Fantastic day out, bought the Gold level fast passes so walked on to most rides, wasn’t overcrowded. Little bit more of a language barrier then say at Disney but it didn’t cause us any issues. Highly recommend visiting even if you don’t know the comics as the rides are amazing!

Good theme park in northern France, 45 minutes from Paris. If you enjoy Asterix and Obelix you will enjoy this parc. Themed after them. Easy to get to, easy parking. A bit expensive tbh 20 euro at the time of writing the review. The rest of the parc is a bit on the cheaper side of the theme parc pricing. Merchandise is a bit more reasonable priced then other Parcs, also goes for food and drinks. They have some really great coasters, and also a lot of lesser thrill rides for if you have smaller children. Indeed a parc for the whole family. The "Greek" part of the parc seems a little worn down and could use a bit of a overhaul but the Icarus ride there is really great. The best parts are the Egyptian area and the village area. Recommend if you are in the area!

Great theme park. Rides are great and queues are short. Longest queue is around 45 mins on bank holiday in August. They have worked hard on the theming. So much better than Alton Towers.

Great day at Parc Asterix on Halloween 2025. The park was decorated fantastically and the staff did a great job creating scary moments (my son was terrified by the chainsaw man). The Parc feels like it's split in two, one area around the lake feels more dated and in need of refurb, whereas the area with Toutatis is much better. The Parc has a great selection of rides and coasters - Toutatis in particular is amazing and worth the admission alone. Kids enjoyed it and I'd happily return. Would recommend it over Disney for rollercoaster enthusiasts.

Parc Astérix was hands down the best theme park experience we had in Paris. It’s more affordable than Disneyland Paris and offers a wider variety of rides; especially for thrill seekers. From roller coasters to immersive themed zones, the park delivers nonstop fun without the need for a fast pass. The only real downside is accessibility. Unlike Disney, which is easily reached via public transportation, getting to Parc Astérix requires a bit more planning. It’s located outside the city in Plailly, and while there are shuttle options, they’re less frequent and not as straightforward. Food options are pretty much what you’d expect from most parks; not the best, but they get the job done. Another thing to note: their operating hours are more limited than other theme parks we’re used to. Depending on the season, the park may close earlier or be open fewer days, so it’s worth checking ahead when planning your visit. Still, once you arrive, the experience is absolutely worth it. We loved our time there and would recommend it to anyone looking for high-energy attractions and a break from the usual tourist circuit.

Lovely place, full of amazing rides with a good choose of rollercoasters for everyone. Lots of activities live people in costumes and the Coliseum where performances take place. It's like Disneyland.

Great theme park, with an attention to the theme throughout the park and each area. The staff were obviously happy at work and had fun with the visitors. It was hot the day we visited and the staff had water pistols, a great fun addition to the queue. The park was very clean and well looked after, the rides all worked all of the day. My only negative is that Toutatis was not operating all day and no one seemed to be able to tell us why. We will definitely be coming back.

We visited D on a weekday during the holidays, and it was an awesome experience! The aquarium offers a wonderful opportunity to view and learn about a wide variety of sea creatures. It's both fun and educational, especially for kids. They will definitely enjoy the interactive exhibits and get a chance to gain knowledge about marine life. The display of different types of sea fishes—from colorful reef species to large predators—is truly fascinating. The environment is well-maintained and family-friendly, making it a perfect holiday outing. Highly recommended for families looking for an engaging and informative day out! Recommended to visit in the morning session to avoid the crowds.

This should definitely be on any to do list if in or around the Boulogne area. Worth the money and time we'll spent. Would recommend leaving at least 4 hours as there is plenty to see and the large tank is truly amazing. Was shocked when seeing the large manta ray emerge from the darkness for the first time. It's also very educational so would highly recommend. Will go again next time I'm in the area

The most amazing experience! 3 main exhibits, the first of which I spent more then two hours in, gazing at the largest aquarium in Europe was comfortable, spacious and signs were easily translated. Many of the staff were bilingual and so helpful! There were little spots to eat including a restaurant, clean restrooms and lockers to store your belongings. Outside the front of Nausicaa is also a lovely green area with children's play park and access to watch the sea lions! There was so much information accessible and interactive activities to keep children engaged whilst being educational. I will absolutely return here one day!

