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A Quest from Casteau to Arras: Our Most Moving Roadtrip

12/1/2015

 

Casteau, Vimy Ridge, and Arras make for an unforgettable roadtrip. 

Vimy Ridge at sunset
From the crest of Vimy Ridge, overlooking the towns and valley below.
Every good travel experience contains a quest of some kind, a search for something special. When you're in southern Belgium and northern France, there's no end to the opportunities to explore with exceptional sites to discover. We started out on a quest of sorts in Belgium, paying homage to Canadians of the past, and what started out as a simple ride became one of the best roadtrips of our life.
Monument to the Bataille de Mons of August 23, 1914
Monument marking the spot where the first shot of World War I was fired.
Leaving our home base of Mons, we headed first to the nearby village of Casteau. As history lovers,  Casteau had an irresistible allure. This humble hamlet was reputedly the place where the first and last shots of World War I were fired, just 400 meters apart. We had read a lot about Casteau and we were eager to discover the monuments for ourselves. 
Plaque for the 116th Canadian Infantry Battalion
This seasonal restaurant marked the stopping point of a Canadian 116th Infantry Battalion.
We easily located the nearly restored monument that marks the spot where the first shots of war were fired. Its simple design makes it all the more poignant and it's not difficult to imagine how the area looked 100 years ago. 

Directly across the road from the monument was a second plaque, one we weren't expecting to see at all. It marked the exact spot the 116th Canadian Infantry Battalion stopped at the moment of the cease fire in 1918. In addition to the plaque, Canadian and Belgian flags were on display and there was an empty flower box which would be filled once again in the spring. 
The plaque placed by the 116th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
The plaque placed by the 116th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
The second part of our quest proved to be more difficult. From what we had read, there was a plaque marking the spot where the last shot had been fired, just 400 meters from the first. We searched up and down the village to no avail, fanning out in every direction to search for it. Interestingly, in the centre of Mons (the exact place we had departed from that morning!) there is a plaque on the Hotel de Ville commemorating that city's liberation by the Canadians and it states that the last shots of the war were fired THERE!

Alas, we did make two interesting discoveries during our search. The first was a tiny old chapel, just next to the village cenotaph. The second was a war memorial outside the main gates of S.H.A.P.E (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, command central of the NATO military forces).   Suffice to say, we weren't able to come to any firm conclusions about the location of the last shots but we had a wonderful and enlightening time during our search. 
church in Casteau, Belgium
We discovered a tiny chapel...
War memorial by S.H.A.P.E Casteau
... and a war memorial outside of S.H.A.P.E.
While our success was limited on our initial quest, seeing the beautiful tributes to the Canadian troops in Casteau sparked a spontaneous, second part of our trip. Less than two hours away was one of the most poignant war memorials in the world, honoring the Canadians who fought at Vimy Ridge, France, in World War I. We were too close not to go - we knew we had to extend our road trip and pay our respects in France.
Vimy Ridge Memorial, France.
A statue sits in reflection at the Vimy Ridge Memorial
If it's your first time roadtripping in rural Europe like it was for us, there are a few things to take into consideration. Distances are relatively short, making it very easy to include extra excursions in your itinerary. I recommend carrying an up-to-date paper road atlas as well as relying on your GPS - there are plenty of narrow, mud packed, isolated rural roads that are just waiting to cause trouble and they're in cahoots with your devil-may-care GPS! Happily, we didn't get bogged down (barely!) but we were thrilled we had purchased extra insurance all the same. Finally, while Europe has arguably the best cuisine in the world, you won't experience any of it in roadside gas stations, where the food is just as bad as it would be at any North American rest stop. Stock up on pain au chocolate at a local bakery before you hit the road!
Vimy Ridge Memorial, France

