Villers-Bretonneux

Villers-Bretonneux is an important stop on the Australian Remembrance Trail of the Western Front, a popular route for visitors looking to learn more about that country's efforts in France during World War I. The Australian National Memorial remembers April 24, 1918–the day Australian troops pushed back against the Germans and retook the land they had gained. 
But more importantly, the memorial lists over 10,000 soldiers from WWI for whom there is no grave. Also of note in Villers-Bretonneux is the Franco-Australian Museum, located in the Victoria School–by far the most iconic building in the village. Both the memorial and the surrounding cemetery are the setting of ANZAC Day events in France each year on April 25.

Practical Info

Villers-Bretonneux is located roughly 10 miles east of Amiens. It is about 15 minutes by local commuter train from Amiens and between two and three hours by train from Paris, depending on the route. The Australian National Memorial is a mile outside the town center; the tower is closed in inclement weather. The Franco-Australian Museum is closed on Sundays and over the Christmas holidays; otherwise it is open from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. from November through February and 5:30 p.m. the rest of the year.