5-Day Western Front & Normandy Tour

Day 1 (Monday): Out in the Somme

The tour commences at 9:00am in Arras, a short train journey from Paris. You will be collected from your accommodation or Arras train station and head down to the Somme for the day.

N.B. Please enquire about 'Early Arrival' accommodation when booking if you would like us to arrange accommodation the night beore the tour commences.

We head back to mid-July 1916 and visit ‘Lochnagar Crater’, the village of Pozières, the 1st Australian Division Memorial, and the remains of the German blockhouse, ‘Gibraltar’. You will also see the famous ‘Windmill’ site, and consider the attacks on ‘Mouquet Farm’ on our way to visit the imposing, yet somehow unobtrusive, Thiepval ‘Memorial to the Missing’. After lunch we head south of the Somme to the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, and the battelfield of Le Hamel, before returning via the scene of bitter fighting in April & May 1917 at Bullecourt.

You stay in Arras for the evening.

Day 2 (Tuesday): Fromelles - Ypres

We start the day with a battlefield walk at the site of one of Australia’s darkest days during the Great War: Fromelles. The 'Cobber’ memorial and the unique ‘VC Corner’ cemetery are poignant reminders of the bravery and sacrifice displayed by the Anzacs in their first major battle on the Western Front. We then head north venturing through Ploegsteert ‘Plug Street’ Wood and enjoy lunch. We then visit further sites of significance, including ‘Polygon Wood’, Passchendaele and Tyne Cot cemetery. We then head into the old market town of Ypres, where will enjoy a leisurely dinner before we walk to the Menin Gate and the poignant 'Last Post' ceremony. You will have the opportunity to lay a wreath if you would like (just let us know so we can arrange a wreath for you).

We return to Arras for the evening, arriving around 9:30pm.

B D

Day 3 (Wednesday): Arras - Bayeux (via Hornfleur)

We leave Arras behind and head to beautiful Normandy. On the way, we visit one of many V-1 Launch sites where 100s of 'Buzz Bombs' were sent flying to England to wreak havoc after D-Day. We will enjoy lunch in the amazing seaside town of Hornfleur and home to a 15th Century timber church. 

We then head for Bayeux via Merville, and cross the famous 'Pegasus Bridge', where the the British 6th Paras were ordered to "Hold until relieved!" on D-Day. We visit other interesting sites before arriving in Bayeux where you will check in to your hotel. You can then take a walk around the old town, enjoy a coffee, and discover the 1,000 year old Cathedral and other sites. Unfortunately, the famous Bayeux Tapestry is being refurbished.

You stay in Bayeux for the evening. 

B L

Day 4: (Thursday) Utah Sector

We head to Utah Beach sector to explore where the US 4th Infantry Division came ashore, before venturing inland to 'link up' with the US paratroopers. Here we discover the landing grounds and famous actions of the 82nd and 101st Airborne where legends were born in the early hours of 6 June 1944. We head to the famous Sainte-Mère-Église, before walking in the footsteps of 'Easy Company' at Brecourt Manor on the road to Carentan. We also make a stop at the striking La Cambe German War Cemetery where famous 'Tiger Ace' Michael Wittman is buried with his crew.

You stay in Bayeux for the evening.

B

Day 5: (Friday) Omaha Sector

One of the significant feats on D-Day was the Ranger action at Point du Hoc. Marvel at the agility and bravery of these young Americans as we tour the bunkers and craters of this stunning coastal area. We venture to Omaha Beach where the troops coming ashore met a hail of bullets. Heavy casualties and hard fighting ensued before small groups of determined men were able to get off the beach and on to the bluffs to eliminate the German defenders. After this we venture up to the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer where many of those brave boys now rest. We will also take a look at the remarkable German gun battery at Longes-sur-Mer and the 'Mulberry Harbour' at Arromanches.

The tour concludes in Bayeux, only a short train journey to Paris or to other adventures.

B

The letters refer to: (B) Breakfast included.  (L) Lunch included.  (D) Dinner included.

N.B. The order and content of this itinerary may be altered slightly on occasion due to operational requirements and constraints as a result of the personalised nature of our tours. Please enquire about 'Late Departure' accommodation when booking if you would like us to arrange a further night for you -OR- you can be dropped at BAYEUX train station around 5:00pm for immediate return to PARIS. We can assist with advice regarding train travel to ARRAS, and from BAYEUX.