Welcome to www.a-taste-of-france.com travel section.By continuing to use the site you agree to our cookies policy Privacy-policy
FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!
The ridge is a couple of miles outside of Vimy and is not over done with signs.Luckily you can see the monument on the hill follow the D55 Arras to Lens road. The road takes you up to the top of the ridge. Which is like a large park fenced off grass area and a lot of pine trees.
You can see why large areas are fenced off in the sign
undetornated explosives. The area has hundred of holes from
shells and mortars that landed there. Some of the shell holes would
hold a bus.
Vimy Ridge signs
There is a very good visitor centre run by Canadian students who are very
helpful.They give talks on the battle and you can take a guided tour of one of the tunnels.
The tunnel entrance is in the photo it is about 10 miles long. With a maze of tunnels running off it
The tunnels were built by the British army and are deep enough to keep you safe from the shells.
You can also see the trenches in the other photo
The photo below shows some of the deep craters still very visible 90+ years after the battle
CHRONICLE OF EVENTS
AT VIMY RIDGE AND COURCELLETTE
BY
LIEUT R. LEWIS, M.M.
Zero hour (5.30 a.m., Easter Monday, 1917) had come! The VIMY RIDGE attack was on! Whistles blew and over the top went the Canadians. The artillery started their work.
Hundreds and hundreds of guns commenced drum fire simultaneously. Looking towards the Hun trenches it appeared as if the whole line was afire. It was a grand and impressive sight. The gallant pipers leading the 25th could be seen but it was impossible with the din to hear what they were playing.
Gradually we advanced our ground--nothing but holes filled with mud and water to make the going very difficult. At last we reached the German line which had been taken by the 24th and 26th Battalion. We jumped into what was left of the trench and waited until the set time to move forward.
Looking at the Hun trench one could easily see what good work the gunners were doing. Everything was smashed in; dugouts were gone and many of the enemy with them. Our next objective was the TU ROP GRABEN trench.
By this time the Boche realized that he had no small attack to deal with and his artillery, helped with many machine guns, started, causing us many casualties. Just about this stage of the advance Major Delancy was killed and also R.S.M. Hinchcliffe.
We could see our boys for miles advancing with confidence and determination. The Hun shells and bullets were coming swift but that did not stay the Canadians.
Parties of the enemy were trying to put up a fight but they were soon settled. Major A.O. Blois, though wounded, took command of the Battalion and for this and other good work he was awarded the D.S.O.
Finally we reached our last objective and commenced to consolidate. This trench, like the others, was in an awful condition. We found a large dugout named CRAEMER HOUSE which was a Battalion headquarters. By this time we had lost not only Major Delancy, but Lieuts. Hallesy, Sheriff, Feindel, Barber, as well as other officers wounded, and a good number of men both killed and wounded.
Then came the long hours of waiting. It had rained during the morning and everybody was more or less wet and as the evening drew on it became very cold and by the time the morning came again, the Battalion having no overcoats, or shelter were in a sorry plight, with but little food or water except what the Hun had left behind.
On the evening of the attack Col. S. Bauld came with Lieuts. Lewis and Fisher and Capt. and Q.M. Ingraham, who having heard of the casualties amongst the officers volunteered to come and help out. The following night water was sent up and altho it tasted more like petrol we were glad to get it.
That night we moved back to the rear trench and everyone felt a lot happier when a rumour went around that the Battalion was going to be relieved. After holding the position for less than two days we were sent for two days rest, prior to being relieved, into a larger German tunnel known as FOLKER TUNNEL.
Lieut. Dryden was detailed to take charge of the burial party and the sad work it was, collecting friend and foe from all over the battlefield.
