The Somme, the scene in 1916 of the bloodiest and most senseless battle of World War I.
More than a million died, including a whole generation of young soldiers from Great Britain, Canada and Australia.
Today the front-line is marked by the countless military graves of former British Empire soldiers.
Vigilance learnt France24 radio reporters met the descendants of soldiers and visitors from all over the world who had gathered to honour the memory of the fallen.