La Targette French National Cemetery, Military cemetery and national necropolis in Neuville-Saint-Vaast, France

La Targette is a French national cemetery in Neuville-Saint-Vaast, covering 4.45 hectares. Its 12,010 graves from both world wars are marked by rows of white crosses set on small square bases, with a tall white flagpole on the central path. Three ossuaries hold 3,212 unknown French soldiers of the First World War, 185 identified ones, and 225 unknown from the Second World War.

The cemetery was established in 1919 after fighting in the region came to an end, particularly around the heights near Arras where French and German troops clashed fiercely. Many of the dead were gathered and brought together at this location only after the war concluded.

The site is named after a nearby road and serves today as a place where visitors read names on crosses and pause to remember those who fell. The simple design with white markers creates a solemn setting for reflection.

The cemetery grounds are easily accessible with an information office where visitors can search for records of buried soldiers and learn about specific individuals. It is worth allowing time to walk through the rows and study the memorial stones, particularly if you are looking for a particular person.

The cemetery was one of 139 First World War memorial and burial sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023. Among the graves is that of writer Paul Nizan, killed in 1940 and buried in square B, row 9, grave 8189.