Thiepval

Visitor centre

Thiepval was one of the main theatres of the Battle of the Somme, where some 1,300,000 persons lost their lives. The Thiepval Memorial was inaugurated in 1932 to commemorate the loss of more than 73,000 Commonwealth soldiers who died without graves. Today it is the most important British war memorial in the world, with over 160,000 visitors each year.

On 24 September 2004, the Historial de la Grande Guerre, the Somme County Council 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 Great War, it houses a permanent trilingual exhibition of texts, photos and videos as well as a bookshop.

Admission free, exhibition, shop
Rue de l’Ancre - 80300 Thiepval
Phone. +33 3 22 74 60 47
Fax. +33 3 22 74 65 44
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Opening times: 10 a.m / 17 p.m
Fermeture annuelle de 15 jours autour de Noël et le Jour de l’an



The Memorial

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.

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”.

Somme Battlefields'Partner

The Historial of the Great War contributes to the development of the east of the Somme for federate the local participants on the theme of the Great War with the label “Somme Battlefield'Partner”.