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Battlefield tours in France

Metropolitan France was settled during the Iron Age by Celtic tribes known as Gauls. Rome annexed the area in 51 BC, leading to a distinct Gallo-Roman culture that laid the foundation of the French language.

In the High Middle Ages, France was a powerful but highly decentralised feudal kingdom. Philip II successfully strengthened royal power and defeated his rivals to double the size of the crown lands; by the end of his reign, France had emerged as the most powerful state in Europe.

From the mid-14th to the mid-15th century, France was plunged into a series of dynastic conflicts involving England, collectively known as the Hundred Years’ War, and a distinct French identity emerged as a result.

France reached its political and military zenith in the early 19th century under Napoleon Bonaparte, subjugating much of continental Europe and establishing the First French Empire.

The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars shaped the course of European and world history.

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Home » A Guided Tour of France’s Historic Battlefields and War Memorials

A Guided Tour of France’s Historic Battlefields and War Memorials

France is home to some of the most significant battlefields and war memorials from World War I and World War II. These sites offer an opportunity to learn about the history of these wars and pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and died for their country. A guided tour of these sites can be a powerful and moving experience, providing a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by those who fought in these conflicts.

In this article, we will be exploring some of the most famous battlefields and war memorials in France, including those on the Western Front, the Eastern Front, and the Southern Front. We will also provide information on what to expect on a guided tour, and tips and advice on how to plan your visit .

The Western Front

The Somme region in northern France is known for the famous battles that took place during World War I. The Battle of the Somme, which lasted from July to November 1916, was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, with over 1 million casualties. The Somme region is home to several war cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the battle, including the Thiepval Memorial and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial.

The Battle of Verdun, which took place from February to December 1916, was one of the longest and most brutal battles of World War I. The Verdun region is home to several war cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the battle, including the Douaumont Ossuary and the Verdun Memorial.

The Ypres region in western Belgium was the site of several major battles during World War I, including the Battle of Ypres in 1914 and the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. The Ypres region is home to several war cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the battles, including the Menin Gate Memorial and the Tyne Cot Cemetery.

The Eastern Front

Alsace , located in northeastern France, was the site of several major battles during both World War I and World War II. The region is home to several war cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the battles, including the Hartmannswillerkopf Memorial and the Struthof-Natzweiler Memorial.

Lorraine, located in northeastern France, was the site of several major battles during both World War I and World War II. The region is home to several war cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the battles, including the Metz Memorial and the Nancy Memorial.

The Southern Front

The maginot line:.

The Maginot Line, a series of fortifications and bunkers built along the French-German border before World War II, was an important part of France’s defense strategy during the war. The line, named after French Minister of War André Maginot, was intended to deter a German invasion. The Maginot Line saw action during the Battle of France in 1940 and many of the fortifications and bunkers can still be visited today. Visitors can tour these fortifications and learn about the history and tactics of the French defense during World War II, including the museums and exhibits dedicated to this topic.

Normandy Beaches

The Normandy beaches, located on the northwest coast of France, were the site of the famous D-Day landings during World War II. On June 6, 1944, the beaches of Normandy were the location of the largest amphibious invasion in history, as Allied forces landed on five beaches in an effort to gain a foothold in Europe and defeat the German army.

One of the most famous beaches is Omaha Beach, where American forces faced heavy resistance and sustained heavy casualties. Another famous beach is Sword Beach, where British and Canadian forces landed. The invasion was a turning point in the war and marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

The Normandy beaches are now home to several war cemeteries, monuments and museums that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died during the D-Day landings. Visitors can pay their respects to the fallen soldiers by visiting the American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, the Bayeux War Cemetery and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery in Ranville. The D-Day Museum in Arromanches is also a must-see for visitors interested in learning more about the history of the landings and the events that led up to them.

Visitors can also take a guided tour of the beaches and the surrounding area, which can include visits to key landmarks such as the Pointe du Hoc, the Omaha Beach Memorial and the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Eglise. These tours can provide a deeper understanding of the logistics, strategy and sacrifices made during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy.

Planning Your Guided Tour

When planning your guided tour of France’s historic battlefields and war memorials, there are a few things to consider. First, it is important to choose the right tour company for your budget and needs.

Second, select the right itinerary for your interests and time frame. There are many different tours available, some of which focus on specific battles or regions, while others cover multiple sites. Make sure to choose an itinerary that will allow you to see the sites you are most interested in.

Finally, it is important to organize transportation. Some tours include local bus transportation, while others do not. If transportation is not included, it is important to plan how you will get to the various sites on your itinerary .

Of course on one of our tours, you’ll have your private driver and luxury vehicle to escort you and your private group. 

Get In Touch With Our Team For A Tour Itinerary

A guided tour of France’s historic battlefields and war memorials can be a powerful and moving experience. It allows visitors to learn about the history of these wars and pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and died for their country. From the Western Front to the Eastern Front and the Southern Front, there are many significant sites to visit and learn from. By planning ahead and selecting the right tour company, itinerary and transportation, you can have a memorable and educational experience. Remember that these sites are not only important for their historical significance, but also for the sacrifices made by those who fought in these conflicts.

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Battlefield Tours

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2024 Battlefield Tour

In the footsteps of titans: salonika and the great war, friday, sept. 13 – wednesday, sept. 18, 2024.

Venture into the crossroads of mythology and modernity with the National WWI Museum and Memorial as we explore the cultural and historical significance of the Salonika Front. From the dense forests and mountain landscapes of beautiful Greece, we will trace the forgotten trench lines of some of the war’s most remote battlefields and discover the global stories of this lesser-known theater rich in geopolitical importance as the “cradle of democracy.” The tour begins and ends in Thessaloniki (SKG) with five nights of lodging in the scenic Grecian countryside.

Please note:

This tour traverses rugged terrain and includes locations with steep and unpaved grounds. Unlike previous battlefield tours, much of this battlefield is inaccessible by vehicle. Participants MUST be able to walk a minimum of 6 miles without assistance and be able to carry their own equipment needed for hiking.

Planned Itinerary

Tour pricing, frequently asked questions.

Previous Tours

(May be subject to change)

Day 1: sept. 13.

Starting in Thessaloniki, the group’s first introduction to the campaign will be the Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, containing personnel from all nations. The group will travel north to study Birdcage Line, constructed by the British Army in 1916, and end the day at the Doiran Memorial.

Overnight Doiran – Dinner included

Day 2: Sept. 14

Northbound from Doiran, the group will explore the furthest extent of the French Army’s advance in 1915, passing through Gradsko and Krivolak. Stopping at the Demir Kapija tunnel on the way back to Doiran, the group will study the Dec. 1915 retreat before finishing the day at Lake Doiran.

Overnight Doiran – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 3: Sept. 15

Most of the day’s travels will be on flat ground and near the group’s hotel in Doiran, examining key points of action in the Battles of Doiran like La Tortue, Hill 340, the Hilt and the Petit Couronné.

Day 4: Sept. 16

A full day’s hike to Devil’s Eye and its views over Pip Ridge, the scene of the final decisive battle of Salonika in Sept. 1918. En route to the site, the group will pass through the Bulgarian reserve positions, artillery and command bunkers, as well as the T Line bunkers and an isolated British Divisional Memorial.

Day 5: Sept. 17

Trekking through the Struma Valley, the group will explore the various actions at Tumbitza Farm, specifically the 27th Division attacks, as well as the British battery positions at Triada (Dragos) and the Bulgarian positions at Palio Castro. For the final evening, the group will return to Thessaloniki.

Overnight Thessaloniki – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 6: Sept. 18

Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport for departures.

Questions?   Frequently Asked Questions

Modern wide angle photograph taken from the top of a grassy hill or bluff with old stone trench structures in it. In the foreground, a person wearing a sun hat gestures toward a lake stretching away in the distance.

$500 deposit (per person) due by April 19, 2024

Account in full due by june 30, 2024, costs include:.

  • Pick-up and drop-off at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
  • Bus, driver and guides throughout tour
  • 5 nights accommodation (includes all meals)
  • Small group size

It does not include:

  • Flights to and from Greece
  • Incidentals

Travel Insurance

Traveler is responsible for securing their own optional travel insurance.

We encourage scheduling your arrival the day before the tour begins to avoid any risk of a delayed flight.

Ready to register?      Registration   

france battlefields tour

The British Memorial to the Missing near Lake Doiran.

france battlefields tour

Bulgarian artillery position between Grand Couronné and Pip Ridge.

Please note: Modifications may occur due to current global travel restrictions.

When and where will we meet the group?

All participants should meet at the designated meeting place and time, provided with your tour information. It is recommended to arrive in the destination city the day before the tour, giving you ample time to meet at the gathering place. Once you receive the green light to purchase your airfare, please forward your arrival time and flight number to the Museum and Memorial's Learning Coordinator at [email protected] . This will assist guides in roll call before starting the tour.

What sites will we be visiting?

Please see the itinerary sent by the guides. The itinerary is loose, allowing flexibility in visiting additional sites.

What hotels will we be staying in? What amenities are included?

Please see the itinerary sent by the guides. Breakfast, WiFi and laundry services are generally available.

How many meals are included with my registration?

Breakfasts and at least one group dinner are covered under your registration. Lunches and other dinners are not included, unless otherwise specified. Please notify us immediately if you have any special dietary requirements. For most destinations, lunches will be approximately €15-€20 and dinners approximately €35.

How will we travel between different sites/cities?

Participants will travel by coach (bus) between cities and will walk around most sites.

What amenities are included with the bus?

The bus will have A/C and heating, a refrigerator, a restroom and complimentary water.

What should I wear?

  • Comfortable outdoor wear (e.g. T-shirts, jeans, shorts.) Avoid wearing clothing with large, loud logos.
  • Sweater or lightweight fleece
  • Appropriate footwear (e.g. walking shoes). A change of footwear is also advised.
  • Waterproof outer layers (light jacket)
  • Hat and sunscreen

What are essential items I need to pack?

  • Medicine (in your carry on!)*
  • Camera or phone
  • Night clothes
  • Socks and underwear
  • Satchel/day pack
  • Electricity adapters for destination countries
  • Portable power bank (if you have one)
  • Waterproof jacket (and trousers if you have them)
  • Sturdy shoes
  • Large plastic bag for worn clothes

* Note on medicine: should be kept in its original packing, and kept in your carry-on along with a copy of any doctor's prescription. Please consult with State Department travel information to ensure that your prescriptions are not prohibited in the destination countries. Most over-the-counter medicines can be obtained abroad, though they may have different names than those in the U.S. One of the guides, where possible, will accompany you to a pharmacy (widely available) to assist with replacements, if needed.

I am staying in Europe after the tour. Can I be dropped off at my hotel after the tour?

Unfortunately, due to the size and schedule of the coach, you will not be able to be dropped off at your hotel by bus. If you need assistance returning to your hotel:

  • See if your hotel has a shuttle service—communicate when and where you’ll need to be picked up.
  • If a shuttle is unavailable, the guides can assist you in finding a taxi.
  • If you’d prefer to use public transportation, the guides can assist you in getting the correct ticket/line.

How safe will I be touring in the Battlefield Tour regions?

Battle Honours hosts nearly 60 tours yearly and has been in the battlefield touring business for 15 years—many of the guides are former military or police. They have thoroughly assessed any potential risks that may occur during the tour—you will not be visiting any areas that may compromise your safety. Security is both their specialty and priority—you will be in very capable hands. To secure your money and passport, we recommend investing in a wearable money belt/pouch.

How much spending money should I bring with me?

We recommend bringing at least €200 in local currency, but how much you bring is truly a personal preference. Please make sure to notify your banks that you will be out of the country if you plan on taking your debit/credit/bank cards.

  • VISA is most readily accepted; American Express/Discover are not accepted at most places.
  • Cards issued by a smaller, regional bank that don’t have backing from larger institutions will not likely be accepted.
  • ATMs are accessible everywhere for cash withdrawal—withdrawal fees/exchange rates may apply.

How can I use my cellphone while abroad?

You will need to contact your service provider to arrange an international plan (plans vary by provider.) To avoid roaming charges, we recommend turning off apps needing WiFi data before departure. Set your phone to “Airplane Mode” before boarding your overseas flight.

I have an ancestor who fought in World War I in this particular region. Can I see the sites pertinent to their involvement?

Yes! The guides cater the tour itinerary to these requests. Send the name, rank, and any key military/occupational identification of your WWI ancestor to Clive Harris and Mike Sheil approximately two months before departure, to give ample time for research.

Can I bring my ancestor’s personal items (a diary, photographs or other memorabilia)?

Yes, please do! These really help bring your ancestor’s story come to life on the battlefield. Please let the guides know what items you’ll be bringing before packing them.

How much can I expect to walk during the tour?

Participants can expect to walk multiple miles each day across uneven, unpaved terrain. Please make sure you have comfortable, sturdy walking shoes. Battlefield maps will be provided by guides on-site and via email to the participants.

What is the climate of the region we’ll be visiting?

Generally, weather will be warm to mild, and potentially rainy. Feel free to pack a light jacket for the evening and a day pack that includes snacks as you travel off the beaten path.

Questions about mobility and accessibility, or any other questions? Contact [email protected] or 816.888.8153.

france battlefields tour

Serbian Mausoleum in Lembet Road Allied Military Cemetery.

france battlefields tour

British artillery position on La Tortue.

