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WWI Tour: War to End All Wars

There were many words that you could not stand to hear and finally only the names of places had dignity. Abstract words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow were obscene.

– Ernest Hemingway, Great American writer and WWI veteran

Our World War I: War to End All Wars Tour will explore the most significant sites along the old Western Front, seeing where history was made and discussing the Great War’s terrible consequences.

From 1914-1918 millions of men fought each other across a brutal 475-mile long “No Man’s Land,” that stretched from the North Sea to the Swiss border. When the guns finally fell silent, 10 million soldiers were dead, century’s old monarchies were overthrown, the map of the Middle-East was redrawn, the United States had become a world power, and an angry and embittered Corporal Adolf Hitler returned to Bavaria determined to avenge the humiliation of defeat and return Germany to greatness.

Chris Anderson leads our World War I Tour. He is a senior historian at Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours and has spent considerable time researching and studying the First World War. After college, he moved to the UK for a year to interview British veterans of the Great War. Later as assistant curator at the Historical Society of the Militia and National Guard, he was able to interview many surviving American Doughboys. As the former associate editor of MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History and WWII Magazine , he edited and wrote about all areas of American involvement in both WWI and WWII. You can read his full bio here .

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• Waterloo (Belgium):  Battle of Waterloo redrew the map of Europe
• Ypres/Salient Battlefields (Belgium): Site of some of the first clashes between the Germans and the British Expeditionary Forces
• Arras Battlefields (France): One of the bloodiest encounters of the war
• Cambrai (France):  Canadian National Memorial at Vimy Ridge; Trescault, one of the Western Front’s most incredible archaeological discoveries
• Battle of the Somme (France): Explore the battlefields of the darkest day in the history of the British Army
• The Meuse-Argonne (France): America's greatest offensive
• Verdun (France): America's first offensive
• Montfaucon (France): American Memorial, largest battle in American history; Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at Romagnes

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1   travel day.

Guests travel independently to Brussels, Belgium.

DAY 2   Brussels

Arrive in Brussels. First activity is an evening Welcome Reception and Dinner at the hotel. 

DAY 3   Ypres

A defining moment in European History, the June 18, 1815, Battle of Waterloo redrew the map of Europe and altered the balance of power on the Continent. In the Allied victory over the French, however, lay the seeds of a conflict far more terrible than anything Napoleon or Wellington could have imagined. After meeting in Brussels, we travel to the Wellington Museum, located in the “Iron Duke’s” former headquarters, to see its amazing collection of artifacts related to the battle and the commander of the Allied army. Our first stop on the battlefield will be the recently renovated museum and visitor’s center, the famous cyclorama painting of the battle and Lion’s Mound, then a tour of the battlefield itself. We continue to Ypres in the heart of the British sector.

DAY 4   Tour of Ypres/ Salient battlefields

In 1914 some of the first clashes between the Germans and the British Expeditionary Forces occurred around the town, which would remain a battlefield for the rest of the war. We begin with the Ypres Salient at Essex Farm Cemetery, where Canadian writer John MacRae wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields.” Then it’s on to Hooge to visit remains of trenches and sites associated with the very first battles fought around Ypres. Nearby Langemark was the site of the first use of gas on the Western Front as well as the German cemetery. We then tour sites around the Salient including the battlefields of Passchendaele and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 and its unsurpassed collection of uniforms, weapons and other artifacts. We also explore the huge British underground bunker complexes used by the British as well as preserved German and British trenches. We finish the day with the incredibly moving Last Post Ceremony, which honors the 250,000 soldiers of the British Empire who died in and around Ypres and have no known grave.

DAY 5  Tour of Arras battlefields

Begun by the British in April 1917, the Battle of Arras was intended to be a diversionary assault on a larger French offensive launched along the Chemin Des Dames further south. Events, however, meant that the battle grew in size and scope into one of the bloodiest encounters of the war. We view the remains of a German bunker used by Corporal Adolf Hitler while a runner in the Bavarian List Regiment. We continue on to Ploegsteert (Plugstreet to the British), where a young Winston S. Churchill commanded a battalion in 1915 and experienced horrors that would remain with him until he became prime minister at the start of World War II. From Ploegsteert we will stop outside the village of St. Yvon to see the spot where German and English soldiers ceased fighting to celebrate Christmas 1914 together. The Island of Ireland Peace Park and New Zealand memorial, with its preserved German bunkers, will be our next stop. Our first day in Arras will be at the Wellington Quarries Museum where the group will travel 70 feet underground to see the 12 miles of tunnels that 20,000 men called home.

DAY 6   Cambrai and the Birth of Modern Warfare

We exit Arras by the old Roman road at the heart of the battlefield. En route we will make stops at each of the three defensive lines that the Germans held in such strength in June 1917. Next we see the Canadian National Memorial at Vimy Ridge to visit the preserved battlefield and then go on a private tour of the trenches that Canadian engineers dug under the German lines prior to the battle. Trescault is next where November 20, 1917 nearly 400 British tanks on crashed through the German front line and drove toward Cambrai.

DAY 7   The Battle of the Somme: The British Army’s Darkest Day

The Battle of the Somme began July 1, 1916 and was the darkest day in the history of the British Army. Nearly 60,000 men would become casualties by sunset. For the next 141 days the soldiers of the British Empire hurled themselves against German positions along the Somme River. Our study of this five-month battle will begin at the Hawthorne Ridge Crater.   We then explore the preserved trenches at the Newfoundland Memorial Park before making our way to the Ulster Tower and Schwaben Redoubt. After seeing the spot of the furthest British advance on July 1st, we will go to the Thiepval Memorial, which lists the names of 72,104 men killed on the Somme who have no known grave. The group finishes at the Butte de Warlincourt where the terrible fighting along the Somme finally came to an end.

