ww1 somme tours

Somme Battlefield Tours

Private and personally arranged battlefield tours to the evocative WW1 Battlefields of The Somme

Jonathan Nicholls is  a highly appraised, experienced guide and author of the acclaimed, ‘Cheerful Sacrifice: The Battle of Arras 1917’. He has been visiting and guiding tours to the Somme Battlefields since 1978, taking veteran soldiers of that terrible conflict on personal tours to their old action spots. The veterans have now faded away but he still relates their colourful stories of life in the British Army in 1914-18. He now plans and researches battlefield tours for families, organizations and professional travel companies. Jon is in continuous demand as an independent and vastly knowledgeable guide with personality.

Recent Battlefield Tours

In 2014 – 2015 Jon conducted private battlefield tours for  Travel Editions  (The Daily Telegraph & Guardian Newspaper Battlefield Tours)  Battle Honours ,  The War Research Society  and the  Metropolitan Police .

It is not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ to travel to the battlefields in a large coach with 50 other strangers. The alternative is a comfortable, tailor-made journey in the comfort of an air-conditioned 4×4 Landover (up to 4 persons & essential during the winter months) or a comfortable mini bus (up to 12 persons).

Personal Research

Jon can also undertake personal research into your soldier relative and take you to the place where they fell and now lie. This opportunity is not always available on a larger commercial tour, which understandably, concentrates and funnels its passengers to the popular spots such as the Thiepval Memorial and the Newfoundland Memorial Park. It is virtually impossible for a travel coach to access some of the more remote Somme cemeteries, (and there are many!)  especially during the winter months.

Personal collection

Jon can pick you up and return you to your door (London & Home Counties) or simply meet you in France at Arras, Albert or Amiens, the three principal towns for visiting the Somme battlefields.

The Somme Battlefields in one day

This can easily be done by an early departure from the UK (7am) by Eurotunnel and return by 7pm at night. The Somme is a 90-minute drive from Calais. Pleasant picnic lunches can be organised or a more substantial lunch at a local restaurant or café.

Overnight stays

For 1- 6 nights these can be arranged at a discount rate in the lovely town of Arras which, with its many restaurants and bars, is by far the best place to stay. Prices vary depending on the hotel.

The Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme started for Britain on 1 st  July 1916 when a volunteer British Army attacked the German Lines on a 14-mile front in the region of the Somme. Over reliance on artillery support led to almost 60,000 British casualties on the first day. The ‘long procession of suffering & cruelty’ finally ground to a halt in mid-November 1916. It had cost the British Army over 400,000 casualties for an advance of 6 miles. The real tragedy of the Somme was that it was fought by an enthusiastic army of volunteers from all corners of the Commonwealth. German casualties were roughly the same. In spite of the terrible cost it was not in vain. Before the Somme the German Army had every chance of winning the war. At the end of the battle that chance had dwindled.

Australian and Canadian Battlefields

The Australian, New Zealand and Canadian forces fought gallantly on the Somme. Their casualties were huge and visiting their substantial cemeteries is a very moving experience. Jon has taken many Australian and Canadian Pilgrims to the Somme battlefields in recent months.

Ypres, Arras and more

Jon is well known for his expertise on the Arras battlefields. To find out more about him please visit  Arras Battlefield Tours  (testimonials). He has also been guiding tours to the Ypres Salient since 1980.

Testimonials

Alan and Anne Craft

“Many thanks for a wonderful visit to the WW1 battlefields. You made it come so alive, even in the face of indescribable death! The cemeteries and memorials were fantastic and to be marvelled at for beauty and upkeep but it was your ability to transmit the real stories that you had been told by real veterans that made all the difference. We have come back with a better understanding of the horror and stupidity of it all. A visit on our own would have meant little.” Professor Sir Alan Craft and Lady (Anne) Craft Newcastle Universit y

Shannon & Troy Donovan

“It was a truly wonderful experience to have Jon take us on a tour of the Somme Battlefields, Vimy Ridge and the cemeteries where my three great uncles are buried, which would have been very difficult to get to on our own. He also researched and provided information on the battles they were involved in and even brought remembrance crosses to place on the graves. Jon has a wealth of knowledge and is very passionate about what he does. He always ensured we were comfortable and took us to as many places of interest as possible, in addition to those on our list. He is a fantastic guide and we would highly recommend Jon to anyone interested in touring the battlefields of 1914-18.” Shannon and Troy Donovan Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Professor Stephen J Cooper and friends

“In 2013, when we were planning a trip to the Somme and Arras battlefields, we began our search for a suitable tour or individual guide. The information on Jon’s website suggested an experience a little different from the standard tour and historical perspective …… and indeed so it turned out.” “Jon gave us an insight into the battlefields and their memorials that I think few others could match. While, from our reading, we had some background to the history of the Great War his insights into the terrain and many of the more human and emotional aspects relating to various individual sites really brought home some of the reality to us. His conversations with a wide variety of veterans of the conflict mean that he is one of the few people who can provide an insight that goes beyond books or an historical account. We would add that Jon is also a great companion to have during the more social side of any visit you may make.” Professor Stephen J Cooper and friends

Lyn and Don Weldon

To the Somme battlefields… “Don and I can never thank you enough for the experience of travelling with you on a very personal journey. You certainly made our search come to life for us.The knowledge you shared, the stories you told and your ability to bring the whole picture of events to life impacted strongly on us. The kindness and consideration you showed as we located our family members and the little extras you did will never be forgotten. It was a trip of a lifetime and we would gladly recommend your tour to anyone on a Somme pilgrimage” Lyn and Don Weldon Wellington. New Zealand.

2015 Reviews for World War I Battlefield Tours with Travel Editions (Daily Telegraph Travel)

What the customers said about their guide, Jonathan Nicholls:

“We thought Jonathan Nicholls, the Tour Guide, brought the tour alive. Knowledgeable, humorous and well prepared” Mr Ian Lymath who travelled on 01-Oct-2015

“Most interesting and rewarding experience. Were particularly impressed with Jonathan Nicholls and his knowledge of the subject, and also with Steve who handled the tour so well. We would certainly like to book a further tour with you perhaps next year” Mr John Goulden who travelled on 01-Oct-2015

“Jon Nicholls was superb. His knowledge and enthusiasm made the tour the best we have had. We have bought his book!” Mrs Kathleen Teale who travelled on 01-Oct-2015

“Jon Nicholls is an excellent guide. He can bring to life the horrors of the War by his many anecdotes gleaned from his many contacts with old soldiers.” Mr Donald Shaw who travelled on 01-Oct-2015

“Jon Nicholls (expert guide) – brilliant Steve Hartnell ( tour organiser) fantastic These  guys made our trip truly memorable – lovely, funny, kind and helpful. Fantastic” Mr Martin Stephenson who travelled on 01-Oct-2015

“Travel problem on the way back with Eurostar was brilliantly dealt with by Karen and your office. Jonathan our tour guide, was just magnificent, even magic Thank you” Sir Alan Craft who travelled on 25-Jun-2015

“Jon Nicholls, our tour expert, was a fountain of knowledge and pulled out all the stops for us – indefatigable.” Mr John Boyes who travelled on 25-Jun-2015

“Our guide, Jonathan Nicholls, was excellent. His encyclopedic knowledge of the battles and the characters involved, both leaders and the led, brought home to my wife and me the horror and the bravery. The tour showed us how little we knew of this momentous period in our country’s history” Review by Mr Colin Dight who travelled on 07-Aug-2015

“What made this trip was the Tour Guide, Jonathan Nicholls and his wealth of knowledge, being a military historian myself, I know the years of research required to make him into an ‘expert’ on WW1 battlefields/Cemeteries. Mr Trevor Walhen who travelled on 28-Aug-2015

“Tour Guide. Well, where does one start? We have over many years visited the WW1 battle areas both independently and with an organized tour. All much to our benefit with added knowledge. This tour with Jonathan Nicholls surpassed all the expected. The humour, detailed knowledge and delivery was quite simply outstanding. Perhaps too detailed for some but if one really wanted to explore and obtain the necessary information Jonathan’s method was most welcome. Thank you Jonathan for a most memorable and rewarding experience” Ms A Cunningham who travelled on 07-Aug-2015

These reviews and many more, can be seen on the Travel Editions website.

