Sir John Monash Centre
Message from Tripadvisor
Closed until Mar 3, 2025

Sir John Monash Centre

Sir John Monash Centre
5
Temporarily closedClosed until Mar 3, 2025
About
Le Centre Sir John Monash raconte l’histoire de l’Australie pendant la Première Guerre mondiale sur le front occidental, à travers les mots de ceux qui y ont participé. Situé à l’arrière du Mémorial National australien et adjacent au cimetière militaire de Villers-Bretonneux, le Centre Sir John Monash est un site clé du Chemin de mémoire australien sur le front occidental. Ce centre multimédia à la pointe de la technologie permet de faire découvrir la Première Guerre mondiale guerre sur le front occidental d’un point de vue australien à travers un certain nombre d’installations multimédia interactives et d’expériences immersives. L’expérience est conçue pour que les visiteurs aient une meilleure compréhension du périple vécu par les soldats Australiens ordinaires, raconté avec leurs propres mots au travers de lettres, de journaux intimes et d’images de la vie quotidienne. Une visite du Centre Sir John Monash est une expérience émouvante qui marquera durablement les visiteurs.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Sir John Monash Centre

Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.

See what travelers are saying

  • Margaret L
    Brisbane, Australia436 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unmissable for all Australians
    So very well done! Very moving experience. The history of World War 1 and the Australians defence of particularly Villers-Bretonneux is explained clearly through videos with audio through your phone. There is free wifi and you download the app to listen to. If you don’t have headphones, you can buy them for €3. Entry is free. If you are walking from the train station, it’s about a 3 kilometre walk through a farmers field. (Actually, that’s one thing that could be improved- more signage, as you could swear you were lost) A must do for ALL Australians
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 22, 2024
  • gwenmoron
    Chatellerault, France6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must do
    This center was for me one of the most beautiful discoveries of the remembrance circuit. The audio-visual system used to reveal the involvement of Australian troops during the Battle of the Somme is incredible and makes the visit much more fun. This center is a must for anyone interested in this topic. I will return without hesitation
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written September 7, 2024
  • Steven B
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Make it a must see, the CWGC cemetery and Sir John Monash centre.
    A fantastic site, from the initial walking up through the graves, to climbing the tower, and taking in the virtual interactive museum. A lovely kept cemetery, as are all CWGC ones, to an imposing wall and tower. Climb to it's top for outstanding views of the site and surrounding battlefields. The museum/visitors center is free, but would willing pay to visit it. You can spend half a day here listening to and watching all the videos, so don't rush it.
    Visited October 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written October 26, 2024
  • Stewart_Julie
    Melbourne, Australia538 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Must Visit for Aussie
    If you travels takes you to France or Europe the Sir John Monash Centre needs to be on your itinerary. This was our second visit, and we found it every bit as moving as our first. Now for a ‘plug’ - you can not go past staying at Le Macassar in Corbie. It’s the closest accommodation to the Sir John Monash Centre, run by lovely Canadian hosts Deborah & Gordon. We’ve stayed there twice for good reason.
    Visited October 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 22, 2024
  • Petal
    Brisbane, Australia1,667 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unmissable Immersive Experience
    The Sir John Monash Centre has been very well designed in that it is unobtrusive that sits behind the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux. The Centre honours and commemorates Australian military personnel killed on the Western Front during World War. The Centre is respectful and informative delivering information in a fresh way to immerse visitors into what the experience might have felt like during the horrific conflicts on the Western Front during WWI. Do not miss the theatre experience where actual WWI scenes have been recreated, based on archives the scenes and dialogue that are authentic to the time. It is immensely moving and quiet upsetting at times, particularly as the sound of explosions and pain sounds very real. Also, be aware that 'smoke' and "gas" will be present in the room during the film, this is to really show you the terror of what it would have been like. The fear and chaos are brilliantly replicated. You will walk out of the theatre shaken and reflective. The rest of the Centre is also immersive, you listen on your airpods (or can purchase headphones) to hear the 'voices' of various moments in war history on the Western Front from an Australian perspective. After weeks in Europe it was so beautiful to hear the Aussie accent again! None of the staff were Australian, they were French or British. Make sure you pop into the small gift shop as there are some gems there worth looking at and considering to take home as mementos. The café was a good way to wrap up the visit and reflect on what you have seen and experienced. They have a good variety of food and drinks for the whole family....we even saw they had vegemite! It will be an emotional experience, but one definitely worth you and your family considering if you are in Europe and want to honour our fallen. May they Rest in Peace.
    Visited December 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written January 10, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles200 reviews
Excellent
179
Very good
15
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
2

