Nécropole Nationale Saint-Acheul, Amiens Travel Guide

The Nécropole Nationale Saint-Acheul, situated in the northeast of Amiens, is a solemn site dedicated to the memory of soldiers who perished for France, particularly during the fierce battles of World War I in the Somme region. Established between 1921 and 1935, the necropolis brings together remains exhumed from smaller cemeteries in the surrounding areas of Boves, Cagny, Conty, and Thoix.The cemetery is the final resting place for 2,774 soldiers, the vast majority of whom are French. However, it also contains the graves of twelve British, nine Belgian, one Russian, and one Chinese worker, as well as soldiers from Indochina and Madagascar, reflecting the diverse participation in the conflict. Additionally, ten French soldiers who died during World War II are buried here.A notable feature of the necropolis is a war memorial, funded by the Souvenir Français and created by Amiens sculptor Albert Roze. The monument, an obelisk made of limestone and topped with a fire pot, was inaugurated on July 27, 1924, during a congress of the National Union of Reserve Officers, with Marshal Joffre in attendance. A statue of a grieving woman, symbolizing France in mourning, was added in front of the monument in 1925.The city of Amiens itself was heavily involved in World War I, serving as a strategic point and suffering significant bombardment. The Nécropole Nationale Saint-Acheul stands as a testament to the human cost of the war and the enduring impact on the region.