DAY 8   The Breaking of Armies and the Doughboys Enter the Fray

Leaving the British sector of the front, we visit the site of the airfield at Cappy where Manfred von Richtofen took off on his final flight. Moving on, we will enter the region of the Somme fought over by two untried American infantry divisions in 1918. We will follow the attack made by Doughboys from the 107th Infantry Regiment on September 29, 1918, as they broke through the “impenetrable” Hindenburg Line and suffered the highest casualties of any American Regiment on a single day of the war. Our day will conclude along the Chemin des Dames, the 25-mile long road where General Robert Nivelle launched the disastrous offensive that cost France 188,000 casualties and precipitated the mutinies of 1917. The group will tour the underground Caverne du Dragon where French and German soldiers fought a bitter underground war as well as the Point California where vestiges of some of the bitterest fighting along the Chemin Des Dames remain.

DAY 9   “Hell, We Just Got Here”

With Russia’s exit from the war, the Germans were able to move some 50 fresh divisions to the Western Front to make one last great effort to win the war before millions of American soldiers could enter the fray. Launched in the spring of 1918, “Operation Michael,” crashed through Allied positions all along the Western Front and soon the Kaisers soldiers were within 50 miles of Paris. Desperate, Ferdinand Foch pleaded with American Expeditionary Force commander John Pershing to release untried American troops to plug holes in the line. Pershing agreed and in a series of engagements at Chateau Thierry in May and Belleau Wood in June 1918 stopped the Germans once and for all. We begin the early American battlefields at Fere-en-Tardenois and AEF commander Pershing’s headquarters. Here he and future Army chief of staff George C. Marshall planned the great American offensives at St. Mihiel and the Meuse Argonne. Next is Pershing’s headquarters, where according to Douglas MacArthur, Doughboys, “stormed and captured the Croix Rouge Farm in a manner which for its gallantry I do not believe has been surpassed in military history.” We move on to the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery to pay our respects to the 6,012 men buried there and the grave of poet Joyce Kilmer, the author of the famous poems Trees and Rouge Bouquet. Our visit will take us to the bridges held by elements of the 3rd Infantry Division against incredible odds in May, the impressive American memorial that sits on the heights overlooking Chateau Thierry and then to Belleau Wood where, over the course of 25 immortal days, U.S. Marines fought a battle that is rightly remembered as one of the Corps finest hours.

DAY 10   The AEF on the Attack

Throughout the summer of 1918 American forces were part of the Allied effort to retake ground lost during Operation Michael. The Doughboys demonstrated that they were a competent and professional army ready to take on the best the Germans had. Next is the tiny village of Chamery where, on July 14, 1918, President Theodore Roosevelt’s son Quentin had his last dog fight. We conclude in the ancient city of Reims . Here in the the Champagne region, guests may have an opportunity to sample some of the products from celebrated local wineries.

DAY 11   Verdun

No visit to the Western Front would be complete without a visit to the fortress city of Verdun and the surrounding battlefields. During this nearly year-long battle, France would endure greater losses than America has in all of its wars since the American Revolution until Desert Storm. Our first stop is the recently refurbished Memorial de Verdun Museum. We continue to the ghost village of Fleury then include the Ossuary, which contains the remains of 130,000 unknown soldiers as well as the famous Trench of the Bayonet, where a protruding line of bayonets reminds us of the French soldiers still on duty. Lastly at Verdun is Fort Douamont, the most important of the 19 forts and site of some of the heaviest fighting in the 10-month long battle.

DAY 12   America’s First Offensive

Involving more than 1.2 million men, the Meuse Argonne offensive is the largest land battle in American history and where the war was finally won. German warlord Paul von Hindenburg remarked after the war, “that the British food blockade and the American blow in the Argonne Forrest decided the war for the Allies.” Despite this, most Americans know very little about this climactic 47-day battle. Our day begins at one of the largest sections of preserved trenches along the whole of the Western Front, the archaeological site at Massiges. Next we go to the Valley of Moreau, where a dedicated team of volunteers has preserved one of the large German rest areas used by the Germans in the Argonne. We discuss the battles fought near here by a young Erwin Rommel in 1918. At day’s end we stop at Essay to see where George S. Patton led American tanks into combat for the first time. 

DAY 13   Conquering Hell

Revisiting the American offensive of autumn 1918, we go to the steeply wooded valley outside of Apremont where the “Lost Battalion,” gained immortality for its epic six-day defense. We then go to Chatel Chéhéry where we walk in the very footsteps of Sergeant Alvin C. York, a former conscientious objector, who single handedly killed 20 Germans and captured 132 others. Our time in the Argonne concludes at the Musée de Romagne 14-18, a collection of artifacts discovered on the battlefields. Following lunch at the museum we will take a short driving tour, visiting sites associated with future president Harry S. Truman and George S. Patton.

DAY 14   When the Guns Fell Silent

We begin at the American Memorial at Montfaucon, explore the remains of the village destroyed in the fighting, and ascend to the top of the memorial. Guests will see the ground fought over during the largest battle in American history. From the memorial we go to the Meuse Argonne American Cemetery at Romagnes. The largest American cemetery in Europe, we will pay our respects to the 14,246 Americans buried there before heading to Paris. On the way we stop in the Forest of Compiegne, where we visit the clearing where, on November 11, 1918, the armistice that brought an end to the fighting was signed.

DAY 15   Transfer to Paris Airport

Morning transfer to Charles de Gaulle airport. Extra nights available at the group rate in both Brussells and Paris. Call us for more details.