This is a beautiful aquarium with an excellent story telling about the ocean. We really enjoyed the jelly fishes , corals and the story telling. I don't fully agree with the sea lion attraction hype but they are nice. The best is the manta ray fish in the main pool which makes all the kid wonder with awe and equally so the adults. This place has a good restaurant as well and therefore don't worry about going out for food. This place takes 4.5 hrs of you would like to walk through everything.

Such a brilliant day out with the family. It is so much bigger than we were expecting. 3 different areas to look around, with so many tanks and other things to do. Lovely restaurant on site with lots of options. Would definitely recommend to anyone going to the area. 10/10. Definitely book in advance online, we were able to book the group tickets and saved a lot of money. It was very busy, with lots of school trips. We went on a Friday.

This place is truly one of the best! It offers so much more than a typical aquarium. the experience is absolutely surreal. Please note that outside food isn't allowed, but the on-site café serves both hot and cold meals. With multiple levels to explore, it's a good idea to fuel up beforehand. Be prepared for a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and come ready for an adventure!

Wonderful aquarium with huge tanks, so many different species of fish and some big Stingrays and sharks and a selection of well thought it and interesting exhibits. The cafe is good too and plenty to see and do for the day, even the kids are entertained.

It is such a beautiful church. The artworks are magnificent. I love how they have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from Tuesday to Saturday; before the daily mass.

Huge cathedral, at least in my experience, as I am not really a cathedral expert.... One can choose which Saint to honour of to pray to or burn a candle for. Extremely detailed tableaux with more or less medieval daily life and church life images. The whole building is so full of symbols and sculptures that it is impossible to grasp. The large organ was under restoration, but also that is huge. Worth a visit, it is for free and nice cool inside on top of all those holiness.

I have a thing for Cathedrals, and this one was exceptional. Bigger than the one in Paris it’s filled with stunning details. Free light show on the facade every evening in the summer. We visited on a Friday afternoon and it was very quiet. We were driving past Amiens and I’m very glad we stopped!

I was stunned at first sight and drawn into the mysticism and ritual. Then suddenly the Sun came out and the nave was bathed in mystic light and I was stunned anew. It was a night-and -day experience and it was still only noon. The experiences you have here are of the things you hold dear for your life.

Built in the 1200s to impress and to house John the Baptist’s head, and it still does both. Bigger than Notre-Dame in Paris, sharper in detail, cleaner in structure. The façade is a textbook in Gothic sculpture, but not chaotic — it’s all deliberately ordered. Inside, it’s vast and surprisingly bare, which only makes the architecture stand out more. Worth a visit but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going to Amiens specifically to see the cathedral.

Visiting Amiens Cathedral was like stepping into a living monument of medieval art, history, and faith. It’s a Gothic cathedral in the north of France. It’s huge, peaceful, and full of beautiful details from the 13th century. Also: It’s wheelchair accessible with ramps and smooth paths.

This church is the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe. I was skeptical about this having been to Notre Dame in Paris many times. I really wasn't prepared for how tall this building is, it was astonishing really. It's not as beautiful as the one in Paris especially since the renovation there, but very impressive nonetheless. Amiens is a lovely town to visit, don't miss taking a boat tour of the canal. It's beautiful and affordable.

It's all about wealth in a lot of these stately homes. However, the estate was handed over to be on exhibition indefinitely. Good move. The horses are well provided for in the stables. The grounds are immense and lovely to walk through. Nice patisserie outside on the way home. Train from gare du nord was quick.

