
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery CWGC
A solemn memorial to WWI and WWII soldiers, featuring thousands of Commonwealth graves and unique flat headstones.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Peaceful atmosphere

Boulogne Eastern Cemetery CWGC
Best Time
Peaceful atmosphere

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A solemn memorial to WWI and WWII soldiers, featuring thousands of Commonwealth graves and unique flat headstones.
"A peaceful and sobering place of remembrance, honoring fallen soldiers from many nations."

🎯 Arrive Before Closing
Gates close 15 mins early. Aim to arrive 30 mins before closing to explore fully. :clock1:
🚶♂️ Respectful Attire
Dress modestly and behave respectfully. This is a solemn place of remembrance. :pray:

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Commonwealth War Graves
Southern part of the communal cemetery
Thousands of Commonwealth soldiers from WWI and WWII lie here, many in flat headstones due to soil quality.

WWI and WWII Burials
Main plot
Primarily WWI casualties, with a significant number of WWII burials, including many airmen.

French and Portuguese Plots
Separate sections
Smaller, distinct plots dedicated to French and Portuguese military personnel, adding to the international scope.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Respectful Visitation
Gate Closing Times
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Arrive Before Closing
Gates close 15 mins early. Aim to arrive 30 mins before closing to explore fully. :clock1:
🚶♂️ Respectful Attire
Dress modestly and behave respectfully. This is a solemn place of remembrance. :pray:
🔍 Cemetery Layout
Most headstones lie flat due to soil. Note upright headstones for WWII burials and Portuguese plots. :mag:
📜 Burial Registers
If searching for relatives, cemetery staff may assist with burial registers. :memo:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Arrive Before Closing
Gates close 15 mins early. Aim to arrive 30 mins before closing to explore fully. :clock1:
🚶♂️ Respectful Attire
Dress modestly and behave respectfully. This is a solemn place of remembrance. :pray:
🔍 Cemetery Layout
Most headstones lie flat due to soil. Note upright headstones for WWII burials and Portuguese plots. :mag:
📜 Burial Registers
If searching for relatives, cemetery staff may assist with burial registers. :memo:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery CWGC to be a peaceful and well-maintained site of remembrance. The sheer number of graves, particularly the unique flat headstones from WWI, leaves a sobering impression. While the cemetery is generally praised for its upkeep, some visitors have expressed concern over the removal of graves marked 'perpetuity' and the strictness of gate closing times.
"The military extension to the very large Boulogne Eastern Communal Cemetery is in the south-western corner of the southern part of the communal cemetery.
The extension contains about 5800 Commonwealth burials, most of them men who died in one of the many hospitals in the Boulogne area. It also contains smaller French and Portuguese military plots.
It is a long, narrow plot and interestingly, most of the headstones lie flat in ranks two or three deep. This is apparantly because of the quality of the soil. Most of the burials are from the Great War, but there are also 224 Commonwealth burials from the second world war, many of them airmen. Strangely, their headstones and those of the Portuguese are standing upright."
Simon Abercrombie
"Maintained to a high standard in memory of the men who lost their lives in foreign fields. Visited in October 2017 in memory of Thomas Dunn from Derby (UK) but served for the Australian Army in WW1. He was injured in Ypres and died of his wounds in Boulogne before he made in back home. The cemetery is very peaceful and it is very sobering seeing so many gravestones of the fallen from so many countries."
lee Higgins
"Travelled all the way from Australia to search for my dead relatives who lived in Bolougne sur Mer from 1850s - 1865.
The chap at the cemetery was most helpful (full stars to him) in helping me locate 3 out of the 5 names in the burial registers. Found out that two were buried in perpetuity but have since been removed!!
Two young sisters, aged 14 & 15 were buried by their parents, their father being an English Vicar at Trinity Church, (now St. Nicholas' Church in Bolougne sur Mer) for 20+ years, buries his young daughters in perpetuity but their graves have been removed! Worse no record has been kept of where they may have been buried, so I could not even pay my respects to the earth where they were laid to rest in peace & in perpetuity - meaning for all time/forever.
I walked around the cemetery and saw quite a few 'perpetuite', graves much, much older than those of my relatives, so quite puzzled as to why these are still around?!. Could it be because my family's name is not French enough?
So take note that 'perpetuite' means nothing to this cemetery & so much so for the dead resting in peace!
Gina
Melbourne,
Australia."
Gina
