Discover Vimy Ridge on a private tour from Arras and explore the historic battlefield where the Canadian Corps achieved a major victory in April 1917. Every year, thousands of Canadians travel to northern France to visit this important site. I’m Michel, a local driver born and raised in the region. I’ll take you there in a comfortable hybrid car and share the history of Vimy Ridge along the way. Your return time is flexible, so you can explore the memorial and surrounding area at your own pace.
Private tour for your group only, with up to 4 passengers
Approximately 3 hours at the site, just 20–25 minutes from Arras
Pick-up at Arras train station or your hotel
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure
€88 per group, for 1–4 passengers.
French- and English-speaking Canadian guides are available on site.
Please allow approximately:
Free cancellation is up to 48h before departure. A 5% cancellation fee applies if cancelled within one day of departure
There is very limited public transport between Arras and Vimy Ridge, making a private driver the easiest and most flexible way to visit the memorial.
Your private driver will take you from Arras to Vimy Ridge. I’m a local driver born and raised in the region, I’ll share my knowledge of the area and its memorials along the way. On the return journey, you’ll follow a different route, with stops at Targette British Cemetery, the French Military Cemetery and the Fraternization Memorial. A little further down the road you’ll see the largest German cemetery in France. I’ll take you (up to 4 passengers at a time) at no extra charge, every day of the week, including Sundays.
You’ll walk in the footsteps of the Canadians who came to defend freedom.
With RMB Transports, you benefit from:
Most visitors spend three hours exploring the site.
Highlights include:
Round-trip transportation is included: I’ll take you to the memorial and return for you after your visit. I do not remain on site during your visit. Canadian guides are available at the Visitor Education Centre. Guided tours are offered on site during the visitor season.
Photography is welcome throughout the site, making it an unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts and families alike.
From April 1 to September 30
Monday: 12:00-18:00; Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00-18:00
From October 1 to March 31
Monday: 11:00-17:00; Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00-17:00
The Canadian Vimy Memorial is a First World War memorial erected on the site of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which took place from April 9 to 12, 1917. The Battle of Vimy was a major victory for Canadian forces, who succeeded in taking control of Vimy Ridge, a strategic point defended by the Germans. The Memorial pays tribute to the Canadian soldiers who fought and died during the war, particularly those who have no known grave. Designed by Canadian architect Walter Seymour Allward, the Memorial was inaugurated on July 26, 1936 by King Edward VIII. The Memorial is regarded as a symbol of Canada’s sacrifice and courage, and of its national identity. It is part of Canada’s network of national historic sites and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023.
Construction of the Vimy Memorial: It took 11 years to erect this majestic monument, the work of architect Walter Seymour Allward. The monument stands on a base of 11,000 tonnes of concrete reinforced with hundreds of tonnes of steel. The two quadrangular towers and statues are made of 6,000 tonnes of limestone from an abandoned Roman quarry near the Adriatic Sea, now in Croatia. The statues were carved where they stand today. A statue with a cloak was carved from a 30-ton block of stone and stands in front of the monument overlooking the Lens-Liévin plain. This sad statue of a woman represents Canada, a young country mourning its dead. Further down is a grave draped in laurel branches, featuring a helmet and sword. On either side of the front walls, at the base of the steps, stand the Defenders, 2 groups of statues called the Breaking of the Sword and the Compassion of Canadians for the Weak. Above each group is a cannon draped in laurel and olive branches. Engraved on the walls of the monument are the names of more than 11,000 Canadian soldiers who perished in France and whose names and burial places were unknown at the time. Canadians fought and died during the war. More than 7,000 of them are buried in 36 military cemeteries located within a 20 km radius of the Canadian National Memorial. More than 66,000 Canadians lost their lives in the First World War. The two white quadrangular towers, one featuring maple leaves from Canada and the other the fleur-de-lys from France, symbolize the sacrifices of both countries. Statues represent peace and justice. Below, on the backs of the towers, are statues representing truth and knowledge. Surrounding these statues are the coats of arms of Canada, Great Britain and France. At the base of the towers we see a young soldier dying, the spirit of sacrifice and the torchbearer.
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 April 9, 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.
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 April 9, 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. Specialized 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. Guided tours only, seasonal.
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.
Choosing a local private driver gives you more than just transport. It gives you a personalized experience with someone who knows the region, the memorials and the historical context. Based near Arras, RMB Transports specializes in private battlefield journeys to the most important First World War memorials in northern France.
With RMB Transports, you can expect:
Whether you are visiting Vimy Ridge for the first time or returning to honour a family connection, I will do my best to make your journey meaningful and comfortable.
Many visitors choose to extend their day by visiting other nearby memorials, including:
A customized remembrance tour allows you to discover several of the most important First World War sites in northern France during the same day.
If you have extra time before or after your visit, Arras itself is well worth exploring. The city is known for its elegant Flemish-style squares, historic architecture and relaxed atmosphere. Many visitors enjoy combining a battlefield excursion with a short stay in the city to appreciate its cafés, markets and cultural heritage.
A private journey makes this easy, as you can plan a flexible itinerary that fits 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 journey can be adapted to suit your day.