Incredibly beautiful palace, absolutely worth a visit and walk through the park. We arrived quite late when the sun was already setting, which provided fantastic views, will definitely be coming back for a longer visit. There's a parking place that costs 5€, or else there are many parking places in the village

Beautiful castle only 50km from Paris. It is surrounded by water and looks amazing. The museum inside is very interesting and beautifully decorated during events. The park is not as magnificent as others but still invites for a nice walk. Definitly worth the visit! Note that your regular ticket also includes entry to the large horse stable next to the castle.

Quite simply, incredible. The vastness of the land that surrounds the Château is something else. We paid €18 P/P for entry to the Château, the garden's, and the stables. There is also a train (one of those car trains) that will drive you around the gardens for €8 and this comes with an audio tour. The grounds host some wallabies, and the driver will stop for 5 mins for a photo opportunity. The Château itself was just incredible, having been left to the French Institute by Henri D'Orleans. He was an avid art collector, and one of the conditions for leaving the property to the institute was that none of his art collection was to be removed from the walls or leave the Château at all. All the art is exactly where it was when he left it. The gardens are incredible and host a series of buildings and an exquisite pond and canal. There are 5 hamlets that sit in place (used to he 7), and you can go in there and get some Chantilly Creme made the same way it's always been made. The horse stables were incredible also. It is basically a museum now and you can catch a horse show as well in the dome of it.

Well worth the 1 hour train from Paris 2,50 euros each way. Pay extra 6 euros to see the private apartments. This inexpensive add on was sold out and we were unable to visit this part. The grounds are spectacular and the library is jaw dropping. Plan to spend at least 1/2 the day visiting and commuting to and from.

The best chateau ever ! Best art and best swans and ducks. Wish I could live there. Gorgeous lunch and nature if you take this cute walk towards the 10min walk resto that I’ve forgotten its name (not the resto at the entrance that has many serious people who booked in advance). Have a nice cafe with chantilly and chill as you think about life

One of the most spectacular French castles. Always a pleasure revisiting the grand monument, Chateau de Chantilly! Thanks to my dearest friend Laure for bringing me back to all that splendor!

France, a country notorious among travelers for its challenging reputation, turned out to be far more charming than I expected. And for me, Lille had even more appeal than Paris. If I ever return to France, there’s no question I’ll be coming back to Lille.

Lille is a beautiful city. The buildings are so architecturally stunning. Plenty to see and do on our 3 days trip. Lots of restaurants and coffee, patisseries. Yummy. Our hotel Mercure grand place was extremely good value and breakfast fabulous. Will visit again when its maybe not so hot 🥵

Absolutely gorgeous! 🥰 Very lively during the day and mesmerising at night with all the beautiful illuminations. It reminded me of Brussels in a way. It’s definitely a must when in Lille. Plenty of restaurants and cafés in its surroundings.

Amazing and spacious square where you can admire several architectural beauties of lille. It can get crowded and there are beggars and homeless people around it, so watch out for your stuff, or help if possible.

The beautiful city of lille. Well worth a visit just for the architecture alone. Stunning and great to see a strong police presence

Only had an hour in Lille before heading for the ferry at Calais so of course we headed straight for the Grand Place & the surrounding streets of the Vieux-Lille to look at the buildings & soak up some Lille vibes….& it was all positive apart from one thing - the stench of the sewers :/

The areas of the town squares are nice. There are many nice decorations around and some good stores where people can buy stuff. One thing I don't like is the fact that cars are allowed to operate within the pedestrian area, with no traffic lights and no signs. Really, man? Who's dumb idea was that? People who walk and cyclists can get hurt, especially children. This stupidity was abolished in 99% of the European cities I've visited, except for Lille. Seriously... Compared to Szeged, Charleroi, Novi Sad and Timișoara, which are superior cities, Lille sucks in that case. 👎 Those are a few examples. ☝️ I've visited many cities all across Europe and Asia. Naming all of them would take 100 days. I know Lille can become good. It really needs better laws and improvements. Other than that, I see good things too. The surroundings look nice. 👍

Zoo de Lille is very good for the price! We were pleasantly surprised by a wide range of animals in the zoo. The attraction unfortunately at the moment is under renovation which I imagine will be complete by summer season (2025.) Despite the building work we still managed to spend well over an hour at the zoo. It’s worth noting this is not a whole day attraction and will only take you a few hours at most.

