Private Vimy Ridge Tour from Arras with a Local Driver

Round trip to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, from Arras station or your hotel

Every year, thousands of Canadians travel to northern France to see the ridge where the Canadian Corps won its historic victory in April 1917. Michel, a local driver born and raised in the region, takes you there in a comfortable hybrid car and shares the history along the way. Your return time is flexible.

Private tour: only your group, up to 4 passengers
About 3 hours on site, 20–25 minutes from Arras
Pick-up at Arras train station or your hotel
Free cancellation up to 2 days before departure

€98 per group

1 to 4 passengers: 3 adults and 1 child 2026 offer: €10 off if you pay in cash on the day (€88)

Practical Information for Visiting the Canadian National Vimy Memorial

Travel times

20–25 minutes to reach Vimy Ridge. About 3 hours on site. 35–40 minutes back, including three stops at memorial sites such as the Fraternization Monument.

Private and flexible

Only your group takes part. There is no age limit, and your return time is arranged around your visit.

Accessibility

The site is wheelchair accessible.

Guides on site

French- and English-speaking Canadian guides are available at the Visitor Education Centre. Some areas and guided visits depend on seasonal opening times and availability.

What to wear

The weather can change quickly on the ridge and visits take place in all conditions. Comfortable walking shoes are advised, as the terrain can be uneven.

Booking

Please include your international dialling code when making your booking.

Cancellation: free up to two days before departure. A 5% fee applies if you cancel within one day of departure.

Your Vimy Memorial Tour with a Local Private Driver

There is very limited public transport between Arras and Vimy Ridge, and the site is in a rural area, so a private driver is the easiest and most flexible way to visit. If you arrive by train, Michel meets you at Arras station and takes you straight to the memorial. He takes up to 4 passengers at a time, every day of the week, Sundays included, at no extra charge.

The return journey

On the way back, Michel takes a different route, with stops at Targette British Cemetery, the French Military Cemetery and the Fraternization Memorial. A little further along the road you pass the largest German cemetery in Europe. Other nearby cemeteries and memorials can be added on request.

You walk in the footsteps of the Canadians who came to defend freedom.

What is included

Historical commentary during the journey
Direct transport to the memorial
Flexible departure times
A comfortable hybrid private vehicle
Pick-up at Arras station, your hotel or your place of residence
Nearby cemeteries and memorials on request
Conversation in French or English

Why choose a local driver

A local driver gives you more than transport: you travel with someone who knows the region, the memorials and the historical context. Based near Arras, RMB Transports specialises in private battlefield journeys to the most important First World War memorials in northern France. Michel has accompanied visitors from around the world for many years and enjoys sharing the history of the Canadian battlefields.

Punctual and reliable service
A private journey tailored to your schedule
Local knowledge of the battlefields and memorials
A respectful approach to remembrance tourism
Comfortable travel for individuals, couples, families and small groups

Whether it is your first visit or a return to honour a family connection, Michel does his best to make the journey meaningful and comfortable.

What Can You See at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial?

Most visitors spend about three hours exploring the site. Highlights include:

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial
Preserved front-line trenches
The Grange Subway tunnels (guided visits only)
The Visitor Education Centre
The restored battlefield
Monuments dedicated to Canadian regiments
Panoramic views of the Artois plain (Liévin–Lens)

Your tour is a round trip: the driver does not stay with you during your visit and comes back for you at the time you choose. Canadian guides are available at the Visitor Education Centre, and guided tours are offered on site during the visitor season. Photography is welcome throughout the site.

Vimy Memorial Opening Hours

1 April to 30 September

Monday 12:00–18:00. Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00.

1 October to 31 March

Monday 11:00–17:00. Tuesday to Sunday 9:00–17:00.

In 2026, the visitor centres are open from 31 January to 11 December; the memorial grounds remain accessible outside visitor-centre hours, subject to gate times and temporary restrictions.

Hours can change, so check the Veterans Affairs Canada bulletin board before you travel.

History and Symbolism of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial stands on the site of the Battle of Vimy Ridge (9–12 April 1917), where the Canadian Corps captured a ridge strategically held by German forces. It honours the Canadians who died in the war, especially those with no known grave, and is seen as a symbol of Canada’s sacrifice and national identity. It is one of Canada’s national historic sites.

Designed by Walter Seymour Allward

The memorial was unveiled on 26 July 1936 by King Edward VIII. It took eleven years to build, on a base of about 15,000 tonnes of concrete reinforced with steel. The two towers and the statues are made of 6,000 tonnes of stone from a disused Roman quarry near the Adriatic Sea, in present-day Croatia. The figures were carved where they stand.

The statues and their meaning

Facing the Lens–Liévin plain, a mourning woman carved from a single 30-tonne block represents Canada, a young country grieving its dead. Below her lies a tomb draped in laurel, with a helmet and a sword. At the foot of the steps stand the Defenders, two groups called The Breaking of the Sword and Sympathy for the Helpless. Above each group is a cannon draped in laurel and olive branches.

The two white towers, one bearing maple leaves and the other fleurs-de-lys, symbolise the sacrifices of Canada and France. Statues of Peace and Justice adorn the towers, with Truth and Knowledge on their backs, surrounded by the coats of arms of Canada, Great Britain and France. At the base of the towers you can see a dying young soldier, the Spirit of Sacrifice and the Torchbearer.