Amiens Cathedral Somme Tourisme - F. Leonardi

Self-Drive Somme Battlefield Tours

Amiens & the somme region.

North of Paris, the Somme region is at the crossroads between Flanders and Paris , the capital of France. During World War I , the Somme region was turned into battlefields , where many countries fought as part of the Allied effort. It is a moving experience to visit these sites: Thiepval Memorial, the American Cemetery near Bony, Beaumont Hamel Canadian site, the Pozières Memorial with British, Australian and Canadian tombs . . .

The lively town of Amiens beckons with its magnificent lady : the Cathedral of Amiens, which is the largest cathedral in France. You may also stroll the Hortillonnages floating gardens located in the Saint Leu district or return to childhood by visiting Jules Verne's house .

The Picardy area is also famous for the Bay de Somme , the natural flora and fauna reserve where the Somme river empties into the English Channel.

Laura and Emilie started working with us to develop a trip in July of 2020, but the trip had to be postponed because of COVID. Nonetheless they kept everything in place and made …

Laura and Emilie started working with us to develop a trip in July of 2020, but the trip had to be postponed because of COVID. Nonetheless they kept everything in place and made some modifications so that the trip could take place this October and November. They were always responsive and helpful with our questions and concerns. All of the arrangements they made worked out just as represented. The rental car process was easy (we can't blame them for Paris traffic), and the places they arranged for us to stay as well as the activities arranged were outstanding. We feel we really got a sense of the beauty of France and met some very nice people along the way. The tour book was terrific and very helpful. They made the trip almost effortless and truly enjoyable. Thank you Laura and Emile for making this a memorable vacation. We wish you did "Italy Just for You" too!

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.

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 !

The Somme & Picardy Sites

The Somme and the Picardy region were the theater for several battles mostly during World War I.  Our Somme Battlefield tours include visits to key sites, and we can customize each tour based on your nationality and your interests relating to the Great War. You may also wish to combine tours of the S omme and Ypres battlefields (across the border in Belgium.

World War I in the Somme - France

The Battle of the Somme sites can be visited by following the Remembrance Trail, between Albert and Péronne. 

The Thiepval Memorial

The memorial bears the names of 72,194 British and South African servicemen who died in the Battle of the Somme. Very nearby is the Ulster Memorial Tower , which commemorates the men of the 36th Ulster Division and is a copy of Helen's Tower in County Down.

Thiepval Museum  ©Somme Tourisme

The Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial

This site, which consists of several areas, commemorates the efforts of the 1st Battalion of the Canadian Newfoundland Regiment and is the best surviving trench system from WWI. It's a key place to visit on  tours of the Somme battlefields.

Beaumont Hamel Canadian Memorial  ©Somme Tourisme

The Somme American Cemetery

Located near Bony in Picardy, the cemetery contains 1,844 graves of American soldiers who lost their lives in operations near Catigny or while serving in American units attached to British armies in the area.

Our self-guided tours in Somme can also take you to Longueval, where there are  three memorials. The Delville Wood South African Memorial, the Pipers Memorial and the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial.

Longueval New Zealand Memorial  ©Somme Tourisme

The Australian National Memorial and Villers-Brettoneaux Military Cemetery

These sites honor the Australian soldiers who fought in France and Belgium, with 2,100 Commonwealth soldiers buried in the cemetery.

Villers Bretonneux Australian Memorial  ©Somme Tourisme

Vimy Ridge (North of the Somme)

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial sits upon the spot from which the Canadian Corps make their assault during the initial Battle of Vimy Ridge offensive of the Battle of Arras.

The best way to visit these sites is with a private guide that we will plan for you, based on your nationality, your specific interests, etc. They will bring this history alive for an experience you will never forget.

The Bay of Somme

Our self-drive tours of the Somme can also take you beyond the battlefields to discover some of the region's natural beauty. The Bay of Somme, where the Somme rivers empties into the English Channel, is a natural wildlife reserve made up of dunes, marches and salt fields. This is a major resting stop for migrating birds, and surprisingly is the home to a rather large seal colony. The towns of Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme and Cayeux-sur-Mer are charming to visit.

Cliffs in Ault in the Somme Bay "Baie de Somme"  ©C.Pegard-Somme Tourisme

Amiens is a very pleasant little city which you can easily explore on foot.

Amiens Cathedral

• Amiens Cathedral is the largest Cathedral in France - about twice as big as Notre Dame in Paris. It is classical Gothic architecture.
• Also, the shell of the building was made in 68 years - unbelievable, especially during the XIIIth century
• There is a 234 meter-long labyrinth which pays tribute to the builders of the Cathedral
• The 2 towers of the Cathedral are not symmetrical. While Notre Dame de Paris has 2 identical towers, many other Cathedrals in France do not. This is often because of budget or building issues. 
• There are 307 steps to the North tower. If you reach the top, the views are great.

Amiens Cathedral -  ©F.Leonardi-Somme Tourisme

The Hortillonnages

With over 100 floating gardens divided by 40 miles (65km) of canals, the Hortillonnages are a unique site in Amiens. On foot or in a small boat, this is a relaxing and charming way to discover a different side of Amiens.

Hortillonnages in Amiens -  ©Somme Tourisme

Accommodation & Gastronomy in the Somme

We have selected charming B&Bs that are perfectly located so that you may visit all the WWI sites, Amiens and the nearby Bay of Somme, allowing you to make the most of your time in the area.

We will share with you our favorite selection of restaurants where you will be able to try some of the local cuisine: duck paté, the ficelle picarde (a savory crepe with ham, mushrooms, scallions and cream), macarons d'Amiens made from almonds and honey, and salicorns from the Bay of Somme. However, instead of washing it down with French wine, the beverage of choice here is locally-made beer - either classic "blondes" to spice or fruit infused brews; the choice is endless.

Macarons from Amiens -  ©Somme Tourisme

How to get to the Somme region

The Somme region and its main city Amiens are just a 1hr30 drive from Paris or CDG airport. This is very easy to reach, even on the day you land in France if you don't plan to stay in Paris to recover from jet lag.

Being located at a crossroads makes the Somme region very accessible from other French regions:

From the East

The Champagne vineyards and Reims are less than a 2hr drive, while Verdun is about 3hrs.

From the West

Normandy with   Etretat cliffs, famous for Arsène Lupin, are also a 2hr drive, while Rouen is a 1hr30 drive and Bayeux is 3hrs.

From the North

Lille and the Flanders region  (where the Ypres battlefields are located, just across the Belgian border) is about a 2hr drive.

From the South

Paris is 1h30 away when driving.

We do not recommend taking a train from Paris to Amiens: the hassle of the train (carrying the luggage, etc) isn't worth the time you will save compared to driving. 

FAQ about the Somme

What is somme famous for.

The Somme is most associated with one of the largest and most devastating battles in human history, the Battle of the Somme. The battle took place between July 1, 1916 – November 18, 1916, during World War I.

Where is the Somme battlefield in France?

The WW1 battlefields of the Somme are located in the rural region of Picardie, a beautiful part of northern France. The Somme department stretches from St Quentin in the east, through the city of Amiens, all the way to the coast. Amiens is about a 90-minute drive from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.

The nearest town to the Somme battlefields is Albert, but we love having our travelers stay in the beautiful town of Amiens, which is about 30 minutes' drive from Albert.

How many died in the Battle of the Somme?

More than 300,000 people died in four and a half months. There were more than a million casualties in total, including 420,000 among British troops, 200,000 French soldiers and 500,000 German soldiers.

