Insight - World War I Battlefields - Small Group (05/2024 - 10/2024) (SEWW1AZN19)
4 Days From Paris to Paris
Tour Style: Regional Insight
Insight Brochure Price from $1,575.00
Brochures: Europe & Britain Premium 2023 v2, Europe & Britain Premium 2024 v1
Visits: France, Belgium
Live through the history and grit of World War I during this 4-day guided tour of its key battlefields and monuments. Journey from
Paris to the Ypres Salient battlefields and see the Passchendaele Memorial and Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the world for Commonwealth forces. Later, visit the Australian Fromelles Military Cemetery, where 250 British and Australian soldiers were buried after the Battle of Fromelles. Meet a Local Expert for a tour of the key battlefields of the Somme and see the church in Albert where many weary soldiers stopped for comfort on the way to those battlefields. On the way to Paris, visit the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and the Franco-Australian Museum in the local Victoria School.
Choice Highlights- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Arras: Visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Experience to commemorate the 1.7 million Commonwealth causalities from the First and Second World Wars.
- Vimy: Visit the Canadian National Memorial, dedicated to a battle that defined Canada as a nation, and walk among the original 100-year-old trenches.
Top Rated Highlights- Ypres: Tour the Ypres Salient Battlefields and hear the final salute to the fallen as the Last Post is sounded at the Menin Gate.
- Fromelles: See the Australian cemetery, commemorating one of the darkest days in Australian military history.
- Amiens: Enjoy a city orientation with your Travel Director and see a medieval town tastefully rebuilt after WWII.
- Arras: Visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Experience to commemorate the 1.7 million Commonwealth causalities from the First and Second World Wars.
- Vimy: Visit the Canadian National Memorial, dedicated to a battle that defined Canada as a nation, and walk among the original 100-year-old trenches.
- Albert: Hear the legends of the Golden Virgin, and later Leaning Virgin statue atop the church.
- Beaumont-Hamel: Explore Beaumont-Hamel, once the site of one of the largest allied offensives of the war.
- Villers-Bretonneux: Visit the Franco-Australian Museum in the local Victoria School and learn how Australian soldiers saved this town.
- Le Hamel: Learn about the battle that lasted just 93 minutes, 3 minutes more than calculated by Lieutenant General John Monash.
- Peronne: Like many others, this town was almost completely destroyed during German occupation, and was finally liberated by Australian Troops in September 1918.
Insight Experiences- Amiens: Venture through the battlefields of the Somme, as your local historian explains how brave soldiers fought tirelessly for five months.
Authentic Dining- Amiens: Indulge in a sustainably produced dinner, made with local ingredients.
- Dining Summary: 3 Breakfast (B), and 1 Dinner with Wine (DW)
Insight Tour Itinerary
| Day 1 | Ypres Battlefields and Lille |
| Depart Méridien Etoile Paris at 09:00 bound for Flanders Fields. Visit the Ypres Salient battlefields, including Hill 60, Polygon Wood, the Passchendaele Memorial and Tyne Cot Cemetery. In the town of Ypres, hear the Last Post sounded at the Menin Gate. Continue to your hotel and join your Travel Director for a Welcome Drink. |
| Visits: Paris, Ypres, Lille |
| Accommodation: Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place Hotel. |
| Day 2 | Fromelles and Vimy Ridge |
| See the Australian cemetery of Fromelles, commemorating one of the darkest days in Australian military history. Explore Arras with Insight Choice. Spend time at Vimy Ridge and walk among original trenches or learn about the efforts of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Continue to Amiens and perhaps visit the impressive cathedral? |
| Visits: Lille, Fromelles, Vimy, Amiens |
| Meals: Breakfast |
| Accommodation: Kyriad Prestige, Amiens. |
| Day 3 | The Battlefields of the Somme |
| Meet your Local Expert to explore the key battlefields of the Somme. Visit the Lochnagar Crater, the South African and New Zealand Memorials at Longueval, Newfoundland Memorial and Museum and the Franco-British Memorial at Thiepval. Enjoy a stop in Albert to see the church and hear the legends of the Golden Virgin statue atop - once a beacon to many soldiers who passed through the town during the Battle of the Somme. Afterwards, explore Beaumont-Hamel, one of the largest allied offensives of the war, and return to Amiens where you will have the afternoon at leisure. Maybe do a little shopping or spend some time in the historic Saint-Leu district? |
| Visits: Amiens, Thiepval, Albert |
| Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| Accommodation: Kyriad Prestige, Amiens. |
| Day 4 | Return to Paris |
| Visit the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and the Franco-Australian Museum in the local Victoria School. Stop to explore Le Hamel and then continue to Péronne. On return to Paris, a stop is made at Charles De Gaulle Airport. For those departing in the evening, please do not schedule flights before 20:00. Alternatively, the coach will drop you at the Méridien Etoile Paris hotel. |
| Visits: Amiens, Villers-Bretonneux, Le Hamel, Peronne, Paris |
| Meals: Breakfast |
Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin
Child: ages 5 to 17