Fromelles & Pozieres to Normandy (19 to 28 July 2026)

The 'Fromelles & Pozieres: 110th Anniversary' Tour (with Normandy Adventure) is a unique opportunity to commemorate these significant Anzac battles. When one thinks of the First World War, these are the types of battles that one imagines, in their worst nightmares.

The Australian 5th Division was almost destroyed at Fromelles in a bloody 24-hours (19/20 July 1916), while the 1st, 2nd and 4th Australian divisions were rotated through the Pozieres [and Mouquet Farm] sector from July to September 1916. The initial capture of Pozieres on 23 July 1916 was followed by a real slog of bloody attacks for minimal gains and being pounded into the ground by incessant German artillery. The relatively small areas in which these industrialised battles took place meant that casualties were catastrophically high. This terrifying introduction to the Western Front across both these battles resulted in nearly 30,000 casualties in only six weeks.

Then we head down to Normandy and the amazing D-Day sites of WW2 where the Allies dropped from the sky and stormed ashore on 6 June 1944. We base ourselves in beautiful Bayeux and see 'Bloody Omaha', the 'Mulberry Harbour' at Arromanches and even head down to see the remarkable Mont St Michel. If we are travelling well, then an amazing visit to St Malo is on the cards.

Day 1: Sunday, 19 July 2026 - Fromelles (110 years)

Your tour starts when you book into the Mercure Arras by 2:00pm. We will meet in the lobby for a special 4:00pm departure to attend the poignant 110th Anniversary Ceremony at Fromelles.

We return to Arras for the evening.

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Day 2: Monday, 20 July 2026: BEHIND the LINES (inc. AMIENS)

Amiens was a major communications centre and the objective for the Germans in 1914 and again in 1918. We will begin the day by exploring the 13th century Gothic cathedral that so enthralled the young Anzacs. Many Australian letters home spoke of their wanderings about the town, before strolling along the Somme canal and enjoying a coffee (or something stronger) and maybe some egg & chips in one of the many estaminets or cafe's.

The young Australian soldiers were billeted in many of the surrounding towns on their way to the Somme in 1916 and one of these was Naours. The magnificent underground city of caves contains over 1,000 names of Anzacs inscribed on the walls for all eternity.

We will visit the cemetery and special museum in the charming village of Vignacourt which is home to the Thuillier collection of photographs that feature many Australians, the majority of which remain unidentified.

We return to Arras for the evening.

B L

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Day 3: Tuesday, 21 July 2026: FROMELLES to YPRES

We are straight into the action 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. Venturing through Ploegsteert ‘Plug Street’ Wood we visit further sites of significance, before arriving in the town of Ypres.

On the road to Passchendaele we walk through ‘Polygon Wood’ to the 5th Australian Division Memorial, and the Buttes New British Cemetery. A visit to the very well done Passchendaele 1917 Museum is followed by a sobering visit to the magnificent Tyne Cot which gives you an indication of the severity of the fighting for the ridges surrounding Ypres during the Third Battle of Ypres in late 1917. After further adventures, we head to the Menin Gate for the ‘Last Post’ ceremony where selected guests will lay a wreath on behalf of the tour.

We enjoy dinner together n Ypres before returning to Arras by 9:30pm.

B L D

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Day 4: Wednesday, 22 July 2026: BULLECOURT & 1918 Victories

We follow up of the Australian attacks on the Hindenburg Line in March through to May 1917. After capturing Bapaume, the Australians began their attacks to capture the ‘out-post’ villages of Lagnicourt and Noreuil on the road to the battles of Bullecourt. We will walk the ground at Bullecourt and explore the two battles fought by the Anzacs and British in April and May 1917 respectively, the latter being successful, albeit costly. A visit to the Jean Letaille 1917 Museum in Bullecourt is a must before we head east and the fighting beyond the Somme.

With the fall of Peronne, the fighting would now head into areas little-known or visited by many Aussie visitors. In some of the fiercest fighting, the Australians of the 4th Division captured the ‘out-post’ line of fortified villages, including Le Verguier, beyond which stands the 4th Australian Division Memorial. We will then walk the ground following the last Australian battles to capture the Hindenburg Line, and at the extent of these great victories, discover the ‘Grand Canal’.

We return to Arras for the evening.

B L

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Day 5: Thursday, 23 July 2026: POZIERES (110) - Out the Somme

We head back to mid-July 1916 and the Somme front. The Australian Divisions are famously involved in the capture of Pozières. Visits in the ‘Pozieres Sector’ include the 1st Australian Division Memorial, the remains of the German blockhouse, ‘Gibraltar’, the ‘Windmill’, and the attacks on ‘Mouquet Farm’. We will check out ‘Lochnagar Crater’, ‘Sausage Gulley’ and also trot along to the imposing, yet somehow unobtrusive, Thiepval ‘Memorial to the Missing’.

After lunch we visit Villers-Bretonneux and Australian National Memorial and Sir John Monash Centre. We also discover the Franco-Australian Museum and Victoria School, before heading to Le Hamel and discuss Monash's great battle.

We return to Arras for the evening.

B

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Day 6: Friday, 24 July 2026: ARRAS - BAYEUX (via ROUEN & Pegasus Bridge)

If you're adding on we'll have some breakfast before heading to Normandy. If you are joining us, welcome aboard. On our way to Bayeux we will stop at a selection of amazing places which could include Rouen, Merville, Ranville and Caen.

We continue on to the beautiful town of Bayeux where we take a walking tour back in time. Our walking tour includes the Old Town, WW2 Museum, and 11th Century Cathedral. Unfortunately, the famous Bayeux Tapestry is being refurbished.

We stay in Bayeux for the evening.

B L

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Day 7: Saturday, 25 July 2026: MONT ST MICHEL

We have a real treat today with a visit to the remarkable Mont Saint-Michel sat atop a tidal island just off the coast. It is something often photographed and wondered about, but you will wonder no more as we spend several hours exploring the island town with origins back to the 8th century. We then head into Brittany and discover the amazing fortified city of St Malo where the infamous 'Corsairs' were based, and where we will enjoy lunch.

We stay in Bayeux for the evening.

B L

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Day 8: Sunday, 26 July 2026: UTAH & US Airborne sector

We head behind Utah Beach sector to explore 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 Sainte-Mère-Église and the famous church, before walking in the footsteps of 'Easy Company' at St Marie-du-Mont and Brecourt Manor, on the road to Carentan. We also reflect on the bravery of the Airborne medics at Angoville-au-Plain among other amazing sites.

We return to Bayeux for the evening.

B

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Day 9: Monday, 27 July 2026: POINT-DU-HOC, OMAHA & GOLD sectors

One of the significant achievements 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 have the opportunity to walk through the famous Longue-sur-Mer German Gun Battery.

We return to Bayeux for the evening.

B

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Day 10: Tuesday, 28 July 2026 Farewell

We begin the day with a leisurely breakfast as we prepare to head our separate ways. We hope you will have thoroughly enjoyed the tour and are returning home with many wonderful memories. Until next time... Lest we forget.

B 

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The letters refer to:

(B) Breakfast included.
(L) Lunch included.
(D) Dinner included.

ADD-ONS

Nil.