousands of names of those soldiers who have no marked grave is harrowing, but a must see in order to pay respect to the fallen.From here it is only a short drive to Albert for the Somme museum.

A very sobering memorial to the lost Commonwealth soldiers of The Somme. The shop is excellent. My only negative is no where to buy coffee other than vending machines!! However a very short distance North West is the Ulster Tower Memorial and they have an excellent Tea Shop.

A huge memorial physically and emotionally. Lutyens' monument to The Missing of The Somme is one of the most recognisable of all the great memorials. Lots of information available and always immaculate.

Absolutely awesome. Lots of information on display and very moving footage shown in the entrance here. Monument was immaculately kept and a wonderful tribute to the men remembered here.

Thought provoking. Visited on Remembrance Sunday to pay respects to those who gave their lives so we could live ours.We will remember them.

We had expected more from this site. The memorial is large and heavy . The setting is attractive. The bookshop is interesting. But this was one of the less effective World War I memorials that we visited.

To perceive and have to rate Thiepval as an attraction is rather unfortunate. This is a moving emotional memorial on a grand scale to the tens of thousands of British, French and allied WW1 soldiers who are missing. Sited on relatively high ground and right in the elements it overlooks the battlefields where British forces suffered their worst losses in history. Reading some of the names only emphasises the scale and pointlessness of it all.From a practical viewpoint the parking and visitor centre all work smoothly and don't impose on the site. From there the memorial is a short walk up the hill. There is a small gift shop and vending machines.We spent half a day in the area on a trip north and took in two other memorials that gave a complimentary contrast. The nearby Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial is a preserved battlefied while the Delville Woods War Memorial (further south) tells and remembers South Africa's tragic tales.

In understanding the sacrifices of WW1 and to pay homage to those young men, The Thiepval Memorial in my opinion is a must visit. The memorial has a plenty of free parking and the site is accessed through a modern free museum which includes a shop and toilets. A short walk takes you to the memorial, which size undoubtedly reflects the loss of life. In front of the memorial is a cemetery which is divided between British and French dead. Of course visitors can take what they wish away from a visit, but it is worth spending time reading some of the names and walking through the graves reflecting on the losses for our freedom.

I read about this memorial to the 72,195 'missing' from the battles around the Somme during WW1 and decided to work a visit into a short break to Paris. Driving from Paris back to Calais up the A26 this memorial was quite hard to find as it was not showing in our Sat-Nav and it was not signposted until you were on top of it. By which time you could see it as it is a huge towering memorial that can be seen for miles around once you are in the right area. So do make sure you have a map / directions for the visit.On arrival there is a nicely appointed visitors centre / museum shop which is well worth a look around. The memorial is made from red brick from Lille and has 16 pillars faced with 64 stone panels. 48 of these panels are inscribed with the names of the missing servicemen who fell during the Somme but have no known grave. Also included on this memorial are sixteen stone laurel wreaths, inscribed with the names of sub-battles that made up the Battle of the Somme in which the men commemorated at Thiepval fell.A moving and thought provoking place well worth a visit and more importantly well worth a few moments thought for the brave young men that died for their monarch and country on the fields around this impressive memorial.

you cant visit the Somme and not go here. You just can't. nice walk around the memorial, lovely kept grounds but so noisy with kids groups and lawnmowers. informative museum of itself, well stocked gift shop. nice toilets!

The Thiepval Memorial to the Missing is a place that you must visit during any tour of the WWI battlefields. It is an enormous arch visible from miles around. The 72,195 names listed for those missing during the Somme offensives show the enormity of the losses to the British and Empire side. This is countered by equally large losses from the German side that have no equivalent memorial.Pause and spend time here to reflect on what their sacrifice means to us today.