Considering taking your first tour? View journals from our past tours:

2023: The War in Champagne (Instagram stories)

2022: Verdun and Saint-Mihiel (YouTube playlist)

2019: Gallipoli

2018: Harry S. Truman and the A.E.F.

2018: A.E.F. Centennial Tour of France

2017: The Doughboys in France

2016: British, Italian and American sectors of the Italian battlefields

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About Clive Harris

Raised in Hertfordshire, Clive developed a lifelong fascination with history. He spent seven years with the Royal Corps of Signals, serving operationally overseas with the 1st Armoured Division in BAOR — an Infantry attachment with the Royal Green Jackets, in Cyprus, Germany and France — and finally taking an instructor’s post in the Signals Wing of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. On leaving the army he joined his local Constabulary, serving 11 years in their Force Operations Room as a specialist communications officer and control room manager. In 1998, he began working as a speaker, writer, researcher and battlefield guide and since then has guided groups to the Somme, Ypres, Arras, Mons, Cambrai, The Hindenburg Line, Verdun, and Gallipoli for the Great War, as well as Normandy, Arnhem, The Italian Campaign, and of course the London Blitz for the Second World War. Clive is a Badged Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (No33) and also a member of the British Commission for Military History.

About Mike St Maur Sheil

Mike is the award-winning curator of Fields of Battle, Lands of Peace 1914-1918. After studying Geography at Oxford, in the early 1970s Mike began his career as a photojournalist covering “the Troubles” in Northern Ireland. Here he became associated with the New York picture agency, Black Star, and over thirty years later he is still in the fortunate position of being paid to do what he loves doing — taking photographs. Mike has visited over 60 countries around the world, working for a wide range of clients such as ABC-TV, BBC, Anti-Slavery International, British Red Cross, European Commission, National Geographic , The New York Times , Shell, Time and Time Life .

Images courtesy of Mike St Maur Sheil / Fields of Battle 1418

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ROMAIN BRÉGET - FRENCH BATTLEFIELDS GUIDE

Exploring the battlefields of Normandy and France

[email protected]

PRIVATE TOURS AND EXCURSIONS

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D-DAY TOURS

A tour of the landing beaches of Normandy is for many a very meaningful journey. Whether you come for re-tracing the footsteps of a relative or to pay respect for those who gave their life, American, British, Canadians and French, I offer you the possibility of a full-day tour to explore the DDay battlefields at your own pace.

BATTLE OF NORMANDY TOURS

D-Day was just the start of a 100-days long battle for the Allied forces in Western France. Going beyond the beaches allows a better understanding of the brutality and challenges the men faced, whether it was in the hedgerow countryside of Saint-Lô or the open-fields of Caen.

BESPOKE TOURS

From military studies to fully customized tour retracing a next-of-kin footsteps, we can discuss together a large array of possibilities to create a Normandy experience that will suit your particular need and expectations.

IMG-20230606-WA0032.jpg

I am an independent  certified tour guide in France, specialized on the DDay and Normandy battlefields. With more than 15 years of experience, I am looking forward to welcoming you in these meaningful places where some many men gave their lives on the beaches and countrysides of Normandy.

Thank you !

WW2 battlefield Guided Tours in France

Experience ww2 battlefields in france with custom-tailored guided tours and private guides, discover france's ww2 battlefields with guided tours specialists.

Are you interested in the Second World War ? We organize your WW2 battlefield custom-tailored Guided Tour in France , with the best guides and specialists.

From the D-day Normandy beaches to the Ardennes mountains, passing by Dunkirk or the landing in Provence, France hosts some of the most famous WW2 battlefields in the world. Experience the emotion of the D-day beaches (1944), the jubilation of the liberation of Paris (1944), the unknown episode of the Landing in Provence (1944), the snow of the Battle of the Bulge (1944-45)... but also discover the bloody battle of Dunkirk (1940), the tragic landing in Dieppe (1942), the Occupation era in Paris, the heroic fightings of the French Resistance (like the Vercors battle in 1944).

From offbeat locations to the most renowned battlefields , you are accompanied by an independent local professional guide and specialist, who makes these battlefields alive especially for you.

Your WW2 battlefield Guided Tour is entirely private and custom-tailored

Save time and money ! Depending on your requests and destination, we organize your perfect trip everywhere in France : tell us where you go and what you are interested in and we design your Guided Tour .

Here are just a few of the places we visit:

  • The Normandy landing sites (US, British, Canadian)
  • The paratroopers in Normandy
  • The battle of Normandy
  • The battle of Bulge
  • The Dunkirk battle
  • The Dieppe landing
  • The Provence Landing
  • Occupation and Resistance in Paris, in Lyon
  • The Resistance battle in Vercors
  • The slaughter of the Oradour sur Glane village
  • And much more... contact us !

If you don't have your own vehicle, we can also organize transportation with private limousine or van.

We complete your Guided Tour with recommendations for the best restaurants, hotels and exhibitions, in order to provide a unique experience.

Each Guided Tour is different: price is quoted on demand.

Contact us so we can start working on your customized WW2 battlefield Guided Tour in France : [email protected].

+33 188 611 149 (8AM to 8PM Paris Time)

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Somme Battlefield Tour from Paris

with Villers-Bretonneux Cemetery & John Monash Centre

Small Group Tour

Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux

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Explore the Somme Battlefields

Visit the Somme battlefields where some of the bloodiest battles of WWI were fought. On this small group tour you’ll learn about the Great War and the many struggles faced by the Australian, British, and Canadian soldiers who fought in it. As you walk on the still scarred battlegrounds of the Somme region on this fascinating day trip from Paris.

You’ll walk in the trenches at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, visit the Sir John Monash Center, marvel at the huge Lochnagar mine crater. You’ll also pay your respects to the fallen soldiers in Pozieres at the Windmill, the Australian National Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux, and at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. Finishing off the day with a visit to the 13th century Cathedral of Amiens, the largest Cathedral in France.

We focus on providing a personal and in depth experience of the Somme region in order to help the memory of these brave men live on. As such we limit the size of our groups to no more than 8 people. This means we can avoid the confusion, and delays, that are caused during big group tours and share more important places and historical moments of interest with you.

Trenches at Beaumont-Hamel

War of the Trenches

Your day of exploration will start with a pleasant drive through the French countryside from Paris to the Somme region. The first historical stop on this tour is the massive Lochnagar Mine Crater. On July 1st 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 30 tons of explosives were tunneled under and used to obliterate German dugouts creating this crater. On that day alone more than 72,000 casualties occured on all sides of the battle lines.

To honor these men, you’ll visit the massive and very moving Thiepval Memorial of the Missing, where row after row of tombs are marked with only: “A soldier of the Great War, known unto God”. The stories shared by your guide and the grandiose nature of this memorial will impress on you the great sacrifices of the soldiers it commemorates.

Afterwards you’ll discover the largest Somme battlefield site that has been preserved: The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont-Hamel. Your guide will explain the hardships faced by the men who lived and fought on this battlefield as you walk in the original trenches, dug out by hand back in 1916.

Lochnagar Mine Crater

The Great War

Then your guide will take you to the crash site of the infamous “Red Baron” who shot down more than 80 allied planes before he himself was shot down in 1918. Following that you’ll explore the little town of Pozieres where the heaviest Australian casualties occurred. In Poziere you’ll visit the site of “the Windmill”, “Mouquet’s Farm”, and also the 1st Australian Division Memorial.

Then you’ll have about one hour of free time to eat lunch at “Le Tommy”. This restaurant is owned and operated by a man named Dominique who is a local legend for his strong character and his passion for the history of the Somme during WWI. He serves good, classic, meals at very reasonable prices and will let you explore his private collection of artifacts from the Battle of the Somme.

After lunch you’ll visit the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and learn even more about the soldiers who travelled farther than any others to fight for freedom in Europe, the brave men from Australia. Between 1916 and the end of WWI almost 11,000 Australian men were killed and their graves are still unknown today.

The War to end all wars

Then your explore the fascinating Sir John Monash Center. There video testimonials and interactive displays will help you to be immersed in the personal stories of how other brave men lived through the hardships and horrors of the Great War first hand.

On your drive back to Paris your guide will make a special stop for the stunning 13th century Cathedral of Amiens, the largest Cathedral in Europe. You’ll learn about the Cathedral from your guide and then have free time to visit inside of it. Then you’ll continue your trip back to Paris arriving around 7:30pm.

WWI was massive and horrific. Those who lived through it called it: The War to End all Wars because it marked them deeply. Our day trip from Paris will also mark you, but in a good way. As you explore the most important historical sights of the Somme and learn about the true stories of the soldiers who fought here, their stories will become a part of your own life story and continue to be remembered for years to come.

Australian National Memorial

Good to Know:

  • Our easy to find meeting point is next to the Arc de Triomphe. We’ll send you more details in a confirmation email once you book the tour.
  • It takes less than 2 hours to drive to the Somme region from Paris.
  • You can expect to be back in Paris around 7:30pm depending on traffic conditions.
  • There will be frequent opportunities to use restrooms during this day trip.
  • The lunch stop in Poziere is at your own cost. So make sure to bring a little cash to pay for it. The food is down to earth dinner style food. So bring between 10€-20€ for your meal.
  • Tipping in France is never an obligation but, if you enjoyed your tour, you are always welcome to show your gratitude to the guide by giving them a tip.

Max. 8 pers. per tour

All day Back in Paris around 7:30PM

What's Included

  • Transportation by luxury A/C minibus
  • Friendly & Knowledgeable guide
  • Somme Trench Museum tickets

france battlefields tour

All of our tours are commented in English

Dates & Times

April to October 7AM

Meeting point

12 Avenue des Ternes

Click here for picture Reservation required

For the Somme WWI Battlefields Day Trip from Paris you will meet with your driver-guide outside of 12 Avenue des Ternes in Paris.

france battlefields tour

Tour Highlights

france battlefields tour

Thiepval Memorial

Thiepval Memorial of the Missing has the names of more than 72,000 United Kingdom and South African men who died and have no known grave.

france battlefields tour

Lochnagar Mine Crater

Lochnagar Crater was blown into existence on, July 1st 1916, the first day of the battle of the Somme. It’s 30m deep and 100m wide!

france battlefields tour

Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont-Hamel

The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont-Hamel is the largest Somme battlefield site that has been preserved. You can still see & walk in the trenches.

france battlefields tour

Admire the delicate arched ceiling in this beautiful Gothic church.

france battlefields tour

Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux

This memorial commemorates 10,738 Australian servicemen with no known grave who died on the Western Front. Anzac Day celebrations take place at the memorial every April 25.

france battlefields tour

Paris largest and most celebrated Church, built in a true Gothic fashion it has the most beautiful Rose windows and flying buttresses.

france battlefields tour

Once the Royal Palace, now the largest and most visited museum in the world. The Louvre is home to the mysterious Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the famous glass Pyramid.

france battlefields tour

The Musée d’Orsay

Home to some of the most beautiful paintings in the world, the Musée d’Orsay has several works of Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh.

france battlefields tour

Rue Cler market

Parisians have been coming to rue Cler market street since 1826! Taste some of the best of Paris here when you stop for the 30 minute break.

france battlefields tour

Seine River banks

The banks of the Seine River, in Paris, are so enchanting that they have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll ride along them and behold the beauty of the river life.

france battlefields tour

Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde is the place where Marie-Antoinette lost her head! Today is has a 2,000 year old Egyptian Obelisk at its center.

france battlefields tour

The Grand Palais

Constructed for the 1900 World’s Fair, the Grand Palais is a magnificent architectural feat with its glass, iron and steel beautifully combined.

france battlefields tour

Champs-Elysées

Known to many as « The most beautiful avenue in the world » you'll have a wonderful view all the way up this avenue to the famous Arc de Triomphe.

france battlefields tour

Invalides (Napoleon’s Tomb)

Les Invalides was once a hospital for wounded soldiers, and is currently a military museum that is home to the tomb of Napoléon Bonaparte.

Frequently Asked Questions

We allow you to cancel, for any reason, up to 24 hours before the start of your tour. It’s easy to cancel just send us an email then we’ll give you a full refund.

If you fail to email with your cancellation at least 24 hours before the tour starts then we will not be able to provide you with a refund.

We accept children that are at least 7 years old on this tour. While this tour’s content was not planned out with kids in mind we do allow children that are aged at least 7 years old to join it with one of their parents. Kids younger than 7 years cannot join this tour as we do NOT have the suitable baby/child seats for them to ride in that are required by European law.

france battlefields tour

Love It Or Get Your Money Back

We are committed to giving you the best experience possible, in case the tour you took with us didn’t meet your expectation we are happy to give a full refund as long as you participated in the entire tour and tell your guide at the end of the tour.

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We appreciate and reward fidelity!

Planning on booking multiple tours with us? Contact us to receive a 10% discount . Discount only apply when booking 2, 3 or 4 tours on different dates.

Free Cancellation

We understand that unexpected events can change your travel plans; for this reason Blue Fox Travel offers a full refund, for any reason, if you cancel more than 24hrs before your reserved tour is scheduled to start.

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These are the Terms & Conditions that apply to any tour run by BLUE FOX TRAVEL in France under the brands BLUE BIKE TOURS or BLUE FOX TRAVEL. In this document, BLUE BIKE TOURS might be abbreviated as BBT and BLUE FOX TRAVEL as BFT.

BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée - Limited Liability Company) at the Paris Chamber of Commerce under the number : 534 151 576 BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered French Travel Operator under the licence : IM075160040 BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered Public Service Vehicle Operator under the Licence : 2016/11/0007784 Because BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered French company, and all of our tours take place in France, only the French Law will apply in the case of any conflict. Last updated : January 2019. Valid until : the end of the world.

I - Cancellation Policy

BFT offers a 100% refund if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the scheduled start of the tour. The notification must be made by email. No refunds are given for ANY reason once within the 24 hrs prior to the scheduled tour. All of our tours run Rain or Shine. We do not issue refunds if you choose to skip your tour because the weather doesn’t suit you. You can always wait until the last minute to book your tour to ensure the weather suits you that day. BFT reserves the right to cancel any of its tours last minute in case of an Act of God or crazy act from a large group of people. Flooding, hail, dangerous weather conditions, riots, etc. In such instances full refunds will be given to anyone who had their tour cancelled.

II - Satisfaction Guarantee Policy

If the tour you took with us didn’t live up to what we promised you on our website and failed to meet your expectations, we will be heartbroken. We will also give you a 100% refund so long as you do all of these things: You remember that we we are in no way responsible for the weather and that our guides actually have to give 110% of themselves to you on days when the weather is not as nice in order to help you enjoy the tour. You participate in the entire tour from: being on time at the meeting point until the “goodbyes” at the very end of the tour. You can’t leave a tour half-way and ask for your money back. At the end of the tour you tell your guide, in person, that you were not satisfied with the tour you took. You provide your tour guide with the reasons you were not satisfied with the tour itself.

III - Payment Policy

A valid credit card is required to secure your booking. All reservations must be prepaid online prior to the tour. We accept Visa, Mastercard. None of your personal credit card or billing information is stored by BFT.

IV - Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. Your personal informations will never be disclosed to any third parties.

V - Child Policy

All reservations made for children under the age of 18 years old must be made by an adult and we must be informed at the time of booking exactly how many children are in your party and their ages. This is vital information as it allows our guide to prepare the proper child sized equipments for the bike tours and the booster seats for all day trips/excursions that use one of our vans. All reservations made for a minor under the age of 18 years old must also include the reservation for an adult who will be 100% solely responsible for the safety and well being of the child while on the tour. Every child, under the age of 12 years old, partaking in a bicycle tour will be required to wear a helmet and a reflective vest as per French Law. The adult who accompanies the child agrees to the responsibility of choosing a properly sized helmet, adjusting the helmet, and keeping the helmet on the head of the child during the whole tour. Blue Fox Travel has helmets in multiple sizes for you to choose from at no cost. Don't forget: Children who will be riding in a baby/child seat, on a tandem attachment bike, or in a booster seat in one of our vans absolutely MUST have their seat reserved beforehand. We NEED to know exactly what your child will need before they show up. Please make it clear in the “Special Requirements” section of our booking form.

VI- Child Bike Policy

Children who will be riding on their own may be subject to a very short test run before the tour starts in which they will be expected to demonstrate: that they are well suited for their bike’s size and settings, that they know how to brake properly and that they are, in general, good cyclists who can be trusted to follow their tour guide in a safe manner. We own 20” and 24” kids bikes (size of the wheel). Adult bikes are 26”. If the guide, or manager, finds that the child is not, for any reason, a good enough cyclist then the guide, or manager, has the right to refuse to let the child follow the tour on a personal bike. This means they will either be asked to ride on one of our ‘tandem attachments’ which is attached to the back of a parents bike OR asked to ride in a child seat attached to the back of a parents bike. If the child refuses the change, then the guide or manager has the right to cancel the reservation, and not allow you and your child on the bike tour. Refunds will not be issued if your reservation is cancelled because of your child not being able to cycle and their refusal to ride attached to you. Baby seats are for kids that are between the ages of 1 and 3 years old (max weight 22 kg (48 lbs)). We also have some cool Burley™ tandem attachment bikes that are suitable for little kids who are too big for the baby seat but too small to cycle on their own (max weight 38 kg (85 lbs) - max height 137 cm (4 ft 6 in)).

VII - Damages to Blue Fox Travel Property

If you or anyone in your party damages a vehicle, a Blue Bike™, a vehicle, a child's bike, a helmet, a baby/child seat, a tandem attachment bike, any bike attachments, or a booster seat in such a way that it becomes badly disfigured, broken, or unusable, then BFT reserves the right to claim a fee of up to the cost of repair of the damaged bike/vehicle or object.

VIII - Miscellaneous

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11 Day Tour of UK, France, Belgium

Wwi And Wwii Battlefields

England, Belgium, France

London, Brussels, Dunkirk, Lens, Ypres, Amiens, Rouen, Caen, Arromanches-les-Bains, Normandy Beaches, Paris

4 Dinners, 10 Breakfasts

Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.

Trafalgar Hero Greece Athens Drinks

If you like hassle free travel with everything handled for you – looking to meet great people, eat great food, enjoy great sightseeing, and have immersive experiences, Trafalgar is for you.  From the iconic not-to-be-missed to one-of-a-kind local experiences, including Be-my-Guest dining and stays with stories, you’ll connect deeper to your destination, and every tour has at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER immersive impact experience included advancing one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering you the chance to take a deep dive into culture and community. As the world’s leading tour company and trusted by more than 5 million guests, Trafalgar tours are simply the best value for your vacation dollar.

Wwi And Wwii Battlefields

WWI & WWII Battlefields Tours

Embark on a journey to pay respects at revered World War I and II battlegrounds. Encounter the weighty significance of legendary places while uncovering the compelling chronicles and enduring impacts of war. Discover insights into these monumental and historical moments exploring the sites with an expert Travel Director.

Multi Country

A Multi-Country tour is an excellent way to experience several top European destinations in just one trip. Visit famous sites, wander the city streets with locals, indulge in delicious meals in family homes, and fully immerse yourself in the highlights and history of each place. The perfect sampler, Multi-Country tours are an excellent choice for first-time travelers to Europe.

Travel to the front lines of Europe, where brave soldiers once fought for freedom. On this epic battlefield tour through the countryside of Britain, Belgium and France, you’ll explore the tragedy and triumph of two World Wars.

france battlefields tour

Flexible booking 30-day deposit refund guarantee + no change fees See flexible booking terms >

Best Value Why touring is the easiest way to travel Learn more >

Current Entry Requirements Check your destination View Entry Guide >

Day-by-day itinerary

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From tragic battles to tales of triumph, this special-interest exploration of two World Wars kicks off in the vibrant British capital of London. Meet your Travel Director and fellow companions this evening for a traditional English pub Welcome Dinner.

Tower Bridge in London, England

Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey feature on this half-day introductory sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist, which includes views of Buckingham Palace. This afternoon, we visit the Imperial War Museum, which tells the story of those whose lives were shaped by war from World War I to today. See extensive archives and recordings, as well as a Spitfire that saw action in the Battle of Britain. Maybe enjoy London after dark, spending your evening at leisure meandering along the Thames, riding the London Eye or discover Covent Garden.

Imperial War Museum in London, England

See London's iconic sites with a Local Specialist. 

Iconic Experience

Big Ben in London, England

London City Tour with a Local Specialist

We journey by Eurostar to Brussels today. Your Travel Director will show you the city's highlights. See the Atomium, designed for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, Mannekin Pis and the exquisite Grand Place with its opulent and ornate guildhalls. 

The Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium

In 1815 Napoleon fought his famous last battle here against the Duke of Wellington. You’ll visit the battlefields and monuments and discover how th ...

Optional Experiences

Visit Waterloo, Belgium

Waterloo Explored

In 1815 Napoleon fought his famous last battle here against the Duke of Wellington. You’ll visit the battlefields and monuments and discover how the face of Europe was changed forever. You’ll also see the famous iron lion monument on top of the hill, which you can climb if you wish. The monument was built by the widows of veterans and you'll hear their story as you gaze at the spectacular panoramic view.

Pricing Info

How to book.

Optional experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked by your Travel Director while on tour.

A rainbow over the public garden in the Mont des Arts in Brussels, Belgium

Embrace Brussels this evening enjoying its laid back cosmopolitan air and excellent Belgian cuisine. This is a capital city with layers of history ...

A rainbow over the public garden in the Mont des Arts in Brussels, Belgium

Brussels by Night & Dinner

Embrace Brussels this evening enjoying its laid back cosmopolitan air and excellent Belgian cuisine. This is a capital city with layers of history and a flare for traditional freshness, clearly displayed in its food. Bon appetit!

Today we journey to Dunkirk, where Operation Dynamo miraculously saw over 330,000 Allied troops evacuated to Britain. We stop in Fromelles, where there was a combined operation between British troops and the Australian Imperial Force, described as the "worst 24 hours in Australia's military history". After we visit the memorial at Vimy Ridge dedicated to the Canadian soldiers, who fought a battle here in 1917. This horrific battle, and the bravery of the men who fought in it, came to symbolise Canada's coming of age as a nation.

Vimy Ridge in Somme, France

Visit Vimy Ridge Memorial and see the place that is dedicated to the Canadian soldiers who fought in battle during 1917. 

Preserved trenches at The Canadian National Memorial at Vimy Ridge, Arras, France.

Vimy Ridge Memorial Visit

Explore Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo, France

Explore Operation Dynamo, the place that saw 330,000 Allied troops evacuated to Britain when you visit Dunkirk. 

Explore Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo, France

Dunkirk Visit

Visit Fromelles Discover History British Troops Australian Imperial Force Great War

Discover the rich history of the British troops and the Australian Imperial Force when you visit Fromelles.

Visit Fromelles Discover History British Troops Australian Imperial Force Great War

Fromelles Visit

Some of the biggest battles of World War I are explored at Ypres Salient in Belgium, where we will see such sites as Tyne Cot, Langemark and Vancouver Corner. Stop in Zonnebeke for an included visit to the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, where you can see a replica trench. See Essex Farm Cemetery where over 1,200 brave servicemen are buried and where Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote his immortal poem, ‘In Flanders Fields'.

Spend the rest of the afternoon on your own and later sample one of the excellent local beers. After, make your way to the Menin Gate and witness the moving Last Post Ceremony to pay tribute to over 100,000 soldiers who laid down their lives more than a century ago.

Ypres Memorial and Battlefields in Ypres, France

The bloody battlefields of the Somme take center stage today. Stop at the Villers-Bretonneux memorial to the Australian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI. Carry on to Thiepval to see the poignant memorial which honours the 72,337 missing British and South African men who died with no known graves. We journey to Amiens for an evening at leisure.

Houses on the river in Amiens, France

See the site of the Australian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI when you visit Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.

Australian military cemetery of the first world war at Villers Bretonneux, France

Villers-Bretonneux Memorial Visit

Visit the Somme memorial in France

Visit the memorial that honours the 72,337 unknown graves of the British and South African men who fought valiantly.

Visit the Somme memorial in France

Thiepval Memorial Visit

Travel south through Normandy today. Taste the delights of the region during your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where sweet treats await you. Stop in Rouen for an orientation tour of this city which was captured by the French in 1204 from English possession. Next stop is Caen where you will visit the Memorial de Caen to learn about the significance of Normandy and the day that changed World War II.

Shops and street cafes in Caen, France

Visit a confectionary factory, where you will taste sweets originally invented in the 16th century. The old industrial factory is full of life and ...

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Visit a confectionary factory in Notre-Dame-de-Bonville, France at Les Confiseurs where you will taste sweets originally invented in the 16th century.

Visit a confectionary factory - Les Confiseurs

Visit a confectionary factory, where you will taste sweets originally invented in the 16th century. The old industrial factory is full of life and works especially to employ people with disabilities. Let the sweet smell of caramelised sugar welcome you in on to your guided tour!

Visit Memorial de Caen, France

Discover the significance of Normandy and how it changed World War II when you visit Memorial de Caen. 

Visit Memorial de Caen, France

Memorial de Caen Visit

Take yourself back to June 6, 1944. Imagine the terror and bravery of thousands of soldiers who landed on the beaches of Normandy to free Europe from the Nazis. This morning, journey to the historic D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches, including Juno Beach, Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach. Visit the American Cemetery and Memorial to learn about the Canadian, American, and Commonwealth involvement in this unbelievable battle for supremacy. Connect With Locals on a Be My Guest experience joining the Ferrut family at their equestrian center.

Poppy Field in Normandy, France

Join an emotive journey tracing the story of the D-Day landings and visit Omaha Beach. 

Arromanches Gold Beach in Normandy, France

Visit the Normandy D-Day Beaches

Journey inland through Normandy today, bound for the grand boulevards of Paris. Perhaps join us for an optional visit to the glittering Palace of Versailles before arriving in the French capital.

Café Bistro in Paris, France

Built for the Sun King, Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles was the envy of every European ruler, but loathed by the French commoners, which lead t ...

Visit Versailles Palace and gardens in Paris, France

Versailles Palace and Gardens

Built for the Sun King, Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles was the envy of every European ruler, but loathed by the French commoners, which lead to the French Revolution. Step inside the opulent world of Versailles and our Local Specialist will take you through the palace’s Hall of Mirrors and State apartments. Then, enjoy free time to wander the symmetrical, tree-lined gardens.**

Cruise River Seine in Paris, France

To truly see Paris in all its glory, you need to see it from the Seine. Enjoy a cruise along this famous river and take in unmatched views of the N ...

