angelab Posted 20 April , 2013 Share Posted 20 April , 2013 I drove up to Notre Dame de Lorette yesterday, and found a huge amount of work going on. The whole road is being renewed, much earthworks in evidence on the downhill side; the Musée has had a much-needed coat of paint (exterior only!) and the cafe too. I googled to see what exactly they were doing - presumably for the centenary - and found that there is to be a huge new international memorial bearing 600,000 names of all those who fell in the Nord and Pas de Calais - of all nations. They will be listed in strict alphabetical order, with no concession to rank or nationality. Also planned, at the bottom of the hill in the place where the little museum and tourist office was there will be a new museum (opening Oct 2014) explaining the fighting in the Nord/Pas de Calais area. Sorry this is a horrendously long link, but can't seem to do a tidy one from my iPad: http://www.nordpasdecalais.fr/upload/docs/application/pdf/2012-07/dossier_de_presse_lorette_souchez_def_de_def.pdf Also, I'm afraid it's in French... Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelab Posted 20 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 20 April , 2013 Whoops! Can't see a way to edit this, so I'll just add that the new memorial with all the names is to be built into the grass slope on the left as you drive up, presumably near the already existing French war graves office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimSmithson Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 Thanks Angela. I knew they had plans but had not seen them. Am I on my own when I say that the memorial will be an eyesore and is a mistake. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelab Posted 21 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 21 April , 2013 I have to agree, Jim, that it does look a bit weird from the mockup on the document. At least it will be a bit downhill from the main focus of interest. Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 Thanks for the link, Angela. When proposals were aired here to the effect that German names could be listed alongside British ones in a projection near the Cenotaph, there was an outcry led by tabloids and taken up by some members of an internet forum. What reaction, if any, has there been to the proposals to list the dead of all the allies and the enemy in one memorial in alphabetical order? Interesting that they describe British soldiers as volunteers. I think it looks rather fine - the French do have a flair for design and seem to fund it adequately. Personally I think the existing chapel is ugly, but it's of its time. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frajohn Posted 2 October , 2014 Share Posted 2 October , 2014 I took the photo below yesterday. It appears that it is on target to meet the opening date of 11/11/2014. I agree with Gwen's comment on the memorial, it looks as though it will sit well in the landscape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandy hall Posted 2 October , 2014 Share Posted 2 October , 2014 Did you take any more photos Frajohn? I am assuming your photo is looking towards the main entrance and the memorial has been built over where the viewing platform and toilets were. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frajohn Posted 3 October , 2014 Share Posted 3 October , 2014 Hi Mandy Although I did take other photos they do not show anything very different. It is not possible to access any part of the site. I could only take photos from the cemetery. At present there is no access from theD937 but you have to go along the road from Ablain Saint-Nazaire. As you come up that road you can see the memorial but as the road is controlled by traffic lights I did not feel secure in stopping to take photos. Kind regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelcave Posted 3 October , 2014 Share Posted 3 October , 2014 I think one casualty of the new memorial will be the orientation table that stood, more or less, opposite the main entrance to the cemetery area: put it this way, from what I could see at the distance it did not seem to be there any longer. I do hope (a) it gets replaced and ( if it has to move, in a suitable position to see the places marked on the table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandy hall Posted 3 October , 2014 Share Posted 3 October , 2014 Hi Mandy Although I did take other photos they do not show anything very different. It is not possible to access any part of the site. I could only take photos from the cemetery. At present there is no access from theD937 but you have to go along the road from Ablain Saint-Nazaire. As you come up that road you can see the memorial but as the road is controlled by traffic lights I did not feel secure in stopping to take photos. Kind regards John Thanks John, I might get to have a look in November. I think one casualty of the new memorial will be the orientation table that stood, more or less, opposite the main entrance to the cemetery area: put it this way, from what I could see at the distance it did not seem to be there any longer. I do hope (a) it gets replaced and ( if it has to move, in a suitable position to see the places marked on the table. That's what it looks like. Under the orientation table was a handy loo. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelcave Posted 3 October , 2014 Share Posted 3 October , 2014 That's what it looks like. Under the orientation table was a handy loo.Mandy The orientation table was off a bit to the left of the toilets - I think that 'convenience' part looked relatively unscathed when I was there, though one can hope that the facilities might be modernised! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frajohn Posted 4 November , 2014 Share Posted 4 November , 2014 Nigel / Mandy The orientation table and loo are still there but it doesn't appear that much work has been carried out on the loo John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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