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Ieper (Ypres)
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Saint Julien Memorial
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Saint Julien Memorial

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Saint Julien Memorial
5
186 reviews
#3 of 103 things to do in Ieper (Ypres)
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
13 within 3 miles
Snackhuisje
2
0.9 mi
Family Pizza
51
1.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Fast Food
Bistro de Koornbloem
18
1.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Belgian • European
'T Oud Gemeentehuis
6
1.5 mi$$ - $$$
St-Jef
4
2 mi$$ - $$$ • Belgian • European
The Old Cheesefactory
31
2 mi$$ - $$$ • Belgian • Dutch • European
De Volksbond
182
2.8 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Belgian • International
Spoorlijn 64
3
2.6 miBar • Pub
Koklikoo Teahouse & Bistro
202
2.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Belgian • European • Vegetarian Friendly
The Corner Cafe
34
2.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe
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Attractions
110 within 6 miles
Langemark Cemetery
262
1.6 miCemeteries
Tyne Cot Cemetery
1,483
2.9 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Cemeteries
Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
1,042
2.9 miHistory Museums
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56
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Cemeteries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
186 reviews
Excellent
145
Very good
40
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Richard S
Grange-over-Sands, UK101 contributions
A wonderful tribute to the Canadian Fallen in WW1
Sep 2022
This is known as the Brooding Soldier and is a Canadian memorial to their war dead. He bows his head over, with his rifle reversed. Fantastic and moving.
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris D
New Westminster, Canada3,090 contributions
When Will We Ever Learn?
Aug 2022
The monuments to Canada's fallen youth and the cemeteries that contain them cover this part of France and Belgium like wheat-fields cover Saskatchewan.
This monument: "the Brooding Soldier", deals with the Second Battle of Ypres, and (research indicates) the first use of poison gas by Germany on the western front. There is free parking available, even for tour buses. So, stop a while, and (yet again) reflect on young lives lost, and why..........
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fi S
London, UK507 contributions
The Brooding Soldier
Jun 2022
A very impressive Canadian memorial, surrounded by a beautifully tended garden. Well worth spending 20 minutes to soak up the atmosphere and reflect.
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Randy M
Calgary, Canada12 contributions
Canadian Memorial
Aug 2019
One of the many memorials for Canadian solders of the Great War, with this one commemorating the gas attacks on the Canadian trenches. Having seen it on TV for so may years during Remembrance Day ceremonies, it was wonderful to see it in person.
Written March 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Patricia G
Worcester, UK1,058 contributions
Sobering memorial
Feb 2020 • Couples
The Brooding Soldier is easily visible from the highway, but it's worth pausing on your journey to pay your respects. With his bowed head and deeply thoughtful
pose, he commemorates the victims of the first known use of gas in warfare.
The design for this monument won its originator second prize in a memorial competition.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Terry P
Arlington, United States69 contributions
Oh Canada
Sep 2019
This memorial was under renovation when we visited, buts its a very well kept and beautiful memorial to the Canadian troops that suffered through the first gas attacks of the war.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Harrison F. Carter
Cologne, Germany10,777 contributions
A powerful & appropriate simplicity
Mar 2019
We were fortunate to visit with a group of people from all different kinds of military backgrounds and experiences... listening to their stories held such a resonance at this site. The design of this memorial encourages and creates a special level of thought.
Written November 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bernard K
Calgary, Canada25 contributions
Site of first gas attacks in World War 1
Sep 2019
This site commemorating Canadian Soldiers repelling the first gas attacks in World War 1 is a beautiful garden surrounding a very poignant monument.
Written November 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stewart C
Chatham, UK1,007 contributions
Striking in its simplicity but captures a nations grief.
Sep 2019
We visited the Saint Julien Memorial otherwise known as the ‘Brooding Solidier’ during a two day trip to Ypres. I had planned to visit some memorials and cemeteries in the area and this memorial lay on our route between the two military cemeteries at Tyne Cot and Langermark.
Situated at a crossroads of the N313 and the ‘Zonnebekestraat’, there is a small amount of (free) parking close by. The monument dominates the immediate area and commemorates the Canadian troops stand during the second battle of Ypres and in particular against the first use of poison gas during World War 1 as an offensive weapon.
The tall white stone memorial reflecting the afternoon sunshine is topped by the head and shoulders of a bowed Canadian soldier is striking in its simplicity but captures a nations grief. At the foot of the monument is a circular stone base with neatly trimmed grassed areas and surrounded by mature Cedar trees.
Despite being near a main road the area was very peaceful and the visitor has the opportunity to admire the memorial in a spirit of quiet reflexion.
Written September 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bonvogagealison!
Belfast, UK101 contributions
Loved The Brooding Soldier!
Jul 2019
On first sight of The Brooding Soldier I was mesmerised! The height of it is amazing and the facial features are truly real. The statue is on part of the road known as Vancouver Corner and is dedicated to the Canadian soldiers who endured and died during the first gas attacks by Germany in the First World War.

Take the opportunity to see this as stopping at this memorial is so worth it. Very emotional.
Written August 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Saint Julien Memorial, Ieper (Ypres)

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