Last-Minute Holidays
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Slip away this Festive season
France Under the Jackboot – SOE, SAS & the French Resistance
We look at the experience of France under Nazi occupation during the Second World War from the Battle of France in 1940 to the terrible events of the Holocaust in France, as well as the use of SOE and SAS, and the role of the French resistance. We see where France was humiliated at Compiegne, see the Holocaust Memorial at Drancy, and go into Limoges to look at SOE Heroine Violette Szabo before seeing Oradour sur Glane where a whole community was wiped out. We end the tour in northern France seeing where members of the French Resistance were executed, now a moving memorial site.
Tour Includes
- 6 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- Specialist Battlefield Guide
- Convenient local joining points
7 days from £1,069pp
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Inbound Travel
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 7 day itinerary
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service then, to Beauvais or Compiegne, north of Paris for two nights.
We start by looking at the German Blitzkrieg in 1940 and the Fall of France. We see where the Germans humiliated France by forcing them to surrender where the Armistice of 1918 was signed, seeing the museum here. In the Compiegne Forest we see where Paris’ Jews were deported by train to Concentration Camps. In the afternoon we visit the Compiegne Memorial Museum, looking at the Holocaust in this part of France, and end the day by visiting the graves of French soldiers who fell in defence of Paris. Included meals: Breakfast
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Today we focus on the experience of the Jewish community in Paris during WW2 seeing the Holocaust Memorial site at Drancy which served as a Concentration Camp before those held here were sent off to camps in Germany and in the East. We view where the camp was, see the memorials and the Visitors Centre*. In the afternoon we depart for Limoges for two nights.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
This morning we follow the trail of SOE Agent Violet Szabo close to Limoges, seeing the village where she was sheltered, the area where she dropped in and the ground where she was captured. In the afternoon we visit the village of Oradour sur Glane which was wiped out by SS troops in 1944. The Visitor’s Centre here is closed for renovation from September 2025, but this does not affect our visit to the preserved village, now a national memorial site. Here we learn of this tragic event from WWII and spend the afternoon among the deserted streets left just as they were in 1944.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
We depart Limoges and examine the role of British Special Air Service troops behind enemy lines in occupied France and visit the SOE Memorial at Valençay. We then depart for Amiens where we stay for two nights.
Includes Breakfast
Today we look at the French resistance in northern France travelling to the Resistance Museum at Bondues near Lille. After lunch in Arras, we visit the ‘Mur des Fusillies’: the moat of an old fort where members of the Resistance were executed during WWII, now a poignant memorial site. We then travel to Amiens seeing where the attack on Amiens Prison took place. Here RAF Mosquitos bombed the prison. We also visit the graves of the RAF crews in the nearby cemetery.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Got a question about
this holiday?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!
Accommodation
You will stay for two nights in Compiegne, near Paris at a 3-star hotel, then two nights at the 3-star ibis Limoges Centre and finally two nights at the 3-star B&B Amiens Centre Cathedrale.
Ibis Limoges Centre
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 3 Star
- English Speaking Staff
- Bar
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Extra Pillows and Blankets
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Shower
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
Service
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Iron at Reception
- Dog Friendly (selected rooms)
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Bar
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Ibis Styles Compiegne
The Ibis Styles Compiegne hotel is located 5 minutes away from the centre of Compiegne, a golf course and the national forest.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 3 Star
- English Speaking Staff
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Extra Pillows and Blankets
- Air Conditioning
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Shower or Bath
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Service
- Safe Box in Reception
- 24 Hour Front Desk
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
- Disabled Rooms Available
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Rooms on Request
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Lift
- WiFi Available
B&B Amiens Centre Cathédrale
Just an 8-minute stroll from Saint-Roch station is the B&B Amiens Centre Cathédrale, a modern, 3-star hotel. It's perfectly positioned a mere 14-minute walk from the 11th-century Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens and only 2 km away from the Parc Zoologique d'Amiens. Guests can enjoy the convenience of free Wi-Fi and a TV in every room.
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 3 Star
- English Speaking Staff
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Extra Pillows and Blankets
- Air Conditioning
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Shower
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Service
- Safe Box in Reception
- 24 Hour Front Desk
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
- Disabled Rooms Available
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
- Train / Tram Nearby
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals On Request
- Gluten Free Meals on Request
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Travel Options
When it comes to getting you to your destination, Leger Holidays makes it easy with a selection of travel options to choose from.
The pinnacle of luxury coach travel
Exclusive to Leger Holidays, these exceptional vehicles blend state-of-the-art features with sophisticated design, offering business-class comfort on the road. Try Luxuria once, and you’ll never look back – the journey will stay with you long after the holiday ends.