Cruise River Seine in Paris, France

Seine Cruise and Paris Illuminations

To truly see Paris in all its glory, you need to see it from the Seine. Enjoy a cruise along this famous river and take in unmatched views of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. Afterwards, we’ll drive through the City of Lights to see some of the fascinating sights this beautiful city has to offer.

Enjoy a cabaret and dinner in Paris, France

Nestled in the heart of Montmartre, Nouvelle Eve has been spotlighted by ‘Emily in Paris’ and has hosted events for high-fashion icons like Dolce & ...

Enjoy a cabaret and dinner in Paris, France

La Nouvelle Eve Cabaret and Dinner

Nestled in the heart of Montmartre, Nouvelle Eve has been spotlighted by ‘Emily in Paris’ and has hosted events for high-fashion icons like Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Louboutin and Vivienne Westwood. An icon of Parisian elegance for 125 years, this chic revue theater is your ticket to an unforgettable night. An a la carte meal and dazzling cabaret will bring the French Cancan to life before your eyes. Performances run from April 20 to October 26. 

Join your Local Specialist to view the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then delve into the lives of Parisians, wandering through the enchanting hidden squares of one of Paris's oldest neighborhoods. Our walking tour concludes in one of the city's loveliest squares which is a real favorite among the locals. Spend the rest of the day on your own to see the sights. On our last evening together in Paris, we join our travel companions and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner in the city.

Arc De Triomphe in Paris, France

Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.

Arc De Triomphe in Paris, France

Paris City Tour

Visit Napoleons Tomb in Paris, France

Take the fastest elevator in Europe to the Panoramic Observation Deck for unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower and all of the city’s iconic monumen ...

Visit Napoleons Tomb in Paris, France

Montparnasse and Napoleon's Tomb

Take the fastest elevator in Europe to the Panoramic Observation Deck for unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower and all of the city’s iconic monuments. We’ll also visit the Dôme des Invalides with our Local Specialist to see Napoleon’s final resting place.

After breakfast, we bid our newfound friends a fond farewell as our memorable holiday comes to a close.

Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

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What to expect.

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france battlefields tour

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Official Language(s) across England, France, Belgium, Netherlands: English is the dominant language in England; French is the official language of France; Dutch, French, and German are the official languages in Belgium; Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands.
  • Currency used in England, France, Belgium, Netherlands: British Pound Sterling (£) is used in England and the Euro (€) is used in France, Belgium, Netherlands.
  • Capital Cities: London (England), Paris (France), Brussels (Belgium), and Amsterdam (Netherlands).
  • Time Zone(s) in Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Italy: England uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and Greenwich Mean Time +1 (GMT+1) during daylight saving time and France, Belgium and the Netherlands use Central European Time Zone (CET), Central European Summer Time (CEST)

Passport, visa, and entry requirements for England, France, Belgium, Netherlands for US citizens.

  • Passport: Your passport should have at least two blank pages for entry stamps. Your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of your trip
  • Visa Requirement: A visa is not required to enter England, France, Belgium, Netherlands
  • Entry Requirements: You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to getours.com/travel-requirements-restrictions .

The climate in England is generally classified as temperate maritime, characterized by mild winters and cool summers. The weather is known for its variability and can change frequently throughout the day. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, with showers being common. The western parts of the UK, particularly areas like Wales and Scotland, tend to experience higher rainfall compared to the eastern regions. The UK is influenced by the warm Gulf Stream, which helps to moderate temperatures and prevent extreme heat or cold.

France has a varied climate due to its size and geographical diversity. The northern regions, including Paris, have a temperate climate with mild summers and cool winters. Coastal areas along the Mediterranean, such as Nice and Marseille, have a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The mountainous regions, like the French Alps, experience alpine climate conditions with cold winters and heavy snowfall, making them popular for winter sports. Western France, including cities like Bordeaux and Nantes, has an oceanic climate with mild, damp winters and mild summers. Overall, France experiences regional variations in temperature, precipitation, and sunshine hours throughout the year.

Belgium has a temperate maritime climate characterized by mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and relatively high humidity. Winters are typically cool with average temperatures ranging from 0°C to 6°C (32°F to 43°F), while summers are mild with average temperatures between 12°C and 23°C (54°F to 73°F). Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, with slightly drier months in spring and early autumn. The country is influenced by the North Sea, which helps moderate temperature extremes. Cloud cover is common, and fog can occur, particularly in the colder months.

The weather in the Netherlands is influenced by its maritime location and prevailing westerly winds. It experiences mild, wet winters with temperatures averaging around 2-6°C (36-43°F) and cool summers with temperatures averaging around 17-20°C (63-68°F). Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, with slightly drier months in spring and early autumn. The coastal areas are often slightly milder than inland regions due to the moderating effect of the North Sea. The country occasionally experiences strong winds and storms during the winter months, with the possibility of snowfall, particularly in the eastern regions.

Luggage on Tour

Traveling with GET entitles each guest to travel with one suitcase not exceeding 50 lbs in weight, and no larger than 30” x 18” x 10.” Carry-on/hand luggage is restricted to one piece per person, not exceeding 12”x11”x6” to fit under your coach seat or in the small overhead compartment.

For safety reasons, small rolling suitcases are not permitted inside the coach. As our coaches have large windows, there is minimal space to store them securely overhead or under the seat. The suggested carry-on is a soft-sided bag similar to a backpack, tote bag, etc.

So your driver and the hotel porters can safely lift and transport your suitcase throughout your vacation, we strongly recommend that you test the weight of your baggage prior to travel. You should be able to lift and comfortably transport it for short distances.

Baggage allowances vary from airline to airline, and you should check with your chosen carrier for details prior to travel.

Packing Tips for Your Tour

When packing for a guided tour, it's essential to consider the local climate, cultural norms, and the activities you'll be engaging in. Here's a suggested packing list:

  • Comfortable walking shoes: The UK and Europe’s cobblestone streets and uneven terrain require comfortable footwear.
  • Lightweight, breathable clothing: Pack clothes suitable for the season. Bring a mix of short-sleeved tops, lightweight pants or skirts, and a few long-sleeved options for cooler evenings for the summer months, and long-sleeved and heavier layers for early Spring, Fall, and Winter.
  • Layers: It's advisable to bring a light jacket or sweater and a scarf for layering, especially in Spring or Fall. We also suggest packing a portable umbrella or light rain jacket to prepare you for unexpected rain showers.
  • Modest attire: In some religious sites, modest clothing is required, so we suggest carrying a shawl or scarf to cover your shoulders or legs when necessary.
  • Nice evening wear: You may wish to wear a dressier outfit if you plan on dining in an elegant restaurant, for example. Smart-casual clothes are usually acceptable attire for all included daytime and evening activities throughout your tour.

Accessories

  • Sun protection: It’s always recommended to carry sun protection, including a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • Daypack or tote bag: A small backpack or tote bag will be handy for carrying essentials during your explorations.
  • Travel adapter, voltage converter, and charger: Ensure you have the appropriate adapters for power outlets and a charger for your electronic devices. (See Electricity, Adapters & Air Conditioning

Miscellaneous Items

  • A camera: There is an abundance of stunning scenery and historic sites you’ll want to capture. To ensure that you don't miss a single moment, it's important to have a trustworthy camera at your disposal. You can also use the camera on your phone , but you might want to zoom in or capture moving objects. A camera is your best bet for this.
  • A new, blank journal to document your trip. Don't know your travel journal style? Find out here !
  • A small travel alarm
  • A travel iron if you like your clothes to be pressed
  • A washcloth and carry bag
  • A travel pillow

Electricity

  • American appliances run on 110 volts, while European, UK, and Ireland appliances run on 220-230 volts.
  • All of Europe operates on the same two round-pronged outlets (Type C) except for the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland , which operate three flat rectangle-pronged outlets (Type G).
  • Adapters allow American-style plugs with two flat prongs to fit into British or Irish outlets, which take three rectangular prongs, or continental European outlets, which take two round prongs.
  • If your devices use a different voltage or plug type, you will need a plug adapter and/or voltage converter to use them in Europe. You will need a plug adapter and voltage converter to use your appliances in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
  • We recommend purchasing an adapter with a voltage converter so you can pack less. Also, pick up any necessary adapters or converters for your electronic devices before departing on your guided tour and bringing them with you.

Hair Dryers in Your Hotel

Hair dryers are common accessories in hotels. Should you want to bring your own, though, you will need to bring an adapter and voltage converter or make sure it is dual voltage by checking the label for INPUT AC 120V - 240V or a switch that can be set to 125V or 250V. Many devices have this feature, so it's worth checking before you travel. If you specifically need a hair dryer during your trip, but can't find one in your hotel room, you can inquire with the hotel staff. Many hotels will be able to provide a hair dryer upon request, either at the front desk or through housekeeping.

Air Conditioning

  • Air conditioning is commonly available in European and UK hotels, restaurants, and public spaces, especially in major cities and tourist areas, but it is worth noting that the settings will differ from what you are used to in the USA.
  • However, it's important to note that not all accommodations or historic buildings may have air conditioning, particularly in more traditional or rural settings.
  • Most hotels in Europe can provide a portable fan for additional room cooling if requested. Your Travel Director will be on hand to assist you throughout your trip.

Traveling by coach

Our modern air-conditioned coaches have been selected with your comfort in mind. Your Travel Director will familiarize you with all the onboard features, including a washroom fitted for your convenience and comfort. Regular stops are made to stretch your legs, take refreshments, fill up your water bottles, and use the facilities.

Airport transfers

Airport Transfers for Europe flights not arriving to or departing from London Airport transfers to and from the airport on the first and last days of your tour are complimentary only if:

  • You are traveling on a tour operated by Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, or Luxury Gold
  • Your flight times coincide with the shuttle-coach transfer timings

Airport Transfers for Europe flights arriving to or departing from London Airport transfers to and from the airport on the first and last days are complimentary only if:

  • You booked your land tour and flights as a land/air package through GET. If you book your flights independently via London Heathrow, you can *purchase a transfer through us.

To enable you to personalize your tour experience, you will find a number of Optional Experiences designed to complement the itinerary. These are designed to offer a deeper insight into the culture and character of the areas to be visited and provide some wonderful highlights for your travels. The optional program is designed to let you experience more of what interests you and to get the most from your vacation without replacing or overlapping with anything included in an itinerary.

The majority of Optional Experiences will be offered to you by your Travel Director at the beginning of your trip. Some may be subject to change, depending on the time you are traveling or local circumstances, including weather and days of the week. Your Travel Director will provide further information.

Usually, most Optional Experiences will be priced in the local currency, but please read through the details of individual optional experiences for specific information. Exact payment options will be advised locally by your Travel Director/Local Representative for each Optional Experience, but in many cases, cash, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are all accepted.

It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses while abroad.

In order to ensure a healthy and enjoyable trip, we strongly suggest that you pack a plentiful supply of any medication you may need while on vacation. Here’s what you need to know about traveling with medications .

Prior to traveling, please notify GET of any disability requiring special assistance or any specific dietary needs that you may have, and we will strive to accommodate these.

When traveling with GET, baggage handling at hotels, service charges, and tips for hotel wait staff (for included meals) will all be taken care of by your Travel Director. There are, however, a few instances where individual tipping is welcome.

Local Specialists

It is customary to show appreciation for the insights, stories, and know-how shared with you by the Local Specialists, and we suggest a gratuity of €1-2 (Euro) or £1-2 (Pounds) per person per half day.

Your Coach Driver and Travel Director

The trip cost does not include gratuities for your Travel Director and Driver. At the end of your trip, you may express appreciation to your Travel Director and Driver for their excellent service and the personal attention you received. Gratuities are given at the discretion of each guest, and a suggested amount per person/per day is listed in your travel documents.

For your convenience and ease, there is an option to pre-pay gratuities for the Travel Director and Driver at the time of booking.

Hotel services

Tipping hotel staff for room service delivery is customary if a charge needs to be added to the bill.

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france battlefields tour

There is no escaping the convergence of history and wine in Northeastern France. When you visit a region like Champagne and tour the old, iconic houses and sinuous underground caves that cut the city underneath like swiss cheese, you are learning just as much about the history of the region that was often wrought with conflict and destruction as you are about the bubbly libation that marks momentous celebrations.

For those who want more context behind the bottle, venture out from the vineyards and onto the battlefields for a history lesson, often forgotten, at the site of the longest battle in the First World War.

Itinerary for Visiting the Verdun Battlefield in France | Winetraveler.com

Just an hour and a half drive from Champagne’s main city of Reims is the bucolic French countryside with wide-open grasslands and forests pockmarked with craters. The craters, now over 100 years old, mark the spots where trenches were dug and mortars fell, causing death and destruction across the land. The current tranquil French countryside surrounding the expansive battlefield of Verdun and other neighboring military campaigns of the region is deceiving, as this part of the world was anything but calm in 1916 when French and American soldiers along with other Allied Forces fought side-by-side against a strong German army.

Now home to monuments and museums, visitors who wish to remember those lost in the long and difficult battles of World War I should make an extra stop during their visit to Champagne and pay their respects to those lives lost on the fields and forests surrounding Verdun.