Fabulous small zoo with many birds and small mammals. Lots of space in the enclosures. Takes about 1 hour to walk round. Can wander amongst tropical birds so watch out for their deposits from above 🤭

A lovely, compact, well-kept zoo, ideal for families with small children. Suitably priced (as at 2025 it is €6 for adult and about €3 for children) as it is took about an hour and a half go through with a short stop for lunch. There are no large animals like elephants, rhinos, hippos, zebra etc. but a nice selection of smaller ones which were great to see - playful meerkats, sleepy warthogs and tapirs, porcupine, tortoise, an array of birds, red panda. The zoo was well-maintained, not an overload of signage, small amounts of information (name of the animal in English) and lots of clear spacious paths, a huge amount of greenery so it felt more like you were visiting animals in their natural habitats. Throughout the zoo they featured large glossy photos of their animals. No wait to enter in summer holidays. Free toilet access inside the zoo. Small lunch option (toasties and crepes, ice creams etc). A lift available for disabled visitors to access areas with steps. Good links via bus if preferring that to a walk from the heart of Lille. Outside the zoo there is a large play area and mini theme park so worth visiting this area with young ones!

Small, but very amazing zoo. Cheap entree fee. Not to busy, so you can watch most of the animals in peace. Very fun, would recommend!!

Not a bad little zoo. Part of it was closed when we went. Although it's small, it has some nice enclosures and some animals not often encountered in zoos. It could use a few more zoo maps as they seem to be few. Also, beware of Google Maps if you're walking and looking for the zoo. It sent us on a 50 minute journey around the citadel rather than the MUCH shorter direct route.

amazing for the price, much bigger than we expected! took about 3 hours to properly go around. one thing i have to say is i'm not sure how ethical it is to have pallas's cats which are adapted to cold environments, especially due to the heatwave - a lot of the animals were visibly struggling with the heat but of course this is out of the zoos control for the most part

Very nice zoo. Small but many cool animals, very diversified and don't be alarmed: the animals have a lot of room!

Great experience! Lovely staff A must to do when you're visiting Amiens!

You absolutely have to buy tickets in advance. The boat ride is really calming and a little escape into another world that is lush , peaceful and verdant. The guides are super knowledgeable of the local flora, fauna, the ecological importance, and history of the area. Our guide's English was very limited but we had Google translate on and it picked up everything he said and it was very interesting.

Loved our boat trip around Les Hortillonages. Our guide seated us just in front of him so he could translate into English where possible.

Lovely way to spend an hour whilst visiting Amiens. The boat trip through the Hortillonnages was informative, interesting and calming. You can't help but be a little of jealous of the people fortunate enough to live in this lovely place. Highly recommended. Think about booking in advance. Several people were turned away because they were full on the day we visited.

Be sure to take mosquito spray, since you will be bitten! Not able to sit together, we were separated on the boat! Had to sit with strangers! Feel sorry for the surrounding area, trashy, not well kept at all! Literally looking into people’s homes & yards! Signs up saying no photos!! The tour was only in French so we did not understand a word! Would not recommend.

So if you are going to visit and want to enjoy the boat tour, you had better to hurry. I couldn’t find any website for the ticket purchase, so I had to visit to buy tickets, and unfortunately, I couldn’t buy them because it was sold out already. I had no option but taking a walk instead of taking a boat tour.

Fascinating trip, gardens and wildlife, never seen so many fish in the crystal clear water, kingfishers everywhere, beautiful gardens. Guide was super friendly, tour was mostly in french but took the time to explain main points in English. Gliding along in a large punt with a quiet electric engine, bliss!