Vimy Ridge Memorial, France
Vimy Ridge Memorial, France
When we caught our first glimpse of the imposing Vimy Ridge memorial as we drove through the French countryside, we knew we had made the right decision to extend our roadtrip. The soaring stone columns of the memorial stand in sharp contrast to the downy grass covering thousands of tiny mounds of soil that still bear the scars of war. It's a beautiful tribute to the Canadian sacrifice in World War I and it is a moving place to spend time in reflection on how many people and communities suffered during the campaign - and continue to suffer in war zones today.
Vimy Ridge Memorial, France
One of the best things about our visit was speaking with the Canadian staff who work at the visitors' centre and offer guided tours of the tunnel system that played such an important role in the eventual capture of Vimy Ridge during the war. The staff were so warm, friendly, and helpful that they made me even more proud to be a Canadian than in seeing the memorial itself. They really are incredible ambassadors for Canada and I can't imagine a better team to help guide visitors through the moving exhibits. While the center and the adjacent Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries close at 5:00 pm, the memorial itself is always open and it's well worth driving to see it even if you're passing through after hours.
Arras Vimy Ridge France
Our next stop? Arras!
With the light fading fast, we decided to add one more stop on what was already a full day. Just  a few minutes from Vimy is the city of Arras and it's well worth a visit. If you're staying in the area, a lot of people rent bicycles to make the journey between Arras and Vimy - and if you're driving like we were, keep an eye out for cyclists and hikers on the narrow roads! 
Grand Place, Arras, France
Grand Place, Arras
Arras is a special city in many ways. It has a unique city centre with double squares, known as Grand Place and Petite Place, which are home to 155 Flemish-Barouque style houses that date back to the 17th century. Curiously, the centre of Grand Place is used as a parking lot at night. At first, this seemed so unusual to us that it was almost offensive. How dare such a beautiful square be used for something so prosaic as parking! But the more we thought about it, the more it made sense. Unlike so many cities at home in North America, Arras really is alive at night. The two squares are filled with people walking and talking, stopping at cafes and sitting at bars. The parking situation is a welcome relief for roadtrippers and I suspect it's just as welcome for residents as well!
Grand Place, Arras, France
Grand Place, Arras, France
But beneath the beautiful houses and the practical square is something you'd never expect. 10 meters below ground is a series of tunnels and galleries called "Boves" that date back to the 10th century. Originally used as a way to connect the cellars of adjacent houses, the Boves were critical to the British, who held the city in World War I. The Boves played an important role in both World Wars, as residents stored valuables in there to protect them from bombing - and the residents themselves took shelter there in World War II. I had originally toured the Boves during my first backpacking trip, many years ago, and I was sorry we had arrived too late to do the tour again.
Grand Place, Arras, France
Happily, even in the early evening there were still plenty of charms to enjoy in Arras, not the least of which were culinary in nature! We stocked up on apple pastries, fancy cream cakes,  chocolates, and strong coffee, and took another stroll around both squares before finally calling it a day and reluctantly leaving France to return back to Belgium.
Chocolatier Grand Place, Arras, France
How could you say no to this!?!
While visiting so many sites related to the wars was a sobering experience, it was also a moving and uplifting one as well. We met so many lovely people and enjoyed so much beautiful countryside. And we learned so much about our own history and fellow citizens. It was an important reminder that there is so much inspiration and knowledge to be gleamed from the past and, all in all, we had a road trip we'll never forget.

Picture
How has history influenced your travels?

If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like:

A Sentimental Visit to St Symphorien


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One Day In Bruges: Planning The Perfect Short Break

Exploring the Rural Belgium Countryside 





Lisa Goodmurphy link
14/1/2015 02:27:04 am

I hope to have an opportunity to visit Vimy Ridge one day to pay our respects. We spent a day a couple of years ago on a D-Day tour of Canadian sites in Normandy and it was an experience that we will never forget.

Vanessa
14/1/2015 02:34:59 am

It's been a long time, but I visited some of the D-Day sites years ago. It's always such a moving and inspiring experience!

jody robbins link
14/1/2015 03:32:23 am

It must have been so emotional to see these sites. I once went to Dieppe and regretted and didn't spend more time honouring our vetrans.

Vanessa
14/1/2015 05:19:31 am

Dieppe is a fantastic travel destination. It was so moving to see the beaches - and also great to see how vibrant the town is today. There was a great farmers market when I visited.

A Cook Not Mad (Nat) link
14/1/2015 03:46:51 am

One of our most moving experiences was at the Wellington Quarry in Arras, something we will never forget.

Vanessa
14/1/2015 05:21:40 am

I just learned that the New Zealand Tunneling Company was responsible for expanding the Arras Boves during the war - which explains the name of the quarry!

Ayngelina link
14/1/2015 04:00:33 am

I don't often travel for history but I think it would be great to visit to learn more about Vimy Ridge.

Vanessa
14/1/2015 05:22:26 am

I think it must be the number one history destination for Canadians.

Leigh McAdam link
14/1/2015 01:30:42 pm

I have an elderly friend in Ottawa who takes veterans every year back to many of these sites. Every year at Christmas, we get an update of where she's been and who she's traveled with. To see the place through a vet's eyes would be a very moving experience. Love your description of the Vimy Ridge Memorial

Vanessa
14/1/2015 01:45:50 pm

What an incredible thing your friend is doing! That is heartfelt travel. Does she have a blog we could all follow?

