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Reims & Verdun
On this fascinating new battlefield tour we look at the ground fought over by the British, French and German Armies in Reims, combining with a visit to Verdun – an iconic WW1 site. Highlights of the tour include the ‘Caverne du Dragon’, an underground quarry where the French and Germans fought, the remarkable private collection of militaria at the Romagne War Museum, and the trenches at Main de Massiges.
Tour Includes
- 4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- Specialist Battlefield Guide
- Convenient local joining points
5 days from £639pp
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 5 day itinerary
Local departure by coach, then to our hotel in Reims for a four-night stay.
We start this morning just outside Reims, on the spot where the French Army used tanks for the first time in April 1917 as part of the attack on the Chemin des Dames. We’ll see the memorial and life-sized models of French tanks, before looking at the ‘Old Contemptibles’ in the fighting here in 1914 – the men of the British Army. We see the church and British graves at Soupir and Vendresse, and the memorial at Cerny. Here, we come onto the Chemin des Dames, the high ground above Reims, and visit the French cemetery and memorial chapel. After lunch in Soissons, where you can visit the Soissons Memorial to the Missing which commemorates British soldiers who fell in 1918, we discover the memorials and bunkers of the Moulin de Laffaux, a major French battle site throughout the war. We then go beneath the battlefield into the ‘Caverne du Dragon’ – the Dragon’s Cave. This is where the French and Germans fought each other in a quarry deep underground. We continue across the Chemin des Dames back to Reims.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Today we head for Verdun; a battle of 300 days, it was the longest of the war and called the ‘Mincing Machine’ by the soldiers due to the way it drew in and destroyed so many French regiments. We start at the impressive Memorial Museum at Fleury, with its many displays, artefacts and the ‘lost village’ of Fleury close by. We then visit the Ossuary and French Cemetery at Douaumont, before taking lunch in Verdun. In the afternoon we explore two of the iconic forts, which featured so heavily in the battle – Fort Douaumont and Fort Vaux. Inside you can walk the corridors, admire the gun turrets and museums, and see the massive shell craters on the roof caused by heavy guns from both sides.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Today we’ll explore the battlefields east of Reims, starting in the Argonne sector with a visit to the American Memorial at Montfaucon, before paying our respects at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery – the largest US War Cemetery in Europe with more than 14,000 graves. Time for lunch at the Romagne War Museum, viewing the incredible private collection of militaria. In the afternoon, we explore the Champagne battlefields with a visit to the trenches at Main de Massiges: here a whole trench system has been reconstructed on a hillside alongside original mine craters with sandbags, duckboards and firing positions. You can walk the trenches, go in the dugouts and see the dressing station. Our day ends at the Navarin Farm Memorial to the American and French soldiers of the Champagne; we’ll learn of the story of a former British Colonel, who having been court martialled served as a Stretcher Bearer here in the French Foreign legion.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Accommodation
You will stay for four-nights at the Novotel Reims Tinqueux or Mercure Reims Parc des Exposition.
Mercure Reims Parc Des Expositions
The 4-star Mercure Reims Parc Des Expositions is located in the business centre of Ecoparc Reims which is close to the old champagne cellars of Colline St. Nicaise which is held as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel is only 4km away from Reims and the cathedral. The hotels offers the following facilities: hotel garden, swimming pool (unheated)* air conditioning, gift shop/news stand, 24-hour reception, restaurant, bar and Wi-Fi/Internet access. *The swimming pool can close without prior notice.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- English Speaking Staff
- 4 Star
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Outdoor Swimming Pool (Seasonal)
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Bath
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals
- Gluten Free Menu
Accessibility
- Disabled Rooms Available
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Rooms on Request
Service
- Room Service Available
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Iron at Reception
- Dogs Allowed on Request
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Novotel Reims Tinqueux
The 4-star Novotel Reims Tinqueux is located in the Champagne region of France and situated close to popular attractions such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Saint Remi Basilica and the famous wine cellars.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- English Speaking Staff
- 4 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Outdoor Swimming Pool (Seasonal)
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Extra Pillows and Blankets
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Fridge
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Telephone
- Shower and Bath
- Free Wifi
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals
- Gluten Free Meals on Request
Accessibility
- Disabled Rooms Available
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Rooms on Request
Service
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Iron at Reception
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Bar
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
Silver Service Coach
More than simply your method of transport, Silver Service offers a coach with added comfort and facilities, such as deluxe reclining seats with leather headrests, an onboard entertainment system, and a spacious rear lounge so you can socialise with your fellow passengers.
Silver Service Features
- Specially designed reclining seats, with leather headrests, footrests and extra legroom.
- A spacious rear lounge where you can relax, socialise and get to know your fellow passengers.
- Our onboard entertainment and satellite navigation system makes your journey fly by.
- Free personal headphones mean you can tune into the music channel, listen to the radio or watch DVDs being played by your crew.
- Personal tables so you can enjoy your refreshments in comfort as you take in the passing scenery.
Reviews
5 Out of 5 ( 3 Reviews )
Reviews
Quality
5 / 5
Value for Money
5 / 5
John Pinhorn, 0 years ago
very interesting tour, learnt a lot about the battlefields in that area, knowledgeable guide. not much to see in Verdun itself Hotel in Reims very good, ideal base for area
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David Morse, 0 years ago
Superb presentation throughout the 5 days by Paul Reed, assisted by the driver.
Verified, collected via Trustpilot
Alex Watkins, 0 years ago
Brilliant tour with very interesting stops and incredibly knowledgeable and friendly tour guide.
Verified, collected via Trustpilot
Departure Dates