Truly incredible museum. An amazing collection of striking artifacts, classical statues and iconic artwork. I also was pleasantly surprised to find that only for special events/exhibitions do you need a ticket, otherwise entry is totally free to see this absolutely incredible place. An absolute MUST if you're in the area.

Great museum! Well worth a visit. There were a lot of visiters though, so we had to wait at certain rooms to see everything. Worth a visit if you love art!

Free admission, nice collection in a quiet place. There is additional exhibition that costs extra. Audio guide available for 2 euros.

We used this as a pit stop while on a road trip, and it exceeded my expectations. The museum is free and enables you to see loads of incredible art. I loved the layout in the main room, with artefacts in chronological order. The information was really useful along with some fun activities for children/adults. The museum itself is not grand, but I think that adds to its appeal. What seems quite ordinary from the outside opens up into an airy and spacious blank canvas for the art to stand out against. I don't know if we could have spent too long here, which is why I have marked it down a star. However there seemed to be cafés and other paid exhibitions which you could delight yourself with. Free parking, free museum. Excellent stuff.

Fabulous! Love the layout. Loved the collection of art… A lot of of it was very whimsical. I’ll post my photos.

Beautiful Museum and absolutely worth a visit. We didn’t have to pre-book tickets as it was very empty. There is also a nice restaurant just outside the museum and a canteen inside serving salads, sandwiches and wine.

The Mona Lisa has become a cruel joke. One of the most beautiful paintings you'll see but everyone has their back to it to take selfies. So you are looking at them not the Mona Lisa. This painting dominates the experience. Advantage is you get to see Liberty Leading the People and my favourite the statue and mosaics from Persia with very little crowds. I used a guide to usher us in which cost 40e but saved about 3 hours queuing so well worth it.

A lovely day out! Varied display of painting and historical items. The staff were nice. Free bag storage! Very reasonable price. Small café and gift shop available. The beautiful open spaces didn't feel crowded. My only note is there wasn't a translation for everything, so I might suggest using the audio or practicing your french🙂.

This museum was such a nice experience. First of all it is included in your city pass even the temporary exhibit. It was not too crowded to you could take your time and ease to check the art out that is displayed in a very clean and concise way. The temporary exhibit was such a delight to learn about the flemish culture. Absolutely recommended for lille visitors.

This museum is an absolute delight and a must-visit for anyone in the area. From the moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere was welcoming and the collection was impressive. As a first-time visitor, I can confidently say I'll be back. I had a wonderful experience during my visit, spending almost an hour exploring both the special exhibit and the rest of the museum. I was specifically keen on seeing "les Géants," and it certainly did not disappoint! The curation was phenomenal, and the scale and detail of the pieces truly lived up to the name. Importantly, the permanent exhibition also deserves high praise; the quality and depth I saw in the remaining time were fantastic. For first-time visitors, note that purchasing tickets at the museum itself is straightforward and easy. While my time was short, the hour spent exploring provided a fantastic, well-rounded first impression. Highly recommend making a trip to explore this gem!

Several great art pieces here. Some Picasso, Monet, and a Donatello carving that is quite incredible. My favorite part was this large collection of maps of French and Belgian cities in 3D miniature style that show the cities from a few centuries ago. My favorite statue was this skeleton holding a heart located at the top on one of the staircases. There was a cute cafe and gift shop.

An amazing place where modern touch of art meets the classical works of past masters. On three different floors you will see the region trough the different perspective to the modern era. Worth going and had a great time .

Amazing, peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of Lille centre. It is worth a visit just to see the relief maps, you couldn't carry one about on the back shelf of your carriage in case you got lost, they are huge! The Egyptians were a unique race of people, one sign said they bred cats just to slaughter them to put in a sarcophagus for the journey to the afterlife. A flint tool is the oldest thing on show, 300,000 years old! I was unsure about visiting the place but I am so glad I made the effort.