The Battlefields of Verdun and Visiting the Meuse River Region

It’s important to plan your trip to Verdun and the Meuse region in advance as there are many historical sites to see. When staying in Reims or the region of Champagne, it’s quite easy to see some of the World War I sites in a full or half-day trip by car. The villages surrounding Verdun are small and housing may be difficult to find outside the city, so keep in mind that it may be easiest to stay in Reims or Paris ( click here for hotel options ) and rent a car to drive about an hour and a half out to the battlefield.

Because the region is quite spread out over the countryside, if you only have a half-day, it’s best to choose sites that are close to each other to maximize your time at each. The impact of each monument and memorial is huge, as the loss of life in this area was massive. It can be quite emotional, and you may spend more time than you think you’ll need visiting each location. Here are a few methods and places to consider on your World War I battlefield history tour.

Take a Guided Day Trip From to the Verdun & Meuse-Argonne Battlefields

This is arguably the most efficient and immersive method for visiting Verdun and all of the other pertinent stops in the region. Our most highly-rated tour includes a well-versed guide that will pick you and up and return you to your hotel in Paris. Alternatively, you can walk the battlefields with a guide on this private tour that includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Reims. Typically, these day trips include a visit to Verdun and Meuse-Argonne, the Douaumont Ossuary and Fort of Douaumont, the Romagne War Museum, and the Trench of Bayonets.

Verdun Memorial and Museum

The Verdun Memorial is the most inclusive monument and museum to visit to learn more about the region and its tireless battles. It is located amongst the hills of Verdun and is one of Europe’s leading World War I museums, opening in 1967. It is full of interactive exhibits and information on the war that seemed to never end for the people living in Northeastern France at the time.

Winetraveler Tip: It’s important to note that the museum is closed between December 16th and February 14th, and the opening times vary throughout the year. Check the website for more information on open hours during your visit. Groups of 20 or more must make reservations at least two months in advance, but reservations are not required for smaller groups or single visitors.

Douaumont Ossuary

The Douaumont Ossuary is an incredibly intense memorial that holds the skeletal remains of more than 130,000 unknown soldiers who died during the 300 days and 300 nights of fighting that made up the Battle of Verdun. The Ossuary is the central part of the large monument, and inside there are 22 alcoves that represent the 46 sectors of the battle throughout 1916.

If you walk around the monument and peek into the windows, you can see skulls, femurs, and other bones of the men on both sides who gave their lives during the fighting. Enter the cinema for a 20-minute film on the battle and the creation of the memorial where you sit. The Douaumont Ossuary is an extremely solemn place that will require time spent soaking in the severity of the period in history it represents. This is a must-see site during your battlefield tour.

Fort Douaumont

Since the 1890s, Fort Douaumont was the largest and highest fort out of 19 that protected the city of Verdun. During the Battle of Verdun, it was captured by the Germans early-on in the fighting and recaptured by the French about eight months later. You can visit what is left of the Fort in the Douaumont area near the Ossuary.

Winetraveler Tip: The drive into the Fort is lined with trenches, some of them walk-able, which gives visitors a real-life understanding of what it was like for soldiers defending their land as they protected themselves by digging out earth to hide behind. Off in the distance throughout the forest, you can see the pockmarks left by mortars that fell throughout the fighting. There is a ticket office on site, and you must purchase a ticket to visit the inside of the Fort.

Trench of Bayonets (Tranchée des Baionnettes)

During the battle of Verdun, not only were 300,000 lives lost with countless of them buried as unknown, but several men were buried alive in the battleground, as their bodies were unrecoverable due to the explosive nature of the constant shelling for months and months. One memorial, funded by an American, honors a group of French soldiers who were caught by surprise during fighting that occurred in June of 1916. The third company of the 137th Regiment of French Infantry was almost completely wiped out.

It was not until the battlefield was searched that a neat line of bayonets was discovered attached to rifles sticking out of the completely filled-in trench. The regiment of French soldiers had been buried alive where they stood in their trench. You can visit the trench site , now a memorial located near the ossuary, that honors the men killed in action while defending their land.

Centre Mondial de la Paix

Though it was an architectural feat designed in 1724, since 1994, this archbishop’s palace has been home to the World Peace Center, or Centre Mondial de la Paix. Exhibits within the museum reflect on the issues of peace, freedom, and human rights.

Winetraveler Tip: Different events occur throughout the year, and the museum is open for visitors to enjoy. The exhibition on The Endless War, 1918-1923, is located in the courtyard and is free of charge to visitors.

The Nine Destroyed Villages

Across the landscape of this pastoral region in France, you will find signs recognizing the nine villages that were completely destroyed during the fighting of the Battle of Verdun. These villages still have honorary mayors today as a tribute to their existence.

Winetraveler Tip: Pay attention to the markers along the roads, as you may be traveling through an area that was once home to one of these ghost villages. They are the villages of Beaumont, Bezonvaux, Cumières, Douaumont, Fleury, Haumont, Louvemont, Ornes, and Vaux.

American Cemeteries Honoring World War I Soldiers in the Region

Meuse-argonne american cemetery.

GPS Coordinates: N49 20.044 E5 05.376

The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery is the largest American World War I cemetery, and there are more than 14,000 Americans interred here. Despite efforts to recover and identify each body, 450 of those who rest here are unidentified. This cemetery is located 26 miles northwest of the city of Verdun near the small town of Varennes-en-Argonne. When you visit the American cemeteries abroad, the best thing to do first is to stop in the visitor’s center, as there you will meet the American administrator of the cemetery who can give you more information.

Winetraveler Tip: At this site, the visitor’s center building has exhibits, films, and interactive displays to tell the story of the battles during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Entrance to the cemetery is free, and reservations are not required. The cemetery is open every day except for December 25th and January 1st.

St. Mihiel American Cemetery

GPS Coordinates: N48 57.419 E5 51.184

Across 40.5 acres, over four thousand American soldiers reside in their final resting place at St. Mihiel American Cemetery on the western edge of Thiaucourt, France. A small chapel and map building make up the memorial at the end of the rows of graves. On the walls of the museum, you’ll find the names of the 284 missing, with rosettes next to the names of those who have since been recovered. The majority of those who rest here died during the St. Mihiel Offensive that threatened Paris.

Oise-Aisne American Cemetery

GPS Coordinates: N49 12.134 E3 32.894

This cemetery is the second largest American World War I cemetery. It was established in 1918 for the fallen during the battles of the Aisne-Marne and Oise-Aisne Offensives. More than 6,000 Americans are interned here, and 600 are unknown. The names of 250 Americans who are missing and perished in the region are listed on the Walls of the Missing in Chapel. It is located about a mile East of Fère-en-Tardenois, which is 14 miles northeast of Chateau-Thierry, and a 45 minute drive west of Reims.

Somme American Cemetery

GPS Coordinates: N49 59.103 E3 12.798

Located about an hour and a half northwest of Reims and a half-mile southwest of the village of Bony (Aisne), France, the Somme American Cemetery is home to the graves of 1900 Americans with 300 names engraved on the Walls of the Missing within the chapel. It is named for the Somme region in France and was first established as a temporary battlefield cemetery in 1918. Throughout the years, as remains are identified, rosettes are placed next to the names of the missing to indicate that they have been found.

For more information on American monuments and cemeteries abroad, visit the American Battle Monuments Commission website.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting the Verdun Battlefield Near Champagne

How close is the battle of verdun site to the champagne region and what’s the best way to get there.

The Battle of Verdun site is approximately 150 kilometers (about 93 miles for US Winetravelers) from the heart of the Champagne region, making it a feasible day trip for those based in cities like Reims or Épernay. The most efficient way to get there is by car, which takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. Public transport options are available but can be time-consuming, often requiring multiple transfers.

Are There Any Wine-Related Historical Sites Near Verdun?

While Verdun itself is not a wine-producing region, the surrounding areas have a rich wine history. The Lorraine region, for instance, has been producing wine since Roman times. Though not as globally renowned as Champagne, Lorraine’s vineyards bring a different but equally fascinating narrative of resilience and revival, especially after the devastation of both World Wars. If you’re interested in war history and wine, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Côtes de Toul . This appellation was nearly wiped out during WWI but has since rebounded, offering unique varietals like the Auxerrois.

What Should I Know About the Battle of Verdun Before Visiting?

The Battle of Verdun was one of the longest and costliest battles in WWI, lasting from February to December 1916. It involved French and German forces and resulted in an estimated 700,000 casualties. The battle is often cited for its “war of attrition” strategy, where both sides suffered heavy losses for minimal territorial gain. The site today is a solemn reminder of the human cost of war, with numerous monuments, forts, and cemeteries to explore. Did you know? Champagne isn’t all bubbles. Consider pairing your visit with a tasting of Champagne’s more somber cousin, Coteaux Champenois Rouge. This still red wine from the Champagne region is an interesting counterpoint to the effervescence of traditional Champagne.

More Ways To Explore France

Essential Things To Do in Paris

How to Visit Champagne France

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Leave a comment, ask a question or share a review cancel reply, comments ( 2 ).

My grandfather fought in the Battle of Verdun. Thank you for this-I’ll definitely visit the memorials when I’m in the area.

Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. The memorials are definitely worth visiting!

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france battlefields tour

1. Omaha Beach

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2. Musée du Débarquement Utah Beach

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3. Verdun Battlefield

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4. La Tranchée de Chattancourt

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5. Maisy Battery

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6. Hartmannswillerkopf

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7. D-Day Beaches (Plages du Debarquement de la Bataille de Normandie)

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8. Petit Ouvrage du Bambesch

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9. Around Europe Battlefields Tours Day Tours

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10. Memorial' 14-18

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11. Memorial 1st US Infantry Division Omaha Beach

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12. Fromelles and Flanders Battlefield Tours

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13. Place du Trocadéro-et-du-11-Novembre

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14. Pointe Du Hoc Memorial

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15. Bunker 638

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16. Künstlicher Hafen

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17. Musée Memorial du Vieil Armand

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19. Batterie Côtière des Arros

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20. Les Fantomes de Landowski

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21. Tranchee de la Soif

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22. Fort des Ayvelles

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23. Chemin des Dames

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24. Tank Corps Memorial

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26. 1st austalian devision memorial

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What travelers are saying

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Welcome to Normandy Battlefield Tours

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Armored Column

in Colleville sur Mer

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82nd AB Paratroopers

in Foucarville

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Omaha Beach D-day per Saving Private Ryan

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JOIN US AS WE EXPLORE THE BATTLEFIELDS & BRAVERY OF THE PAST

france battlefields tour

Michael Grams

Normandy, the size of Connecticut, witnessed seventy-seven days of conflict that inflicted 600,000 casualties on the opposing armies and population. Focusing only on the events of D-Day limits one to comprehend the magnitude of the conflict that in the following days created 96% of the maiming, death, destruction and sorrow.

All tours will be led by Michael Grams, continuing Carlton’s legacy.

france battlefields tour

Carlton Joyce

IN MEMORIUM

It’s with a very heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Mr. Carlton Joyce- Author, Travel Guide, Pilot and good friend. His legacy will carry on. Rest in Peace Carlton

-We’ll miss you.

' title=

Small Group Tours

Take a fascinating and informative battle site tour, led by Michael Grams-historical field guide to the battlefields of Northern France. Michael will be your guide and host as you experience the culture of the area and appreciate the epic events of the summer of 1944. Learn more

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We can offer your party private tours departing from Paris, Caen or Bayeux with the appropriate sized vehicle and arrange for accommodations and meals. Our Tour Guide Director is a retired British officer who taught battlefield history at the British Military Staff College. Learn more

' title=

Self Drive Tours

To be used in conjunction with the book “Stand Where They Fought” Available to order on this website. All tours should be preceded by a visit to the Caen Memorial Museum principally to see the Allied and German films pre D-day and the Normandy Campaign. Learn more

Upcoming Events

We are also available for private tours june – july & september..

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Normandy Battlefield Tours

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Phone: 847.445.3584

A guide to travelers planning a Normandy trip and a stimulus to those who have not planned to visit our heritage.

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  • February 2019
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Poppies growing between white war graves at Tyne Cot World War One Cemetery on a sunny day

WW1 Battlefields Road Trip - Historic Drive Through France And Belgium

Day 1: drive from calais to amiens via arras, drive from the uk to calais (or fly into paris).

Presuming you're starting from the UK, the most comfortable option is probably to take your own vehicle and either hop aboard a cross-channel ferry from Dover or take the Channel Tunnel shuttle service from Folkestone.

If you're flying to France, then the Paris is generally the most convenient option for this kind of trip, being just a few hours from many of the most important areas and offering a plethora of car hire options.

As ever, our advice is to make the most of the time available by getting on the road as early as possible, as well as checking our essential guide to driving in France before you travel.

Head south towards Arras

As soon as you alight the ferry follow the signs for the A26 toll road - or 'Road of the English' as it has come to be known thanks to the number of British tourists using it - and start to head south towards the city of Arras, just over an hour away. Don't worry, driving on the right will feel natural in no time at all!

Just off of the A26 there are some fascinating World War 1 monuments, but the closer you get to Arras, the more frequent they become; perhaps this is no surprise, given that this countryside was the location for numerous bloody battles, including the 1917 Battle of Arras, which lasted little over a month but resulted in the deaths of 285,000 soldiers.

