Move the slider to take a look at how some of the iconic First World War sites from Belgium, France and Canada have changed in almost 100 years.

Then: Canadian armoured cars pass through the town hall square in Mons, Belgium in November 1918. The Canadian Corps liberated Mons on Armistice Day -- Nov. 11, 1918 -- after 50 months of German occupation. (Department of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada) 

Now: Mons is a commercial centre and university town, but Canada's contribution has not been forgotten. A plaque on town hall reads: "Mons was recaptured by the Canadian Corps on the 11th November 1918 … Here was fired the last shot of the Great War." (Google Maps)

 

Then: Many battles were fought in Arras, France -- just kilometres from the frontline and Vimy Ridge. By the end of the First World War, much of the city was burned or heavily damaged by German shelling, including La Grand'Place (pictured).

Now: While reconstruction in Arras was costly, the city has since prospered and expanded.  France's biggest Christmas market north of Paris is held in La Grand'Place. (Google Maps)

 

Then: Almost 2,000 Canadians were killed in the mass devastation of the 1915 Battle of Ypres, in western Belgium. Here, Allied troops are seen marching past Cloth Hall -- a large medieval commercial building -- after it was destroyed by artillery fire.

Now: The hall was rebuilt between 1933 and 1967 to its pre-war condition. A painting of Cloth Hall now hangs in Canada’s Senate chambers. (Ben Sutherland / Flickr)

 

Then: As with much of Ypres, St. Martin's Cathedral was left in ruins following the First World War. The cathedral was built between 1230 and 1370, and served as the seat of the former diocese of Ypres.

Now: From 1922 to 1930, the rubble was cleared and the church was eventually rebuilt to its original plans, though the tower was built with a higher spire. (Bernt Rostad / Flickr)

 

Then: In medieval times, the Menin Gate was a narrow gateway on the eastern side of Ypres, used as fortification and to keep invaders out. British and Canadian soldiers often passed near the gate on their way to the frontlines of the many battles.

Now: An arch -- designed in 1921 and unveiled in 1927 -- now stands at the site and honours the 54,896 Commonwealth soldiers who died in combat and have no known graves. (Andrew Nash / Flickr)

 

Then: One of the largest battles of the First World War was fought near the River Somme. More than 1 million men were wounded or killed. A massive network of trenches was created throughout the region.

Now: Today, those deadly battlefields are located in Picardy's beautiful and rural landscape and visitors can take tours of the trenches, cemeteries and preserved battle sites. (Sean B. Jack / Flickr)

 

Then: Canadians march through the streets of Mons, Belgium on the morning of Nov. 11, 1918 after soldiers successfully liberated the town from a long German occupation. 

Now: Mons is home to 93,000 residents and is also the location of NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe central headquarters. (Google Maps)

 

Then: The Frederik VIII Danmark hospital ship is seen in Halifax's harbour during the First World War. During the war, Halifax was busy around the clock, acting as a staging area for ships and troops heading to Europe.

Now: The harbour was badly damaged in the 1917 Halifax Explosion, which occurred when a French cargo ship loaded with explosives was involved in a collision. Today, the site is a booming site for tourism and business. (Doug Kerr / Flickr)