Northern France _ Beaumont-Hamel _ Trenches © CRTC Hauts-de-France _ Guillaume Crochez

Relive the Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme in 1916 was one of the bloodiest in World War I. Emblematic of British and Commonwealth engagement on the western front, its main objective for the Allies was to take control of the higher ground held by the Germans in order to make a significant breakthrough.

©Bataille de la Somme le 1er juillet 1916. POZIERES. Site de commemoration australien.|Hauts-de-France Tourisme - Frederik Astier

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The Somme: a war zone

It all started on 1st July 1916. The offensive was launched and the British soldiers left their trenches to cross the no-man’s land in a slow, methodical manner in order to attack the German positions. But from Day 1, the British soldiers were forcefully countered by the Germans. The attack was strong overall but there was little progress and great loss of life on both sides.

Museums that teach visitors of all ages about the war

Located in an underground tunnel stretching more than 200m, the Musée Somme 1916 offers an immersive and moving experience plunging you into the world of the trenches with their horrific living conditions. The only museum dedicated in its entirety to this battle, it demonstrates to both children and adults the reality of soldiers’ daily lives via personal objects and historic equipment and weapons.

The Historial de la Grande Guerre de Thiepval is equally affecting. This is another don’t-miss for those who want to understand the First World War and especially the Battle of the Somme. The fresco by designer Joe Sacco and the replica of the Nieuport plane flown by Guynemer add to the compelling atmosphere for younger visitors.

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Complete your Battle of the Somme immersion with a visit to the Historial de Péronne, an iconic cultural site that tells the story of World War I from a cultural, social and military point of view. At the heart of the Somme battlefields, it’s centred on human beings, including soldiers, of whatever nationality, because everyone suffered from the violence of this world conflict. When you leave, enjoy the museum’s calm green setting on the Etang du Cam, a small lake.

More about the Historial de Péronne

Remembering the soldiers

From the very first evening, this large-scale battle was a disaster for the Allies, with heavy losses for the British, making this day one of the nation’s worst-ever for human losses – the British Army lost 19,240 men, including 1,000 officers.

The Somme, devastated by many battles, is full of places where young and old can gather to honour the memory of those who lost their lives.

Among them, the Franco-British memorial at Thiepval, South African memorial in Longueval and Chapelle du Souvenir Français at Rancourt offer some of the most immersive remembrance experiences – part of our duty to remember the men from this conflict.

Exploring the Somme, a land of memory dotted by symbolic poppies, will help you understand the last phases of this battle. The Circuit du Souvenir links the memorials and remnants of the battle in honour of the men who came here from all around the world.