Where is the best place to start a tour of the Somme?

We recommend starting a tour of the Somme in the beautiful town of Amiens, which is about 90 minutes' drive from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. From Amiens, it's a 45-75 minute drive to the key Somme battle sites, cemeteries and memorials.

Blog posts about Somme

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Interview with Vincent, guide and expert in WWI history

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Travelers wanting to experience France need look no further than France Just for You. Emilie works very hard to make sure travelers have a care-free, positive, unique experience that they could have never found on their own or with a bus tour group. If you dislike prefabricated group tours, and/or feel unconfident about traveling in a foreign …

Travelers wanting to experience France need look no further than France Just for You. Emilie works very hard to make sure travelers have a care-free, positive, unique experience that they could have never found on their own or with a bus tour group. If you dislike prefabricated group tours, and/or feel unconfident about traveling in a foreign country, Emilie will do all the work for you and you can just enjoy the experience. I wish I could find a similar website for other countries I wish to visit. The guidebook is invaluable, user-friendly, and thorough. All the "off the beaten path" recommendations are great, and the B & Bs that Emilie works with are truly wonderful - which adds so much to a trip. Do NOT HESITATE to use the services of France Just For You.

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Our trip to Paris, Normandy and the Lore Valley could not have been more enjoyable thanks to all the personalized attention that Emilie gave our requests! She even delivered on the perfect weather we asked for! All of the accommodations were very comfortable and the hosts were so friendly, helpful, and fluent in English. Although I am not usually a wine drinker, I really enjoyed the wine tasting Emilie arranged. The advance purchase tickets to Giverney saved us hours standing in line. It was a dream come true excursion for us, all made very easy by Emilie's expertise and attention.

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France just for you was fantastic. We provided a list of places we like to see, they customized our trips with great suggestions. They Provided Car, places to stay, a 2 book itinerary with wonderful suggestions, great Bed and Breakfast and small hotel (very romantic) , assistance when ever we accidentally called their number. We requested guides at several locations and the guides were outstanding. The books were fantastic, coordinates on everything make it easy to find parking in difficult places. Tips on driving, language, places to eat, places to see, Every evening we would use the book to plan our next day a life and time saver. It even had routes to walk through village centers. First time in France and the trip was very relaxing and enjoyable. Emily attention to the little things was amazing. Emily put together a package that had the museum passes, bike rentals, car rentals, canoe rentals, brochures on each location we visited. The trip was a very romantic trip for my wife and I. I came back with an appreciation for France, its culture and people. I am a happy customer thanks to France Just For You.

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The Battle of the Somme

- one day tour -.

From & to ARRAS (9.00am to 5.30pm)

In the morning we will head towards the Somme battlefields to discover the sites of the major allied offensive of 1916 : the impressive mine crater at La Boisselle resulting from a massive explosion on the first day of the battle , the well preserved battlefield at Beaumont-Hamel where you'll be able to walk through a complex network of original allied and German trenches,  the Thiepval Memorial to the missing, the village of Pozieres (a landmark site for Australian troops), and the numerous memorials scattered through the now  peaceful countryside of the Somme. A visit to the excellent Albert underground museum is also included. After this moving day we will head back to Arras late afternoon.

  The tour includes:

• Full transport to the battlefields from and to ARRAS
• Travel in a top range new Mercedes minivan
• Personal Guide / Driver (certified Battlefield Guide)
• Access to all the sites and museums fees
• Documents and historical research on demand
• All Guide expenses 

NOTE:  We can adjust our tours to suit your specific needs and requirements. Please contact us.

Not included:  Meals and drinks

How to book this tour ?

Contact us with your possible tour dates and how many people will be travelling. We will reply as quickly as possible ..

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Ypres & somme tour.

The Western front

The Western Front was the main theatre of war during the First World War. Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne. Following the Race to the Sea, both sides dug in along a meandering line of fortified trenches, stretching from the North Sea to the Swiss frontier with France, which changed little except during early 1917 and in 1918.

This is a Bespoke Tour

Between 1915 and 1917 there were several offensives along this front. The attacks employed massive artillery bombardments and massed infantry advances. Entrenchments, machine gun emplacements, barbed wire and artillery repeatedly inflicted severe casualties during attacks and counter-attacks and no significant advances were made. Among the costliest of these offensives were the Battle of Verdun, in 1916, with a combined 700,000 casualties (estimated), the Battle of the Somme, also in 1916, with more than a million casualties (estimated), and the Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres), in 1917, with 487,000 casualties (estimated).

To break the deadlock of trench warfare on the Western Front, both sides tried new military technology, including poison gas, aircraft, and tanks. The adoption of better tactics and the cumulative weakening of the armies in the west led to the return of mobility in 1918. The German Spring Offensive of 1918 was made possible by the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk that ended the war of the Central Powers against Russia and Romania on the Eastern Front. Using short, intense “hurricane” bombardments and infiltration tactics, the German armies moved nearly 100 kilometres (60 miles) to the west, the deepest advance by either side since 1914, but the result was indecisive.

The unstoppable advance of the Allied armies during the Hundred Days Offensive of 1918 caused a sudden collapse of the German armies and persuaded the German commanders that defeat was inevitable. The German government surrendered in the Armistice of 11 November 1918, and the terms of peace were settled by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

On fresh air

• Garden furniture
• Beach (first line)
• Sun terrace
• Private beach area
• Barbecue facilities

Meet at London & Middlesex Rifle Club at the world famous Bisley ranges. Live firing of WW1 Lee Enfield rifles. Catch the coach to Mons.

Visit the sites of the Battle of Mons and the retreat of the BEF. After lunch visit Saint-Symphorien Cemetery where the first and last troops of the Great War are buried. Also, the first soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross, is buried just a few feet from the first German recipient of the Iron Cross. Coach to Arras.

Visit the German War Cemetery Saint-Laurent-Blangy. The cemetery is the last resting place for 31,939 German soldiers who died in the Great War, including graves of Jewish soldiers are marked with headstones bearing the Star of David. After Lunch visit The Wellington Quarry. The New Zealand Tunneling Company was based in this part of the underground tunnel system during the build-up to the Allied offensive, the Battle of Arras 1917, which was launched in the early hours of 9 April 1917.

Battle of the Somme Visit Lochnagar Crater. The Lochnagar mine was an underground explosive charge, secretly planted by the British during the First World War, ready for 1 July 1916, the first day on the Somme. Visit Thiepval.  After the War ended, Thiepval was chosen as the location for the Memorial to the Missing to commemorate those who died in the Somme sector before the 20th of March 1918 and have no known grave. This is the largest and most imposing of the Memorials to the Missing, and visiting here is a moving and sobering experience. After Lunch visit Ulster Towers and the very moving sight of the Sunken Road at Beaumont Hamel.

Drive to Ypres. Visit the site of the famous Football match and Christmas cease fire at Plugstreet. After lunch onto Tyne Cot which is the largest British Cemetery on the Western Front with 11,953 burials, followed by Sanctuary Wood, which is one of the few places on the Ypres Salient battlefields where an original trench layout can be seen. In the evening we visit the Menin Gate Ceremony.

Visit the Cloth Hall, Museum and Cathedral in Ypres. After lunch return home.

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WW1 WW1 Americans soldiers in the battle of the Hindenburg Line 1918 (Small Group 2/7 pax)

Tour code : somme3 somme 1918, americans soldiers and the breaking of the hindenburg line.

Day trip from Paris in a small group aboard a Minivan (max 7 pax)

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HIGHTLIGHTS

Aboard a minivan you will cross through villages and WW1 battlefields in the Somme and discover the visibles scars  left by the war onto the landscapes after the battle for the breaking of the Hindenburg line in October 1918.