With just 31 spacious seats, enjoy a calm, unhurried atmosphere from the moment you step on board – because true comfort means more space, more privacy, and more time to relax. You’ll also benefit from a choice of seating, allowing you to travel in a way that suits you...
- Double Seats Designed for two, double seats are great for couples or friends travelling together – offering comfort, connection, and a relaxed way to share the journey.
- Single Seats Offering privacy and comfort, single seats are perfect for solo travellers who prefer a little more personal space.
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Face-to-Face Seats
Face-to-face seats with personal tables are the sociable way to travel, ideal for card games, coffees and conversation.
With a superior average seat pitch – 32% greater than many leading short-haul airlines – Luxuria double seats offer unmatched personal space. Enjoy comfort that’s built in, not added on.
Luxuria Features
Entertainment at your fingertips
Immerse yourself in your own touch-screen TV, offering a world of films, TV shows, music, and games – entertainment designed around you.
The perfect pour
Our crew serves a selection of hot and cold beverages directly to your seat – ideal for staying refreshed throughout your journey.
Relax in unmatched comfort
Recline in spacious, ergonomically designed, armchair-style seating with generous legroom and experience a refined sense of luxury, crafted exclusively for your relaxation.
Stay connected
Keep your devices fully charged throughout your journey with USB ports and plug sockets at every seat – perfect for capturing memories and staying connected with loved ones.
Silver Service
From the attentive service to the carefully considered features, our Silver Service coaches create an atmosphere that is both friendly and memorable, bringing people together. Experience the difference – refined travel, shared moments, and lasting comfort.
- Designed for Socialising A stylish and spacious rear lounge offers a sophisticated and private place to unwind, where conversation flows easily and friendships are made along the journey.
- Privacy Board An innovative privacy screen creates a calm retreat away from the rest of the coach, giving you the choice to enjoy quiet seclusion while you socialise with fellow passengers.
- Tables with Cup Holders Thoughtfully designed cabinets with secure cup holders mean refreshments are always within easy reach, adding both practicality and polish to your travel experience.
| Silver ServiceBook Now | LuxuriaBook Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks Served on Board | ||
| WC and Washroom | ||
| Climate Control | ||
| Reclining Seats | ||
| Deluxe Seating | ||
| Deluxe, Wider, Armchair-style Seating | ||
| Adjustable Armrests | ||
| Flexible Footrests | ||
| Extra Legroom | ||
| Superior Seat Pitch | ||
| Double Seats | ||
| Single Seats | ||
| Face-to-Face Seats with Tables | ||
| Personal Tables | ||
| Spacious Rear Lounge | ||
| At-seat Entertainment | ||
| USB Points and Plug Sockets | ||
| Communal, Drop-down TV Screens | ||
| Onboard Wi-Fi |
Silver Service Features
Deluxe design
Specially designed, luxurious seats enhanced with leather headrests deliver superior support, blending comfort with a premium finish.
Space to stretch out
Enjoy the luxury of generous legroom that goes far beyond standard coach travel, giving you the freedom to settle in with ease and stretch out fully.
Spacious rear lounge
Designed for socialising, the spacious rear lounge offers a stylish retreat with privacy screens, handy tables and cup holders – perfect for relaxing, chatting and enjoying the journey.
Thoughtful touches that make a difference
A carefully maintained interior climate and soft ambient lighting ensure the coach always feels comfortable, welcoming and perfectly suited for a relaxing journey.
Reviews
4.6 Out of 5 ( 9 Reviews )
Reviews
Quality
4.4 / 5
Value for Money
4.3 / 5
Miss Rhind, 2 years ago
Very informative, and well presented.
Verified, collected via Trustpilot
M Woolf, 2 years ago
fascinating trip and a wonderful guide
Verified, collected via Trustpilot
Andrew Burnham, 2 years ago
Poor timings for travelling home, one person held up bus for over 3 hours
Verified, collected via Trustpilot
B Eason, 2 years ago
A lot of coach travel. Nor a lot of content.Museams would be good if there was English transcriptions. Having been on 5 previous tours this was by far the most disappointing.
Verified, collected via Trustpilot
Beverly Swan, 2 years ago
Great trip but spoilt at the end by a 3+ hour wait at Stop 24 on return.
Verified, collected via Trustpilot
ian warrick, 2 years ago
A varied tour of the events in WWII France. A good mix of sites, museums and an excellent analysis of the events by the guide Fred Greenhow
Verified, collected via Trustpilot
Departure Dates
Got a question about
this holiday?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!
