Paths of Remembrance: Honouring Canadians

Not at all. This trip is classified as ‘leisurely walking’, the most accessible level in the Normandie Rando catalogue. It involves just 2 days of actual walking, covering 14 km each day over generally flat terrain (the Artois and Somme plains). On Day 2, the walk from Vimy Ridge to the centre of Arras takes 2 to 3 hours. On Day 3, the route from Beaumont-Hamel to Albert descends towards the Somme valley along the canal, in peaceful surroundings. Both days leave plenty of time for museum visits, moments of reflection and taking in the scenery. If you are able to walk for 2 to 3 hours at your own pace, this tour is for you, whatever your hiking experience.

It is the only tour in the catalogue entirely dedicated to paying tribute to Canadian soldiers who fell during the First World War. Vimy Ridge (Day 2) is the most powerful symbol of Canada’s contribution: on 9 April 1917, the four divisions of the Canadian Corps captured this position in a battle that claimed over 11,000 Canadian lives. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial, a majestic white stone monument, honours the 11,285 Canadian soldiers who died in France. On Day 3, Beaumont-Hamel Park is dedicated to the Newfoundland Regiment, and a young Canadian guide can accompany you through the preserved trenches. The Thiepval Memorial and Pozières Cemetery also bear the names of thousands of Canadians. It is a journey of personal remembrance for descendants and a journey of tribute for all those who wish to appreciate the Canadian sacrifice on French soil.

Day 1: arrival in Arras, tour of this charming historic town with its Flemish Baroque squares (Grand’Place and Place des Héros), its UNESCO-listed belfry and the Boves underground passages (former chalk quarries).
Day 2: private transfer (20 minutes) to Vimy Ridge, visit to the new visitor centre, the Canadian National Memorial and the restored trenches, followed by a 14 km walk through the Artois countryside to the River Scarpe and the centre of Arras.
Day 3: transfer (40 minutes) to Beaumont-Hamel, tour of the park and the Newfoundland Memorial with a Canadian guide through the trenches, crossing of the River Ancre, climb to the Ulster Tower, then the Thiepval Memorial and its museum, and descent to Albert along the canal through the gentle Picardy countryside. Three days of remembrance, reflection and understanding, amidst the white stone monuments and fields of poppies.

Yes, this is the focus of Day 2. A private transfer takes you directly to the new Vimy Visitor Centre, where you can obtain all the necessary information before the visit. The battlefield park is beautifully landscaped and exudes a sense of peace. You will visit the Canadian Memorial, the interpretation centre and the restored trenches, which help you understand the scale of the fighting and the bravery of the Canadian troops during the capture of the ridge in April 1917. From Vimy, you will then walk for 2 to 3 hours through the countryside to reach Arras. Arriving on foot from the ridge, crossing the same ground that the soldiers traversed, lends a physical dimension to the experience that a visit by car cannot offer.

Yes, it is one of the most moving experiences of Day 3. At the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park, a young Canadian guide can accompany you through the preserved trenches for a personalised and unforgettable tour. These guides, often Canadian students, bring a human and contemporary perspective that creates a direct link between the past and the present. They recount the individual stories of the soldiers, describe the conditions in the trenches and explain the course of the fighting. The view from the park is striking: you can see the former battlefields as they were, with the positions of the trenches still visible in the landscape. It is a moment that leaves a lasting impression.

This holiday is fundamentally different from the cycling tours in three ways. Firstly, it is a walking tour: the slow pace of walking (14 km per day) is better suited to contemplation and the emotional impact of the memorial sites. Secondly, it is a short, concentrated format (4 days, 2 days of walking, €420), ideal for a long weekend, whereas the cycling tours last 5 to 8 days. Thirdly, it is specifically designed for Canadians, with a focus on Vimy and Beaumont-Hamel, whereas the cycling tours cover a wider range of nationalities (Australian, British, French, Belgian). If you are from Canada or wish to pay a focused tribute to Canadian soldiers in a short and accessible format, this is the tour for you. For a longer trip covering the entire Western Front as far as Bruges, the 8-day ‘From Amiens to Bruges’ cycling tour (€1,300) is the comprehensive option.

