Hi all, I’m going to be in Albert for about two full days in mid-November and I’m wondering how to best approach seeing sites from the Battle of the Somme without a car. I’ll be taking the train from Paris to get there, but beyond that I’m unsure how to best get around. Is it realistic to take a taxi from site to site? Any suggestions? Thanks so much!
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
358 posts
I didn't tour the battlefields, but I did spend a day in Albert (without a car, I arrived by train from Amiens where I was staying) several years ago. I went to the Somme 1916 Museum which was kind of cool since it is underground - a former air raid shelter, I think? - and it gives you the feeling of being "in the trenches" complete with sound effects to complete the experience. If you are at ALL interested in trench warfare and the Battle of the Somme, it is a must see.
The museum is in easy walking distance of the train station and the town is tiny and easily walkable.
Like I said, I didn't tour the battlefields, but I believe you can get a tour from the museum. Check here to see Musée Somme 1916
Posted by
Maryland
1287 posts
In 2018 I did a Viator Somme tour out of Paris. The best museum was in Peronne. The best Memorial was the. Australian Memorial and Museum at Villiers-Bretonneux
https://www.historial.fr The Museum of the Great War.
https://sjmc.gov.au/australian-national-memorial/
From Albert there is a local bus to Peronne - Rome2Rio is the first website that comes up... but through them I found that the local bus company is:
https://trans80.hautsdefrance.fr The fastest bus takes about 35 minutes.
I am sure you can cobble together buses from here to there if you can pick half a dozen important stops to make a circuit.
Due to timing I was in that area only 2 weeks after the Centennial Ceremony of the Villiers-Bretonneux battle where the Australians stopped the German 1918 offensive outside of Amiens and the Memorial was still piled HIGH with flowers.
Good luck.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2430 posts
The numerous sites are spread around the countryside and for this you will need a car. You can use public transport, but is a bit poor organized in that part of France. It not only will limit the places you want to visit, but also will be too much time consuming.
Worth a visit anyway to my opinion in the Somme area are Thiepval Memorial and Newfoundland Park Visitors Centre of Beaumont-Hamel, both north of Albert. Further just outside Albert Boiselle “Lochnagar” crater.
With google maps I can’t spot any bus stop there, so likely not to reach with public transport. However I think doable with a taxi from Albert, nevertheless expensive. Think your best bet will be joining a tour. I have no experience with this company but maybe they offer or help you with what you are looking for: https://www.oldblightytours.com/
Not to miss near Paris is the Museum of the Great War in Meaux. It’s not only the biggest and everything very well displayed, but also very informative. Like the visit starts with explaining the political and military tensions between France and Germany during the period before the conflict. I have visited the museum in Péronne too, but this one impressed me more and would be my pick.
https://www.museedelagrandeguerre.com/en/home/
Know (maybe you already do) that the 11th of November is WW1 Remembrance Day. So if mid-November means including this day it will certainly add to the experience.