Anneau de la Mémoire
Anneau de la Mémoire
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsMonuments & Statues
8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
About
The Ring of Remembrance is located at the summit of the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette plateau, opposite to the biggest of all French National War Cemetery. The International Memorial commemorates the names of the 579,606 soldiers, of all nationalities, who fought and lost their lives on the soil of Nord and Pas-de-Calais. Inaugurated on 11 November 2014 and designed by the architect Philippe Prost, this elliptical memorial was inspired by the circles children make in their games and designed as an open book in homage to the soldiers who fell in our region. It is an object of great aesthetic and symbolic power, evoking the mass death which occurred on the battlefields of this region between 1914 and 1918. Part of the structure uses a cantilever overhang to symbolise the fragility of peace. Soldiers’ names have been inscribed in alphabetical order, with no mention of nationality or religion. Among the names engraved on the memorial are those of Francois Faber, winner of the 1909 Tour de France; John Kipling, son of the poet Rudyard Kipling; Joseph Standing Buffalo, grandson of the Indian chief Sitting Bull; Hans Dulfer, the German alpinist; and Paul Mauk, the youngest German soldier enlisted. In the remembrance room of Lens' 14 - 18 Great War History center, you can use tablets to consult databases of the nearly 580,000 soldiers, of all nationalities, who fell in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. Their names are engraved on the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette International Memorial, which lists all the soldiers who died, were buried or commemorated within the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments during the First World War. Using this data, you can find out everything about any given soldier: his date and place of birth; where he was recruited, his regiment and his rank; the date, place and cause of his death; as well as his place of burial, provided all of this information is known. The welcome team is on hand to help you research your family or locate a tomb or memorial within the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
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Gusto_Gourmet
Paris, France521 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Located near Lens, it is an ellipse monument commemorating the centenary of the Great War. It bears the engraved names of nearly 580,000 dead of all nationalities who fell in the region, on the 90 kilometers of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais front between 1914 and 1918.
Let us remember them and what they had to endure.
If you are interested in construction techniques, know that the ring is made up of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete segments 4 cm thick. The cantilevered ones are glued and assembled by prestressing
Let us remember them and what they had to endure.
If you are interested in construction techniques, know that the ring is made up of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete segments 4 cm thick. The cantilevered ones are glued and assembled by prestressing
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David A
Preston, UK524 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
This is situated next to the French National Military Cemetery at Allan St Napier. It has nearly 600000 names from all countries inscribed on the walls. It’s staggering when you think about it. It honours those who died to save our future.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
j1954g
Tetbury, UK3,272 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
576,606 names. 40 nationalities. 1 ring to find them (as Tolkien might have said) - all the men who died in the Nord/Pas de Calais region during the First World War linked together by this stunning memorial ...
On most of the stainless steel panels of the ring-shaped monument are about 12,000 names listed alphabetically. There are at least four panels of Smiths, and a good number of John Smiths. Starting at A, and reading as you go, it takes quite a time even to reach Smith ...
This is a relatively new monument to commemorate those who died between 1914 and 1918 - it was opened in 2014 next to the large military cemetery of Notre Dame de Lorette, not far from Arras and, according to the designer, represents "posthumous fraternity."
The part of the monument which lifts away from the earth (opposite the entrance) is best viewed from the exterior of the ring. It represents the fragility of peace.
Parking within easy distance; no entry charge.
On most of the stainless steel panels of the ring-shaped monument are about 12,000 names listed alphabetically. There are at least four panels of Smiths, and a good number of John Smiths. Starting at A, and reading as you go, it takes quite a time even to reach Smith ...
This is a relatively new monument to commemorate those who died between 1914 and 1918 - it was opened in 2014 next to the large military cemetery of Notre Dame de Lorette, not far from Arras and, according to the designer, represents "posthumous fraternity."
The part of the monument which lifts away from the earth (opposite the entrance) is best viewed from the exterior of the ring. It represents the fragility of peace.
Parking within easy distance; no entry charge.
Written 18 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
account2018
Nuku'alofa, Tonga211 contributions
Sept 2018 • Solo
Start with your own namesakes, step back to see the names tightly packed on the panel, then spin round to see all 500 other panels... It bring home the scale of the war like no other monument
Written 15 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viewlander
Crieff, UK1,094 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
A wonderful addition to this area. So humbling to read the names and to find one’s own relatives and so many others of all nationalities
Written 5 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuzyBou
Wales, UK221 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Found the memorial ring quite by chance when looking on Trip Advisor. We came specifically to visit my Great Uncle's grave at St Pol. We found his name here too.
