Anzac Day Services in France

Give us your feedback: www.dva.gov.au/france/survey/

Going to France for Anzac Day 2013?

Register here to receive helpful information on what to bring with you and what to expect on the day.

Traffic arrangements at the Australian National Memorial Site for 24 and 25 April 2013

Download a What to expect and how to prepare for Anzac Day information sheet. (PDF 127 KB) (Word 205 KB)

Open letter to Tour Providers providing Anzac Day services to France in 2013.
(PDF 72 KB) (Word 171 KB)

The Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial and the town services at Villers-Bretonneux and Bullecourt.

The following information has been prepared to assist visitors planning to attend the Anzac Day services at Villers-Bretonneux and Bullecourt, France, on 25 April, 2013.

The organisation of the Anzac Day commemorations is made possible with the assistance of the local communities of Villers-Bretonneux and Bullecourt and the Australian Embassy in France.

• Official Anzac Day commemorations 2013
• Villers-Bretonneux Town service
• Bullecourt
• Other associated events and activities
• Musical Support for 2013 Ceremonies
• Site information
• Ensuring your wellbeing at the commemorations
• Traffic arrangements at the Australian National Memorial Site for 24 and 25 April 2013
• Assisted seating
• Registering your attendance
• Laying a wreath
• Locating graves of deceased relatives
• Accommodation
• Security arrangements
• Emergency contact details

Official Anzac Day commemorations 2013

The official Anzac Day Commemorations on the Western Front are conducted by the Australian Government and local communities. All the commemorative services are open to the public. The details for the official commemorative services are:

Villers-Bretonneux Town Service

Event:	Sadlier Stokes Scholarship Presentation & Concert
Date:	Thursday, 25 April 2013
Time:	9:45 am - 10:30 am
Venue:	Covered Market Hall, Villers-Bretonneux

Bullecourt Services

Other associated events and activities

A number of other activities will take place in France in April in addition to the official services. For more information please visit the Australian Embassy Paris website.

Musical Support for 2013 Ceremonies

Musical support for Anzac Day Commemorative Services in France for 2013 will be provided by the Symphonic Band of Faith Lutheran College - Redlands, the Choir, Pipes and Drums of the SCOTS PGC College - Warwick and the Sydney Male Choir.

More information about Musical support for Anzac Day services.

Site information

The Australian National Memorial Site, Villers-Bretonneux

Access

Entrance to the site is via the cemetery – attendees will walk 300 meters uphill through the cemetery to the memorial site. The surface is grass and may be slippery if damp. Safety lighting will be installed at the entrance and through the cemetery, but visitors may wish to bring a torch to assist with visibility.

Seating

4000 temporary seats will be installed at the Australian National Memorial Site, Villers-Bretonneux. Reserved seating is only available for official delegates and people requiring assisted seating (see information below). There will be standing room on grassed areas to the side and rear of the seats.

DVA is aware that a large number of those attending the commemorations are elderly and would ask that attendees ensure that those who require a seat are offered one.

Please note that there will be no seating at the Anzac Day wreath laying service in Villers-Bretonneux town on 25 April, nor at the services in Bullecourt.

Toilets

Temporary toilets, including disabled toilets, and hand washing facilities will be installed for the ceremonies on 25 April at the Australian National Memorial site.

Please note that toilets in the towns of Villers-Bretonneux and Bullecourt are limited. There are no toilets at the Australian “Digger” Memorial at Bullecourt.

Rubbish

Rubbish bins will be provided at the Australian National Memorial site and visitors will be asked to dispose of rubbish thoughtfully or, where possible, take their rubbish with them.

Lost Property

If you lose or find property during the services at the Australian National Memorial site, please notify the ceremony staff at the information tent. After the commemorations, enquiries can be made to france@dva.gov.au.

Media

There will be media present at all ceremonies. Attendees should be aware that there will be camera operators moving around the sites, and that cables may be laid along the ground. Please take care. The ceremony will be broadcast live to Australia on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. You may be filmed during the service.

back to top

Ensuring your wellbeing at the commemorations

Lighting

There is no permanent lighting at the Australian National Memorial site. Safety lighting will be installed at the entrance and through the cemetery for the Dawn Service, but visitors may wish to bring a torch. There will be subdued lighting around the memorial itself during the Dawn Service – at levels necessary for a television broadcast.

