Souchez offers a striking introduction to the history of the First World War: a centre brings the war in Nord-Pas-de-Calais to life, while a cemetery and memorial recall specific places and people. At the same time, an 8 km walking trail explores the Carency Valley and the village. Plan your stay around historical interpretation, remembrance and nature.
Exhibitions and the history of the First World War
The Centre d’Histoire des Mémorial’14-18 is housed in a building of black concrete and glass designed by Pierre-Louis Faloci. Striking objects, high-quality unpublished photographs, contemporary films and animated maps illustrate the scale of the First World War in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. This range of material helps visitors consider both the specific exhibits and the wider geographical context.
The Centre d’Histoire can be visited independently or with an audio guide in French, German, English or Dutch. It is located at 102 Rue Pasteur; the car park can be reached via Chemin de Lens. Check the latest visitor information before travelling, especially if you plan to use the audio guide.
Lens’ 14-18 in Souchez is an interpretation centre. It presents the battles and events of the First World War along the 90-kilometre front line in Nord-Pas-de-Calais from 1914 to 1918. Check the latest visitor information before your visit. Allow half a day to visit the three Mémorial’14-18 sites.
Memorial sites with stories of their own
Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery lies at the entrance to Souchez. It was established in March 1916 on the site of the former Cabaret Rouge and is distinguished by its circular design. A further historical episode connects the site with Canada: in 2000, Canada’s Unknown Soldier was exhumed there and subsequently buried at the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa.
The Monument Ă la Gloire de la division Barbot is another First World War memorial in the municipality of Souchez. It honours the soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division and General Barbot, who was wounded in the fighting at Souchez on 10 May 1915.
La Renaissance Souchez began in 1928, following the village’s reconstruction, and was revived in 2003. The event takes place every year on the first Sunday in September. Check the date for your year of travel if you plan to time your stay around it.
Exploring the Carency Valley
The Sentier des Talus is an 8 km walking trail through the Carency Valley and the municipality of Souchez. The trail also provides access to the Cascade enchantée de Souchez. Check trail conditions before setting out.
A green woodland lies in the centre of the village. The Saint-Nazaire and Carency streams run through it and join beneath the village square to form the Souchez.
Discover more destinations: Fauquembergues, Torcy, Carly, Warlincourt-Lès-Pas, Bouquehault, Campagne, Enquin-les-Mines, Meurchin
View the full travel guide: Pas-De-Calais.
