3-Day French and Belgian Battlefields Small Group Tour

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Want to tour the battlefields of France and Belgium but don't want to join a large coach group? Looking for a little flexibility and spontaneity in your itinerary? Do you have a few days to really get deep into the history of the World Wars?

Accompanied by ex-army personnel or Battlefield Guides with postgraduate qualifications, you will gain a fascinating insight into the Western Battlefields of Belgium and France on this small group tour.

With a maximum group size of 16 and a university educated guide/driver, you are sure to have a memorable and personal experience.

Three Day Small Group Tour of the French and Belgian Battlefields

Seasonal
March 21 to November 14
Saturday

Tour departs from St Pancras Station Eurostar terminal

7:00am

Tour returns to original point of departure at approximately 7:35pm (Day 3)

Hotel pick up not available

Day One:

Tour the Somme battlefield covering major sites from the calamitous first day through the whole five months of the battle. You'll see Delville Wood, the Welsh memorial at Mametz Wood, the huge Lochnagar mine crater, the sunken road where the Accrington Pals were virtually wiped out, Sausage Valley, the Poziere battlefield and Windmill Hill (both important sites for Australians), Courcellette, site of the first major use of tanks supporting Canadian troops, and the nearby tank memorial.

Also included is Albert, the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing and the Ulster Tower. An undoubted highlight, however, will be your guided walk around the incredible preserved Beaumont Hamel battlefield site. Other sites will be added according to the interest of the tour participants.

Day Two:

On your day touring the Salient you'll see, in the company of a first class guide, some of the most important sites that remain; the German cemetery in Langemark, the area of the first gas attack by Vancouver Corner, where flame throwers were introduced into modern warfare, John McRae's Essex Farm site, Hooge crater and museum, the Passendaele area and Tyne Cot cemetery.

You'll walk the moonscape of the Hill 60 battlefield and see literally dozens of memorials to British, Australian and Canadian regiments. You'll also spend time in Ypres itself with the opportunity to visit St George's Chapel, the Menen (Menin) Gate Memorial. You will also have the opportunity to take an optional tour of the 'In Flanders Field' Museum.

Day Three

On this day you'll visit sites connected with the 1915 battles of Aubers Ridge, Festubert, and Neuve Chapelle, where the Indian Army gave a magnificent account of itself. You'll see where Adolf Hitler served and the bunker he is reputed to have used as a billet.

Australian's will enjoy seeing the Fromelles memorial. Tour the Loos battlefield, site of the disastrous battle of 1915, and Vimy Ridge where we take a tunnel tour. Canadians will find this of special interest during the 90th anniversary commemorations. You'll also see sites in and around the pretty city of Arras including (subject to opening) the recently discovered underground hospital and the French National memorial at Lorrette de Notre Dame.