Peace is not a permanent state
but a fragile, hard-won privilege.

1914-1918, 1939-1945: on two occasions, Nord-Pas de Calais was the theatre of terrible operations during both First and Second World Wars. The 650 or so military cemeteries dotting the region bear silent witness to these tragic events.


This heritage, a unique element of the region’s culture, is the basis for the First and Second World War “Chemins de mémoire” (Ways of Remembrance). By allowing these difficult pages in our history to be rediscovered, the different itineraries aim to pay homage to the men and women, some of whom came from very far away, whose commitment has made a permanent mark on the regional, national and world memory.  

The “Chemins de mémoire” of Nord-Pas de Calais remind us that the Europe of today was born out of yesterday’s conflicts. Peace is not a permanent state but a fragile, hard-won privilege.