Vimy Ridge is a chalk escarpment 12 kilometers north of Arras in northern France, site of a pivotal World War I battle on April 9, 1917, when all four divisions of the Canadian Corps captured the ridge from entrenched German forces. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial, designed by Walter Allward and unveiled in 1936, rises 27 meters from the hilltop, inscribed with the names of 11,285 Canadian soldiers with no known grave. Preserved trench systems, craters, and underground tunnels are accessible on guided tours led by Canadian student guides. is just one of many options in Arras. Major attractions worth considering include Boulogne-sur-Mer, Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, and Notre Dame de Lorette.