Pay your respects to the WW1 fallen soldiers while walking along the row of graves of the Somme American Military Cemetery

The Bellicourt American Monument was erected above a canal tunnel built by Napoleon I, it commemorates the achievements and sacrifices of the 90,000 American troops who served in battle with the British Armies in France during 1917 and 1918. On the terrace a balcony will enables you to contemplate a panoramic view towards the battlefield.

See this impressive 19th century canal tunnel (3,52 miles) which sheltered thousand of german soldiers during the fierces fighting for the breaking of the Hindenburg line by american soldiers in October 1918

Be amaze to visit the layout of the Historial of peronne Museum which combines a learning experience and emotion, taking visitors into the heart of the Great War.

THE PRICE INCLUDES

• Small group tour (Max 7 participants)
• Travel aboard an air-conditioning Minivan vehicle
• Guided sightseeing tour with English-speaking guide
• Admission tickets to the “Historial of Peronne” Museum

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDES

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Food and drinks
• Gratuities (optional)
• Introduction
• History of the Hindenburg Line
• Pickup in central Paris
• STOP 1 - American Military Cemetery in Bony (1hour)
• STOP 2 - Bellicourt American Monument (20mn)
• STOP 3 - Riqueval Towing Tunnel (30mn)
• STOP 4 - Riqueval Bridge (30mn)
• Stop 5 - Joncourt Bunker (10mn)
• STOP 6 - German War Cemetery, Maissemy (10mn)
• STOP 7 - Lunch Time in Péronne (01hour)
• STOP 8 - Historial of The Great War in Péronne (01hour)
• Return and drop off in central Paris

Come and join us for a day of remembrance and discover this large and very flat areas of farming lands. War cemeteries are standing everywhere in the fields and forever will testimony of the violence and bloody battles of the Great War.

To start your trip, you will be pickup by the driver guide in central Paris in front of the following adress: " LIDO DE PARIS 116 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris » at 06H40 in the morning aboard a comfortable minivan. Leaving Paris, we are now heading north towards the county of Somme in Picardy Region wich is Located at only two hours drive away from the french capital.

The Hindenburg Line comprised five operational zones, or Stellungen , which were named after figures of German mythology (from north to south): Wotan, Siegfried, Alberich, Brunhild, and Kriemhild. The most powerful of these sections was Siegfried which stretched 160 kilometres from Lens to Reims. It was built in just five months thanks to a massive workforce of more than 500,000 labourers including German civilians and Russian prisoners of war.

The defensive works comprised deep trenches (5 m deep, 4 m wide) and dugouts with bands of barbed wire entanglements at least twenty metres wide in front of the front line. The pillboxes and shelters were protected by reinforced concrete and sheets of steel. In addition, a line of more lightly defended outposts were built about three kilometres in front of the main line to slow down any Allied attack.

The battle zone proper, which was about two kilometres deep, was covered by a massive bank of big guns and machine-guns perfectly positioned to eliminate any advancing infantry. As the war progressed a series of anti-tank ditches were also dug in front of the front lines.

The Germans retreat towards the new defensive line took place in March 1917 so as to disrupt Nivelle's planned offensive, of which the German General Staff knew the main details. The Germans called their retreat Operation Alberich.

In 1918 the Hindenburg Line was the starting point of the Kaiserschlacht , the "emperor's battle" , which the Germans launched on 21 March.

In September 1918 the Allies set forth with a huge number of tanks to break through the Hindenburg Line and by 10 October it had been completely overwhelmed. The Allied advance to victory was underway.

In the morning the driver guide will pick you up at 06:25 am at the following adress : LIDO DE PARIS 116 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris

(Easy to access by metro Line 1 and to get off at Metro station « George V »)

Your full-day history’ tour will begin in the areas of the Somme 1918 battlegrounds.  First stop to visit the WW1 «Somme American Cemetery» in Bony.

The World War I Somme American Cemetery and Memorial in France is sited on a gentle slope typical of the open, rolling Picardie countryside. The 14.3-acre cemetery contains the graves of 1,844 of our military dead. Most lost their lives while serving in American units attached to British armies, or in operations near Cantigny. The headstones, set in regular rows, are separated into four plots by paths that intersect at the flagpole near the top of the slope. The longer axis leads to the chapel at the eastern end of the cemetery.

A massive bronze door surmounted by an American eagle leads into the chapel, whose outer walls contain sculptured pieces of military equipment. Once inside, light from a cross-shaped crystal window above the marble altar bathes the subdued interior with light. The walls bear the names of 333 of the missing. A rosette marks the name of the soldier listed on the Walls of the Missing that has since been recovered and identified.

The Bellicourt American Monument was erected above a canal tunnel built by Napoleon I, it commemorates the achievements and sacrifices of the 90,000 American troops who served in battle with the British Armies in France during 1917 and 1918. Engraved on the rear facade of the monument is a map illustrating the American operations; on the terrace is an orientation table.

The 27th and 30th Divisions came to the vicinity after fighting Belgium earlier in September 1918. The St. Quentin Canal Tunnel passes beneath Bellicourt and Bony. It was part of the Germans’ formidable Hindenburg Line, which was broken by the American troops in a brilliant offensive in September 1918. The Bellicourt Monument lies above the tunnel.

The 30th and 27th Divisions went into the line in adjoining zones of action on September 24 and 25 respectively, under tactical control of the Australian Corps. After actions in succeeding days, they participated in the main Allied offensive beginning on September 29.

Both the 27th and 30th Division engaged in heavy fighting with many casualties. Australian troops passed through the American divisions and continued the offensive. The 27th and 30th divisions were relieved from the vicinities of Bellicourt and the area west of Bony on September 30, 1918.

American casualties from fighting in this region are interred at the Somme American Cemetery near Bony, a mile to the northwest.

During the First World War the Germans turned this underground canal into a veritable barracks, with dressing stations dug out along the banks. The men slept in barges. In late September 1918 recapturing the tunnel was one of the highlights of the Battle for the Hindenburg line. Americans troops (US 30th Infantry Division)broke through the Hindenburg Line in the fog on 29th September 1918, entering Bellicourt, capturing the southern entrance of Bellicourt Tunnel and reaching the village of Nauroy.

In the surrounding area, the village of Bellicourt was the scene of very fierce fighting, to which several monuments pay tribute: a memorial in honour of the 2nd Corps of the American Army and an obelisk in memory of the 30th Division.

During the Battle of the Saint-Quentin Canal in September 29th 1918, the capture of Riqueval bridge was one the key objective to be retaken by the British Army.

Some men of the North Staffordshire Regiment (British 46th Infatry Division), led by Captain A. H. Charlton, managed to seize the still-intact Riqueval Bridge over the canal before the Germans had a chance to fire their explosive charges.

Once taken, on 29 September 1918, the Riqueval Bridge became a vital supply line over the St Quentin Canal for artillery, tanks, trucks and men.

Like a silent sentinel this bunker, which once formed part of the German Hindenburg Line defences, overlook the St Quentin Canal. It looks out across the fields of British victory from the final battle of the Great War on the Western in October 1918.

The German cemetery of Maissemy, is the second largest German military cemetery in France for the number of dead buried after that of Neuville-Saint-Vaast in Pas-de-Calais.

30,478 bodies are buried there, 15,478 in individual graves materialized by stone crosses (including 54 unidentified bodies) and 15,000 (of which 956 are identified) in two ossuaries.

The commemorative chapel contains a bronze sarcophagus topped with a mosaic of 340,000 pieces3. Large stone slabs, bordering the main aisle, bear the names and shields of the towns of the Ruhr basin that sponsored the construction of this necropolis.

In the afternoon, you will discover the town of Peronne where we will take a break for lunch in a local restaurant or you will just decides by yourself of your own choices of meals (own expense).

After lunch and, you will get a free access to explore the «Great War Historial and museum" in Péronne. A 13th century medieval castle house the WW1 museum which display a a large exhibits of uniforms and weapons  all worn, designed and used by the soldiers during the conflict.