As you drive through France you'll notice road signs with poppies on - these generally point off of main roads and towards historically important towns, memorials, museums, battlefields and graveyards.

They tend to appear sporadically so don't be tempted to rely on them exclusively, but definitely call in at any that pique your interest - this itinerary is only a guide.

Top tip: Take a good guidebook with you so that your co-pilot can look up places as you go along, especially if you're aiming to seek out history relating to a particular nationality.

Stop at the world's largest French War Cemetery

The first stop of the trip is the Nécropole Nationale Française de Notre-Dame de Lorette, the world's largest French war cemetery.

Still relatively overlooked by British visitors and therefore quieter than many similar places you will encounter on a World War I circuit, over 40,000 soldiers are buried or their remains held in the ossuary here, alongside the ashes of a number of World War II concentration camp victims.

The site also includes an ornate chapel and a lantern tower, and is neighboured by the 'Ring of Memory' memorial, unveiled in 2014, which lists the names of the 576,606 soldiers of 40 nationalities who died in this region during WW1, alphabetically rather than by rank.

The white chapel at Notre Dame de Lorette Cemetery, France, with rows and rows of graves with white crosses in front and bare winter trees behind

Visit the Canadian National Vimy Memorial

Next up, approximately 15 minutes on from Notre-Dame de Lorette Cemetery, is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, which serves as a tribute to all Canadian service personnel that were killed between 1914-1918.

Built on top of the Vimy Ridge, the location of what is widely considered one of the most successful - but bloody - Canadian offensives of World War I, it features two gigantic white pylons adorned with various sculptures and is engraved with the names of those still missing.

Also in the grounds of the memorial are the trenches where these men would have fought, now preserved and able to be walked through.

Driving between the two you'll also come across the Lens' 14 - 18 Centre d'Histoire Guerre et Paix, which details the impact that the conflict had on this area through letters, photographs and film clips. Feel free to stop and take a look!

The two towers of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, France, seen from the bottom, with a sculpture of two people looking up between them

Continue onwards on your road trip to Arras

You're probably quite hungry by now, so continue on another eight miles or so into the city of Arras to for a bite to eat. Having been situated directly on the Front Line, Arras was all but completely destroyed during the war, with 75% of the city requiring rebuilding; nonetheless, it's not at all hard to imagine what it would once have been like here.

Many of the city's restaurants and cafes are clustered around the town's two central squares, the Place des Heroes and the Grand'Place, and on the strip that links them.

Ch'ti Charivari, on the Grand' Place would be our pick for the best lunch - from chunky burgers to classy cheese boards, there's something for everyone.

On-street parking in Arras is usually surprisingly easy to come by, but if all else fails there are also a number of car parks near to the Grand'Place and Arras train station.

A row of townhouses with curved roofs on Place des Heros, Arras, at night, with the rebuilt belfry in the background.

Visit Carrière Wellington (Wellington Tunnels)

After you've finished lunch, enjoy a stroll around Arras, then pick up your car and make the short drive over to the Wellington Tunnels Museum on the other side of the city.

Taking you into the warren of passages that exist over 20m below the city's pavements, it explains the work of the tunnellers who expanded this cave system - which originally dated from the Middle Ages - into a space capable of hiding 24,000 troops ahead of the Battle of Arras.

The tunnels do have to be seen by guided tour, so save time by booking ahead online.

Pay your respects at Queen's Cemetery, Bucquoy

The first British cemetery on this WW1 self-drive battlefields tour is not one of the major and much-photographed burial grounds such as Thiepval or Tyne Cot (they're coming later), but a relatively small one situated along the side of a nondescript road near Bucquoy, about 20 minutes south of Arras.

Low-key and surrounded by farmland, it would be easy to drive straight past Queen's Cemetery, but that would be a mistake; it's entirely the sense of smallness and loneliness that makes it so sobering.

Add in the knowledge that it's one of literally hundreds just like it scattered across the French countryside, and that's when you start to realise the scale of the loss of life caused by the war.

When visiting, look out for a special plaque commemorating six British soldiers (the author's great uncle included) who were, for reasons still unknown, buried in a nearby German cemetery and whose graves were later destroyed.

Walk through Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park

Less than 15 minutes along on the route, the next stop on the trail is a memorial to one specific group who suffered extraordinary losses: the Newfoundland Regiment.

On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 80% of this regiment were injured or lost their lives in an assault on enemy lines that lasted just 30 minutes.

Featuring war graves and bringing visitors face-to-face with trench life, via the largest section of naturally preserved battlefields on The Somme, it's a place that stands out as particularly powerful, even in an area known for its heavy concentration of WW1 sites.

Owing to the fact that it is so undisturbed, there is believed to be a considerable amount of unexploded ordnance around here, and many of the areas are out of bounds; nonetheless, you can walk through trenches, see the pockmarked landscape, and really get a sense of how horrifyingly close the two sides were to each other.

While you can do self-guided tours of the site, the Canadian tour guides that work here provide an added level of clarity so we definitely recommend joining them.

The grown over remains of trenches and bomb craters at the Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, France

Head to Thiepval Cemetery

Just 10 minutes drive from the Newfoundland Memorial Park is one of the world's most famous WW1 memorial locations, Thiepval.

Commemorating more than 72,000 British and South African servicemen who were reported missing in the Somme up until 20th March 1918, its adjoining cemetery also holds the graves of over 300 Commonwealth and 300 French soldiers, the majority of whom remain unidentified.

Also adding to the experience, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) have created the Thiepval App , which provides more information about the battle, tells the personal stories of over 900 of the men listed here and makes it easy to find their names on the arch.

Do note that access to the site can only be gained by following Rue de L'Ancre from Thiepval village, as SatNavs and Google Maps will sometimes try to take you via other routes.

The brickwork arches of the Thiepval Memorial, France, with rows of crosses and red flowers in front

Stop at Lochnagar Crater

The next stop of the day is the Lochnagar Crater, a 30-metre-deep, 100-metre-wide bowl that was created by the explosion of a large mine placed below German trenches just two minutes before the launch of the very first offensive of the Battle of the Somme.

At the time, the blast was considered to have been the largest man-made noise, with some reports even suggesting that it was heard as far away as London.

Although just a 10-minute drive from Thiepval, by following the D73 and then the D929 route you will also get to see (or be directed to) many more monuments and military cemeteries, including the Pozières Memorial, which sits on the side of the main road.

A section of the Lochnagar Crater, France, now covered in grass, with a hedge in front and trees behind

Drive down to Amiens

It was in 1918 in Amiens that the ferocious Battle of Amiens was fought, a 100-day period that changed the course of the war and ultimately led to the end of the conflict.

Today the city is a world away, with a calm atmosphere, quaint cafes and plethora of flower boxes - and it makes for the perfect place to spend the night.

Depending on how you're doing for time, you may wish to stop off in the town of Albert during the drive between the Lochnagar Crater and Amiens.

Here, you'll find a museum dedicated to the Battle of the Somme and be able to see the statue of the Golden Virgin on top of the Basilica, which was knocked to an almost horizontal position early on in the war and came to be a point of superstition among troops, who said that the war would only end when it fell.

When you arrive in Amiens, park up and check into your hotel, then spend the evening browsing the bookshops and craft stores of Quartier Saint-Leu and sipping wine in one of the waterside restaurants.

For dinner, Restaurant T'Chiot Zinc is one that's worth a visit, despite looking like some kind of puppet theatre from the outside.

Visit the cathedral

Even if you're not religious, popping into Amiens' cathedral is something that you should do while staying in the city.

Having escaped WW1 relatively unscathed, it boasts incredible Gothic architecture, as well as a number of tributes to soldiers killed during the First and Second World Wars.

From June - September, and in November and December, the outside is illuminated by a light show - times vary depending on the month, so check their website ahead of your visit.

The outisde of Amiens Cathedral, France, lit up at night

Day 2: Drive from Amiens to Verdun

Wake up early and get a a good breakfast, as today's journey is the longest total distance we will cover in one day of this trip.

Taking in the armistice signing location, an internment camp and an American military cemetery, the route moves eastwards towards the city of Verdun, with the afternoon spent amidst the long-lasting impact of the Battle of Verdun. Ready? Let's get going.

See where the armistice was signed at Clairière de l'Armistice

While it would surely be fitting to finish a World War I battlefields road trip with a visit to where the armistice that ended the conflict was signed, its location between Amiens and Verdun means that it actually slots more naturally into second day of this road trip.

Known in English as the Glade of the Armistice, this national memorial near Compiegne is centered around a forest clearing marking the very spot where Allied powers and Germany agreed to cease hostilities.

It was also here in 1940 that Hitler met with French officials to negotiate an armistice between France and Germany, a meeting that ended with the establishment of a zone of German occupation in the country.

As well as the main monument, there is also a really interesting museum dedicated to the story of both of these armistices, complete with a replica of the carriage in which the signing took place.

An optional WW2 addition: Royallieu-Compiègne Internment Camp Memorial

Although not technically sticking with the World War I theme, another thought-provoking memorial that you may wish to visit in this area (and just a short drive from Clairière de l'Armistice) is the Royallieu-Compiègne Internment Camp Memorial.

Managing to be both educational and touching, it tells the story of over 40,000 French Resistance fighters and Jewish citizens who were held here during WW2 before being sent to camps in German territory.

The lists of the deportation destinations on the walls - Auschwitz-Birkenau and Buchenwald among them - are a dark reminder of the fact that it wasn't only WW1 that had a huge impact on this area.

Visit Oise Aisne American Cemetery and 'Plot E'

It takes about an hour or so more to reach the Oise Aisne American Cemetery, which is built on the spot where the so-called 'Rainbow Division' - created from units from 26 states as a symbol of inter-state collaboration - fought.

While visiting this perfectly-manicured final resting place of over 6,000 US soldiers, keep your eyes open for the grave of poet Joyce Kilmer, who lost his life just four months before the war ended.

Also here is Plot E, a semi-secret burial ground that does not even exist officially, in which US army personnel executed for dishonourable offences during World War II are buried, the majority of them having been convicted of crimes such as murder.

Unfortunately, there's little chance of you actually getting to look inside - it's separate from the main cemetery, shrouded from view and accessible only through the back door of the superintendent's office. That said, there's no harm in asking.

The boulevard of Oise Aisne American Cemetery, France, with rows of crosses either side and the monument visible at the end

Stop in Reims for lunch

With a plentiful supply of restaurants and cafes, Reims is a good choice for a lunch pitstop.

For some truly French cuisine, our recommendation has got to be L'Epicerie Au Bon Manger, a small family-owned deli that has just a handful of tables but whose charcuterie can't be beaten and whose attention to detail will leave you smiling.

Walk off your lunch with a short amble around the city, taking in its many attractive buildings, before continuing on your way to Verdun; it should take you roughly an hour and 20 minutes to reach your destination.

There is (surprisingly affordable) on-street parking in the centre of Reims - red and orange zones have a maximum period of two hours, green have a maximum of five.

If you can't find a spot, there are also a number of car parks, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

A street in Reims, France, with big stone buildings to the right and tram tracks surrounded by grass

Head to the Verdun Memorial and Museum

Your first stop after checking into your hotel should be the Verdun Memorial, which focuses on the Battle of Verdun.

The longest battle of the whole of World War I, it completely reshaped the area (as you will see) and is estimated to have killed approximately 300,000 people, and wounded a further 600,000, in the process.

The museum serves as a useful and fitting introduction not only to the battle itself, but to other locations in this area, by taking you on a virtual tour through the battlefields and delving into the daily life of those serving in the trenches.

Expect to spend at least an hour, but do try not to run too far over - there's still lots to see today.

The rectangular outside of the Verdun Memorial, France, with a WW1 heavy gun in front of it

Experience a ghost town at Fleury-devant-Douaumont (Zone Rouge)

When you've finished at the Verdun Memorial pay a visit to Fleury-devant-Douaumont, directly next door, which is one a number of villages in France that are officially recognised as 'a place that died' for the country.

Having been completely destroyed by the Battle of Verdun, it was deemed a 'Zone Rouge' - an area so damaged by the war that it is considered unfit for human habitation - by French authorities in 1918.

Over a century since the end of the war, it's still considered too contaminated by corpses, explosives, toxins and poisonous gas to farm or build on.

Now reclaimed by nature, visitors can walk through where this village once existed, with posts indicating what buildings formerly stood in their place - including a grocery store, a church, a cafe and, most poignantly, a school.

A post showing where a cafe and grocery store would once have stood in the village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont, France, which is now uninhabitable

Climb the tower at Douaumont Cemetery and Ossuary

By now you don't need to be told of the human cost of World War I, but a visit to Douaumont Cemetery and Ossuary, a few minutes further on from the memorial, can't help but bring it all home once more.

Located within the Verdun battlefield, the cemetery is the largest of French World War I burial grounds, with over 16,000 graves and an ossuary housing the remains of over 130,000 unidentified soldiers from both France and Germany, whose bones are visible through a series of small windows.

Entry to the grounds is free, but there is a €6 fee to climb the tower that is built above the ossuary and provides a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the site.

An ariel view of thousands of crosses on graves at Douaumont Cemetery, Verdun, France

Next stop on your WWI road trip: Fort Douaumont

The next stop on our trail is Fort Douaumont, one of the most fought-over sites in this area, which changed hands several times during the course of World War I.

