Private Tour of the WW1 Somme Battlefields from ARRAS
Description
This tour covers the major sites of the Battles of the Somme in 1916 and 1918, it's an easy day trip coming from PARIS for the day (1h by train). Our tours start and finish just outside the ARRAS train station. we will cover the sites of the major 1916 battle: the impressive "Lochnagar" mine crater, Pozieres, the Thiepval memorial to the missing and the preserved battlefields of Beaumont-Hamel. After a lunch stop at Albert and a visit to the Somme 1916 underground museum we will head to the 1918 battlefields: Villers-Bretonneux Australian memorial and the new John Monash centre (if open on that day) and the sites of the famous August 1918 allied counter-offensive. After this moving day we will drive back to ARRAS.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The preserved battlefield with its original trenches from the 1916 battle of the Somme
The Thiepval memorial to the missing of the Somme
The "Lochnagar" mine crater, a huge underground mine was blown up there on July 1st 1916
The site of the "Gibraltar" bunker
The Somme 1916 museum is located in a original tunnel under the town of Albert. A great and unique display of various scenes of the battle of the Somme.
The German cemetery at Proyart where 4.600 german soldiers rest in peace.
Discover the new Sir John Monash centre and its immersive room
The Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux to commemorate the 11.000 australians missing in France in World War One.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(25)
A must do trip for all Australians. Our guide Sylvester was an amazing source of information on WW1. He helped me in all areas visited with my trip focus on where my Great Grandfather had served, and he went above and beyond my expectations. I have seen and learnt so much on this trip, everything from the horrors of war, to the new beginnings of life at the school in Villers Bretonnuex.
Wonderful and moving day visiting the battlefields and memorials of Australian troops involvement in WW1. Silvestre knew so much and answered all our questions as we went. Absolutely loved it.
Sylvestre was knowledgeable, interesting and kind. He brought to life the drama, the tragedy, the complexity and the humanity of the Somme in WWI
As per all other reviews Sylvestre was the perfect guide for our tour of the Australian sites in the Somme. On time with a crossaint in hand and off we went . Everything Sylvestre took us to was moving , educational, sad, but proud to be an Australian. One of the hi lights of our 3 month adventure .
Our battlefields tour was a fabulous experience and one that I have wanted to do for many years. It was beautiful, moving, enlightening and at times a bit overwhelming. Silvestre was an excellent guide with an extensive depth of knowledge and he ensured our day was very enjoyable. Absolute professional. All aspects of the itinerary were interesting and worthwhile, and we were given plenty of time to immerse ourselves in the whole experience. Totally worth it.
Our tour with Sylvester was simply outstanding. He's been giving tours for 19 years and clearly shows his understanding of both the history and significance of each location but also gets deeply into what we personally want to get out of the trip. He was able to solve a long mystery for one member of our group - we found the memorial for his great grandfather who was lost at the battle of the Somme. Sylvester's guidance was priceless for our trip. We would do it again in a heartbeat.
Had been on my bucket list for years. Sylvestre was excellent. He is extremely knowledgeable and tailors the tour to suit his guests. I will be coming back for more tours of other battlegrounds in the future.
Sylvester was great, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable, we did a full day tour that took in a lot of the WW1 key sites. Had lunch a a good restaurant in Albert. All in all a very good day.
Absolutely amazing & emotional experience on this tour with Sylvestre. Visited so many sites of the western front of WW1. Highly recommended this tour for every Australian if you get to France. Thank you Sylvestre.
A day with Sylvester was a comprehensive, informative look at the Battle of the Somme. He hit more highlights than we could have covered in three days! And some off the beaten path stops we never would have seen. We loved it!