The historial of peronne museum also offers a permanent collection of Trench Artists such as « Otto Dix » who did testimony of  the atrocities of the war with sketching some very graphic etchings.

Museum Layout

The Historial, Museum of the Great War in Péronne opened in 1992. A highly respected museum devoted to the history of the First World War, the Historial studies the full cultural, social and military scale of this important chapter of history.

The central part of each gallery pays testimony to life at the front, that which concerned every population at war the most.

Soldiers of various nationalities are represented by mannequins dressed in their uniforms with their weapons and personal effects by their sides. These bodies, lying in white marble pits cut out of the museum’s floor, symbolise the entire territory of the Somme riddled by trenches, and the common suffering of the men at war.

Weapons and military equipment are displayed in the centre of the galleries; placed on the ground, in pits, they pay testimony to the common suffering of the soldiers. The lives of the civilians, each and everyone ‘mobilised’ by war, are studied in the wall cabinets, divided into three sections and respectively dedicated to Germany, France and Great Britain.

During the return drive to Paris you will have time to relax aboard the minivan before to be dropped off in Central Paris  (Drop off in front of the "LIDO DE PARIS 116 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris" in the evening between 06:30 pm till 07:30 pm).

Easy there to catch a taxi cab either to find metro station (Ligne 1 Métro : George V).

More about Somme

• battlefields
• Hindenburg line

« ADRIAN ROADS » passionate team company is motivated by the same core values, namely the sharing of remembrance and transmission of history knowledge in both world wars. We do run our tours in small groups only (Max 8 people) aboard a comfortable and Air conditioned minivan.

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Somme Battlefield Tour from Paris

with Villers-Bretonneux Cemetery & John Monash Centre

Small Group Tour

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• Description •
• Tour Highlights •

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Tour Highlights

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.

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!

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.

Admire the delicate arched ceiling in this beautiful Gothic church.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Discover our WW1 Battlefield Tours

Battlefield Tours

New-Zealand

1 Day Tours

Welcome back! Discover our special Tours and Promotions

A local and experienced guide.

The combination of local knowledge and historical research through the years turns out to be a major asset to give our clients the most rewarding experience.

Adapted on your own expectations

The main issue for us is to give our clients a tour adapted to their needs and expectations.Whatever their choice is, a one day or several day tours we can arrange it.

Personal service

Following the footsteps of your relative is very humbling and a lifetime achievement with their suffering in the back of your mind.

Testimonials

"great experience".

We were three friends from Spain and wanted to visit in one day the most important places of WWI at Ypres. Annette was an EXCELLENT guide, the tour that she made absolutly completed our expectations. Without her guidance and knowledge (that is impressive) it would have been imposible to seize the day as we did.

Guided Tours of the Western Battlefields

Battlefield sites

Our guided tour will take you to the most relevant trenches and significant battlefield sites from World War One such as Hill 60, Hill 62, Tyne Cot cemetery, Polygon Wood,Essines Ridge and more in the Ypres Salient. In the Somme we go to Thiepval, Pozieres, Mouquet farm, Villers Bretonneux.

Your own choice

But we take you also to places of your own choice: a small cemetery where a relative is buried or a less known battlefield where he fought was wounded or received an award. We also visit German sites as well Allied.

Trace a soldier

As a special service we can try to trace the movements of an individual soldier during the first world war. If you are interested in that service, please give us notice a few weeks prior to your arrival.

Ypres & Somme Battlefield tours accommodation

During our package tours we use the Novotel in Ypres and breakfast and dinner is included in the price of our 2. 3 or 4 day battlefield tours. Convenient is to arrive in Lille the day before the tour. In this case we will be happy to recommend accommodation near the station where you arrive. If you have choose your own accommodation, we are also able to guide you on the Ypres and Somme battlefields.

WW1 Battlefield Tours & WW2 D-Day Landings, Normandy

Join us on an unforgettable journey as we embark on our Battlefield Tours exploring the historic landscapes of the Western Front and the Normandy Beaches

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Welcome to Williamsomme Tours

Menin Gate in Ypres (Closed for refurbishment until May 2025 – Last Post Ceremony held on adjacent bridge)

Williamsomme tours, formed in 2008 offers individual tailored, personal and memorable tours of the WW1 Western Front and WW2 Normandy Landing sites.

Our tours offer an unforgettable experience and we enhance the service by undertaking research for those wishing to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors. Many important battlefields are visited during the tour, along with museums, visitors’ centres and towns and cities behind the lines. Occasionally visits are made to sites well off the beaten track to follow in the footsteps of soldiers who fought in this devastating conflict. Tours can be lengthened or altered to enable visits to be made to other nearby historical sites; Crecy (1346), Agincourt (1415), La Coupole V2 launch site, 1943 and the VI Bois Carre launch site, around 500m from the farmhouse.

Careful planning for your tour commences from your first enquiry so that we can build a bespoke experience for you. Please do not hesitate to contact us!

Plan Your Tour

Ww1 tours the western front including the somme, artois and flanders.

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WW2 Tours Normandy Beaches

What an experience! Your knowledge and professionalism have made this a wonderful journey through the Battlefields. So much to see, so much to learn. Thank you.

Peter & Sean, Perth, Western Australia

Discovering the events and areas involved with the famous Battle of the Somme.  

The 1st July, remembered as the darkest day in British military history with 60,000 casualties. However, there is so much more to this battle to discover. On the tour we will visit important areas to really give you a sense and feel for the grounds on which the soldiers fought and died on. We will start at the furthermost point of the British front line where it met with the French. From here we will follow the front line up where we pass many individual memorials. There will also be interesting stories told along the way. 

The day will include :-

Mametz Wood and memorial Lochnagar Crater Thiepval Memorial to the missing The Ulster Tower Newfoundland Park at Beaumont Hamel.  

Cancellation policy

To cancel or  reschedule please contact me at least 48 hours before. Refund may not be possible after this.  

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The Somme Battlefields

• Private car/minibus

This tour is available in most languages. Select your language on checkout.

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About The Tour

The Battle of the Somme lasted from 1 July to 17 November 1916, and the fighting was some of the bloodiest of the First World War with over a million casualties - dead and wounded. Your Paris tour guide will explain the circumstances of the battle as well as the overall political and military history which led to the outbreak of The First World War.

You will visit the celebrated Museum of The Great War in the mediaeval town of Peronne, just a short drive from the battlefields. At Thiepval, you will see Sir Edwin Lutyen's imposing Memorial on which are recorded the names of 72000 men who have no known grave.

At Beaumont-Hamel, where the Newfoundlers attacked on the morning of 1 July, there is a well preserved trench system which shows how close the two front lines were. You will visit the moving Australian National Memorial at Villers Bretonneux and the cavernous Lochnagar crater where a huge mine was exploded under the German positions.

From approximately 7:30 a.m to 7 p.m

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN.

Normandy beaches & battlefields, flanders battlefields, luckily, we found british tours the flyover of the normandy beaches was superb.

Alexandra Linders

Why choose us?

Because you insist on the longest-established and most experienced service available in Britain. Founded in 1958, British Tours is still under the same management. About Us

Who is your Guide?