A beautiful museum inside and out! For us as students it was really cheap, only 4 euros! Lots of beautiful art in different styles. We thoroughly enjoyed out visit!

Beautiful long beach with lots of activities for children. Very surprised to see the majority of attractions were closed even the beach side eateries and bars. We had to walk inland to get something. Plenty of parking. Dog friendly beach is restricted to the high point of the dunes.

The day we were there was wonderful. People were flying kits, sunbathing and playing games on the beach. The sand was fine and soft, had to take off my shoes and walked on it. Compared to beaches in English, this beaches is fantastic. 🏊‍♀️

Beautiful beach! Especially the side with the dunes and the park/ forest. Town center is very cute. The only downside is finding a table in a restaurant. Make sure you make a reservation before heading to town. They have very specific times for the kitchen.

Beautiful soft and deep sand that went on for miles and miles. Very spacious. We were there early morning and basically had the beach to ourselves. We found some free parking on the residential streets a few roads down from the pay and display streets and only walked about 10 mins from car to beach. Lovely quaint restaurant/cafes and shops. And also a market selling clothes, crystals bags and food etc. Was a lovely day trip. Would recommend.

Unique premise and atmosphere here. Very grand buildings on outskirts and in surrounding forests, becoming more modern towards the seafront. Beautifully manicured areas outside of impressive hotels and apartment blocks. Rue Saint Jean is main pedestrian thoroughfare to the beach area with designer shops inland, giving way to bars and boutiques towards the seafront. Different every time we come, but always fantastic. The beach is very large and clean, with sunbeds and parasols available in season, with an adventure complex and various eateries and bars.

Nice golden sand , stretches for miles, warm sea.

Did not actually go I'm just a boy using my mum's phone for my made up footy leagues lol but I need more points for level 3 so ye

Fantastic little railway, rolling stock has beautiful carriages with lovely oak seats.We hada terrific lunch on the train which has stopped on the marshes of Bay of the Somne. Excellent food and wine whilst watching Wild Boar and Storks. Wonderful experience. Highly recommended

Fantastic trip, such a joy rumbling through the beautiful countryside on a steam train. Great price 4 of us for about 60 euro return. If you have children, grab the first or last carriage (they swap engines around half way) you can stand right beside the train drivers.

Fabulous journey on the train . One hour . Highly recommend to others . Love the wooden seats on the train x

It takes the train 1 hour to get to Le Crotoy while by car is just 20minutes. The views from the train are more or less the same as from the road. Le Crotoy is not big deal; Valery sur Somme is much, much better.

Lovely steam train ride around the bay of the Somme.

Super

Amazing experience

I’ve visited a lot of castles through out Europe. But this was one my daughter wanted to see due to the Merlin show being shot here. And just wow. Truly stunning. The restoration is incredible. It’s well worth a trip if you’re heading out or into Calais. The village is also sooo pretty. I recommend driving on the steep road next to the castle and parking up the top where there is a bit of a hidden car park!

My second top on the list (Hohenzollern is the first). Definitely must see it. There are not a lot of internal stuff in castle itself - but the building is maintained and well kept - and the tour allows to visit 99% of the castle itself. Exterior is beautiful, interior is maximally interesting for anyone who enjoys historical buildings.

Absolutely incredible castle. A must see, especially as someone who is a huge fan of BBC Merlin. Even if you don’t know the show the rich history and beautiful interiors are worth a look. Free for under 25s! Great gift shop! Beautiful views!

The architecture is dramatic and beautifully restored. While the inside is mostly empty, it’s full of atmosphere and history. Definitely worth a visit if you love castles or medieval vibes.

An underrated castle that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed visiting every time. The surrounding landscape beautifully evokes the atmosphere of the medieval era. The castle itself is stunning, with its grand towers and detailed architecture that instantly spark your imagination.

