**Update,,Vimy Ridge, 100th Anniversary, April 09, 2017**

Got my B&B booked in Armentieres with a rental car out of Lille. I've also registered with DVA because I don't want to get squeezed out on the actual day. I don't know what the arrangements will be for parking, but I'd imagine a location off site with shuttle buses to and from the monument on the day of the ceremony.

Be prepared for snow and sleet. Its still cool that time of year. It was snowing on the actual day of the battle.

We'll start off in Paris so the Mrs can do her thing with shopping and the sights then take a train up to Lille to get the rental car. After the 9th of April its off to Amsterdam for a bit and then over to Germany for Easter with family - unfortunately its a bit before spargel time. After that we're off to southern France to enjoy the warmth for a while before returning home.
 
cigar_man said:
My contact so far is saying a shuttle bus (Petit Vimy?), but it is all still up in the air at the moment.

Yes, this time of year can be cool to say the least.

Anyone thinking of touring around before and after should think about rubber boots with a brush, stick and water to clean them off.

Let's just say, I have plenty experience in tracking the off beaten paths of Glory.

purple, enjoy that trip, sounds great.

Winchester-1897 are you a current QOR?
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I am a member of their Association.
 
I've been trying to book something but with no luck. Was going with a school but not enough students booked so they cancelled. Went to veterans affairs and they gave me the stand by. Any help on where to stay and how to get to the site would be great. I know that the actual site will be more or less shut down.
Thx
 
emtjakster said:
I've been trying to book something but with no luck. Was going with a school but not enough students booked so they cancelled. Went to veterans affairs and they gave me the stand by. Any help on where to stay and how to get to the site would be great. I know that the actual site will be more or less shut down.
Thx
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Vimy is somewhat off the beaten path so you pretty much need a rental car if you aren't on a tour. Arras is the most proximate location to stay, but I didn't even try there. Go on one of the hotel and/or B&B websites and see what turns up. Having a rental car I decided on Armentieres. I've stayed in Lille and Ypres before, but again transportation is an issue. For a trip of a lifetime it would even be worth a taxi, but what the hey, go with a rental car. Its tough to go to Europe on a budget.
 
My son is going with a school trip. I am soooo jealous, but the only way I can go is if I win a lottery soon. There was worry about the trip being cancelled due to the issues over there but thankfully everything is still on track.

His great uncle won the Victoria Cross at Vimy. The thought of my son walking the same ground as his great uncle 100 years later is astounding to me!

I told him to take all the pictures he can.
 
Was just there last week and the work on the new interpretive center is still ongoing. By the looks of it the new facility will be incredible. They did not have anything worthwhile for souvenirs in the current postage stamp sized center. All Canadians should go to Vimy Ridge at least once, it was a very emotional moment for me and many others on the tour.
 
Alonzo said:
Was just there last week and the work on the new interpretive center is still ongoing. By the looks of it the new facility will be incredible. They did not have anything worthwhile for souvenirs in the current postage stamp sized center. All Canadians should go to Vimy Ridge at least once, it was a very emotional moment for me and many others on the tour.
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Heading out there in the next couple days! :) Can't wait!
Apart from the war memorials what else should I visit in the area?
 
Still all locked in for this with plane fares/hotels paid in advance. Still looking at a Eurorail pass as we will be doing everything by train after our time at Vimy. I've juggled my post-Vimy plans a bit to include a couple of weeks in Tuscany and Rome after spending some time in Holland and Germany.
 
If you planning to go, now is the time to sign up and register.
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/first-world-war/vimy-ridge/100-anniversary


Mandatory Registration

Due to heightened security in France, anyone planning to attend the 100th anniversary ceremony at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial site in France April 9th must register online by February 28, 2017.

To register, please go to Registration

Please note: If you are not registered before the February 28, 2017, deadline, you will be denied access to the ceremony. Attendees will need to provide a printed copy of their official e-ticket and government-issued photo identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, on the day of the event.
 
Was at Vimy Ridge in September. It was a truly humbling experience. Wish I was able to be there for the 100th anniversary.





The plaque reads
3rd Canadian Division
The glory of God and in everlasting memory of our gallant
comrades who gave their lives in the defence of the line
from October 23rd 1916 to February 15th 1917 and in the
attack and capture of Vimy Ridge on April 9th 1917 and in
the subsequent operations.
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This memorial is located to the right and off the main road heading into Vimy Ridge. It's really easy to miss if you're driving by in car. You can find the little trail into this memorial about halfway between the entrance to Vimy shown below and the main Vimy memorial.
 
Should be there mid May, first trip to Europe with a visit with our son in Amsterdam then Vimy, maybe Paris and back. Looking so forward to this.
 
It just grinds my gears to think of that hipster doofus Trudeau being there for the 100th going um, umm, ah, diversity, umm, um......and spouting the general stupid "stuff" he does.
 
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