• October 13 - 27, 2024
• October 3 - 17, 2025

Recommended Reading

• All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Tour Includes

• Full time professional American historian and logistical escort
• Educational road book full of maps and historical information
• 3 or 4 star hotels accommodations
• Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage (where available) and service charges
• Touring by private first class air-conditioned motor coach
• Breakfast daily, 11 Dinners and a Welcome Reception
• All entrance fees to museums and attractions
• Flights are not included in tour costs
• We are happy to help you book your flights
• If you purchase your own airline ticket, please know that Day 1 is the day that you fly, Day 2 is the day you arrive
• Before you purchase your airline tickets please call us to confirm the recommended time of arrival

Activity Level

Since we have always had Veterans traveling with us, there is nothing that is overly taxing.

• Hugh MacDonald Buchanan

TRIP COST $7,190

Prices are per person based on double occupancy. For a single room add $1,800.

Our Guests’ Reviews

There are 3 reviews for ' WWI Tour: War to End All Wars '. Add your review

Wow! This had to have been one of the best history tours I’ve taken with SAHT (sorry, Rick.) Chris Anderson and the SAHT gang made this a lesson in how and why wars are fought, and who was involved from many points of view. Absolutely amazing and emotionally charged since I got to see where my grandfather fought in France. Excellent crew from Chris A (with Hugh Buchanan) as historians, to Chris T. as manager, to our lovely bus driver. Highly recommended!

I have enjoyed many tours and this may be my favorite. Absolutely amazing and emotional. Too many highlights to mention. Tour historian Chris Anderson, and the entire team, was beyond excellent.

Highly recommended!

I enjoyed a terrific tour of the WWI battlefields in Belgium & France last fall with historian Chris Anderson! It was the 100th anniversary of the US entering the war and it was an amazing 2-wk trip that began in Brussels then on to the Battle of Waterloo that re-drew the map of Europe in the early 19th century and set the stage for events leading up to WWI. My good friend and travel companion, Jim Hutson convinced me to go and I’m so glad that I did. Highly recommended!

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Battlefield Tours

2024 Battlefield Tour

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

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

Please note:

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

Planned Itinerary

Tour pricing, frequently asked questions.

Previous Tours

(May be subject to change)

Day 1: sept. 13.

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

Overnight Doiran – Dinner included

Day 2: Sept. 14

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

Overnight Doiran – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 3: Sept. 15

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

Day 4: Sept. 16

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

Day 5: Sept. 17

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

Overnight Thessaloniki – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 6: Sept. 18

Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport for departures.

Questions?   Frequently Asked Questions

$500 deposit (per person) due by April 30, 2024

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

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

It does not include:

• Flights to and from Greece
• Incidentals

Travel Insurance

Traveler is responsible for securing their own optional travel insurance.

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

Ready to register?      Registration   

The British Memorial to the Missing near Lake Doiran.

Bulgarian artillery position between Grand Couronné and Pip Ridge.

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

When and where will we meet the group?

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

What sites will we be visiting?

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

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

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

How many meals are included with my registration?

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

How will we travel between different sites/cities?

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

What amenities are included with the bus?

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

What should I wear?

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

What are essential items I need to pack?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How much spending money should I bring with me?

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

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

How can I use my cellphone while abroad?

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

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

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

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

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

How much can I expect to walk during the tour?

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

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

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

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

Serbian Mausoleum in Lembet Road Allied Military Cemetery.

British artillery position on La Tortue.

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

2023: The War in Champagne (Instagram stories)

2022: Verdun and Saint-Mihiel (YouTube playlist)

2019: Gallipoli

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

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

2017: The Doughboys in France

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

2015: Imperial German Army on the Western Front

About Clive Harris

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

About Mike St Maur Sheil

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

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

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First World War Expert Led Battlefield Tours

Each year we run variety tours that give an overview of the Great War as well as focusing on the actions in particular locations and by particular people. As well as our classic Walking the Ypres Salient and Western Front tours, we take an in depth look at the outskirts of the war, including the Gallipoli campaign and the Russian Revolution and delve into the impact of specific people like war poets, Lawrence of Arabia and the Doughboys. All of our First World War tours are accompanied by experts who are all either authors, historians or ex-military personnel.

All of our forthcoming Scheduled First World War Tours are listed below.

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First World War Tours - Future Planning

We intend to run all of the following tours in the near future. Final dates and prices are yet to be confirmed. Register your interest and we will contact you as soon as these tours become available.

Discover the battlefields and historic sites in comfort, staying at 3, 4 and 5 star hotels, sampling the local cuisine and immersing yourself in the culture. All of our tours are accompanied by a dedicated tour manager who will handle all of the organisational stresses and worries of travel so that you are free to experience and engage with the poignant and defining stories of the Great War.

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World War I Battlefields

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

2 countries

See Where WWI's Battles Were Waged During a 4-Day Guided Tour in France & Belgium

Live through the history and grit of World War I during this 4-day guided tour of its key battlefields and monuments. Journey from Paris to the Ypres Salient battlefields and see the Passchendaele Memorial and Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the world for Commonwealth forces. Later, visit the Australian Fromelles Military Cemetery, where 250 British and Australian soldiers were buried after the Battle of Fromelles. Meet a Local Expert for a tour of the key battlefields of the Somme and see the church in Albert where many weary soldiers stopped for comfort on the way to those battlefields. On the way to Paris, visit the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and the Franco-Australian Museum in the local Victoria School.

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Start Paris, France. End Paris, France.

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Tours & Travel to the 1914-1918 Battlefields

In recent years there has been a significant growth in the number of people wanting to visit the battlefield sites of the Western Front in Belgium and France. This increased interest stems from discoveries made in family history research and the desire to follow in the footsteps of a WW1 ancestor, students studying the First World War in the school curriculum, best-selling novels introducing the subject to a wider audience, and a range of popular plays, films and television documentaries on the subject. In response to the increased interest the variety of facilities available for visitors has also grown. Tours to the First World War battlefields, whether you choose to travel independently, with a guide or with a group, are carried out by hundreds of visitors each year. The information below is offered to help you plan a tour and is given in good faith.

Organized Battlefield Tours

Battlefield tours for students & school groups.

• Arranging your own battlefield visit
• Travel to Belgium/France: getting there
• Guides and tours starting in Belgium or France
• Travel Maps
• Accommodation & tourist information

Battlefield Remains

Location of the western front battlefields.

There is a wide choice for battlefield tour travellers these days, with numerous companies offering a variety of tours with regard to the number of days of the tour, the size of the tour vehicle - minibus or coach - and the subjects or places to be covered on the tour. Some tours start from the United Kingdom as an inclusive package tour, others can be joined once you are in the battlefield area.

A list of the main battlefield tour operators is provided on this website. As far as we know these companies comply with all tour operator and insurance regulations for taking travellers to the Belgian and French battlefield sites.

When making enquiries with them, you are strongly advised to discuss any special requirements you may have such as a visit to a particular cemetery, memorial or place of interest in advance of joining a tour. Also, ask for travellers' testimonials to get a feel for how their travellers have found previous tours.

You may like to know, too, if their company and/or their guides have any affiliation or accreditation with an organization such as The International Guild of Battlefield Guides, The Western Front Association or Blue Badge Guides.

See our list of tour companies and guides at:

WW1 Battlefield Tour Companies and Guides

International Guild of Battlefield Guides

greatwar.co.uk is proud to be a Supporter of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides. The aim of the Guild is to raise the understanding and promote best practice for guiding on the battlefields.

There are a number of battlefield tour companies which specialize in tours for students. It is the responsibility of the group organizer to ensure that these companies are legally covered, bonded and compliant with all the appropriate regulations for taking groups and young people.

Our list of companies offering battlefield tours for students and school groups is provided at:

List of Battlefield Tour Companies for Students & School Groups

Arranging your own Battlefield Visit

Even if the battlefield you wish to visit is near a town, it is likely that the sites of the battles, the memorials and cemeteries will be located in a rural landscape. The distance between each place of interest may be up to several miles and, therefore, getting around can be difficult and it is recommended to travel around the battlefields by car. Having said that, once in the battlefield area, many people choose to walk and cycle around the battle sites, taking the opportunity to spend time reflecting on the what happened there almost a hundred years ago and enjoying the now peaceful countryside.

For enquiries relating to car or bicycle hire, bus and train timetables contact the Tourist Office in the area you plan to visit. Some of the hotels, Bed & Breakfast and self-catering accommodation offer bicycles for hire.

Travel by Car or Motorbike on the Battlefields

With regard to the types of location to be visited on the battlefields, the easiest way to travel between the memorials, museums, cemeteries and battlefield sites is to travel by car. If you travel to Belgium or France by rail or air, it is advisable to hire a car for the battlefield visits if possible.

• Self-Drive Tours

See our page for online resources to assist with the planning of a self-drive tour of the Western Front battlefields. Some tour companies will make arrangements for itineraries and accommodation for your self-drive tour:

Self-drive Itineraries & Tours of the WW1 Battlefields

Motorcycling on the WW1 Battlefields

Motorcycling Tours on the WW1 Battlefields

Cycling on the Battlefields

On the more frequently visited battlefields, such as the Ypres Salient and the Somme, there are maps available from the local Tourist Offices for cycling routes. Some organized battlefield tours also offer guided battlefield walks or cycling tours. Some of the hotels, Bed & Breakfast or self-catering accommodation will provide bicyles free or for hire plus information about local cycling routes.

Cycling Routes & Tours on the WW1 Battlefields

Walking the WW1 Battlefields

For information about walking routes, guidebooks for walking the battlefields see our page:

Travel to Belgium/France: Getting There

Cross channel travel.

Have a look at the following websites for planning a route across the English Channel by sea or tunnel.

Ferry Companies

Website: www.dfdsseaways.co.uk

Website: www.poferries.com

Website: www.seafrance.co.uk

Channel Tunnel

Website: www.eurotunnel.com

Price Comparison/Online Booking

Website: www.Aferry.com

Website: www.eurodrive.co.uk

Travel by Rail to the Battlefields

Travel by rail can be made by the Eurostar service from the United Kingdom or within France and Belgium to Lille Europe Station, Brussels or Paris. Local train services offer onward travel.

Local trains or car hire can be arranged from the Eurostar stations at Brussels (Bruxelles) in Belgium and Lille and Paris in France. For advice and useful websites see our page:

WW1 Battlefield Tours by Rail

Travel by Air to the Battlefields

Travel by air can be made to Brussels (Bruxelles) in Belgium, Paris, Lille, and the recently opened Albert-Picardie airport in France.

Public Transport on the Battlefields

As the battlefield locations are generally in rural areas, it may be that travel by public transport is often not available or is available but with an infrequent service. If you arrive in the battlefield region independently and using public transport, it is recommended that you contact the local Tourist Office or the accommodation where you are staying to ask for information on the best way to make your way around the battlefield area you are wishing to visit.

The following website may be helpful for buses in the Picardy and Nord-Pas de Calais regions:

Website: picardy.angloinfo.com

Guides & Tours Starting in Belgium/France

Once you have arrived in the battlefield area, you may wish to take a guided tour as an introduction to the area, or make a pre-arranged tour visiting places of special interest to yourself. There are a number of independent guides and organized tours available to travellers who make their own way to the battlefields and want to join a guide or a tour once there. Tours can be for a half day or a full day introductory visit, your guest-house host may offer a tour during your stay with them, or you may join a tour guide offering tours to locations visiting sites following a particular theme.

Tourist Offices should have a list of recommended guides and in some cases will be able to arrange contact with the individual or tour organizer on your behalf. Location and details for Tourist offices are provided in our battlefield information by area.

Our list of battlefield tour operators states which operators and guides are based in Belgium or France. By arrangement some of these guides will collect you from your accommodation or the railway station on your arrival.

Battlefield Tour Companies and Guides based in Belgium & France

For a wide-ranging list of recommended maps at various scales for driving, walking and cycling, see our page:

Maps for Travel to the WW1 Battlefields

There are a number of Apps available to assist visitors to the battlefields.

Apps for the WW1 Battlefield Visitor

Accommodation & Tourist Information

Accommodation on the Western Front

Visitors to the battlefields should be aware that even over 90 years since the end of the First World War there are still dangers posed by unexploded ammunition. DO NOT TOUCH or pick anything up if you are not sure what it is or if it looks like a piece of ammunition.

Every year several thousand artillery shells of all sizes are found in the ground by farmers, construction workers and builders. This is often called “The Iron Harvest”. Particularly in the ploughing seasons in rural areas shells can often be seen placed at the side of a field by a farmer for safe collection by the authorities.

Exploring the battlefields off the beaten track will be a rewarding experience, especially if you are carrying out research in the footsteps of a relative. Visitors are reminded to ask permission if you want to go onto private land. Be mindful of your own safety if exploring any battlefield remains such as bunkers or tunnels which are not designated public sites.

For more information about the remains to be seen on the Western Front battlefields see our information at:

Battle Remains on the Western Front

See our map showing where the battlefields are in Belgium and France, with links to some detailed sections explaining what is to be seen there, together with information for visitors on where to stay:

• Western Front Battlefields

Related Topic

Suggested guidebooks for visiting the Western Front.

Guidebooks for the WW1 Western Front Battlefields

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World War One Tours

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At Classic Battlefield Tours we offer a range of World War 1 battlefield tours that cover the key battles: Ypres, Somme, Verdun, Hundred Days offensive as well as the war in the air with the RFC & RAF tour.

We visits sites across the UK, Belgium and France. We can make tailor made tours for those researching family ancestors which fought in this ‘War to end War’. We will remember them.

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Historic battlefield tours

On our world war history tours, you’ll step into the past and look forward into the future. Each tour is a unique chance to learn about an important part of the past.

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What our travelers say about their historic battlefield tours

Frequently asked questions about our battlefield tours.

World War II solidiers fought along countless battlefields around the globe. We visit quite a few, including:

• Operation Torch in Morocco and Algeria
• The Battle of the Atlantic on the Atlantic Ocean
• The Battle of Normandy in France
• The Battle of the Bulge in The Ardennes, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany
• The Battle of Nuremberg in Germany
• The Attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, U.S.
• The Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands
• The Battle of Okinawa in Japan

Here are the memorials you can visit on our World War II tours:

• Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation on tour in France
• The Hollandsche Schouwburg War Memorial on tour in the Netherlands
• The Vimy Ridge Memorial on tour in France
• The Kazerne Dossin on tour in Belgium
• The Canadian Hill 62 Memorial in Belgium
• The Memorial Museum Passchendaele in Belgium
• The Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial in Newfoundland
• Caen Memorial Museum in France

The majority of our battlefield tours visit destinations in Europe, where many world war battles took place. That includes:

• Juno Beach in France , where the invasion took place during World War II
• The town of Remagen in Germany , which played a vital role in helping Allied forces cross the Rhine River and defeat the German forces
• The Vimy battlefields in France , which was significant to Canada’s development as a country

If you’re from the United States and interested in American history, we’d recommend  American WWII History: London to Berlin .

If you're from Canada, you might enjoy any of these war history tours:

• Canadian WWII History: The Netherlands & Germany
• Canadian World War History: Vimy to Juno Beach
• Vimy Ridge 105th Anniversary: London to Brussels
• Vimy Ridge 105th Anniversary: Amsterdam to Paris

Check out this photographer’s look at Canadian military history on one of our World War II tours.

4 reasons to take a historic battlefield tour with us

1. you’re always with an expert, 2. learn about history where it happened, 3. feel closer to your ancestors, 4. see the powerful impact these battles had, more types of tours, see the latest from our travelers @goaheadtours.

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0330 440 3999, monday - friday 9am to 5pm, ww1 & ww2 battlefield tours 2024.

• Battlefield Tours

• The Somme, 1916

Expertly Guided Battlefield Tours From £299

Tours to the Battlefields visit key locations of WW1 and WW2, featuring visits to famous battlefields , memorials and cemeteries among other significant war-time sights. In most cases you will be accompanied by an expert guide who will be able to bring the events and experiences to life, answering any questions you may have.  

The main focus of these Battlefield tours will of course be significant locations used by the Allies and their opponents during World War One and World War Two . Experience The Last Post at Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium . Go behind military lines and visit locations of The Great War which were off the beaten track. Discover the lost battlefields of Fromelles . Walk along the D-Day Landing Beaches of Normandy,  France . Learn about military executions of World War One. See the locations of where the first and last shots were fired of WW1. Follow the story of Anne Frank in Holland and Oscar Schindler and the rise and fall of the Third Reich. Visit Flanders Fields , see war re-enactments and broaden your knowledge of the American Civil War .

Our battlefield tours are available by coach and air throughout the year.

World War 1 Tours

2014-2018 marked a very special period for World War One Battlefields as it was the centenary of the First World War – known by many military enthusiasts as The Great War. There is a great selection of Battlefield tours available to pay homage to the fallen and honour those marvellous heroic acts of men and women who laid down their lives so we could live in peace today.

Between 1914 and 1918, Flanders Fields was the scene for some of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. It is thought that about a million soldiers were either wounded, missing or killed in action. Whilst thousands of ordinary people were left homeless, WW1 devastated entire cities and villages with some completely beyond recognition. Flanders Fields itself has become a region dedicated to the events of WW1 with hundreds of monuments and cemeteries that all have great historical significance to people from across the world. There are a variety of interactive museums as well, each explaining the different aspects of conflict and outlining the implications of war in general. Here are just a few of the sights you can see when you take a guided WW1 Battlefield tour:

Flanders Field Museum, Ypres: This has recently been renovated to mark the centenary of WW1 featuring stories from ordinary people who were affected by the tragedy of war. The museum itself has doubled in size and has a variety of objects and documents connected with WW1. Climb to the top of the Bell Tower where you can experience views of the region that was once destroyed by war.

Battlefields of Flanders, Belgium: This was the main WW1 battlefront for the British. More than 200,000 soldiers from the British and Commonwealth forces died here. See the trenches at Sanctuary Wood with its museum before visiting the Tyne Cot Cemetery. You will see the Messines Ridge sector and the Irish Peace Tower which is dedicated to the role of the Irish troops. Study the Christmas Truce at Ploegsteert and visit the memorial before observing 'The Last Post' at Menin Gate.

'The Last Post' at Menin Gate, Belgium: Every evening at 8pm, a moving ceremony takes place underneath the arch of the Menin Gate and this is a simple service dedicated to the 55,000 soldiers who fought but whose bodies were never found.

French Flanders and Artois, France: This region of Northern France was the most badly damaged by the WW1 battles particularly Arras, Bailleul and St Omer among others. Anyone who visits these battlefields, will find a variety of small museums, and over 300 cemeteries to visit with monuments dedicated to thousands of Allied and German war casualties.

The Somme, France Located in Picardy, the battlefields can be found in an area from St. Quentin in the east to the coast of Amiens. The Somme is a particularly haunting place to visit. You can see the Historical Museum at Péronne and the largest British Mine Crater at La Boisselle. There's the preserved trenches at Newfoundland Park, the memorial at Thiepval, the Ulster Tower and the Serre where Wilfred Owen fought and took inspiration for his war poems.

The Western Front, Belgium and France: This was a stretch of battlefields covering landscapes from south west Belgium through to north east and eastern France. The varied landscape of this area had a huge effect on the strategy and tactics used by both the Allies and the Germans.

Ypres Salient Battlefields, Belgium: It's hard to believe as you stand in the Main Square and observe ornate buildings that this area was completely flattened by the battles of WW1 but once the war was over, the area was rebuilt. There are a variety of museums and memorials dedicated to the war effort.

Arras, France Visit the Wellington Quarries, a complex of tunnels that were used by the British during WW1. Pay homage at the Arras Memorial. See the preserved trench system at Vimy Ridge that was captured from the Germans by the Canadians. The memorial on Hill 145 and its museum are impressive and must be visited.

Marne and Verdun, France: This was the turning point in WW1 which prevented the Germans from advancing in to Paris. Visit Fort La Pompelle which remained on the front line for four years. Visit the Russian Cemetery, the Champagne-Marne Museum, Sommepy Trenches, Navarin Farm and the American Memorial on Blanc Mont. Admire an outstanding collection of uniforms and equipment from WW1 on display at the Meaux Museum. Discover the story of the 'Doughboys', the American Memorial and the Dormans Memorial at Château-Thierry. Visit Meuse-Argonne at Verdun where you'll see the largest American Cemetery in Europe.

Mons, Belgium: This is where the very first shots of WW1 were fired by the British in August 1914. Start at Casteau where Corporal Thomas fired the first shots. Visit Nimy and walk along the front defended by 4 th Battalion Royal Fusiliers to Nimy Bridge where the first two Victoria Crosses were won. Cross over the border into Feignies to Fort Leveau, an excellent war museum. Follow the route of the attacks from Valenciennes to Nouvelles and visit the St Symphorien Military Cemetery.

World War 2 Tours

The Second World War was a global battle fought between 1939 and 1945, whereby more than 100 million people served in a variety of military units from over 30 different countries. World War II is remembered as being one of the deadliest conflicts with over 50 million fatalities and most of these were caused by the Holocaust and the use of nuclear weapons. There have been lots of debates as to when WW2 actually started but the majority believe it began on 1 st September 1939 when the Germans invaded Poland leading to the French and the British declaring war on Germany. Here is a selection of sights you can see when on WW2 Battlefield Tours:

D-Day Landing Beaches, Normandy: Start your Battlefield tour with the British Sector and visit Pegasus Bridge where you can see Café Gondré and the Pegasus Memorial Museum. Pay homage at the Ranville Commonwealth Cemetery and Bréville Ridge. Visit the Merville Gun Battery, Sword Beach, Juno Beach, Arromanches and the Mulberry Harbour Museum. The American Sector is known to be highly emotive especially the American Cemetery and tragic Omaha Beach. Visit the Airborne Museum at Ste. Mère Église, Utah Beach, the German Peace Garden Cemetery, the headland at Pointe du Hoc and the huge guns at the Battery at Longues-sur-Mer. Gold Beach is where the only Victoria Cross of D-Day was won and see the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Bayeux.

Operation Market Garden, Netherlands and Germany: General Montgomery attempted to shorten World War Two and this visit follows the ill-fated operations of his plan. Begin by visiting the German Cemetery at Ysselsteyn and travel through to Son, Veghel, Uden and Grave. See the National Liberation Museum and the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Groesbeek that lists the names of 1,103 servicemen who were killed, many of them at Arnhem, who have no known grave. Explore Heelsum and Wolfheze to the bridge at Arnhem. See St Elizabeth Hospital where some of the most bitter fighting took place and Acacialaan where the Victoria Cross was won by Sergeant Baskeyfield. Conclude your visit at the 1 st Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek which was once the headquarters for the Arnhem Division.

Battle of the Bulge, Belgium: Start your Battlefield tour in the north of 'The Bulge' visiting the American War Cemetery at Henri-Chappelle. Follow the route of the 'Kampfgruppe Peiper'  through Bullingen, Thirimont, Baugnez and Ligneuville. See the scene of the Malmedy massacre. Travel to La Gleize to explore the Battle of the Bulge Museum before visiting Stourmont, Werbomont and the American War Memorial. Visit the German Cemetery at Houffalize before entering the British Sector at Bure and Bande. See the location of the infamous roadside cellar massacre by the SS and pay homage to the fallen at the Commonwealth Graves Commission Cemetery in Hotton.

The Maginot Line, Belgium: This tour focuses upon the fortifications in Belgium such as the famous Eben Emael that came under assault by German Airborne troops. Take a guided tour of Fort d'Aubin-Neufchâteau which was extensively damaged in 1940. Explore the amazing system of bunkers and tunnels at Ouvrage Fermont where you descend in the original lifts and take a ride on an old ammunition train. Visit Villy la Ferte which also saw some heavy fighting in May 1940. You can also visit Ouvrage Immerhof and Ouvrage Hackenberg where you can see the cemetery at Luttange which is where the first soldier of WW2 is buried.

Additional Tours

In addition to guided Battlefield tours of World War One and World War Two, there is the option to broaden your knowledge of other military battles that have taken place across the world. Discover how the military campaigns of the Napoleonic War led to the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte. Travel to Vietnam where the conflicts there lasted for almost 30 years or join a tour to Washington DC and Gettysburg where the American Civil War threatened to tear the nation apart. Here is just a selection of places you can visit:

The Peninsular War, Portugal and Spain: This was a series of military campaigns that took place during the Napoleonic Wars between 1808 and 1814. It resulted in victory for the Allies and led to the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte. View Wellesley's positions along the Rio Alberche and Portina Brook. See the battlefield memorial on the slopes of Cerro de Medellin Hills. Travel to Badajoz, the scene of some of the bloodiest battles and where Viscount Wellington apparently wept at the sight of so many fallen. Also visit Fort San Cristobal where you can view Badajoz below, explore the ramparts and learn about the French and German garrison. Visit 'Bloody Albuera' commanded by General Beresford where you can view the 'Fatal Hill'. Travel to Salamanca and visit Cuidad Rodrigo, the Battlefield of Fuentes de Onoro and walk around selected battle routes in the hills surrounding Los Arapiles. You will also get to see the Mendoza Bridge, Tres Puentes Bridge, walk the riverbank of Bidassoua, the church at Arcangues, the Battle of St Pierre, the Palace of Fontainebleu and the Battle of Orthez.

Gallipoli Battlefields, Turkey: Arrive in Gallipoli Town that overlooks the Dardanelles where you'll visit Helles Memorial and the Turkish Gun Battery. See the location of the British Landings at Capes Helles, Krithia and visit the V Beach Cemetery and the X Beach. Visit ANZAC Beach which is where soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand forces landed, see the Lone Pine Memorial and Cemetery. See preserved Turkish trenches at Chunuk Bair and see where the first Australian won the Victoria Cross in WW1. Head to Suvla Bay where some of the first British troops came into action during August 1915. Look at the history of the 'Lost Battalion', visit the new Suvla Bay Museum in Anafarta, see the peaceful Shrapnel Valley Cemetery and walk up to Shell Green where Australians played a cricket game in full view of the Turks!

Battle of Waterloo, Belgium: Travel to Belgium where you can attend a variety of Battle Re-enactments marking the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. See what a British or French Battle Camp would have looked like back in 1815 where re-enactments will take place so you can witness drill, camp life and see equipment on display. Visit the Wellington Museum in Waterloo and the farms of La Haye Sainte and Hougoumont where you can walk in the footsteps of soldiers. Take a look inside the Lion Mount Visitors Centre followed by a climb to the top of Lion Mound which provides fabulous views of the battle locations below.

Vietnam, Asia Follow the story of a conflict that lasted for nearly 30 years which was escalated further by the landings of American Troops in Da Nang. There are a variety of sights to be seen when joining a guided battlefield tour of Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the B-52 Memorial Lake and the One Pillar Pagoda. Travel down Kham Thien Street which was completely destroyed by the Americans in 1972 and see the 'Hanoi Hilton' a prison where American pilots were kept. Take a walking tour of Hoi An. Transfer to Hue and visit China Beach and Red Beach where American pilots landed and where some of the bloodiest battles took place. In Dong Hoi, see the former US Marine Base at Khe Sanh and the Da Krong Bridge as well as the Vinh Moc Tunnels. You will also get to follow the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail, the Khe Gat runway, the Cu Chi Tunnels and meet a Vietnamese War Veteran.

The American Civil War, USA: This was one of the deadliest battles in the history of America and took place between 1861 and 1865. Start your guided battlefield tour in Washington DC to learn about the history of Civil War with a visit to the Museum of American History. Travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where you can see the location of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. Visit the battlefield of Antietam and Harpers Ferry where the slave uprising led to the start of the Civil War. Travel to Lynchburg, Virginia for a tour of the town that was the scene for the Battle of Lynchburg in 1864. Appomattox is where General Lee surrendered to Lieutenant Ulysees S. Grant. This surrender led to the Southern States ending their attempt at creating a separate nation. It also brought about the end of the Civil War where the 13 th , 14 th  and 15 th  amendments were added to the Constitution.

Door2Tour.com Miniguide to Battlefield Tours

What do I wear? Make sure you dress according to the weather - a rain coat is always useful, just in case. Wear comfy shoes as there may be walking involved depending on your tour and the ground may not always be completely even.

What to take with you? Take a bag with you to carry a few essentials such as a bottle of water, camera, binoculars and anything else you may need. There are no shops around the cemeteries so it’s best to be prepared.

Will there be opportunities to explore? It depends on the tour as to whether you can explore in your own time as there are lots of different itineraries which will all have varied schedules. Some tours include knowledgeable tour guides which will tell you about the area and the battlefields.

What sort of tour would suit me best? Depending on what interests you most, there are a number of different tours available. World War 1 Battlefield tours tend to explore the sites, cemeteries and museums, with many including a visit to Ypres and the Menin Gate.

World War 2 Battlefield Tours all vary and can include visits to sites such as the D-Day Beaches, Pegasus Bridge and parts of Normandy, Arnhem Bridge from Operation Market Garden and Anne Frank’s House in Amsterdam.

For a more laid back option perhaps look at Battlefield cruise tours which visit Normandy and other Battlefield sites.

When is the best time to visit? It’s best to visit the Battlefields in Spring, Summer or early autumn. They tend to get very busy in November around Remembrance Day. The weather should hopefully be in your favour too, making it more pleasant to spend your time outside.

What if I am in a wheelchair? A Battlefield tour may not be suitable for people in wheelchairs as the Cemeteries may be grassy and hard to navigate. There can also be uneven ground under foot which isn’t always ideal and could turn muddy!

What is the etiquette? Be respectful. You can talk amongst yourselves, but please take notice of your surroundings and those around you.

Can I take photographs? You can take photographs at your discretion, but again check your surroundings. Many of the museums will not allow you to take photos inside, so be aware of this and look for signs when you enter 

Can I bring back a souvenir? No, unless you buy it from a gift shop or authorised trader. Please don’t take your own ‘souvenir’ from any of the historical sites as this is prohibited.

Are there toilets to use? There aren’t always toilets available near some Battlefield sites, so be aware of this when travelling, although there will be regular comfort breaks. Also, it’s worth noting that some toilets have a charge payable for usage so ensure you have some loose change with you!

In World War 1 65 millions troops were mobilised, 8 million troops died and 21 million troops were wounded. "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori".

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World War I Battlefields – American Tour

Highlights of the tour :.

On this complete full‐day tour, you will travel through the history to discover the main WWI battlefields where Americans soldiers fought. With your licensed guide, you will go back to 1918 and you will re-live the principal events of the Great War. Enjoy a journey through the American memory …

• Departure : Every-day at 8.00 am except Tuesday
• Duration : 9 hours

Inclusions :

• Service of a professional licensed guide
• Private visit of the American Cemetery ♥
• Explore Belleau Wood
• Informative commentary
• Private transportation in deluxe vehicle
• Photo‐stops at your convenience
• Pick‐up and drop off at your hotel in Paris
• 1 to 2 people : 900 €
• 3 to 4 people : 1000 €
• 5 to 6 people : 1100 €
• 7 to 8 people : 1200 €

♥ 100th Anniversary – America and World War I   the centennial celebrations of America’s entry to WWI provides a great opportunity to discover the main American battlefields.  The United States formally entered World War I on April 6th, 1917 . By the time the war finally ended, on November 11, 1918 , more than 2 million American soldiers had served on the battlefields of Western Europe , and some 50,000 of them had lost their lives.

Discover the Museum of the Great War :

To Château-Thierry American Footsteps will always turn …

Belleau Wood and the American Monument :

The Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial :

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Category : All our destinations , Full-day tour , New Tours , Tours

Tags: american cemetery , Battle of the Marne , Belleau wood , World War I

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• Day Trips & Excursions

World War I Battlefields Tour of Flanders from Bruges

• Day trip to Flanders' WWI battlefields from Bruges with an expert guide
• See the sobering Käthe Kollwitz sculptures, Grieving Parents, at the German Military Cemetery of Vladslo
• Enjoy a light Belgian lunch of cheese and bread in Paschendaele's famous Old Cheese Factory
• Pay your respects to fallen WWI soldiers at Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery
• Explore In Flanders' Field Museum at leisure, listening to audio-guided commentary
• Attend the Last Post Ceremony in Ypres with your guide

Inclusions & Exclusions

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Entry or Admission - In Flanders Fields Museum
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Poppy (1 euro) at In Flanders' Field Museum
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

Departure & Return

Bruges, Bruges Bargeplein

Returns to original departure point

What To Expect

Depart from a central Bruges location in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan and travel towards the traditional town of Vladslo to visit the Germany Military Cemtrery, a significant burial site of thousands of soliders. Admire the poingnant sculpture  of Grieving Parents, by Käthe Kollwitz, then reboard your coach to venture to the small city of Diksmuide. Disembark at the foreboding Trench of Death, a stretch of the Western Front upon which many soldiers met their end. Admire the impressive Gate of Peace and Yser Tower, and then depart the city in search of Passchendaele, a brutal battlefield that transformed in a tranquil and traditional town. Appease your appetite with a hearty ploughman's lunch in a local restaurant.Sated, head to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery to feel emotionally stirred at he sight of 35,000 solemn headstones. Learn about the global significance of this memorial site then travel to Essex Farm Field Hospital to see the iconic bunkers in which John McCrae wrote his influential poem, In Flanders Fields. Peruse the varied exhibitions of the Flanders' Field Museum to observe artifacts that speak eloquently of the battlefield's history; hear the story of the war on an audio guided tour before ascending Hill 60 to see tunnels that played a pivotal role in the war. Venture to your final destination, Ypres, to enjoy some leisurely free time and then reconvene with your guide to witness the moving last Post Ceremony at Ypres Menin Gate. Observe the simplicity of the daily tribute that remembers the courage of fallen soldiers. After the ceremony, return to your vehicle and relax during the journey back to Bruges, where the tour concludes.

Additional Info

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel At least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Your Contact Details

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