The signs on the entrance in every language symbolizing peace is humbling as are the 580,000 men listed here. I like that it is every person regardless of nationality or which side..at the end of the day, none of these young men were the power and country domination hungry men in charge. They just were proud to fight for their country and did not ask to die. Together in death, there is no difference. There must not be a repeat of the senseless slaughter of the 1st world war, let alone the 2nd and other subsequent campaigns. Sadly, Man will never learn. Bringing this many names together in one place despite the fact there are thousands more not listed is just unimaginable the sheer scale.
The signs on the entrance in every language symbolizing peace is humbling as are the 580,000 men listed here. I like that it is every person regardless of nationality or which side..at the end of the day, none of these young men were the power and country domination hungry men in charge. They just were proud to fight for their country and did not ask to die. Together in death, there is no difference. There must not be a repeat of the senseless slaughter of the 1st world war, let alone the 2nd and other subsequent campaigns. Sadly, Man will never learn. Bringing this many names together in one place despite the fact there are thousands more not listed is just unimaginable the sheer scale.
Written 9 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brookfield
Didcot, UK63 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
There are huge memorials to the dead in the Great War -- Thiepval and the Menin Gate, for example -- but somehow this seems different altogether. I think it's because there are so many names on one panel -- and there are so many panels.
It is mind-numbing to think that all these men -- 579,606 of them -- were killed in the Pas-de-Calais area alone. And having just the names without rank, age, regiment or nationality seems to make it even more moving.
Go and see this if you can.
It is mind-numbing to think that all these men -- 579,606 of them -- were killed in the Pas-de-Calais area alone. And having just the names without rank, age, regiment or nationality seems to make it even more moving.
Go and see this if you can.
Written 3 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Starkreality
Scotland335 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Whilst some memorials seem to glorify war the avenue of peace as you enter the circle of memorial sets the tone for the sheer loss of life from both sides in WW1.
A must see memorial for anyone looking at WW1 sites.
You must visit this memorial at night as the circle of names is lit up spectacularly, sometime a panel singly then maybe the entire circle slowly illuminates. Most probably a random illumination but incredibly effective at night. You most likely will be on your own during any night-time visit. The revolving lighthouse of the next door Notre Dame Lorette stands as a loan sentinel and only adds to the atmosphere.
A must see memorial for anyone looking at WW1 sites.
You must visit this memorial at night as the circle of names is lit up spectacularly, sometime a panel singly then maybe the entire circle slowly illuminates. Most probably a random illumination but incredibly effective at night. You most likely will be on your own during any night-time visit. The revolving lighthouse of the next door Notre Dame Lorette stands as a loan sentinel and only adds to the atmosphere.
Written 24 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol S
Sydney, Australia307 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
This is a very simple circle across the road from the French cemetery and church. But once inside the circle you are humbled by its facts. Here are the names of approximately 500,000 who fell during this war. All the soldiers. German and all the Allies. It is a credit to the French that they built this memorial. Confronting but perhaps necessary.
Written 11 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChefCliveM
London, UK2,427 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
The worlds largest French cemetery has been further enhanced by The Ring of Memery is a huge circular monument, called the Anneau de la mémoire (the Ring of Memory) has been built and inscribed with the names of the 579,606 soldiers who died in the region.
The monument is situated on a hill at an altitude of 165 metres near the national war cemetery at Notre Dame de Lorette, in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire near Arras and it can be seen for miles around.
It was designed by French architect Philippe Prost and the idea is to unite all those who died for their countries in what many are calling a ‘posthumous fraternity’.
241,214 British soldiers are named on the monument, the highest number for any country. There are 173,876 Germans and 106,012 French soldiers. The names are listed in alphabetical order and the soldiers hailed from 40 countries including former colonies. This is the most fantastic, moving and serene place on earth.
The monument is situated on a hill at an altitude of 165 metres near the national war cemetery at Notre Dame de Lorette, in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire near Arras and it can be seen for miles around.
It was designed by French architect Philippe Prost and the idea is to unite all those who died for their countries in what many are calling a ‘posthumous fraternity’.
241,214 British soldiers are named on the monument, the highest number for any country. There are 173,876 Germans and 106,012 French soldiers. The names are listed in alphabetical order and the soldiers hailed from 40 countries including former colonies. This is the most fantastic, moving and serene place on earth.
Written 5 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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