The names of the missing

More than 11,000 names are engraved on the walls: Canadians who died in France and have no known grave. Over 7,000 more rest in 30 military cemeteries within 20 km of the memorial. In all, more than 66,000 Canadians lost their lives in the First World War.

The Trenches and Tunnels of Vimy Ridge

The Trenches of Vimy Ridge

The trenches of Vimy Ridge are among the most powerful reminders of the First World War in France. They formed a vast defensive network where Canadian, British and German soldiers lived, fought and endured unimaginable conditions for months.

Far more than simple ditches, the trenches were carefully engineered military positions. They protected soldiers from enemy fire while allowing them to observe the battlefield, transport supplies and prepare attacks. Hundreds of kilometres of trenches stretched across the Western Front, creating a continuous line from the North Sea to Switzerland.

At Vimy Ridge, the Canadian Corps spent months preparing before launching the famous assault on 9 April 1917. Soldiers trained extensively, studied detailed maps and rehearsed their objectives before entering the front-line trenches.

Life inside the trenches was extremely difficult. Soldiers faced mud, cold, rain, rats, lice and constant danger from artillery fire and sniper attacks. Even during quiet periods, every day could become deadly within seconds.

The trenches were also connected by communication trenches, allowing troops, ammunition, food and medical teams to move with some protection. Deep dugouts were built underground to shelter soldiers before battle.

Today, many original trenches have been preserved within the Canadian National Vimy Memorial Park. Although erosion and nature have softened their appearance, visitors can still understand the complex trench system and appreciate how close the opposing armies were, sometimes separated by only a few dozen metres.

Walking among these preserved trenches offers a unique perspective on the courage, sacrifice and determination of the soldiers who fought at Vimy Ridge. They remain one of the most moving and educational parts of any visit to this historic battlefield.

The Tunnels of Vimy Ridge

During the First World War, Vimy Ridge was one of the most strategically important positions on the Western Front. Located near Arras, this elevated area gave the German army a major advantage, allowing them to observe and control the surrounding battlefield.

To prepare for the assault on Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the Allied forces developed an extensive underground network of tunnels beneath the ridge. These tunnels were mainly built and expanded by British and Canadian engineers to move troops and supplies safely away from enemy observation and artillery fire.

The underground system included communication tunnels, shelters, storage areas and medical stations. They allowed soldiers to rest before the attack, transport ammunition, evacuate wounded men and maintain contact between different positions on the battlefield.

The tunnels were also essential for the success of the Canadian Corps during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Before the attack on 9 April 1917, thousands of Canadian soldiers gathered underground, protected from German bombardments, while preparing for their advance.

One of the most remarkable features of the Vimy tunnel system was the network of long galleries and underground passages dug through the chalk soil. Some tunnels extended for hundreds of metres and connected the front lines with reserve positions.

The work was extremely dangerous. Engineers operated in darkness, often only a few metres below enemy lines, while listening for German mining activity. Specialised units, including tunnelling companies, played a crucial role in creating and maintaining these underground routes.

Today, the tunnels of Vimy Ridge remain a powerful reminder of the planning, innovation and courage required during the First World War. Visiting these underground passages helps visitors understand the challenges faced by the soldiers and the importance of engineering in the success of the Canadian victory at Vimy.

The underground section can only be visited with a Canadian guide. Ask at the Visitor Education Centre when you arrive.

Why Visiting Vimy Ridge Is a Meaningful Experience

For many Canadian travellers, visiting Vimy Ridge is a deeply personal journey. The memorial is not only a place of remembrance, but also a symbol of national identity and sacrifice.

A private driver allows you to enjoy the visit in complete comfort, without the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads or timetables. You can take your time at the memorial, pause for reflection, and continue your day with other important sites if you wish.

Visiting memorials and cemeteries is often an emotional experience. Travelling with a local private driver gives you the privacy and calm needed to reflect on what you see. RMB Transports and Michel are committed to offering a discreet, respectful and comfortable service for every passenger. From the moment you are picked up in Arras until your return, your journey is handled with care and attention.

Combine Your Vimy Ridge Tour with Other WW1 Memorials

Many visitors extend their day with other nearby sites:

Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
Thiepval Memorial to the Missing
Villers-Bretonneux Australian National Memorial
Notre-Dame-de-Lorette French National Cemetery (no page yet: no link)

A customised remembrance tour lets you see several of the most important First World War sites in northern France in a single day.

Things to Do in Arras Before or After Your Vimy Memorial Tour

If you have extra time before or after your visit, Arras is well worth exploring. The city is known for its elegant Flemish-style squares, historic architecture and relaxed atmosphere. Many visitors combine a battlefield excursion with a short stay to enjoy its cafés, markets and cultural heritage.

A private transfer makes this easy, as your itinerary can be adapted to your interests. Whether you want to spend more time at the memorial, stop at additional sites or return to Arras for lunch or dinner, your day stays flexible.

Where Is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial?

The memorial is a 20–25 minute drive from Arras.

Book Your Vimy Ridge Tour from Arras

Whether you are travelling alone, with family or as part of a small group, RMB Transports offers reliable private transportation and local knowledge to help you make the most of your visit. The tour costs €98 per group, with free cancellation up to two days before departure.

Other Memorials and Tributes from Arras

Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial · €150 Button: See the Beaumont-Hamel tour

Thiepval British Memorial · €160 Button: See the Thiepval tour

Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial · €210 Button: See the Villers-Bretonneux tour

Cemetery and Grave: Paying Tribute from a Distance · €80 Button: See the tribute service

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