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Information on War World War 1 and 2 Museums and other places of interest in Northern France – Day-tripper.net the web magazine for visitors to France.

War Museums and Places to visit in Northern France and Belgium

Companies offering World War 1 and 2 Holidays

With many important battles of both the First and Second World Wars taking place in this area of France and Belgium, there is much to see for enthusiasts and pilgrims. The standard of most of the War museums in France is high thanks to generous government grants and subsidy. The well kept War Graves are a moving sight, and a worthwhile visit.

War Museums and Places to visit in Northern France

– Base V3 de Mimoyecques, Landrethun-le-Nord, Marquise, 62250. Tel: 0033 321 87 10 34.

V3 rocket launcher site and factory. www.basev3-mimoyecques.com Open: 1/4 – 11/11 2.00 – 6.00pm. Sunday and Public Holidays in July and Aug. 10.00am – 7.00pm. Closed 1st December to 28th February.

– Batterie TODT (Museum of the Atlantic Wall), Audinghen. 62179. Tel: 0033 321 32 97 33.

Built using tens of thousands of slave labourers during WW2. Open: June to 30th September – every day 9.00am – 7.00pm. Out of season; 9.00am – 12.00 noon, 2.00 – 6.00pm. Weekends only in December and January. www.batterietodt.com

– Le Blockhaus d'sEperlecques, rue du Fort Vesques, 62190. Tel: 0033 321 88 44 84. Built in 1943 as a V2 rocket launcher and factory. www.leblockhaus.com

Bondues War Museum. 59587 Directions: The Museum is located on the National Road RN17 Lille-Menin (avenue Charles de Gaulle), near the RN352, the A22 and the airfield. Tel : 0033 320 28 88 32. www.ville-bondues.fr

– La Coupole Space Centre, Herfaut-Wizernes. 62504 (5km from St. Omer on the D210). Tel: 0033 321 93 07 07. Allow 2 1/2 hours for your visit. Our verdict? Directions; From Calais – A26, exit 3 or 4. A MUST SEE. www.lacoupole.com

Dunkirk Museum of Remembrance – Dunkirk. Tel: 0033 328 66 79 21.

– Historial de la Grande Guerre, Château de Péronne BP 63 – 80201. Peronne. Tel: 0033 322 83 14 18. Directions; A1, exit 13 or 13.1. Open: May – Sept every day 10.00am – 6.00pm hours. Closed Monday from October – April. Closed mid December to mid January. www.historial.org

Musée 39/45 – World War II Museum, CD940, Ambleteuse, 62179. Tel: 0033 321 87 33 01 / 32 44 12. Open: 1/4 – 15/10, 10.00am- 6.00pm (open every day). Out of season – W/E's and hols. Closed December, January and February. www.musee3945.com

The Underground Tunnels of Arras (WW1), Arras. Tel: 0033 321 51 26 95.

– The Wellington Quarry, rue Delétoile 62000 Arras. Tel: 0033 321 51 26 95. An underground memorial from the First World War. www.carriere-wellington.com

– WW1 battlefields – contact the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (Tel: 01628 634221). It also supplies maps showing the hundreds of cemeteries in both France and Belgium (£3 each). Tel: (UK) 01628 634 221. www.cwgc.org

– Route 39/45 – runs from Calais (War Museum) through to Eperleques (Blockhaus), Ardres, Ambleteuse, Mimoyecques (Base V3) and Audinghen (Atlantic Wall Museum – TODT Battery). www.route-3945.com

Somme Tourism. www.somme-tourisme.com

For more information contact the Calais Tourist Office.

Useful website. www.remembrancetrails-northernfrance.com

In Belgium

– In Flanders Fields Museum (Ypres Museum), Lakenhallen Grote Markt 34. B-8900. Ieper. Tel: 0032 57 22 85 84. www.inflandersfields.be

Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, Belgium. www.passchendaele.be

– Zonnebeke in Belgium, has five important British and Commonwealth War Cemeteries nearby. The ideal place to start your visit of the battlefields is here. www.zonnebeke.be

In Calais

2nd World War Museum and Park, Parc St. Pierre (opp. The Town Hall) – 8 minutes. Tel: 0033 321 34 21 57. Open; 1st May to 30th September, open everyday 10.00am – 6.00pm. 1st February to 30th April, and 1st October to 30th November, open 11.00am to 5.00pm. museeguerrecalais.free.fr

A large museum in an old WWII bunker opposite the Town Hall. Use to be the German navy command post. Interesting and worth a visit.

War Cemetery. Pay your respects to those who helped liberate Calais. photo

Situated near the beach. Directions; from the centre of Calais, head for the beach, go over the roundabout past Fort Risban, folow the beach road to the end. At the end of the beach (past all the hotels) amongst the dunes is the cemetery.

Tour operators – War holidays

Other

Information pack – Tourism Flanders. Tel: 020 7867 0311. www.visitflanders.co.uk

World War 1 Cemeteries in France and Belgium. www.ww1cemeteries.com

– Great War Journeys 1914 – 1918. www.greatwarjourneys.co.uk