Yes, you have two evenings and a full day upon arrival in Arras to explore this remarkable city. The Les Boves underground passages, former chalk quarries forming a veritable underground labyrinth, can be visited from the Place des Héros. The Wellington Quarries, located beneath the city, offer a fascinating insight into the preparations for the Battle of Arras in 1917, when thousands of Commonwealth soldiers lived there before the assault. Above ground, the arcaded Grand’Place and Place des Héros, the UNESCO-listed belfry and the café terraces complete the picture. Two nights in Arras allow you to fully enjoy this city of art and history.

Normandie Rando transfers your luggage between each stage. The price includes two private transfers: on Day 2, a 20-minute transfer from Arras to Vimy Ridge; on Day 3, a 40-minute transfer to Beaumont-Hamel. You’ll be travelling light with a small rucksack. GPX tracks and a mobile navigation app will guide you along each route. Detailed route descriptions and advice from the team round off the package. With just 14 km of walking per day over two days, the logistics are the simplest in our catalogue.

Arras is accessible by direct TGV from Paris Gare du Nord in just 50 minutes, making it one of the quickest cities to reach from the capital. Free public parking is available if you’re travelling by car. On the return journey from Albert, a train to Paris (with a change at Arras) takes around 2 to 2½ hours. A taxi from Albert to Arras allows you to catch a direct TGV back to Paris. If you need to collect your car in Arras, a direct Albert-Amiens train takes 25 minutes, or a taxi from Albert to Arras is an option (around 45 minutes).

The price includes 3 nights’ accommodation in hotels with breakfasts featuring fresh, local produce, luggage transfer between each stage, two private transfers (Arras–Vimy and Arras–Beaumont-Hamel), GPX tracks, access to the mobile navigation app, and detailed route descriptions with tips. On a per-night basis, this works out at €140 per person all-inclusive: accommodation, breakfast, two private transfers, luggage logistics and guided tours. It is the shortest and most affordable trip in the catalogue, and with Arras just 50 minutes from Paris by TGV, it is perfect for a long weekend of remembrance.

The Standard package includes a stay at the B&B Arras Centre (3-star) for the two nights in Arras and the Hôtel de la Basilique (3-star) in Albert. The Comfort package upgrades to 4-star accommodation: the Hôtel de l’Univers in Arras and Le Royal Picardie in Albert. The €60 difference is spread over 3 nights, amounting to €20 extra per night. During an emotionally intense stay, the quality of your rest and surroundings directly contributes to your well-being. The Hôtel de l’Univers, ideally situated in the heart of Arras, and Le Royal Picardie in Albert offer spacious rooms, high-quality bedding and a hearty breakfast to ensure you start each day in the best possible condition.

No. The rate is the same all year round, from March to November, with no surcharge. Departures are available every day. For groups of four or more, a discount of €30 per person applies. If you prefer to carry your own luggage, a discount of €50 per person is available (cannot be combined with the group discount). The absence of a high-season surcharge on a commemorative tour is a significant advantage, particularly around commemorative dates when demand is high.

The tour runs from March to November, with daily departures. 9 April marks the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge (1917), with on-site commemorations. 1 July marks the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme (1916) and the assault on Beaumont-Hamel by the Newfoundland Regiment. On 11 November, Remembrance Day ceremonies hold particular significance in these places. Apart from these symbolic dates, spring brings fields of poppies across the former battlefields, whilst autumn casts a golden light over the memorials and creates a contemplative atmosphere. Each season lends a different tone to the reflection.

Fill in a quote request directly on the tour page. The Normandie Rando team will contact you to personalise your tour: choice of accommodation, departure dates, extra night in Arras or Albert, and any other adjustments. You can also call 02 31 65 74 08 for a personalised discussion. The quote request is free and without obligation. This is the most accessible way to walk in the footsteps of Canadian soldiers, between Vimy Ridge and the fields of the Somme, in a tribute that combines walking, remembrance and gratitude.