It's less than a mile away from the cemetery, so we suggest leaving your car there and walking along the road for a close up view of how battle-scarred the landscape still is.

Stepping inside of this damp and chilly fort, complete with stalagmites, you can't help thinking how bad life outside the fort must have been, if this was the driest, safest option.

Although the rooms themselves are not all that comprehensive, there are fully guided tours, self-guided audio headset tours and paper handouts available.

With the most popular option, the headset tour, you can expect to spend about an hour working your way round.

A white curved room inside Fort Douaumont, France, with stalagmites hanging from the ceiling

Head back into Verdun

After you've visited all of today's locations, the drive back to Verdun should take about 20 minutes or so.

Although it has become a city that very much exists around historical tourism, and isn't really all that beautiful, do take an early evening stroll around it, particularly to see the imposing and castle-esque Porte Chaussee up close.

For dinner, scoot on over to La Brasero, an unassuming little restaurant who have cooking meat down to absolute perfection.

Day 3: Drive from Verdun to Mons

Today's drive starts in Verdun, France and crosses the border into Belgium, eventually ending up in the city of Mons. Although there are multiple routes you could take, the two below are the ones that we'd recommend in terms of places to stop.

Crossing the border between France and Belgium should be a simple process, with just a road sign marking the transition between the two countries.

Driving in Belgium tends to be fairly similar to France, with tailgating seemingly borderline compulsory, although there are no toll roads to contend with. At the time of writing, both petrol and diesel were a few cents per litre cheaper in Belgium.

Route 1: Visit Hitler's bunker

By travelling via Charleville-Mézières and joining the N5 on the Belgian side you will pass close to Brûly-de-Pesche, from where Adolf Hitler orchestrated the invasion of France.

Nip off of the main road and drop into the Brûly-de-Pesche 1940 museum, which is formed around the actual bunker that Hitler stayed in.

Route 2: Detour to Dinant

Another option is to drive via the Belgian city of Dinant, a route that requires a detour but only adds about 40km to the total journey.

One of the first places to feel the catastrophic impact of World War I, Dinant was the site of intense fighting between French and German forces in August 1914, which eventually culminated in the brutal massacre of 674 unarmed civilians.

A visit to La Citadelle de Dinant, of which both sides desired control, will explain what happened here as well as providing a wider history of the town.

Afterwards, grab a coffee and a crepe at Cote Sax cafe and have a walk along the waterfront, before heading on your way.

Houses and a church along the waterfront at Dinant, Belgium, with a person kayaking in the water

Learn about the town's history at the Mons Memorial Museum

Arriving in Mons in the early afternoon, check into your hotel and get your bearings before heading over to the Mons Memorial Museum, about a 10-minute walk from the Grand Place. Don't worry, there will be time to explore the city itself later.

Providing a strong understanding of why this town has so frequently been a centre of conflict throughout the years, as well as painting a picture of what life was like for civilians living in Mons under occupation, it's a surprisingly moving and different take on the events of World War I.

With over half of the permanent exhibition space dedicated to World War I, it's probably one of the strongest and most useful museums on the entire trip.

Tour Saint-Symphorien Cemetery

Different in both appearance and nature to any of the graveyards on the journey so far, the Saint-Symphorien Cemetery contains almost equal numbers of graves of both British and German soldiers killed in the Battle of Mons, the first major British military action of World War I.

Unlike in other cemeteries, soldiers of all ranks and nationalities, including Victoria Cross and Iron Cross holders, lie within touching distance of one another.

Of particular note are the graves of 17-year-old John Parr, who was killed in August 1914 and is believed to have been the first British soldier to die in the conflict, and George Ellison, who is believed to have been the last British soldier killed - dying 90 minutes before the armistice came into effect - and is, coincidentally, buried opposite him.

Feet away from these men lies George Price, the last Commonwealth soldier to die, just two minutes before the armistice.

Saint-Symphorien Cemetery is a few kilometres outside of town and getting there will require the car, although you could also choose to take the 22 bus from Mons to Saint-Symphorien Ecoles. From there, it's an easy 10-minute or so walk down a country lane.

German graves at Saint-Symphorien Cemetery surrounded by grass and trees

Spend the evening away from the battlefields

If you do still have time to spare in the afternoon, then take some time to discover Belgium away from the battlefields by paying a visit to one of Mons' museums.

Two trusty options are the Doudou Museum, which illuminates the heritage of the city's famous Doudou festival, and the Francois Duesberg Museum, which is dedicated to decorative arts including pottery, clocks and jewellery.

Alternatively, climb the Mons Belfry for a view over the city (last admission is 5:15pm).

Later on, grab dinner and drinks at one of the many restaurants and cafes located on or around Mons' Grand Place - we recommend Le Mechoui, not far away from the tourist information centre.

Look out for the two remembrance plaques in the porch of the square's most striking building, the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), and if you can find the lucky Guardhouse Monkey on the side of the building, then be sure to give his head a rub for good luck.

The Gothic exterior of the City Hall, Mons, Belgium, with Belgian and European flags, and a scooter parked in front

Day 4: Drive from Mons to Ypres

Our the next city in this WW1 self-drive itinerary, Ypres, has long earned its place as a 'must-include' on any World War 1 tour, both for its location of the horrifying Battle of Ypres and its determination to remember the atrocities that took place there.

There isn't really all that much to see on the drive from Mons to Ypres, and it takes less than two hours in total, but as it's such a pretty city to just hang out in we'd suggest getting on the road nice and early anyway.

Educate yourself at the In Flanders Fields Museum

As you may have guessed already, we're big fans of putting each area's history into context, so make your first destination in Ypres the In Flanders Fields Museum.

Housed in the former Cloth Hall, the museum tells the story of WW1 in the West Flanders region of Belgium, and covers all aspects of warfare you could imagine, using modern technology to deliver everything from nurses' testimonies to 'then and now' visuals.

You'll probably spend longer here than you plan to, but do take time to really watch the (surprisingly tasteful) actors who bring personal stories to life at various points - it makes the human connection so much more poignant.

The inside of the In Flanders Field Museum, Ypres, Belgium

Spend the afternoon getting to know Ypres city

After the intensity of the previous few days, you're probably going to want to take some time to just kick back, relax, and enjoy Ypres.

While visitors may be drawn to the city for its history, it's actually incredibly charming in its own right - think beautiful architecture, chocolate shops, cute cafes, and walking trails along waterside ramparts. Go ahead and enjoy just doing nothing this afternoon!

Top tip: If you're in the city on a Saturday, the Kazematten Brewery offers tours between 3pm - 5pm, which cost €10 and include three tasting samples.

The exterior of Ypres Cloth Hall

Visit Menin Gate and witness the Last Post

After walking around town, make your final visit of the day the Menin Gate, which honours British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in action in the trenches around Ypres whose graves are unknown, and is inscribed with almost 55,000 names. It's almost scary how easy it is to find your own surname or that of someone you know.

Every evening at 8pm, volunteer buglers from the Last Post Association stand underneath the Gate and sound the Last Post in a ceremony that has been conducted every day since 1928.

If you can be there when it happens, do - it's simple and yet quite something at the same time. On busy days, crowds start to gather from about 7:30pm, so if you want to be able to see the buglers then get there early.

Buglers from Ypres volunteer Fire Brigade sound The Last Post with a crowd behind them

Day 5: Explore Ypres and drive back to Calais

It's the fifth and final day of the trip, but that doesn't mean we're slowing down. While this is not the kind of trip in which you could ever say we're saving the 'best' until last, we've certainly saved some of the most well-known places for today.

First though, there's just one thing to do and that's have a much needed lie-in and find a cosy cafe for a traditional Belgian breakfast.

Trust us when we say that the pancakes at Mimi's teamed with one of their deliciously frothy coffees make for a particularly great morning treat.

Suitably stuffed? Let's get moving.

Stop by the Christmas truce memorial, near Ploegsteert

The first stop of the day is a visit to the site of the legendary 1914 Christmas truce - surely a must for any history-loving football fan.

Marked by a cross dedicated to the 'Khaki chums,' it's a small but sombre memorial. If you wish to do so, take a football, shirt or scarf to leave next to the memorial, as many have done before.

Right next door you'll find the Prowse Point Cemetery, which is the only cemetery on the Ypres Salient that is named after an individual soldier and contains many graves from around the time that the match was played.

Just down a muddy track to the side of the memorial (but not accessible by car) is the peaceful Mud Corner Cemetery, for soldiers from Australia and New Zealand.

A cross in long grass surrounded by poppies and footballs at the Christmas Truce Memorial

Trudge through Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62)

Roughly a 25-minute drive back towards Ypres is Hill 62, which witnessed some of the most intense fighting in the area. In the aftermath of the war the trenches were cleared of bodies and bombs by a local farmer, but otherwise left intact, and the complex now serves as a slightly rough-and-ready museum.

Although more 'artificially' preserved than some of the other trenches you will have come across on this trip, they are more manageable for individuals who have trouble walking and wield no less impact.

Spend some time sloshing through the mud and clambering through the tunnels - these trenches might be comparatively neat, but it's still not what you'd call a pleasant experience.

Preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood, Belgium, with the sides held up by corrugated iron

Prepare to be moved at Tyne Cot Cemetery

The next stop of the journey is, arguably, one of the most famous remembrance sites in the whole of Europe: Tyne Cot Cemetery.

Even after four days of cemeteries, it's still hard not to be slightly taken aback by its sheer scale when you see it for the first time, with almost 12,00 individual white headstones lined up, and a Memorial to the Missing wall listing a further 35,000 names.

The first thing to do when you arrive, however, is to pop into the small visitor centre which provides a good introduction to Tyne Cot, as well as displaying heartbreaking letters from loved ones.

Afterwards, spend a while just walking between rows upon row, noting in particular how many of the graves in the world's largest Commonwealth War cemetery are unnamed. All we can say is bring a tissue!

As one of the major landmarks on any World War I tour, Tyne Cot does get busy, so visiting early in the morning or in the late afternoon is better, if possible. Like most CWGC sites, parking is free.

The curved wall of Tyne Cot cemetery, with rows of poppies and graves in front of it

Head to Langemark German Cemetery

In stark contrast to the rows of white at Tyne Cot, the rows of flat, black grave markers of Langemark German Cemetery are moving in an entirely different, considerably more downcast way.

Not only is it darker, but it's considerably smaller in size, despite more than 44,000 soldiers being buried here; one mass grave even contains the remains of almost 25,000 individuals.

Top tip: The two cemeteries are less than a 15-minute drive apart, so visit one and then the other for maximum impact.

Rows of flat, black grave markers amidst the grass at Langemark German Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium

Driving to Essex Farm

Before we call time on this northern France and Belgium road trip, there's just one more major stop to make - the Essex Farm Advanced Dressing Station.

That said, there are multiple smaller monuments between Langemark and Essex Farm, including the Welsh Memorial Park, a tribute to all Welsh servicemen and women, and Cement House Cemetery, which is still used to accommodate new burials as bodies continue to be discovered.

The Harry Patch Memorial, which was unveiled by the very last surviving soldier of WW1 Harry Patch, who died in 2009 age 111, is also on this road.

Take a moment to reflect at Essex Farm Advanced Dressing Station and Cemetery

Said to be where John McCrae wrote his famous poem In Flanders Fields while serving as a medic, the concrete bunker at Essex Farm was once a makeshift A&E that would have been crowded with wounded troops.

Today, it has been restored and - even though it is empty - standing inside, you get a sense of how inadequate it must have been in a theatre of war.

When you're walking around the cemetery for those that did not make it, take a second to reflect in front of the poppy-clad grave of Valentine Joe Strudwick, the youngest soldier buried here, who was killed in 1916 at the age of 15.

The concrete bunker of Essex Farm Dressing Station, Belgium, covered in grass with the sun peaking through

Drive back to Calais

Well, the time has come to head home - we hope you've learned something useful.

At just over 60 miles, the drive back to Calais shouldn't take much more than an hour, giving you plenty of time to stop for one last dinner along the way.

On the French side, there's a cheap and cheerful restaurant called Bistrot de Groenberg in the town of Beruges, who keep it simple with a meat-and-fries based menu.

If you'd rather stay in Belgium for dinner, Restaurant't Molenhof in Vleteren is a stand out choice, with decoration as quirky as the food.

Getting back to Paris

The drive from Essex Farm to Paris takes roughly three hours - whether you choose to make the drive this evening is entirely up to you, likely depending on what time your flight is.

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Explore North-Eastern France and jump into French wines & history! Starting in Reims, capital of the Champagne region, you will learn many stories starring Joan of Arc, Marie-Antoinette and a famous widow . . . Clicquot. A private guide will make World War I history come alive, allowing you to get a comprehensive overview of the Verdun battlefields. You will bike and taste wines in Burgundy and finish your journey with flourish in Paris.

france battlefields tour

Chinon fortress Jean-Christophe Coutand - ADT Touraine

From Verdun history to the Loire castles

This itinerary gives a nice overview of the center of France: the Verdun WWI battlefields, the wine and heritage of Burgundy, and ending in the Loire Valley with its gardens, castles and sweet life.

france battlefields tour

Colleville American Cemetery in Normandy Vincent Rustuel - Calvados Attractivité

World War History Tour of France

Many of us are related in some way to the World Wars' history : a father, uncle, grandfather, family friend, or a famous soldier we admire, who fought amongst the Allied troops on French soil. We are very happy and proud to plan itineraries for you to learn more about the history of the two World Wars of the 20th century. The below tour is a sample and we will craft your own trip based on any information you may have available or are willing to discover.

france battlefields tour

Obernai in Alsace Lez Broz - Visit Alsace

Northern France from Paris to Alsace

In 13 days, this tour will take you from Paris to the Somme region, and on to Lille at the Belgium border. You will then drive your way south-east to the Verdun area and the surrounding WWI sites. You will end your journey in Alsace, on the border with Germany. A great way to discover Northern France !

france battlefields tour

How to Get to the Verdun area

Verdun is a 3hr drive from Paris and 2hr30 drive from CDG Airport. This is an easy drive on highways, and there are no main TGV high speed train lines to reach this part of France, so we do not recommend train travel to Verdun.