Weather

The weather in the Somme region in April can be extremely cold (close to freezing). The Australian National Memorial site is exposed to the elements and is normally very cold before and after dawn. Visitors should ensure they are appropriately equipped for cold, wet, and windy weather, and that they take appropriate clothing with them when they disembark from their coach on arrival. The ground surface of the Australian National Memorial is grass, so warm, waterproof shoes should be worn.

Visitors planning to attend later town services should note that it can get quite hot during the day and layers of clothing are encouraged. A small day pack may be useful to carry extra clothing and drinking water to avoid dehydration.

First Aid

First Aid services will be available during each of the official commemorations. Please approach a ceremony staff member or first aid tent if you require assistance.

back to top

Traffic arrangements at the Australian National Memorial Site for 24 and 25 April 2013

Traffic management is the responsibility of, and is managed by, French Authorities.

The road (D23) running between Corbie & Fouilloy and Villers-Bretonneux towns will be closed to all private vehicles from 2:00 pm on 24 April. It will not reopen until after 2:00 pm 25 April 2013.

Visitors registered for assisted seating and authorised vehicles including tour operators will have special access to the site.

Those not travelling as part of an organised tour are encouraged to book a shuttle bus from one of the regional hubs operated by Somme Tourist Board at www.anzac-france.com

For visitors travelling in private vehicles, there will be limited parking in Corbie & Fouilloy and Villers-Bretonneux. Designated car parks are available in the towns at the following locations:

• Town Centre, Corbie
• Town Centre, Fouilloy
• Casino Supermarket. Fouilloy
• Railway Station, Villers-Bretonneux
• Company STDN, Villers-Bretonneux

Visitors will be able to park their car and walk to the Australian National Memorial. The walk to the Australian National Memorial from Corbie & Fouilloy is approximately 2 km and 3.7 km from Villers-Bretonneux taking 30-60 minutes. Care should be taken as the road is poorly lit in some areas, the surface is uneven and coaches will still be using this road.

Tour operators will be able to drop visitors off at the Australian National Memorial entrance. Tour operator vehicles will then be directed by Gendarme to parking until after the service. You should check with your tour operator that they have allowed plenty of time to reach the Australian National Memorial site, especially given the change of traffic arrangements.

Download the Car Park Locations and Recommended Walking Routes (PDF 8.4MB) (Word 895KB)

Shuttle Buses to the Memorial Site

Shuttle buses, coordinated by Somme Tourist Board will run on 25 April 2013 from nearby centres to the Australian National Memorial site before the Dawn Service. Bookings are now full.

If you plan to drive to the Australian National Memorial, you should expect delays.  Please refer to the traffic and parking arrangements found above.

For those who have already made bookings, shuttle buses will depart from the following towns in the region on 25 April 2013 and return to the hubs following the service:

• Amiens – Australian National Memorial – Amiens (4:00 am – 8:30 am)
• Amiens – Australian National Memorial - Villers-Bretonneux Town Centre – Amiens (4:00 am – 12:00 noon)
• Longueau – Australian National Memorial – Longueau (4:00 am – 8:30 am)
• Albert – Australian National Memorial – Albert (3:30 am – 9:00 am)

Please note that a shuttle ticket does not guarantee a seat at the Dawn Service.

Visitors who make their own way from the Australian National Memorial to the Villers-Bretonneux town centre can return to Amiens by train. Please refer to the French railway site www.sncf.com (available in English).

Villers-Bretonneux Town Community Service – from 9:00 am, 25 April 2013

After the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial site, visitors are invited to make their way to the French Monument, Town Centre for the Villers-Bretonneux Town Community Service commencing at 9.00 am.

The Sadlier Stokes Scholarship Presentation and Concert at the Covered Market Hall, Villers-Bretonneux commences at 9.45 am.

Special traffic arrangements will be in place and visitors should follow the direction of the French police on the day.

The Somme Tourist Board has a shuttle service for visitors who wish to attend the Villers-Bretonneux Town Service. Visitors need to ensure they book the correct shuttle that departs from Amiens. Visitors may also make their own way to the town centre.

Please be aware that should you also wish to attend the town services that it can get quite hot during the day.  A small day pack may be useful to carry extra clothing and drinking water to avoid dehydration.