Our guides are personable educated men and women, chosen for their knowledge, special interests, backgrounds and personality. They will collect you by car from any central London location and guide you inside places of historic importance

Follow us on our journey

Private Tour of the WW1 Somme Battlefields from ARRAS

• Private transportation
• Private Guide WW1 expert
• Access to all the sites and museum fees
• Entry/Admission - Musee Somme 1916
• Gare d'Arras, 62000 Arras, France Meet our guide opposite the ARRAS train station, he will be waiting for you at our minibus with a sign « Battlefield Guided Tours ». A hotel pick-up is also possible on demand
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Infant seats available
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Musee Somme 1916
• Mémorial de Thiepval
• Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
• Lochnagar Crater
• 1st austalian devision memorial

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Gare d'Arras 62000 Arras, France Meet our guide opposite the ARRAS train station, he will be waiting for you at our minibus with a sign « Battlefield Guided Tours ». A hotel pick-up is also possible on demand See address & details
• 1 Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Stop: 60 minutes See details
• 2 Memorial de Thiepval Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 3 Lochnagar Crater Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 4 1st austalian devision memorial Stop: 20 minutes See details
• 5 Musee Somme 1916 Stop: 90 minutes - Admission included See details
• 6 Proyart Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 7 Sir John Monash Centre Stop: 45 minutes See details
• 8 Australian National Memorial Stop: 30 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• Z1249BVmarkm 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A must do for all Australians. Our trip to the Somme to visit the battlefields where the Australians fought was a truly humbling experience and one that I would recommend all Australians to do in their lifetime. You will never forget. Our tour guide Slyvestre was extremely knowledgeable on the conflicts and history. We were truly humbled by this experience and thank Slyvestre for his company. In closing, the Sir John Monash museum at Villers-Bretonneux is a must see. Read more Written March 13, 2024
• Vacation08019755447 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Australian battlefields tours from Paris What an amazing tour. Sylvester, our guide, was fantastic. No crowds, no time pressure and so accommodating. Even went out of his way to take us to a family member's grave at Dernancour cemetery. Had lunch at a lovely little Cafe with gluten free options. Great tour and would recommend it to any Aussie touring Paris. Read more Written February 15, 2024
• wilbur25 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic experience I would highly recommend this tour with Sylvestre. We came from Australia to see the battlefields. The private tour was everything we had hoped for and more. Sylvestre was knowledgeable and helpful and let us move around at our own pace. Went to Albert for lunch which was great as well. Feel very lucky to have experienced this tour . Read more Written September 26, 2023
• spinto13 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing experience! Our guide, Sylvestre, was excellent! He communicated with us the day prior to introduce himself and confirm pick up time/location. He was right on time, and once settled we got on our way. As this was a private tour, he let us set the pace which gave us as much time as we needed at each stop. He provided excellent historical background and was very interesting and helpful in answering our questions. He also took us to areas off the beaten track like an observation post in a farmers field and showed us war ordnance on the side of the road - found by a farmer and awaiting pick-up by local authority. He accommodated our request for a light lunch and joined us as we enjoyed a baguette at a picnic table. We can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed this tour because of Sylvestre - it was a somber day visiting these memorials and cemeteries of WWI, but he added to our day with his knowledge and expertise. Thank you! Read more Written July 2, 2023
• Daina P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Don’t miss this Excellent museum, recommended by friends and worth it 100%. An excellent display and memorial of the tragedy of war and the loss suffered, highly recommended Read more Written June 12, 2023
• Grandpaw60 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles WWI revisited. Used Michel of RMB transport. He wasn't very good at responding to my emails but he was very good as a driver and guide. His English is understandable. He has an excellent knowledge of not only Vimy Ridge, but also the surrounding countryside. He showed up on time. For 50 Euros, it was worth it. Read more Written June 4, 2023
• Jim D 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend We were so impressed with Sylvestre. He is very knowledgeable, speaks good English and has a good wit. His car is very comfortable and clean. He also knows good lunch spots ! Highly recommended. Read more Written May 15, 2023
• MauiF88 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommended Can highly recommend Sylvestre for your visit to the WW1 battlefields. He really personalises your tour to your specific needs. My Great Uncle was a doctor in the RAMC and died early in the war. Sylvestre found the road where he thought he was shot and provided us with his research. We visited the Fromelles and the Pheasant Wood military cemetery and adjacent museum given we are from Australia and Vimy Ridge so that the children could see the trenches and tunnels. He also took us to see the German cemetery so we could view the stark difference and mourn the tremendous loss of life on both sides. Thank you Sylvestre for a very moving day. Read more Written August 10, 2022
• OurWanderingCasa 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Humbling We had an amazing private tour. Sylvester our guide was so knowledgeable. We were given lots of time at each site to take it all in. He also took us to some of the more obscure sites, like a German War Cemetery, that really helped gain perspective of WWI. Highly recommend. Read more Written October 5, 2021
• tmccoydc12 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing visit to the Meuse-Argonne Battlefield 🇺🇸🇺🇸 I contacted Sylvestre to ask him to help me trace the movements of my great-uncle, who served with the American Expeditionary Forces and was wounded in action in September 1918 during the early days of the Meuse-Argonne Campaign. On an unforgettable sunny June 2021 day, Sylvestre showed me not only sites where my great-uncle’s regiment saw action, he even researched and took me to the location where my great-uncle was wounded. Additionally, we visited quite a few other sites associated with the 37th Division that I would have otherwise never known to visit, plus others still where I was able to walk in trenches and see upclose the places where both Allied and German soldiers lived and died just ovee 100 years ago. The day ended with a visit to where my fellow Tennessean Sgt. Alvin C. York earned his Medal of Honor and to the American Cemetery, which in its beauty and pristine peacefulness packs a powerful emotional punch. Sylvestre’s passion for and knowledge of WWI history is contagious and his ability to explain the big picture of the war and little details is very impressive. I cannot say enough good things about the visit. You will thank yourself for organizing a visit with him. Read more Written June 25, 2021
• RegalTourist 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Anzac Battlefields 2.5 day tour including Dawn Service, Villers-Bretonneux 2019 I can't speak highly enough of this experience. The tour group comprised approximately 20 people, all Australians, who had travelled to France especially to attend Anzac Day services on the Western Front in April 2019. We travelled in a very comfortable coach for the entire tour. We are a family of 4 and really enjoyed visiting all the important battlefields that are special to Australians, including Pozieres, Bullecourt, and Fromelle over 2 and 1/2 days with the climax being attendance at the Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux. The tour also included a visit to the John Monash Centre and the Victoria School, which was absolutely fantastic, and we also stopped in Arras and Albert on two of the touring days for lunch. Estelle was most helpful with the booking arrangements prior to our arrival. She answered my many questions promptly and left me feeling confident that this was a very experienced crew. Nothing was any trouble for Estelle and she also undertook research for us about our family members, who had fought in the area during WW1. She even provided us with a photograph of our relative who was killed in action, which we had never seen before. We were very touched by this. Lea was our guide and wow, she really has an amazingly in depth knowledge of the history of the area and all aspects of how the battles unfolded. She is a born historian and exudes such passion that made the stories she told about the war all the more compelling. Lea was also able to point out to us the exact location of our relative's death at Pozieres, which was important to us as he has no known grave. The information about the exact location exceeded our expectations and was a highlight for us as we would not have thought this level of detail possible. Lea is also a really lovely lady, who was a pleasure to travel with over the 2 and 1/2 days of our tour, as was Estelle who was a pleasure to deal with also. It was sad to say good-bye when the tour was over. We are sorry to see that the tour is cancelled for 2020 due to Covid19 as it is a really wonderful experience. I commend this tour to all Australians who may be looking to spend a few days exploring and being educated about the Somme battlefields in 2021, particularly as the tour concludes with the not to be missed Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux. Yes, it was very cold and a bit wet, but I would do it all again. Thank you Terres de Memoir, especially Lea and Estelle. I love your work! Read more Written April 21, 2020
• _stuart1606 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Incredible day Lea guided us through the history of western front with well informed and insightful commentary. Absolutely recommend tour, not only those with an interest in the events that occurred but to all. Incredibly moving day and something everyone should experience. Read more Written March 15, 2020
• TaniaK399 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour My Aussie family and I thoroughly enjoyed our 1 day tour of the Somme we undertook late in Nov '19. Lea was an excellent guide who not only had very good knowledge of the events that occurred but was also very fluent in English. Our entire family learnt a lot that day and my wife even shared some of her grandfathers stories. I definitely recommend this tour. Read more Written January 5, 2020
• AndrewESyd 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Memorable experience My family (wife and 2 children) very much enjoyed our 1 day Somme tour. Sylvester is very knowledgable and friendly, and has excellent English. Actually seeing the places where these famous WWI battles were fought really helped me understand them from a perspective you can’t get from books. Read more Written January 3, 2020
• Neil P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour My 16 year-old son and I spent most of the day touring the fields, graveyards, and memorials of the 1916 and 1918 battles. Sylvestre was an outstanding guide and taught us much about the Somme, WWI, and French culture, as well. A great day trip out of Paris. Read more Written January 2, 2020

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Self-drive Itineraries & Tours of the WW1 Battlefields

Travellers wishing to tour the battlefields independently by car, motorbike, motorhome or bicycle can do so with help from specific itineraries drawn up by an expert guide to the WW1 battlefields.

