Chateaux, Boulevards and Battlefields

Tour Overview

Imagine…a leisurely paced tour of the grand sights of France and Belgium plus a sensitive immersion into the life of the ANZAC Diggers throughout the sheer enormity of the tragedy of World War 1 in Northern Europe.  From the grand boulevards of Paris and the Palace of Versailles, to the cobbled stone streets of picture perfect Bruges and the medieval squares of Ypres. Add dramatic Mont St Michel, the Normandy D-Day beaches, Bayeux Tapestry, stunning Chartres Cathedral and the glorious chateaux in the Loire Valley. Now blend all of this with the staggering devastation of the trench warfare through the Somme and Flanders battlefields and the moving ‘Last Post’ under the Menin Gate in Ypres. This exceptional tour offers you a unique and personal experience.

Tour Highlights

• Experience Paris – guided panoramic city tour plus an evening Illuminations drive to see the major landmarks bathed in glorious light


• Visit Péronne, Mont St Quentin and charming Bruges


• Stay 4 nights in gothic Ypres  and visit the ‘In Flanders Fields’ Museum


• Be moved by the Sounding of the Last Post at the Menin Gate


• Visit Hooge Crater Cemetery and Museum


• Visit the Flanders Commemorative sites including Messines, Hill 60, Polygon Wood, Essex Farm Cemetery, Tyne Cot, Toronto Avenue Cemetery and Island of Ireland Peace Park


• Visit the Somme Commemorative sites including Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, Fromelles Memorials,  Vimy Ridge, Bullecourt ‘Digger’ Memorial, Adelaide Cemetery,  Australian Memorials in Pozières, New Zealand Memorial at Longeuval and Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme


• Visit the Franco-Australian Museum in the village of Villers-Bretonneux


• Explore Joan of Arc’s Rouen and historical Caen


• Take in Normandy’s landing beaches and museum and the Pegasus Memorial and Museum at Ranville


• Marvel at the Monastery of Mont St Michel in Brittany


• See the magnificent Bayeux Tapestry and Chartres Cathedral


• Visit the Loire Valley Chateaux including Chenonceaux and Villandry Gardens


• See magnificent Chateau Chambord


• Be guided through the magnificent Palace of Versailles

Tour Inclusions

• All excursions, scenic drives and sightseeing  (as per the itinerary)


• Fully escorted by our experienced specialist Battlefield Tour Manager


• Local guides in Paris and Versailles


• First class air-conditioned touring coach


• End of tour tips to Tour Manager, drivers and local guides


• 13 night’s accommodation as described


• Hotel porterage (1 bag per person)


• Buffet breakfast daily, 6 dinners including welcome and farewell dinners


• Entrances:  ‘In Flanders Fields’ Museum, Hooge Crater Museum, Franco-Australian Museum at Victoria Primary School in Villers-Bretonnneux, Arromanches Landing Museum,  Pegasus Memorial and Museum, Bayeaux Tapestry, Mont St Michel, Chateau Villandry gardens, Chateau Chenonceaux interior and gardens with audio guide, Chartres Cathedral, Versailles Palace  


• Quietvox personal audio system whilst on tour