Canadian National Vimy Memorial

In 1920, the Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission was established to oversee creation of eight Canadian battlefield memorials in France and Belgium. The most impressive is the majestic and inspiring Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.

The giant sculpture honours all Canadians who served during the First World War and is located at the site of Canada’s victory during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The monument was designed by Canadian architect and sculptor, Walter Seymour Allward. He said his inspiration for the monument came to him in a dream. His design was selected from 160 others in a competition held in the early 1920s. Work began on the monument in 1925. Eleven years later, on July 26, 1936, it was unveiled by King Edward VIII.

Resting on a bed of 15,000 tonnes of concrete, its pylons and sculptured figures contain almost 6,000 tonnes of Croatian limestone. Towering 27 metres above the base of the monument, the two pylons represent Canada and France – two nations beset by war and united to fight for a common goal – peace and freedom for the Allied nations.

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial site is accessible to visitors year-round. Site activities, interpretive services and Canadian student guides are happy to show you around when the Visitor Education Centre is open. They even take you on free tunnel and trench tours.