Vast columns inscribed with the names of the 72,195 British and South Africans at the Thiepval Memorial© CRT Picardie/G.Wasikowski 
Taste a hearty breakfast in "Le clos du clocher" B&B
© Le clos du clocher
Discover the trench life at the Museum Somme 1916 in Albert
© CRT Picardie/ASFlament
local expert
Emilie
Other sites are more low-key. Devonshire Cemetery is directly on the trench where 163 soldiers fell. Fricourt has one of the few German cemeteries here – one that despite its size holds 17,000 soldiers, 12,000 in four mass graves. Locals regularly lay wreaths here.
And then there’s the landscape itself, with its scars and relics – a constant reminder that we must never forget.
Find a Quiet Haven
The Clos du Clocher is a calming village guesthouse with a wellness centre. Alternatively, many visitors base themselves in Somme capital Amiens, where the Hôtel Marotte is a tranquil urban retreat.
Practical information