FA chief executive Martin Glenn was humbled by Tuesday's overwhelming trip to the Thiepval Memorial as part of the commemorations to the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
The day after England arrived in France ahead of Euro 2016, a contingent from the country's governing body made the trip ahead of a poignant First World War milestone.
The 141-day Battle of the Somme witnessed the bloodiest day in British military history on July 1, 1916, when 19,240 soldiers were killed and tens of thousands injured.
Leeds and England player Lt Evelyn Lintott of the 15th [Service] Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment was among those killed and is commemorated alongside 72,000 other soldiers without a known grave at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
Glenn and performance director Dan Ashworth visited the site on Tuesday afternoon, laying wreaths at the memorial and holding a minute's silence during an in-depth tour.
"From a personal level, it was humbling experience,'' Glenn told PA Sport.
"I've got the privilege to represent the country in a certain way, and certainly the Football Association, but it was also very humbling.
"I've not been to the Thiepval Memorial before. I know World War I history but I've not been there and 72,000 unidentified soldiers nearly fills Wembley -- it's huge. You just can't believe the scale of it.
"It was very atmospheric, the memorial was brilliant, beautiful and had a nice human feel to it as well. It was humbling to do it.
"The FA has been involved with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for a number of years and we bring their message to a different audience though football, which opens up a wider group of people.''
The FA is working with the Premier League and Football League to mark the centenary of the First World War as part of the Football Remembers campaign.
The Wembley arch is to be lit in remembrance on July 1 along with a Football Remembers message on the external screens, as well as marking Armed Forces Day on June 25.
A recently-recorded video message from England internationals James Milner and Joe Hart acknowledged those who lost their lives and the work of the CWGC, but the players did not join Glenn and Ashworth at Thiepval on Tuesday.
Provisional plans had been made for some squad members to make the trip, but they remained in Chantilly instead of making the three-hour return journey as preparations continue ahead of Saturday's Group B clash with Russia.
"There's two full days until we fly out to Marseille,'' Glenn said, having highlighted that Tuesday was not a "working training session'' as it was open.
"It's a football tournament so the squad need to be in the best condition they can be for that.
"It's a shame -- they'd have liked to have done it but focus has to be make sure they are absolutely tip-top.''