Centre d’histoire du mémorial 14-18
Free museum in Souchez on the First World War in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, housed in a black concrete building at the foot of the Lorette hill.
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About the museum
The Centre d’histoire du Mémorial 14-18, formerly known as Lens 14-18, is located in Souchez, in the middle of the former battlefields at the foot of the Lorette hill. The building was designed by architect Pierre-Louis Faloci. It is made of cubes of black concrete and glass, recalling the blockhouses of the First World War, with openings onto the plains of the Pas-de-Calais.
The permanent route has seven sections: the war of movement, trench warfare, a deadly war of attrition, the North under German occupation, the return of the war of movement, death at the front, and the hell of the North and reconstruction. Iconic objects, period films and animated maps explain the scale of the conflict in the region. More than 300 large-format photographs, taken by official photographers or by soldiers, complete the exhibition.
The history centre is part of the Mémorial 14-18 Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, which includes the Anneau de la mémoire (Ring of Remembrance), bearing the names of 580,000 soldiers who died in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais between 1914 and 1918, and the national cemetery, where more than 42,000 soldiers rest.
Highlights
- Seven-part route on the First World War in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais
- More than 300 large-format photographs
- Black concrete and glass architecture by Pierre-Louis Faloci
- Free admission all year round, audio guide in four languages
- Close to the Ring of Remembrance and the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette cemetery
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent du centre d'histoire – Seven sections on the First World War in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais, with objects, period films, animated maps and more than 300 photographs.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Youth booklet (ages 7–8 to 12–13) | €3 |
|---|---|
| Audio guide in French, English, German or Dutch | €3 |
| Guided tour of the history centre (45 min, Sundays at 14:30) | €4Booking recommended |
| Essential visit of the three sites (Sundays from 14:30 to 16:15) | €6Free on the first Sunday of the month; booking required |
Admission is free all year round, except for special events. Payment by card, cash or cheque.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Workshops on Wednesdays and games on Saturdays during school holidays; visit-games for families from age 7. Youth booklet (ages 7–8 to 12–13) for €3 and the booklet “Deviens citoyen de la paix” for children from age 7.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
From Lens station, the on-demand bus Allobus “Sites de Mémoire” serves the Memorial (booking at 0 800 800 964).
By car
Parking available
Parking at the interpretation centre, accessed via the Chemin de Lens.
By car, 15 minutes from Lens: follow the direction “Notre-Dame-de-Lorette” on arriving in Souchez; the history centre is at the foot of the hill. Direct trains to Lens station from Paris, Lille, Calais, Arras, Amiens and other cities.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Souvenir shop on the First World War (postcards, regional bookshop, regional products), open at the same times as the centre. A restaurant is nearby, at 100 rue Pasteur.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN, DE, NL) |
| Good to know | Self-guided visit or with audio guide; half a day is enough to visit the three sites of the Memorial (history centre, Ring of Remembrance, cemetery). Guided tours on Sundays; booking online, by phone or by email. |
