Etaples Military Cemetery
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Etaples Military Cemetery

4.9
·154 reviews·Étaples, France

The largest Commonwealth war cemetery in France, a vast and solemn memorial to over 11,000 fallen soldiers from WWI and WWII.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring mornings

Flowers in bloom, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow
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Etaples Military Cemetery

Etaples Military Cemetery

Best Time

Spring mornings

Flowers in bloom, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

The largest Commonwealth war cemetery in France, a vast and solemn memorial to over 11,000 fallen soldiers from WWI and WWII.

4.9
(154 reviews)

"Wonderfully maintained and very beautiful cemetery, a definite must visit if in the area."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Ample Parking Available

Parking is available on both sides of the road, making access easy for cars and buses. 🚗

♿ Wheelchair Accessible

The cemetery is generally accessible for wheelchairs, with pedestrian crossings for safety. ♿

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.9 · 154 reviews

Type

Cemetery

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Grand Entrance

The Grand Entrance

Main Entrance

A breathtakingly large entrance that sets a solemn and impressive tone for the entire cemetery.

Sea of Headstones

Sea of Headstones

Main Cemetery Grounds

Thousands of uniform white headstones stretching across the landscape, a powerful visual of remembrance.

Cross of Sacrifice

Cross of Sacrifice

Central Area

A prominent monument symbolizing the sacrifice of all who died in the Great War.

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Planning Your Visit

Respectful Visit Essential

Etaples Military Cemetery is a place of solemn remembrance. Visitors are encouraged to dress respectfully and maintain a quiet demeanor. Parking is available, and the grounds are generally accessible, though some paths may be uneven.

Understanding the Scale

This is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in France, with over 11,000 burials from WWI and WWII. Allow ample time to walk the grounds and reflect on the immense sacrifice commemorated here.

Best Times

When
Spring mornings
Why
Flowers in bloom, peaceful atmosphere
Crowd
Low
When
Autumn afternoons
Why
Misty, evocative mood
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

#ww2 #normandie #cimetiere #patriote #wwii #normandy #abmc #omahabeach #dday #histoire #secondeguerremondiale #debarquementennormandie #collevillesurmer #cimetiereamericains #histoiredefrance #fallenheros #Havre #débarquementdenormandie #secondworldwar #3945war #memory #History #usarmy #normandy1944 #collevillesurmercemetery #memoire #combat #bataille #paix #hommage #memoire #cimetiereamericain ...
@harleyqueenn8
202.9K likes • 3.1M views

🚗 Ample Parking Available

Parking is available on both sides of the road, making access easy for cars and buses. 🚗

♿ Wheelchair Accessible

The cemetery is generally accessible for wheelchairs, with pedestrian crossings for safety. ♿

Etaples, France, is the world’s Second Largest CWGC Cemetery. 10,000 plus burials of soldiers who died of wounds from the military hospitals from WW1 and WW2. 549 of them were from all of the Forebear regiments of the First Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (known as the Tigers). It is hallowed ground for the PWRR, and the team took a moment to remember those that never retur...
bigphilcampion
653 likes • 19.2K views
The breathtaking Etaples Military Cemetery…. The cemetery, the largest Commission cemetery in France, was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and contains the graves of 10,771 men and women who were casualties of the First World War. There are also Second World War casualties buried here. Etaples was a huge concentration of Hospitals and Training/Holding camps for fresh soldiers straight from Blighty....
greatwargeek
196 likes • 5.9K views

🕰️ Allow Plenty of Time

With over 11,000 burials, give yourself time to wander and reflect. :stopwatch:

🙏 Dress Respectfully

This is a place of remembrance; quiet and respectful attire is appreciated. 🙏

Étaples Military Cemetery.Normandy.France. #europe #france #normandy #etaples #military #cemetry #travel #travelphotography #photography #vacation #voyage #instagram #instagood
razzi_papa
1 likes • 44 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Ample Parking Available

Parking is available on both sides of the road, making access easy for cars and buses. 🚗

♿ Wheelchair Accessible

The cemetery is generally accessible for wheelchairs, with pedestrian crossings for safety. ♿

🕰️ Allow Plenty of Time

With over 11,000 burials, give yourself time to wander and reflect. :stopwatch:

🙏 Dress Respectfully

This is a place of remembrance; quiet and respectful attire is appreciated. 🙏

What Travellers Say

4.9
(154 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently describe Etaples Military Cemetery as beautifully maintained, peaceful, and deeply moving. The sheer scale of the cemetery and the immaculate presentation of the thousands of graves leave a lasting impression. While the proximity to a busy road is noted, the tranquility within the grounds and the accessibility are appreciated. It's widely considered a must-visit for anyone in the area seeking to pay respects and reflect on history.

"Wonderfully maintained and very beautiful cemetery. I always find it amazing how military cemeteries are normally located just off main roads but how peaceful and quiet they are. Parking on both sides of the road with pedestrian crossing. Wheelchair access. A definite must visit if in the area to make sure these people and their lives are never forgotten."

Tom Davies

"Wow surprised at the size of it we looked to see if any of our relatives were here but not in the books ,we spent some time looking around and seeing how it was so clean and tidy it was ,you have and are doing a Fantastic job thank you"

Stanley Scholes

"Beautifully maintained. I was moved to see German soldiers' headstones amongst those of the British and Allies. Over 11400 people commemorated here."

Greenockian

What People Like

Beautifully maintained grounds
Immaculate presentation
Peaceful and solemn atmosphere

What People Dislike

Busy road proximity

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Etaples Military Cemetery is located on the road north from Etaples towards Boulogne-sur-Mer on France's northwest coast. It's easily accessible by car, with parking available on both sides of the road. Public transport options might be limited, so driving is often the most convenient way to visit. Instagram

Yes, there are designated parking areas on both sides of the busy road leading to the cemetery, which accommodates cars and larger vehicles like buses. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, entry to Etaples Military Cemetery is free. It is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as a place of remembrance. Instagram

The cemetery is generally open from dawn until dusk, allowing visitors to experience its atmosphere at different times of the day. It's advisable to check for any specific seasonal variations if planning a visit. Instagram

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Etaples Military Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in France, commemorating over 11,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen who died in WWI and WWII, many from nearby military hospitals. Instagram+1

While the cemetery has over 11,000 burials, finding specific relatives might require prior research. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website can be a resource for grave locations. Reddit

Yes, the cemetery is designed to be accessible, with pedestrian crossings and generally well-maintained paths suitable for wheelchairs. Reddit

Visitors are encouraged to dress respectfully, as this is a solemn place of remembrance. Quiet demeanor is also appreciated. Reddit

Basic facilities like information boards are available. Restrooms might be limited, so it's advisable to plan accordingly. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Photography is generally permitted at Etaples Military Cemetery, but visitors are reminded to be respectful of the solemn nature of the site. Avoid intrusive photography and focus on capturing the atmosphere of remembrance. Instagram

Early mornings or late afternoons can offer beautiful, atmospheric light, especially with mist. The symmetry of the headstones is particularly striking. Instagram

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