A nice way to spend a morning pottering around admiring the architecture. It wasn't busy and we got to look at everything at our own pace. Good value at €9 per head

Wow. Just wow. Everyone should visit this place once in your life (at least on your bucket list). Just breath taking, even at night. Has a sort of medevial aura, both on the interior and exterior. Loved every minute of it.

Surprisingly this is one of the best museums I have ever visited. An exceptionally curated collection of art that keeps you seriously engaged during your visit. The set up to repurpose the public swimming pool, the architecture and inner gardens bring the whole experience to another level. A Must visit when in Lille.

If fashion, art, architecture, and striking industrial-era tales of France’s northern reaches sound like your thing, La Piscine is worth the visit. A lot of the installation offer both French and English descriptions. The staff here are super friendly. And if you’re carrying a bag, don’t forget to check it in before you go buy tickets! (Not a problem if you do, it’s just a minor inconvenience)

Wonderful place , not to miss , hop on metro from Lille to Roubaix ,few (12 )stops ride to be here . Easy 5-7 min walk from Roubaix station, well marked directions do was easy to find. Impressive museum where 1927 pool is converted into museum. It is really spectacular for its art collection of sculptures, paintings but also the nostalgic building of swimming pool with old structure being retained. It has a nice cafe too. Must visit if you are in Lille .

What a great idea to retain the original features of the swimming pool in this gallery. It is beautiful and unusual. The sound is relaxing and adds to the experience. I enjoyed the collection of contemporary ceramics, and learned more about the Roubaix artists. If I lived nearby I would come here often!

Amazing museum mainly due to the space itself.... and old swimming pool. All history about it is available at the entrance of the museum. Nice restaurant inside. You can learn about the local textile industry. Some of the art pieces are great.

This was one interesting and unique museum experience that I had and I have never had anything like it before the museum is inside a pool complex and the art pieces were very nice to look at some of the rooms where some art were displayed were a little bit tight, but otherwise the overall experience was nice and The building itself is very unique

It is important to look at art, to remind us of the precious moments, or moments or ideas that moved someone else, or to marvel at the barely-comprehensible potential of human skill. There are some absolutely incredible, mind-blowingly impressive perfect works of art at this museum which will restore unto you the will to live or unlock new previously unimaginable avenues of thought. Do go.

We had a tour guide named Manon who explained the Battle of Arras and how thousands of French and Brits worked to build the tunnel. We were brought underground and it was cold and dark, a combination of videos and sounds made the experience even more vivid. North France made a perfect world war tour

An excellent starting point if you are going to visit the various memorials in the area. The guided tour of the underground areas and the history explanation is detailed and very sobering to see what the soldiers went through over 100 years ago.

A profoundly moving experience, the tour of the tunnels flowed effortlessly from start to finish, Merci Isabelle and our guide Mathais. A worthy tribute of rememberance to the Kiwis who worked underground to prepare for the 1917 Battle of Arras, a humbling experience that is sensitive to the memory of those men and to their living descendants. Thank you to everyone involved in preserving the history. Lest we forget.

Truly impressive ww1 tunneling site occupied by the Kiwis prior to the 1917 battle of Arras. Guided tour with an English speaking guide , the subterranean tour is fascinating, sad, and stunning all at once.

Very interesting experience. Caves do not feel confining if you are claustrophobic. Our guide was fun and made it entertaining and informative.

Very interesting tour. Our guide was knowledgeable, telling us about the preparation for and the Battle of Arras. Definitely worth it.