The organizations listed here either offer itineraries and route information to download for your self-drive independent travel to the battlefields, or there are companies which will create tour itineraries and arrange accommodation for you.

Any company listed on greatwar.co.uk is offered to help travellers to the battlefields find a tour company or guide to suit specific requirements. You are advised to contact the tour guide or company directly with any enquiry about the tours or itineraries they offer. Where appropriate you should ensure they comply with any travel, package holiday and package tours regulations. Greatwar.co.uk cannot be held responsible for a guide or tour company failing to comply with package holiday travel regulations and public liability cover.

Self-Drive Battlefield Tour Itineraries

Self-drive battlefield tours (paid-for arrangements/itineraries), australian remembrance trail: france and belgium.

Australian visitors may be interested to see a website established by the Australian Government called the ANZAC Portal. It provides information about the major sites to visit in France and Belgium where the Australian forces fought and where they are commemorated.

Website: www.ww1westernfront.gov.au The Australian Remembrance Trail

“Circuit of Remembrance”, Somme Battlefields, France

The Somme “Circuit of Remembrance” (also called The Remembrance Trail) has been set up by the organisation called Somme Battlefields' Partner. It is a route of approximately 40 miles in total with 10 stops at important sites between the towns of Albert and Péronne. This is a route that can be followed if you are visiting the battlefields independently. You can either make the visits yourself or, alternatively, there are local guides who can arrange to take you round (there would be a charge for this option). For information about the “Circuit of Remembrance”, the location of the main historical sites to visit or recommended guides go to 'The Great War: A Chapter in History' page on the official Somme tourism website:

Website: www.somme-battlefields.com The Great War

Digital Guide to Download: Sites of the First World War (Somme)

For a downloadable guide to the Battles of the Somme, a map and descriptions of the main sites to visit go to this link provided by the official Somme tourism website:

Website: fr.calameo.com Sites of the First World War

Road Trip: The Great War and More

This is the first in a new series of itineraries for self-driving tours from Vicarious Media. The tour includes travel visiting historical locations for the First and Second World Wars, taking in five cities across France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The tour is suitable for motorbikes, cars, motorhomes and campervans.

For more information, testimonials, features, a sample of the guide and how to purchase it visit the Vicarious Media website:

Website: vicarious-shop.com Road Trip: The Great War and More

Battlefields by 4x4

Telephone: 0701 424 1418 (calls charged at premium rate)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.battlefieldsby4x4.com

Battlefield tours led by experienced battlefield guides and qualified off-road drivers, which are specifically designed for owners of standard four wheel drive vehicles. Commentary by your guides is delivered to your own vehicle and an A5 bound booklet will be given to you with photographs and information about the places you are to visit. Every assistance will be given to lead you through spectacular countryside, including off-road driving, and show you the well-known and not so well-known battlefield sites. Most tours are organized over three days, two and a half days of this consisting of driving time.

Tours are based on either pre-arranged itineraries, or a combination of tour destinations, or on a tour customised to your own requirements. Pre-arranged tour itineraries include:

• The Somme 1916
• The Tank 1917
• D Day 1944 (annual tour in June available from 2015)
• Battlefields of the Aisne, Champagne and Meuse in Eastern France to be announced

For more information, bookings and answers to any questions you may have, visit the website:

Galina Battlefield Tours

Official Tour Operators to the Normandy Veterans Association; Member of ABTA No. Y4466

Address: Galina International Battlefield Tours, 16 Bridge Street Row, Chester, CH1 1NQ

Telephone: 01244 340 777

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.wartours.com

Galina Battlefield Tours is a well-established battlefield tour company offering quality tours for groups and individuals. Self-drive tour itineraries are also available from Galina. Self-drive tours can be tailored to suit your requirements, your travel dates, accommodation needs, and the places you wish to visit.

For full details and to request a free quotation visit the Self-drive page on the Galina Battlefield Tours website:

Website: www.wartours.com Self-drive

Somme Battlefield Tours Ltd.

Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (GBG)

Telephone: +44 (0)1202 - 880 211

Website: www.battlefield-tours.com

A small company which specializes in Self-Drive tours to the Somme and Ypres battlefields.

Related Topics

Visiting the ww1 western front battlefields.

Advice and useful information about travelling, accommodation and tourist information for visitors to the Western Front battlefields:

Visiting WW1 Western Front Battlefields

Battlefields of the Western Front

Pages on the battlefields by area including comprehensive listings and locations of military cemeteries, main memorials, battle remains, museums and accommodation:

The Yser Battlefields & the Belgian Coast

The Ypres Salient, Flanders, Belgium

French Flanders and Artois

The Somme, Picardie, France

Guidebooks for the WW1 Western Front Battlefields

Recommended guidebooks for visitors:

Maps for Travel to the WW1 Battlefields

For recommended modern road, cycling and walking maps on the Western Front battlefields, see our page:

Apps for the WW1 Battlefield Visitor

Somme Battlefields' Partner, France

The Somme Battlefields' Partner is a network, where local professionals involved in tourism and the history of the Somme battlefield area have come together. Information about the Somme Battlefields' Partner is on the official Somme tourism website at:

Website: www.somme-battlefields.com Somme Battlefields' Partner

Battlefield Tours

Battlefield Tours & Travel

Battlefield Tour Companies and Guides (from the United Kingdom)

Battlefield Tour Companies and Guides based in Belgium and France

Cycling Routes & Tours on the WW1 Battlefields

Walking the WW1 Battlefields

Motorcycling Tours on the WW1 Battlefields

Battlefield Tours by Rail

WW1 Battlefield Tour Companies for Students & School Groups

• Accommodation

Accommodation on the Western Front Battlefields

• Western Front Battlefields
• Battlefield Visits
• Memorials & Monuments
• Museums & Archive Collections
• Tracing Family History
• Researching Military History
• Education Resources
• Experience of the Great War
• Remembrance
• Organizations
• The Poppy Umbrella
• Tours from UK
• Tours start in Belgium/France
• Cycling Tours
• Walking Tours
• Self-Drive Tours
• Motorcycle Tours
• Tours by Rail
• Tours for Schools & Students
• Guild of Battlefield Guides
• Travel Maps

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• Battlefield Tours from London >

WW1 Battlefield Tours from London

Our WW1 Battlefield tours from London visit locations where some of the most well-known battles of the war took place. This includes private tours to Ypres, the Somme and Meuse Argonne. Your guide is an expert battlefield historian who is highly knowledgeable about the history of the war. We can visit one, two or all three of these battlefields depending on the number of days you have available for a private tour. We can also arrange visits to other WW1 battlefields locations, as well as create customized itineraries according to your interests. These can include battlefields on the Western Front, Italy, Gallipoli, Palestine, Mesopotamia and Africa.

If you have a relative who fought in the war we can put together a custom itinerary to follow in the footsteps of the soldier.

Quicklinks:

Ypres Battlefield Tours from London >>>

Somme Battlefield Tours from London >>>

Meuse Argonne Battlefield Tours from London >>>

About our WW1 Battlefield Tours >>>

Ypres Battlefield Tours from London

Day One – London to Belgium

We will collect you from your hotel or preferred location in London and drive to the English coast, where we cross the English Channel via ferry.