A five minute drive from Vimy Ridge you reach the village of Neuville Saint Vaast.Which has 3 cemeteries
La Targette French war graves over a 11000 soldiers.next to a British with 598.The largest German cemetery in Europe 44000 plus graves is nearby
Maison Maître for Sale in the foothills of the Pyrénées email mike@village1771.com Beautiful historic 18th Century 1771 stone manor Maison Maître, carefully
Renovated country-house in Bordeaux wine-region Really elegant and stylish renovation of a 19th century French country house, situated at the edge of
Continue reading "House for sale Savignac de Duras 47120 Aquitaine"
Bright and calm 2 bedroom apartment of 108 sqm In a luxury building from the end of the 1960’s, with a caretaker. 2 minutes walk from Place Masséna,
Continue reading "Nice - Carré d’or - For sale: Spacious 2 bedroom apartment with terrace"
Lovely family home in Laurabuc, a small village in the south of France 36 km from Carcassone and 67km from Toulouse. Property contains 3 bedrooms,
Lovely lock up and leave 2 double bedroom terraced house In a quiet and calm residential area with parking. South facing, good size garden with terrace
Continue reading "House for Sale near town and beach - Sainte Maxime 83120, France"
B&B Maison à votre santé is located near Saint Emilion in the Bordeaux wine region, Not far from the Dordogne (10 minutes). Hospitality, space, tranquility
Continue reading "B&B Maison a votre santé in the Bordeaux wine-region"
Old farmhouse renovated into a (holiday) home With 5 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, kitchen, lounge and terrase. Situated in a small and quiet hamlet
Pretty Stone House for Sale – sleeps 4 Located near the charming village of Boussay in the Indre-et-Loire, this one-bedroom country retreat is the perfect
Continue reading "House for sale Boussay 37290, Indre-et-Loire, France"
A beautiful 4 bedroomed country house Built in the 1960's of 176 square metres that can be used as one house or two separate appartments. Stunning
Continue reading "For sale 4 bedroomed country house Tourrettes sur Loup, Riviera"
For sale This business is a very active restaurant/bar license 3, 85m2 /fish'n'chip takeaway70m2 plus terrace providing for 90 covers. Located in Chabanais
Charming traditionally built stone built house for renovation consisting of 3 rooms on the ground floor Enter into a lounge/diner (15.5 m2), behind
Continue reading "For sale A stone built house for renovation 87320, Darnac France"
Ambleteuse a French seaside village see our photos and travel guide of our visit.Hotel and cottage accommodation in Northern France
Continue reading "Ambleteuse,a French seaside village,photos and guide"
Les Magnolias' is a 4/5 Bedroom familly wooden house built by Trecobois in 2007 On a 2500m2 site with oaks and chestnut trees on two sides The house
Continue reading "4/5 bedroom house for sale Locmalo 56160 Brittany"
A 2 bedroom historic property located in the beautiful Saint Fromond in the Normandy region. Currently there are 2 double bedrooms, an open plan kitchen
Continue reading "2 bedroom property for sale Saint Fromond in Normandy"
Spacious and sunny loft, 45 m2, in a typical Provençal villa Completely renovated and refurbished in 2020, 2nd and top floor (US: 3rd floor), no lift,
The house has a large parcel of land at the front with river access, an angler's paradise. The house is set in an elevated position in approx one acre
Continue reading "2 bedroom House for sale Moussac, Sur Vienne 86150"
Stone Longere for sale. BAUD. Walking distance to centre, schools, swimming pool, sports centre; bars and restaurants. Ideally situated. Stone longere
Lovely rural character property next to Nante-Brest canal in Chateauneuf du Faou 29. 3 Bedroom house plus 2 Bedroom Gite If you love the countryside,
Continue reading "Property for sale Chateauneuf du Faou. 29520 Finistere "
Bayeux France Normandy visit to the Tapestry and Cathredral guide and photos.
Continue reading "Bayeux France visit to see the tapestry and Cathredral guide and photos"
Beautiful House and Grounds for Sale. This beautiful estate is not only exceptionally unique, but also has everything necessary to feel more than comfortable.
Continue reading "House for sale Montaigu-de-Quercy (82150)"
Situated in the quaint Aquitaine village of La Croix Blanche in South West France. It is a friendly guest house run and owned by husband and wife team
Renovated Historic 16th Century Granite Breton Manor 204m2 5 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms (All en-Suite with 2 with additional separate access from a hallway)
Continue reading "For sale 5 bedroom house Berrien, Finistere 29690"
Private sale. This very spacious country house Located between Saint Emilion and Bergerac and is close to Sainte Foy La Grande. 1 hour from Bordeaux
Continue reading "For sale Country house Gironde, Saint Quentin de Caplong"
Stunning Maison de Maitre commanding a prime location Overlooking a riding paddock and pretty park with an ancient cedar tree. This impressive house
Continue reading "Property for sale Le Dorat, Haute Vienne, Limousin"
Single plot of land with CU available - 7070 sq metres. See attached plan with hatched areas showing land for sale. The land has 7 fully mature walnut
There are two 4 bedroom, fully equipped barn conversions. Each has a comfortable lounge, large kitchen diner and utility room with shower, wc, sink and
Continue reading "3 Houses & a lucrative Income from gites near Sarlat SW France"
Lovely 38m2 flat with just one bedroom Looking out over greenery a minute on foot from the charming village Saint Vivien du Médoc and five minutes' drive
This attractive stone-built house is a medieval gem set in the historic quartier of Cessenon-sur-Orb among winding pedestrian passageways that lead to
Continue reading " A Charming Medieval Townhouse near riverside"
Try a camping holiday in France there are campsites all over France.
You can stay in a tent or a caravan
WWl Battlefields
Vimy Ridge France
Home to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Louvre is considered the world's greatest art museum, with an unparalleled collection of items covering the full spectrum of art through the ages
99 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
This beautiful museum, once a railroad station, now houses a staggering collection of Impressionist art, as well as other items created between 1848 and 1914
Vimy Ridge
WWl poster
WWl poster
Arras street market
Vimy ridge
The old town of Arras is not to far away and is worth a visit
The port of Boulogne sur Mer
French flag at Arromanches les bains
Gift shop in the centre
Our favourite coffee shop in Cite Europe
Fishing off the jetty at Courseulles
Card shop in the Cite of Europe shopping centre
A-taste-of-france.com Copyright © 2006 - 2022 All rights reserved