Below the city of Aras there is an extensive network of underground galleries, known as "Les Boves". These tunnels, which later became shelters for soldiers during World War I, are a unique and historic underground world. Excavated from the Middle Ages (and possibly from Roman times), the tunnels under Aras were originally used as storage areas by merchants and provided the limestone needed for the buildings built there until the 19th century. From the autumn of 1916, special tunnels were being constructed to connect the old ones to each other so that they would be ready for battle. There were 500 of them, built by the New Zealand Tunnel Company, which exploited experienced British miners, as well as the so-called "Bantam Soldiers", who were relatively short for British soldiers. For four months, the workers dug in eight-hour shifts, 24 hours a day. By the morning of the Battle of Aras (April 1917), they had completed 20 kilometers of electrically lit tunnels. The tunnels were named after New Zealand"s capital, Wellington (Carrière Wellington) and eventually turned into more than just tunnels, housing large warehouses, meeting rooms, kitchens, toilets, a hospital and a small railway network. The individual tunnels were named after New Zealand cities, from north to south, so that soldiers could find their way underground. The network of underground tunnels stretched about 20 kilometers below the city and allowed soldiers to go directly to the front lines of the war. 24,000 soldiers were underground the night before the battle. Used both as shelters and for the movement of troops during the offensive, the tunnels contributed to the success of the Battle of Aras. Despite the many casualties - an estimated 158,000 Allied soldiers and about 120,000 Germans were killed - the sudden attack in April 1917 was generally regarded as a tactical success, leading the Allies to the final victory. During World War II, the tunnels were reused by locals as shelters against air raids before being resealed in 1945 and forgotten, until they were rediscovered in 1990. In 2008 the tunnels were opened to the public as part of a new museum dedicated to the memory of those who served in World War I, with a particular focus on the tunnel workers and soldiers who lived and fought under the city.

What an epic monument, set in a beautiful location…. Its scale and design is awe inspiring and on a sunny day is truly epic… Those that give this monument less than 5 stars due to political or petty reasons really need to have a word with themselves… the people this monument represents are those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and security of their nation.

Very important memorial for a historical battle won by the Canadians. I rented a car out of Paris and made a day trip just to see this memorial. As a Canadian I felt the need to visit, and I was very glad I did. This memorial is what is on the Canadian Twenty Dollar Bill, photo attached.

A truly beautiful and serene memorial site that offers a meaningful experience for visitors. The exhibits onsite are thoughtfully curated and provide valuable historical and emotional context. The grounds are well-maintained, with clean bathrooms and a conveniently located vending machine for refreshments. Visitors are encouraged to maintain a respectful demeanor throughout their time here, as the site honors important memories and lives. Unfortunately, during my visit, a group of disrespectful youths disrupted the peaceful atmosphere, which detracted somewhat from the experience. This is a place for quiet reflection, and those unable to behave appropriately should consider visiting elsewhere. Overall, I highly recommend this memorial for anyone seeking a moment of reflection, education, or tribute. A truly moving and dignified place.

What an absolutely incredible site. It is so much larger than I expected, very well maintained, and full of sobering reminders of the devastation and reality of World War I. There are intact fields of no man’s land full of craters and misshapen features. The monument is significant in size and impression . When we arrived, there were many bus loads of French students here to learn about the history of this battle. It was nice to see the site so well used for education. My father-in-law’s uncle died here, and he is named after that uncle. It was an emotional experience to find his name on the memorial. One of the French teacher, teachers and student students were excited to discover this connection, and they surrounded him with cheers and hugs, and it was very emotional for everyone. The only complaint is the lack of the accessibility. My parents in law are elderly and had a very difficult time making the walk to the monument. If one improvement could be made, it is making a site significantly more accessible for the disabled and the elderly. I would highly recommend this site to anyone, especially any Canadians travelling through the area.

The memorial is quite amazing to see, even in the pouring rain. It's a true monument to the brave soldiers you lost their lives far from home so many years ago. I highly recommend a visit to the information centre as well.

Unbelievable well-preserved trenches from both sides!........You cannot say that you enjoyed it, because of the horrors of what occurred here! But it is a fitting memorial where you can take a moment to actually witness in real life and reflect on the futility of the First World War and sacrifice of the poor soldiers on both sides who never came home!

Third time I’ve visited this memorial and it reminds a powerful and emotional experience every time. Beautifully maintained location and well worth a visit if you’re in the area.