michel
Vienne, France3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
We arrived at the Australian WW1 graveyard on a cold January day, we were the only car in the carpark, the reception building was deserted, I thought typical french, nothing open in winter. We walked through the wet grass of the graveyard and climbed the observation tower, not a soul in sight, all in all pretty windy miserable and depressing, THEN we pushed on the door of the Sir John Monash Centre and it opened, it was warm inside, an Australian guide greated us at the door. Did we want to warm up and have a coffee before we viewed the museum (you bet we did). We found out later that they had only opened on the off chance that someone would come (and 2 other Australian couples had come, even the english volunteers who ran the cofee shop had come in. This was a great and very modern museum with lovely staff both french and Australian, truly moving and the technolgy actually worked (ask about the indoor location beacons). The museum is funded / managed by the Australian War Graves comission and is real credit to them!
Written January 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Simon G
Kent, UK71 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Friends
Extraordinary museum; my 3rd visit. Brilliant use of modern technology, hours of old photos and cine available. Moving testimony, stunning audio-visuals with vivid battlefield reconstruction. This is one of the finest museums I have visited in over 40 years professional guiding. We spent 5 hours there. I don't think I've ever done that before. If you are visiting the Somme battlefields, DO NOT miss this. There are flashing lights in the "Immersive" experience, and some of the visuals may be disturbing for the young or delicate. Sir John Monash may have been the finest general on any side in WW1. He's not well enough known outside Australia, even if he is on their $50 note.
Written November 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Canada27
Tecumseh, Canada575 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
This place is a must if you're on the Somme, whether you're an Aussie/Kiwi or not. First off, it's free so time is the only thing you'll spend and it will be spent well.

After seeing the towering monument and walking among the graves, the museum will take you back to those fateful days at Villers-Bretonneux during the Great War. This museum has a modern feel and is very interactive with its many screens and narrations. Friendly staff are on site to help you navigate or answer any questions. I've paid for admission at museums of lesser calibre. You really can't beat what it has to offer.

There's a small cafe on site too if you need a snack or beverage. Can't recommend this place enough.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul C
Perth, Australia205 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019
We had attended the Anzac Service the previous day and had tickets to the Monash Centre. There were loads of people around and it seemed like it was not the best idea to attend the day after Anzac Day. However we had tickets and a time so pushed on. The Centre is brilliant and can accommodate the crowds there and staff kept the numbers in to a manageable level.
The exhibits are stunning in the way they are presented and we spent 3+ hours there just checking it all out. The interactive and static displays, along with the real items and reproductions added to the story. I was stunned when using the search facility to find my grandfather's details and service record easily. Everyone in our party came away touched by the level of detail and care involved. Many thanks to the staff there and the fact that I now know where my Grandfather fought, enlisted and so much more. Pity not everyone can get there and then also look over the land fought on.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Danielle L
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
Highly recommend this as a stopping point during your visit to the Somme region. Very interactive and an excellent use of technology. Lots of interesting information. You can have a quick look through in an hour or so, but to do it thoroughly you will need a few hours. The immersive experience was also excellent.
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

H.F. Callaghan
Cabramurra, Australia347 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
We attended the dawn service service for ANZAC day in 2023. The Memorial and Monash centre are wonderful treasures for our thousands of fallen on these battlefields. The centre is magnificent. It’s lates out perfectly, great exhibits, fantastic documentaries and information. The staff there are so courteous and couldn’t be more helpful to us Australians. Well done to everyone involved and you should be very proud. The footage in the films are first rate. You should do a full documentary on all you have there. Very moving morning and topped off by a great exhibition.
Written April 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AdamDAus
Melbourne, Australia88 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
As an Australian who lost an ancestor in the Great War this is a must see. You will not leave without feeling so many emotions. To walk around the grave stones and read the names AND their ages will bring a tear to the eye and a lump in the throat.

Walk around the entire site and make sure you use the App to fully experience.

HINT: use the app and watch all interactive areas PLUS click on the commemoration tab. So powerful and moving to read the rites the ANZAC ode plus play the Last Post
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

I_over_P
Munich, Germany142 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
We travelled around the area to see all the battle sides and memorials. There are several good museums in the area, but this one was our favorite. It is free of charge, really interactive and engaging. The little cafe is also nice to have a cup of coffee after your visit.
Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kazzmak
Melbourne, Australia15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
The whole experience, from the cemetery to the memorial and the Sir John Monash Centre was amazing. I learned so much there, and I came away feeling humbled and sad….. but uplifted at the same time, if that makes sense.
The centre is world class, and a must visit for anyone passing by, or even if it’s out if the way.
Highly recommended!!! I hope we will be back ❤️
Written August 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fuzzylogic56
18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
Many informative displays which help give an understanding of the different phases of WW1 , it’s battles and it’s impact on people including those at home. Staff were very friendly and helpful. A solemn and respectful place where you can spend several hours easily
Written June 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 156
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Sir John Monash Centre - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

All things to do in Fouilloy
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars