10 minute north of Arras, a visit to Neuville-Saint-Vaast is like reading a chapter of the First World War. Standing on the front line, close to Vimy Ridge on which the world-famous Canadian Memorial was erected, the village succeeded in rising from the ashes. It is home to many iconic remembrance sites and has a unique Art Deco heritage.
A village at the epicentre of the War
Occupied as early as 1914 by the Germans, Neuville-Saint-Vaast was recaptured street by street by the French Army between May and June 1915. The village remained on the front line until 9 April 1917 when the Canadians surged out of the village to attack Vimy Ridge.
Great remembrance sites
Since it is very spread out and crossed by busy roads (D49, D55, D937), Neuville-Saint-Vaast is best explored by car.
First stage: the Monument to the Fraternizations, Timescope and La Targette French National Cemetery, on the Maroeuil road. This holds 8,000 graves and 4,000 bodies. A little further on, the Maison Blanche German War Cemetery is the biggest in France with the graves of almost 45,000 soldiers who fell in battle in Artois.
At the crossroads of remembrance
Head for the Flame of Peace, an impressive monument standing opposite La Targette War Museum (this private museum is open to visitors).
This sculpture is reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty, with its large hand holding a flame aloft. It is the hand of a soldier who, before his death, symbolically passes the flame of peace on to future generations. Inaugurated in 1932, it is constructed over rubble from the ruins of the village, and celebrates its rebirth.
In the footsteps of Ernest Petit
Highly contemporary for the period, this work also marks the entrance to the Cité des Mutilés, homes for disabled war veterans, the work of Ernest Petit who was a philanthropic local Neuvillois .
Although exempted from military service, this village notary’s son decided to enlist in the army. Seriously wounded, narrowly avoiding amputation, he went on to dedicate his life to veterans and to the reconstruction of his village. He is buried in the municipal cemetery, Route de Thélus.
The Cité des Mutilés
Along the Rue du 11 Novembre 1918, 11 bungalows and villas of typical Art Deco architecture form a development housing disabled soldiers and their families, employed in the war cemeteries. Each house bears the name of a high-ranking soldier who fought in Artois, except one. Can you find it? Clue: an underground Roubaix newspaper! Over to you!
The village square
Head for the village centre and the Place Roland Dorgelès.
Along the Rue du 11 Novembre 1918, 11 bungalows and villas of typical Art Deco architecture form a development housing disabled soldiers and their families, employed in the war cemeteries. Each house bears the name of a high-ranking soldier who fought in Artois, except one. Can you find it? Clue: an underground Roubaix newspaper! Over to you!
Neuville-Saint-Vaast in practice
Brasserie Le Relais de Saint-Vaast, (main road) and two gîtes : “La Targette” and “Le Canadien”.
The Monument to the Fraternizations and the Timescope : Route de Maroeil ( RD 55) next to La Targette Cemetery (car park).
La Targette War Museum, 48 route nationale, private, paying, tel +33(0)3 21 59 17 76.
The Maison Blance Cemetery, RD937 in the direction of Arras.
The Nazdar Company Memorial and Czechoslovakian Cemetery/Memorial to Polish Volunteers – RD937 (in the direction of Souchez).
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial Park, Chemin des Canadiens in Neuville-Saint-Vaast.
Trails :
The tourist cycle trail, “Hauts-Lieux de la Grande Guerre en Artois” (major Great War sites in Artois) goes through Neuville-Saint-Vaast.http://www.cheminsdememoire-nordpasdecalais.fr/no_cache/randonnees/detail/road/circuit-des-hauts-lieux-de-la-grande-guerre-en-artois.html
The trail “Sentier du Souvenir “, 13 km. http://www.cu-arras.fr/wp-content/uploads/Visiter/circuit18b.pdf
More information: http://www.cu-arras.fr