Vimy Memorial - Grange Tunnel

Useful Information

Location:	Rte des Canadiens, 62580 Vimy. Vimy, north of Arras. (50.371849, 2.770022)
Open:	Visitor Center: Mid-JAN to mid-DEC Mon 11-17, Tue-Sun 9-17. Memorial and Trenches: no restrictions. Tunnels: MAY to NOV daily. [2026]
Fee:	free. [2026]
Classification:	Tunnel World War I
Light:	Electric Light
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=50 min, Max=30.
Photography:
Accessibility:	only memorial, tunnels not
Bibliography:
Address:	Centre d’accueil et d’éducation du Mémorial national du Canada à Vimy, Rte des Canadiens, 62580 Vimy, Tel: +33-3-21-50-68-68.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

09-APR-1917	Battle of Vimy Ridge.
1920	Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission established to oversee creation of the eight Canadian battlefield memorials.
10-APR-2017	new Visitor Education Centre at Vimy Memorial Park officially opened.

Description

The Vimy Memorial is located near Vimy, north of Arras, and commemorates one of the big battles of World War I. A part of the monument are the remains of the Grange Tunnel System. This was part of a huge system of tunnels from Arras to the frontier, which was built for the Battle of Arras. It includes underground hospitals, infrastructure, and tunnels to transport soldiers secretly and safe to the frontier. For more info see the page on the Mine Wellington Caves.

The underground passages at Vimy include the Grange Subway, a 250 m long tunnel for soldiers which is preserved. The tunnels at Vimy were dug by the 172nd Tunnelling Company of the British Royal Engineers, with the help of the men of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade.

Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of a series of battles. It lasted for three days, and at the end the four Canadian Divisions had driven the Germans from the Ridge. This was the first major Canadian victory of the War. Today the site is managed by the Canadian National Vimy Memorial Starting point for the underground tours is at the Centre d’accueil et d’éducation du Mémorial national du Canada à Vimy (Vimy Ridge Visitor Education Centre).