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Bois de Wallieux: A Somber Reminder of the Great War

Explore preserved trenches and poignant memorials at Bois de Wallieux, a WWI battlefield site in Soyécourt, France.

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Bois de Wallieux, located in Soyécourt, France, is a preserved World War I site, bearing witness to the intense battles that took place during the Battle of the Somme. Visitors can explore the remnants of trenches, shell holes, and tunnels, offering a poignant glimpse into the past.

A brief summary to Bois de Wallieux

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Wear sturdy shoes as the terrain can be uneven due to the preserved trenches and shell holes.
  • Allow at least 1-2 hours to fully explore the site and reflect on its history.
  • Visit the Historial de la Grande Guerre in Péronne to gain a deeper understanding of the First World War before visiting Bois de Wallieux.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From the A29 autoroute, take the exit towards Soyécourt. Follow the D79 road towards the village. Once in Soyécourt, follow local signs to Bois de Wallieux. Parking is available near the entrance of the site. There are no tolls on this immediate route. Parking is free.

  • Public Transport

    From Amiens, take the Trans80 bus towards Estrées-Deniécourt. From Estrées-Deniécourt, you may need to take another bus or taxi to Soyécourt. Check local schedules for the most up-to-date information. From the center of Soyécourt, follow local signs to Bois de Wallieux. Bus fare from Amiens to Estrées-Deniécourt is approximately €3-€4. A taxi from Estrées-Deniécourt to Soyécourt will cost approximately €15-€20.

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Discover more about Bois de Wallieux

The Bois de Wallieux, situated in the commune of Soyécourt, stands as a stark reminder of the brutal fighting that occurred during World War I. This area was on the front lines since 1914, with Soyécourt held by the Germans and the neighboring village of Foucaucourt-en-Santerre under French control. The French army recaptured the woods on July 4, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, and the village itself on September 4 after fierce combat. In 1998, the Conseil Général de la Somme developed the Bois de Wallieux to allow visitors to explore the remains of the 1916 battles. Here, one can still see the remnants of trenches, shell craters, dugouts and wells. At the heart of the woods is a sculpture by Ernest Pignon-Ernest titled "L'autre côté des arbres" (The Other Side of the Trees), featuring a series of severed, shredded tree trunks symbolizing destruction and death. Pignon-Ernest explained that he was struck by the impossibility of representing the human body, as if the scale of violence inflicted upon it was beyond depiction. Today, marked and secured paths guide visitors through the site, allowing them to reflect on the events that transpired here. Explanatory panels provide context and information about the battles that took place. The site is part of the Circuit of Remembrance of the First World War.

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