On arrival in France, we drive to Ypres in Belgium where you will have an afternoon tour of the Second Battle of Ypres battlefields. Our first stop is the Essex Farm Cemetery and Dressing Station, famous as the location where John McCrae wrote the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. We then head to the French Memorial at Pilckem where you will hear the story of the first major use of gas on the Western Front on 22 April 1915 before continuing to the Canadian Brooding Soldier Memorial at Vancouver Corner, Sint Juliann. Here we discuss the reactions of the Canadians to the first gas attack in WW1 and their defence against a second gas attack just two days later.

In the evening you will attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.

Stay overnight in a hotel in Ypres.

Day Two – Ypres Salient & Return to London

Your second day concentrates on the Third Battle of Ypres, aka Passchendaele. We begin at Yorkshire Trench, a reconstructed trench built on the original site which was used by the 38th (Welsh) Division on 31 July 1917 at the start of Third Ypres. We then drive along the Pilckem Ridge to the Welsh Memorial in Flanders where your battlefield historian will recount the assault by the Welsh along the ridge. Continue to Langemarck German Military Cemetery where we pay our respects to the German soldiers who fell in the Ypres Salient.

From the German Military Cemetery, head to Passchendaele via the Gravenstafel Ridge where your battlefield historian will recount the ANZAC and Canadian actions that saw this landmark captured at the end of Third Ypres.

Finally, visit the Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial where we pay our respects to the British and Empire troops that fell in the Ypres Salient during the First World War.

Travel Extras:

• Extend your tour and spend extra days in the region
• Extend your tour and visit the Somme as well
• We can also end the tour at selected locations within Belgium and France
• From £499 GBP per person, based on 6 people
• From £599 GBP per person, based on 4 people
• From £1,130 GBP per person, based on 2 people

The costs above are based on two people sharing a twin or double room in a 3* hotel for 1-night.

We can also arrange accommodation in 4* and 5* hotels.

Somme Battlefield Tours From London

We will meet you at your hotel in London and drive to the English Channel, making the crossing to France via ferry.

We then drive to the 1916 Somme battlefields where you will spend the afternoon touring locations associated with 1 July 1916, the ‘Bloodiest Day in British Military History’. Our first stop is Hawthorne Ridge Crater where one of the sixteen mines, detonated at the beginning of the battle, was set off. We then head to the preserved battlefield at Newfoundland Park, Beaumont Hamel where your battlefield historian will recount actions of the South Wales Borderers and Newfoundland Regiment on 1 July 1916.

From here, we cross the River Ancre to the Ulster Tower where you will hear the story of the 36th (Ulster) Division before continuing to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing where we pay our respects to the fallen.

Stay overnight in a hotel on the Somme

The second day of our WW1 Somme battlefield tour concentrates on the southern sector. We begin at Devonshire Trench where your battlefield historian will recount the story of Captain Duncan Lenox Martin and his Company from the 9th Battalion the Devonshire Regiment. We then head to the German Military Cemetery at Fricourt to pay our respects to the German soldiers who fell in the First World War.

From the German Military Cemetery, we drive to Mametz Wood to discuss the epic struggle by the 38th (Welsh) Division to capture the wood from the Prussian Guard. From Mametz Wood we head to Pozieres where your battlefield historian will tell you the story of how the Australians captured this fortified village.

We end our tour at the Tank Memorial where we discuss the first-time tanks were used in battle. From here we return to London.

• Extend your tour and visit Ypres as well
• We can also end the tour at selected locations within France

Meuse Argonne Tours

The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the greatest battle fought by the American Army in the First World War in terms of the number of combatants involved and the number of casualties suffered. The hills and forests of the Argonne provided cover for infantry and observation for the artillery. The Germans had established a deep defensive zone extending up to 20 km from the front line. It was this formidable objective that faced the AEF in a battle lasting from the 26 September 1918 until the Armistice came into effect on the 11 November.

Day One: Travel to Paris

On the first day of this WW1 Meuse Argonne tour, travel from London to Paris via the Eurostar train. The journey takes less than 2.5 hours, and you will have the rest of the day to explore Paris at your leisure.

Day Two: Paris to the Meuse Argonne

This morning take a train from Paris to Reims arriving at approximately 9:15am.

Your guide will pick you up and take you to the battlefields of the Meuse Argonne. You will see the Butte de Vauquois, the Pennsylvania Monument in Varennes, the site of the Lost Battalion, the Meuse Argonne American Cemetery, and the American Memorial at Montfaucon. We will also stop at one of the German cemeteries in the area to allow you to contrast the different commemorative styles.

Stay overnight in Verdun

Day Three: St Mihiel and return to UK

Your third day will be spent visiting the St Mihiel Salient. This is the scene of an American victory that was important not only for strategic reasons but also for psychological ones. Up until this battle, US troops had been incorporated into the command structures of the British and French Armies in their respective sectors. This time they would be operating under their own command. Success here would prove that the American troops were every bit as capable as their European counterparts.

The visit will include the American memorial on the hilltop at Montsec, St Mihiel American Cemetery, Hattonchatel and, to show the nature of trench warfare, the preserved French and German positions at the Tranchée de la Soif.

Your tour will finish when we drop you back off in Reims for your train back to Paris and the Eurostar back to London.

• From £599 GBP per person, based on 6 people
• From £680 GBP per person, based on 4 people
• From £1,150 GBP per person, based on 2 people

We can also arrange accommodation in 4* and 5* hotels as well.

Upgrades and Extras:

There are many ways to customize our WW1 Meuse Argonne tours.

• We can arrange a 3-day private tour to cover more of the battlefields
• We can arrange for you to spend more time in Paris or Reims
• We can arrange Eurostar premium train tickets
• It is also popular to add an extra day in the Champagne area and take in a Champagne tour.

Champagne Tours

Why not finish your tour with an extra night in the champagne region and sample some of the most prestigious champagnes on a cellar tour?

If you are staying in Reims, we can organise a visit to the oldest Champagne House situated in the centre of Reims. Maison Ruinart is just a short drive or walk away from many of the hotels in the area. Visit the historic white chalk cellars, learn about the production of Ruinart Champagne and end your tour with a tasting of two of their cuvées. If you are visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, in season, we can also organise for you to have a champagne brunch from their local menu.

At the end of your battlefield tour, we can take you to Épernay, instead of Reims, for your final night. Épernay is renowned for its prestigious produces of champagne. If you stay in the centre of Epernay, you can experience an array of Champagne houses on the Avenue de Champagne. Alternatively, we can organise a stay in a 5-star Chateaux, south of Epernay, where you will indulge in luxury with dinner at their gourmet restaurant together with a tour of the largest cellar in the Champagne region – Moët & Chandon. The following day we will drop you off in Reims for your onward journey.

About our WW1 Battlefield Tours:

Each private battlefield tour is carefully planned according to your specific interests. You will travel with an expert battlefield historian/guide whose qualification is recognized by the Guild of Battlefield Guides. We work with the highest quality guides who are extremely knowledgeable, passionate about what they do and are excellent storytellers.

Our tours can be customized to trace the footsteps of a family relative who might have served in the First World War. We can also include extra days, with visits to other places of interest in the area. All our quotes including accommodation which can be arranged in 3-star, 4-star or 5-star hotels. If you wish to arrange your own accommodation, you are welcome to do so.

Our Tours Include:

• A battlefield historian who is extremely knowledgeable about World War One
• Pick up and drop off in London
• Transportation in a comfortable vehicle
• Return English channel crossings via Eurotunnel or ferry
• Hotel accommodation (we can arrange accommodation in 3-star, 4-star or 5-star hotels)

Our Tours Exclude:

• Meals and drinks
• Museum entrance fees
• Personal travel insurance

Let’s plan your WW1 Battlefield Tour

Please get in touch via the enquiry form below to plan your World War One battlefield tour. Please provide as much information as possible so we can provide an accurate quote.

terms and conditions

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