If you don’t feel like driving 2hr30 after landing to CDG Airport, you may also stop in Reims and the Champagne region , which is half-way between Paris and the Verdun area: a nice stop to get acquainted with French wines and then jump in World War I history in Verdun.

Tour the World War I sites around Verdun

While the Somme and the North regions of France have battlegrounds where soldiers from all over the world fought, the combats around Verdun involved mostly the French and the American troops for the allied forces.

The Battlefields with a Private guide

We have selected great English-speaking guides to take our travelers to visit Verdun's WWI battlefields today - this is highly recommended. On your own, you may not get the global overview and not fully understand what happened here between 1916 and 1918. A private guide allows you to fully immerse yourself, the time of the tour, into this exceptional period of time and history.

WWI site with a guide

Find out about relatives / ancestors

We are very happy and very interested to plan a trip based on your family’s personal history. If you have an ancestor who fought, any piece of information you could supply will help us plan your trip based on this person’s history.

Verdun's Trenches & Shell holes

While most of us think about « trenches » in Verdun, be ready for shell holes too. Trenches were built in other battlefields in the region (today, they are mainly in the woods and you need a guide to find the most interesting ones). The Verdun battle was a battle of position and soldiers would jump from a shell hole to the next – fighting daily to gain one foot of terrain at a time.

WWI holes in Verdun

The Verdun Memorial

This museum  is an absolute must-see. We are not too keen on recommending too many museums but this one is great: the scenography is very modern and keeps visitors interested. It really helps better understand what happened.

Verdun – Meuse World War I Battlefields and Memorials

There are plenty of sites to visit around Verdun and we mention here only the most visited by foreign travelers. However, we can always craft an itinerary to any other site, based on your wishes.

The Argonne Sites

The Argonne forest was a difficult area to win over. By late 1917, the battles had stopped here. It was only in 1918, with the arrival of the US troops, that this area was retaken from the German army.

Romagne Sous Montfaucon American Cemetery

This is the largest American War cemetery in Europe with over 14,246 soldiers buried here.  This is a very moving place, with a peaceful chapel and a very informative visitor center.

Romagne Argonne American Cemetery

Montfaucon Memorial

It consists in a huge granite Doric column, topped with a statue symbolizing the angel of liberty. It commemorates the American victory during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive during the period from September 26, 1918, to November 11, 1918, when the American First Army forced the enemy to conduct a general retreat on this front.

Verdun Main Battlefield Sites

About a 10-minute drive East of the town of Verdun, you will reach the Douaumont area, which concentrates the most representative sites of the battle of Verdun.

Douaumont Ossuary & French cemetery

The ossuary should not be missed while visiting the area. The building was built by all the allied countries and pays respect to all the soldiers (including some Germain soldiers now) who died during WWI.

Douaumont Ossuary

Fleury Devant Douaumont - a totally destroyed town

This town was so severely bombed that it was never rebuilt. There only remains holes on the ground and stones to remind us that there was a school, houses, a farm, a post office and a city hall.

Just down the road, you will find the Verdun Memorial Museum which is an absolute must-do to us.

Douaumont Fort

It was supposed to be one of the strongest fortifications to protect Verdun. It was however easily (and rather stupidly) taken by the German forces because of a miscommunication within the French army (officers were not expecting the Germans to attack there so quickly).

You can visit the inside of the fort and walk on the terrace outside and better understand the geography of the region: very hilly making the battles more difficult.

Saint Mihiel Salient – Montsec Memorial – South of Verdun

September 16, 1918: The St. Mihiel Salient was erased by more than 550,000 American and 110,000 French soldiers who fought in the offensive.

The Memorial commemorates the reduction of the St. Mihiel Salient by the U.S. First Army, September 12-16, 1918, and operations of the U.S. Second Army, November 9-11. It also honors the combat service of other U.S. divisions in this region and in Alsace and Lorraine.

If you want to get a better overview of the WWI Sites in France . 

Also, while visiting Verdun…

You can taste the famous dragées de Verdun candies or some Mirabelle (small yellow plums) products: from the Mirabelle brandy to tarts or jam. Visit the place where they make and sell the famous Madeline de Commercy, little delicious cakes...or check out Emilie's Madeleine recipe with a short video .

madeleine cakes

Local Lorraine cheese are also worth a detour…if you like the smelly varieties.

Learn about the history of Joan of Arc in Vaucouleurs, where she was armed by the local count, only an hour and a half drive from Verdun.

Varennes in Argonne is a little town famous for an interesting historic story from the 18th century: King Louis the XVIth, Queen Marie-Antoinette and their family tried to escape in 1793 from the French Revolution but were recognized and arrested.

Where to stay in Verdun region

The main battlefields in the Verdun area are:

  • The Argonne, located 30 minutes west of Verdun
  • The Douaumont / Verdun battlefields, located 10 minutes from the town
  • The Saint Mihiel area, with Montsec Memorial, located about 1 hour south of Verdun

For this reason, those who want to tour the entire area should stay in Verdun, which is central and easy to find restaurants, etc.

Those who have a special interest in specific battlefields can stay closer to Argonne or to Saint Mihiel.

We have selected comfortable and convenient accommodations to cover the entire Verdun region and will be happy to plan your stay according to your wishes.

FAQs about Verdun

Why is verdun so important.

Verdun was the site of the longest battle of WWI. Both sides pursued a 'war of attrition' during the First World War. This meant fighting for prolonged periods of time through a series of small-scale actions, in an attempt to gradually wear down the other side. This policy led to huge numbers of casualties, and Verdun was a prime example of this. You can visit some of the WWI battlefields and see some of the former trenches and shell holes that still exist. We recommend doing this with a private guide, who can explain the full context of what happened there.

How many days do you need in Verdun?

We recommend staying for three nights, so that you can explore the town of Verdun, and visit the Cathedral and local bars, shops and restaurants. You can also visit the main war sites at Verdun and Argonne with a private guide, and taste some delicious local products - Verdun is well-known for its gastronomy. Why not try some of the local Côte de Meuse wine too?

If you only want to see the war sites, 2 nights will be enough.

Blog posts about Verdun

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Our Guide in Verdun area

Our Guide in Verdun area France Just For You

Interview with Vincent, guide and expert in WWI history

Madeleines by Emilie

Madeleines by Emilie FJFY

Madeleines de Commercy cake recipe

Laura & our guide in Romagne Sous Montfaucon Memorial

Laura & our guide in Romagne Sous Montfaucon Memorial FJFY

New Regions to Visit in France - Coming Soon !

Pointe du Hoc fighting site during the battle of normandy - French ancestry - ww2 family history

Pointe du Hoc fighting site during the battle of normandy - French ancestry - ww2 family history Bayeux Bessin TO

Trace your French ancestry & discover your WWI & WW2 family history

French countryside - driving in France

French countryside - driving in France Robbie Shade

The Ultimate Guide to Driving in France

War Memorials in France, WW1 sites in France

War Memorials in France, WW1 sites in France UK Government (Public Domain)

WWI Sites in France

Visit other french regions.

Pink Granite Coast at Sunset - ©Alexandre Lamoureux CRT Bretagne

Alexandre Lamoureux - CRT Bretagne

Riquewihr lovely town

Riquewihr lovely town M.Schampion - CDT Alsace

Lille Main Square

Lille Main Square Laurent Ghesquière - OTCL Lille

Lyon along the Saône river

Lyon along the Saône river T.Deschamps - OT Lyon

Amiens Cathedral

Amiens Cathedral Somme Tourisme - F. Leonardi

Verzenay Champagne vineyards

Verzenay Champagne vineyards E.Vidal - ADT Marne

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French Basque Country Sceneries CDT Pays Basque

Basque Country

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Tours of Carcassonne - fortress ADT Aude

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Half Timbered Farms in the Normandy Hinterland - Normandy Tours Calvados Tourisme

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Dentelles - 7 days in Provence - Provence tours Alain Hocquel - CDT Vaucluse

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Eze perched village France Just For You

French Riviera

Our travelers’ reviews.

My husband and I prefer to travel independently not on tours but I am getting tired of doing all of the planning. Emilie did an excellent job of planning the trip. I gave input on the type of hotels and the places that we wanted to see and she took care of the details. The hotels that she picked were outstanding. All but one day we followed her …

My husband and I prefer to travel independently not on tours but I am getting tired of doing all of the planning. Emilie did an excellent job of planning the trip. I gave input on the type of hotels and the places that we wanted to see and she took care of the details. The hotels that she picked were outstanding. All but one day we followed her itinerary and were pleased. One day my husband wanted more WWII stuff and me were able to change plans at the last minute.

I was amazed when I came across the website that ALL the reviews were excellent. From the moment I started dealing with Emilie I received amazing service in planning our wonderful trip to France. I will not repeat all the details that are in the previous posts but highlight some of the exceptional service that I received. The booking of the …

I was amazed when I came across the website that ALL the reviews were excellent. From the moment I started dealing with Emilie I received amazing service in planning our wonderful trip to France. I will not repeat all the details that are in the previous posts but highlight some of the exceptional service that I received. The booking of the excellent tickets for Roland Garros will remain a highlight forever. The phone with unlimited data, her tour guide downloaded, waze and google maps, her phone numbers and emergency numbers, tourist information was invaluable. The choice of accommodation was unique. She is sorting out a dispute with the car hire company - and apologised on their behalf. Her tips on additional site seeing enhanced our experience. Our personalized guide book will remain a treasured memoire of our trip. I could go on and on - so don't hesitate and look no further in planning a trip to France. We loved our visit so much that we will be planning another visit to a different region in the near future.

My wife and I are fairly seasoned travelers so when we decided to include a trip to France in our year long 50th Anniversary Celebration we wanted to do something different. We looked at group travel companies including those who specialize in "small" groups. None of them had the flavor we were looking for. In my search for somethin new I happened …

My wife and I are fairly seasoned travelers so when we decided to include a trip to France in our year long 50th Anniversary Celebration we wanted to do something different. We looked at group travel companies including those who specialize in "small" groups. None of them had the flavor we were looking for. In my search for somethin new I happened upon the website of France Just For You and was intrigued by the idea of having a custom-designed French experience. One or two emails later we discovered just how great our experience was going to be. Emilie Thyebaut takes your wishes and likes and turns them into realities. Her extensive planning made our two week trip a memory of a life time. Nothing was omitted--dining recommendations, excellent B&B reservations, rental car reservation, pre-booked guides for such locations as Mont-Saint-Michel--nothing was left to chance. Loke at the France Just For You website and you should be able to make your vacation dreams come true.

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Our World War I and World War II battlefields tours take you to the most horrific frontlines. We’ll gain a deep insight as we journey to the D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches, Vimy Ridge, Dunkirk, Fromelles, Gallipoli, the Somme and the Ypres battlefields. Your Local Specialist Guides and Travel Directors will share incredible stories as we pay tribute to the millions of brave souls who lost their lives in the World Wars.

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How many wars has europe had.

Europe has been involved in hundreds of wars over the years, including more than 100 wars in the 20th and 21st centuries alone. Two of the most horrific wars include WWI in which an estimated 37 million people perished, and WWII where the number of estimated deaths ranges from 60 to 80 million people, including military and civilian casualties.

What was the last religious war in Europe?

The Bosnian War lasted from 1992 until 1995 and was one of the last ethnically-rooted wars in Europe. It began when fighting broke out between the multiethnic population of the former republic of Yugoslavia. Around 100,000 soldiers and civilians died in the war, and it led to the genocide of at least 25,000 Bosnian Muslims, known as Bosniaks.

What were the major battles in Europe during WW2?

The Second World War was one of the deadliest events in human history, with hundreds of battles that claimed millions of lives. Some of the most major battles in Europe during WWII were the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, the Battle of Berlin, the Battle of Britain, Operation Barbarossa, and the Battle of Stalingrad in Russia.

Which European country has had the most battles?

Known as the ‘Battlefield of Europe’, Belgium has had more battles than any other country in Europe. Almost every big power of Europe has fought on its land since the Roman Empire, with historic battles such as the Battle of Waterloo, and the battles of WWI and WWII, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Battles of Ypres.

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    8 Day France Tour of D-Day Beaches, Mont-Saint-Michel and the Loire Valley. From. $3,764. Standard Price $4,428 . Easy Quote. View Trip. Add to compare . Quick View. 4.7. WWI and WWII Battlefields. 11 Days. 11 Cities. 3 Countries. 11 Day Battlefield Tour of UK, Belgium and France. From. $5,850. Easy Quote. View Trip. Add to compare . See All ...