Ryan Biddulph link
16/1/2015 04:11:29 pm

Vanessa I find it fascinating that the spot you noted was where the first and last shots of the war were fired. Amazing! I hadn't thought of visiting Belgium but after this post I'll add it to my travel list. Europe is definitely on there and I'll need to do a Belgium stop as well as a Northern France trip.

Thanks for the share!

Ryan

Vanessa
17/1/2015 01:49:19 am

There are so many great spots in that region to explore - it's well worth it to rent a car and hit the road!

Howard link
17/1/2015 01:12:13 am

Vanessa, thanks for sharing this post for many reasons. Honestly, the one thing I want to do more than anything at this point in my travels is road trip through Europe. I enjoyed reading about the WWI historical locations and of course the connection to our Canadian brothers. I also appreciate your tip about the gas station food. I will be sharing this post on the Backroad Planet FB page, and I also hope to read more of your road trip posts when I can find the time. I know you can relate. Cheers!

Vanessa
17/1/2015 02:58:10 am

Hi Howard - thank you so much for your comments and FB share! Yes, the gas station food was a lesson we learned the hard way. I guess we assumed that everything in France served fresh baguette and cheese! Opps!

(But I must confess - in Europe you can find paprika flavored Lay's chips. Not exactly a cultural experience but fun to try new flavors all the same).

Aileen link
17/1/2015 06:50:48 am

I am a sucker for history so much like you, this trip would have been phenomenal for me! I would love to visit this place! We've been around Normandy before too, and seeing the sites back in WWII always tugs at me. Great photos as well; I really love the shots you took in the city!

Vanessa
17/1/2015 08:42:13 am

Thanks so much Aileen - I'm so glad you liked the pics! There are so many beautiful small cities and large towns in northern France and southern Belgium.

Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru link
17/1/2015 10:28:26 am

Hi Vanessa - I remember reading your moving account of finding where your Canadian soldier fell, and was so interested in picking up the continued story of your tour. We had a similar experience in Normandy last year, different war of course. So many layers of history to uncover in these regions. This post inspires to delve more deeply into WWI. Thanks!

Vanessa
18/1/2015 01:20:45 am

I'm so glad you've been following the journey!! It was such a fantastic travel experience and I found it to be so much more uplifting than I expected. I was anticipating such sadness but there were so many friendly people and such nice scenery and so many touching stories that it ended up being a very happy, special trip.

Revati Victor link
17/1/2015 11:32:50 pm

I absolutely love world war tourism. There's something eerie, nostalgic yet incredibly romantic about it. And that statue has just etched itself in my mind!

Vanessa
18/1/2015 01:26:00 am

The Vimy monument is such an incredible piece of art. It's so striking and there are so many small details that really make it almost delicate.

Vicky and Buddy link
18/1/2015 04:03:00 am

Hi Vanessa! You have no idea how happy I was when I read "pain au chocolate" lol. That's practically all I ate when I was in France! But besides the food, France has some beautiful towns and I'm glad you had such a wonderful and emotional experience on your road trip. :)

Vanessa
18/1/2015 06:07:15 am

It doesn't matter what kind of roadtrip it is, you always need great snacks! We found some incredible pastries in Arras for the drive home - definitely made up for some of the gas station fare.

Sky link
18/1/2015 07:22:56 am

Road trips and places with historical significance are two of my favorite things. Combining the two sounds lovely. I love that they have markers of where everything happened!

Vanessa
18/1/2015 09:05:31 am

I'm hoping they will have even more markers and signs over the next year or so for the World War I centenary.

Brianna Simmons link
18/1/2015 08:27:35 am

I especially love going off the beaten path in Europe, there is practically history around every corner!

Vanessa
18/1/2015 09:06:17 am

We saw so many historical signs on our roadtrip - I wish we could have detoured and seen them all.

Ana O link
18/1/2015 11:29:16 am

I try to plan road trips around historic sites if possible, especially in Europe.
Those war memorials are so poignant. We went looking for my husband's grandfather's grave in the military section of a cemetery in Bramshott, England. Reading those headstones was a sobering experience. It brought home the lunacy of war.

Vanessa
18/1/2015 11:47:18 am

That's so wonderful that you were able to find your husband's grandfather's headstone. When we were at St Symphorien in Belgium we saw so many personal notes from family members - it was so touching

Raphael Alexander link
20/1/2015 12:50:52 am

Great photos, a roadtrip of France/Belgium has always been in my mind, amazing landscape too!

Vanessa
20/1/2015 01:10:35 am

The only thing I would have changed would be if we could have been there a few weeks earlier to see the fall colors at their absolute peak.


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