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The cemetery is located in the south-western corner of the southern part of the Boulogne Eastern Communal Cemetery. Public transport options to Boulogne-sur-Mer are available, and from the town center, local buses or a taxi can take you to the cemetery. Driving is also an option, with parking likely available nearby.
Yes, while specific bus routes need to be checked locally, Boulogne-sur-Mer is well-connected. From the town, local buses or taxis can provide access to the cemetery area. It's advisable to check current local transport schedules upon arrival.
From the town center, you can take a local bus service that goes towards the southern part of Boulogne, or opt for a taxi for a more direct route. Walking is also an option if you enjoy a stroll and are aware of the distance.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, as a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, there is no entrance fee. It is a place of remembrance open to the public.
The cemetery has specific opening hours, but it's crucial to note that the gates close a quarter of an hour before the official closing time. Visitors are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to allow sufficient time for their visit.
The cemetery is open during daylight hours, but always check the official closing times and be mindful of the early gate closure. It's a place for quiet reflection, so visiting during less busy periods is recommended.
No, tickets are not required for entry to the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery CWGC as it is a public memorial site.
🎫 compass Onsite Experience
The cemetery is described as very peaceful and sobering, offering a place for quiet reflection. Visitors often feel a sense of solemnity remembering the fallen soldiers from various countries.
You'll see approximately 5800 Commonwealth burials, primarily from WWI, with a notable number from WWII. You'll also find French and Portuguese military plots. Many headstones are flat due to soil conditions, a unique feature of this cemetery.
Information on specific facilities like restrooms is not widely detailed, but as a CWGC site, it is generally well-maintained. It's advisable to be prepared for a visit focused on remembrance and reflection.
Yes, the cemetery staff can sometimes assist with burial registers if you are looking for specific individuals. However, records for older graves, even those marked 'perpetuity,' may have been removed or altered over time, as noted by some visitors.
The flat headstones are a result of the soil quality in the area, which is not conducive to upright monuments for many of the burials. This is a distinctive characteristic of the cemetery.
📸 📷 Photography
Photography is generally permitted in Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries, but it should be done respectfully. Avoid intrusive photography and always be mindful of the solemn nature of the site.
Early morning or late afternoon often provide softer light, which can be ideal for capturing the atmosphere of the cemetery. Consider the weather as well, as overcast days can lend a more somber mood.
While there are no explicit bans, always exercise discretion and respect. Focus on the memorial aspects and avoid any photography that could be seen as disrespectful to the fallen or their families.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🇦🇺 Australian Visitors
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
History and Significance
Beyond the Commonwealth plots, the cemetery also features smaller, dedicated sections for French and Portuguese military personnel, highlighting the international nature of the conflict and the shared burden of loss. A significant portion of the burials are from WWI, but the cemetery also holds 224 Commonwealth burials from WWII, many of whom were airmen. Interestingly, the headstones for these WWII casualties and those of the Portuguese soldiers are upright, contrasting with the predominantly flat headstones of the WWI soldiers.
The cemetery is maintained to a high standard by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, ensuring that the memory of those who lost their lives is honored. Visitors often remark on the peaceful and sobering atmosphere, finding it a place for deep reflection and remembrance of the fallen from many nations.
Unique Grave Features
This contrasts with the headstones of the 224 Commonwealth burials from World War II and the Portuguese military plots, which are standing upright. This difference in monument style can offer a visual cue to the different periods of conflict and the specific burial practices or conditions at the time. It's a detail that many visitors find noteworthy and adds to the cemetery's unique character.
Some visitors have noted a discrepancy regarding graves marked 'perpetuity,' expressing confusion when older 'perpetuity' graves remain while some of their own relatives' graves, also marked as such, appear to have been removed. This has led to personal reflections on the meaning and application of 'perpetuity' in cemetery management over time.

Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit