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'In Flanders' fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row … '
TRIUMPH AND DISASTER: Fromelles and Vimy Ridge
First World War Trenches & Battle sites
One-day tour from London (or Lille)
Mondays, March - November, 2012
Until the launch of this special package, it has been very difficult to organise single-day, short visits to the incredibly poignant Great War Battlefields of the Somme,Ypres Salient and Arras/Vimy sectors of the Western Front. This unique programme allows you to choose between a one, two or three-day tour at a reasonable price. We can also design a day for groups who might wish to have a special focus on family connections, a particular regiment, or particular battles. These tours are run in small groups, average 10 persons, and are accompanied by either ex-army personnel or Battlefield Guides with postgraduate qualifications. We will always try to include specially requested sites.
2012 Cost: $199 USD per person, inclusive of mini-coach tour and all entrance fees. Lunches and dinners are not included.
It is important to please ring the Back-Roads’ London office at least 24 hours prior to your tour to re-confirm your pick up point/time!
TRIUMPH AND DISASTER: Fromelles and Vimy Ridge
This, the final day in our series of one-day Western Front battlefield visits, takes us to the line between Armentieres and Arras. It's a much neglected region but with a huge amount to see.
On this day we'll visit sites connected with the 1915 battles of Aubers Ridge, Festubert, and Neuve Chapelle, where the Indian Army gave a magnificent account of itself, and the 1917 Battle of Arras. You'll see where Adolf Hitler served and the bunker he is reputed to have used as a billet. Australian's will be touched at seeing the Fromelles 'Digger' memorial, where a current archaeological investigation is uncovering the mass grave of over 400 Diggers killed at this first Australian battle on the Western Front.
We'll tour the Loos battlefield, site of the disastrous battle of 1915. For Canadians Vimy Ridge is the undoubted highlight, where, subject to availability, we take a tunnel and trench tour and spend time at the massive and imposing Vimy memorial. We'll also see sites in and around the pretty city of Arras connected with the huge battle of 1917. If time, we'll see the recently discovered underground tunnels and the French National memorial at Lorrette de Notre Dame.
We return to Lille in time for the late evening Eurostar for those returning to London.
Tour Pick-Up/Drop-Off:
This tour starts at 09.30 am; meet your Battlefield guide at 'The Meeting Point' in the Eurostar rail terminal, Lille Europe station. Full details provided at time of booking.
JOIN THE TOUR FROM LONDON OR PARIS:
Eurostar service is available London to Lille and the TGV train from Paris to Lille. Add rail tickets to your package (subject to availability,) the cost of rail tickets is separate from the tour price.
Please note: Some Paris trains arrive at Lille Flanders Station which is a 10 minute walk from the meeting point at Lille Europe Station. Please note which Lille station of arrival if confirming your own rail.
When using Eurostar, you are given a self-ticketing reference number that you use to get your ticket at the station of departure. We advise all tour participants to call us a day or two prior to departure to ensure they have the correct ticket reference as we do not have a representative at the station on the morning of departure.
Why not make it a 2-day or a 3-day Weekend on the Western Front?
Join us on a single day-tour, or combine several days to make a weekend of it. Each day focuses on a special sector of the Western Front. British, Anzac, Canadian, South African and Indian Army sites are all highlighted. We can often include visits to requested battlefield locations, memorials and cemeteries. These tours can be taken from London (on Eurostar), or from Paris (by local train) to Lille, where you're met by our mini-coach. If you're combining days, overnight accommodation is in Ypres and/or Lille.
TOUR EXTENSIONS
Combine a Weekend on the Western Front tour with one of our other great tours from Lille, visit the D-day Beaches or explore a general sightseeing tour in Belgium or Northern France
This tour is operated by Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd
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