Anzac Day in France
Each year, around 4,000 Australians and French join together to mark Anzac
Day on the Western Front.
Anzac Day Dawn Service
The annual service was first hosted by the Australian Government in 2008 for
the 90th anniversary of the battle of Villers-Bretonneux.
The Dawn Service is held at the Australian National Memorial – built on the
battleground where Australian soldiers retook Villers-Bretonneux on the night
of 24-25 April 1918.
The walls of the memorial are inscribed with the names of 10,739 Australian
casualties killed in France during the First World War who have no known
grave.
Anzac Day commemorations
After the Dawn Service, commemorative activities include:
• A wreath-laying service in the Villers-Bretonneux town square at the
Monument aux Morts.
• The Bullecourt Anzac Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Commonwealth
and French Monuments in the Bullecourt village centre.
• A Wreath-Laying ceremony at the Australian ‘Digger’ Memorial on the
Bullecourt village outskirts.
Locals have long recognised Australia’s contribution in their country during the
war. A school was built at Villers-Bretonneux using funds raised by the
children of Victoria and the France-Australian Museum is located within its
attic. At Bullecourt, there are two memorials dedicated to Australians.
The Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front project is
upgrading, refurbishing or enhancing existing local museum or visitor facilities
across France and Belgium to continue to tell the story of Australian service in
the region.
What to expect
The weather in the Somme region in April can be extremely cold (close to
freezing). Visitors should ensure they are appropriately equipped for cold, wet,
and windy weather. Layers of clothing are encouraged as it can be very cold
for the Dawn Service and warm-up significantly for later community services.
Entrance to the Dawn Service site is via the cemetery, which is grass so may
be slippery if damp. Safety lighting will be installed but visitors may wish to
bring a torch. Some seating is available at the site, with reserved seating
available for visitors requiring mobility support.
Travel
The road leading up to the Memorial (D23) will be closed from 2 pm 24 April
to 2 pm 25 April.
A pre-arranged organised bus tour is recommended for ease of travel.
Those not travelling as part of an organised tour, may be able to pre-book a
seat on a shuttle bus organised by Somme Tourism at www.anzacfrance.com.
For private vehicles, limited parking is available in nearby Corbie & Fouilloy
and Villers-Bretonneux, and visitors will need to walk to the site.
Registration service
Australians attending the commemorations are encouraged to register at
www.franceregistration.com to receive helpful information and updates.
Fast Facts
Anzac Day services
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Dawn Service – Australian National Memorial, near Villers-Bretonneux
Anzac Day Ceremony – Villers-Bretonneux town centre
Wreath-Laying Ceremony – Commonwealth and French Monuments,
Bullecourt village centre
Anzac Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony – at the Australian ‘Digger’
Memorial, Bullecourt
Tips
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Register for tips and updates about the commemorations at
www.franceregistration.com
Visitors are encouraged to register their itinerary on the Smartraveller
website at www.smartraveller.gov.au
To locate a particular grave or name on a memorial to the missing visit
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website at www.cwgc.org
prior to travelling
Getting there
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Road closures will be in place
A pre-arranged organised bus tour is recommended
Those not travelling as part of an organised tour, may be able to
prebook a seat on a shuttle bus
Private vehicles must park in nearby Corbie & Fouilloy and VillersBretonneux, and visitors will need to walk to the site
More information
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Information on commemorations
www.dva.gov.au/france
 History of Australian service on the Western Front
www.ww1westernfront.gov.au