Bullecourt Community Services – from 1:30 pm, 25 April 2013

After the ceremonies in Villers-Bretonneux, the Anzac Day program continues with ceremonies in Bullecourt and Digger Memorial.

The Anzac Day Wreath Laying Service at the Commonwealth and French Monuments in the Bullecourt village centre commences at 1:30 pm.

Bullecourt is approximately 45-60 minutes by car from Villers-Bretonneux, and 15 minutes from Bapaume. Due to the large crowds expected, it is likely that the roads through the village of Bullecourt will be closed for local Anzac Day commemorations. Visitors may need to park outside the village and walk into the town for the service in the town centre, and to the service at the ‘Digger’ Memorial on the village outskirts. Please allow plenty of time when travelling between the two services. Local police and ceremony staff will be present if attendees require assistance. 

The Anzac Day Wreath Laying Service at The Australian ‘Digger’ Memorial on the village outskirts will commence at 2:30 pm. 

Please note that there will be no vehicles access to the Australian ‘Digger’ Memorial. The walk from Bullecourt to the ‘Digger’ Memorial is approximately 800 metres.

No shuttles are available to Bullecourt – visitors should make their own arrangements.

back to top

Assisted Seating

Limited assistance will be available for people who have registered a health or mobility issue that will prevent them walking to the Australian National Memorial Site. Reserved seating at the Memorial is available for people requiring this form of assistance.

People requiring assistance can obtain further information about the application and assessment process from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs by emailing france@dva.gov.au or telephoning (02) 6289 6261. You can also write to:

Commemorations
Western Front Section
Department of Veterans' Affairs
GPO Box 9998
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Please make contact well ahead of Anzac Day. You will need to provide information in relation to medical conditions to receive special assistance.

back to top

Register Your Attendance

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs recommends all visitors and trip leaders register their attendance the France Anzac Day commemorations at http://www.franceregistration.com/

Registration on the DVA registration system assists with planning for the commemorations. It also allows visitors to receive updates should there be any changes to the arrangements for the traffic or commemorations themselves. It is important for visitors to register the mobile phone number they will use while travelling to ensure they receive updates.

back to top

Laying a wreath

Members of the public may lay a wreath at the end of the Dawn Service. The Master of Ceremonies will advise you when to move forward to lay your wreath. Please note – DVA has no capacity to receive wreath deliveries at the Australian National Memorial. If you do plan to lay a wreath, you will need to organise the wreath in advance and bring it with you to the Australian National memorial.

back to top

Locating graves of deceased relatives

Many visitors to the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux are keen to locate the graves of deceased relatives who fought on the Western Front, or their relative’s name on a memorial to the missing if they have no known grave.

There are almost 1,000 Commonwealth war cemeteries on the Western Front in France and Belgium, including the cemetery at the Australian National Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux.

The walls of the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux carry the names of 10,765 Australians who died in France during World War I and have no known grave. The names are engraved on the memorial in order of battalion, then alphabetically under rank.

A further 1,294 Australians who died in battle and have no known grave are commemorated on the screen walls at the VC Corner Cemetery near Fromelles in northern France. Those who died in Belgium and who have no known grave are commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the Missing.

Visitors wishing to locate a particular grave or name on a memorial to the missing should consult the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website at www.cwgc.org to determine the exact location of the grave or name on a memorial to the missing prior to travelling to France or Belgium.

back to top

Accommodation

DVA is unable to assist with accommodation bookings or advice, however, you may wish to visit the Somme Tourist Board website for more information:

• www.anzac-france.com

back to top

Security arrangements

For the latest travel advice on France please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website for information regarding:

• Travel insurance
• Medical advice
• Visa requirements
• Security advice

back to top

Emergency contact details

Australian Embassy, France
4 Rue Jean Rey, Paris 75724, Cedex 15, France
Telephone: +33 1 4059 3300 / Fax +33 1 4059 3315

Department of Foreign Affairs - Canberra
R.G. Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
Barton ACT 0221 Australia
Telephone: +61 2 6261 3111 / Fax +61 2 6261 3111

Emergency helpline
Consular Emergency Centre 24 Hour Phone Service:
Telephone: 1300 555 135 within Australia (local call cost) or
Telephone: +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia

back to top