Visit the Memorial’ 14-18 of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette

Page13 Photos Laurent.bouvier Le Pays Lensois

To learn, to remember and to reflect

at the Memorial' 14-18 Notre-Dame-de-Lorette

Visit the History Center to understand
Remembering at the Ring of Memory
Collecting at the Necropolis
Visit the 14-18 Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Memorial

In the middle of the former battlefields of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, a first building made of black cubes and glass catches the eye of visitors: it is the History Center of the Memorial’ 14-18 of Notre-Dame de Lorette. Work of the architect Pierre-Louis Faloci who is greatly inspired by the blockhouses of the Great War.

As you go through the rooms, discover many emblematic objects, period films, animated maps, and more than 300 large format photographs, official or anonymously taken by the soldiers: an incomparable heritage! From the war of movement, to that of the trenches, through the hell of the North, you are guided through the 7 rooms of the History Center. It is a real portal to the past.

At the top of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette hill in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, an imposing, dazzling and unique monument marks the second stage of this journey through history. Designed by Philippe Prost, the Ring of Memory reveals itself to visitors over nearly 345 meters. Set on a hillside, it gathers the names of 580,000 soldiers who died in the Nord Pas-de-Calais region. Without distinction of nationality, rank, gender or religion, these names are now united in eternal brotherhood.

As you look through these impressive lists of names, perhaps you will find yours, borne by your forefathers or distant cousins. Let yourself be moved by this ring built at the time of the Centenary of the First World War, a symbol of Memory and Peace, an unbreakable link between Men.

A few meters from the Ring of Memory, within the Necropolis of Notre-Dame de Lorette, two white buildings release an incredible purity: the chapel and the lantern tower stand as places of eternal rest. Here, in Ablain Saint Nazaire, 150 cemeteries from the Artois front, Flanders, the Yser and the Belgian coast have been grouped together to form the largest national necropolis.

Watched over by the volunteers of the “Guard of Honor”, 42,000 soldiers of the Great War are today buried here, on this hill of Lorette, the scene of murderous battles. A place of peace and recollection, the Necropolis of Notre-Dame de Lorette marks the memory and sacrifice of these combatants who died for a free France.

The 14-18 Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Memorial welcomes you

Discover the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette History Center:

The Notre-Dame-de-Lorette History Center opens to visitors free of charge during the following hours:

From April 1 to November 11: the History Center is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m..
From November 12 to March 31: the History Center is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In January, the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette History Center closes its doors.

A guided tour is offered every Sunday from 3 to 5 pm

Address: 102 rue Pasteur 62 153 Souchez

Telephone: 03 21 74 83 15

Find the name of your ancestors on the Ring of Memory of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette:

Until 11 pm, all year long and free of charge, the ring highlights the names of missing soldiers.

Address:Chemin du mont de Lorette, 62153 Ablain-Saint-Nazaire

Telephone: 03 21 74 83 15

Admire the Necropolis of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette:

The Necropolis of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette opens its doors free of charge, all year round, at the following times:

October to March, the Necropolis is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
April through May, the Necropolis is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
June through August, the Necropolis is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
September, the Necropolis is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
From December 1 to March 31, the chapel and the lantern tower of the Necropolis are closed.

Address: 2 Place de Notre-Dame de Lorette, 62153 Ablain-Saint-Nazaire

Telephone: 03 21 74 83 15

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