Vimy April 6

We had the most interesting, informative and heartfelt tour of Notre Dame de Lorette from our friend Dominique.  Just looking at the thousands upon thousands of crosses in the cemetery really makes the losses hit home.  100,000 were killed and as many wounded in the battle of Lorette.  The church has rows upon rows of names circling the walls.
The Lantern Tower also houses 32 coffins including 3 of unknown soldiers.  
We got to go into the museum and saw many of the different uniforms of the day, as well as thousands of artifacts and personal items left behind.  The vignettes were so realistic.  
The field behind the museum has been preserved in its original state with trenches going in all directions and mud on the bottom.  Guns and barbed wire are littered all over the field.

http://www.greatwar.co.uk/french-flanders-artois/cemetery-ablain-st-nazaire-notre-dame-de-lorette.htm

And then - The Ring of Remembrance!  580,000 names from all countries and religions who were lost in the war.  It is phenomenal.

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/nov/02/notre-dame-de-lorette-international-memorial-review

On our way back to Arras, we stopped at the British Cemetery, Cabernet Rouge.

http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/ww1frenchcemeteries/cabaretrouge.htm

And the French Cemetery at Targette

http://www.remembrancetrails-northernfrance.com/trails/the-front/french-national-war-cemetery-at-la-targette-neuville-saint-vaast.html

And right beside that is a monument to the Christmas Truce of 1914 

http://davidstockmanscontracorner.com/the-christmas-truce-of-1914-a-moment-of-hope-squelched-by-the-war-party-on-both-sides/

Several hours later, we were back to watch the light show in the Place des Heroes in Arras.  We felt that we got even more out of it the second time, and if not for commitments this evening, would probably have gone again.