Retreat from Mons
Walk in the footsteps of the Old Contemptibles on this ultimate 1914 tour, from the opening shots at Mons in August 1914 and the Great Retreat, to the battles of the Marne and the Aisne.
Discover the bridge where the first Victoria Crosses of the war were won, stand where the cavalry charged at Audregnies and Néry, and see how the war of movement finally ground to a halt in the stalemate of the trenches.
Tour Includes
- 6 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- Specialist Battlefield Guide
- Convenient local joining points
7 days from £1,219pp
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Inbound Travel
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Experiences
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 7 day itinerary
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to our hotel in Tournai for a three-night stay.
Today we look at the wider picture of the Battle of Mons, beginning near Charleroi, where French forces were engaged on the British flank. We explore the ground over which they fought the advancing German army, stop at the La Croix Cotelle Memorial, and pay our respects at La Belle Motte Cemetery, the final resting place of French soldiers killed in August 1914. We then turn to the atrocities committed against Belgian civilians during the invasion, seeing the memorials at Tamines that tell the town's tragic story.
After lunch in Binche, we see Casteau, where the British Expeditionary Force opened fire for the first time, followed by the battlefield at Obourg, held by the 4th Middlesex. We also visit Nimy, where the 4th Royal Fusiliers defended the railway bridge and the first two Victoria Crosses of the war were won.
Our day ends at Mons Communal Cemetery, one of the town's often-forgotten burial grounds, where men who fell in 1914 lie buried.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
We begin this morning on the left flank at Mons, visiting Hautrage Military Cemetery, a lesser-known 1914 cemetery where both sides buried their dead. Nearby, we visit the Royal West Kent Memorial, close to where the regiment fought in August 1914. At Audregnies, we look at the only British cavalry charge at Mons in 1914, visiting the ground where the 4th Dragoon Guards and 9th Lancers attacked, and we see their graves at Elouges.
After lunchtime in Mons, we visit the excellent Mons Memorial Museum, with its many artefacts from the 1914 fighting. We then visit the unique St Symphorien Military Cemetery, where British and German dead lie side by side, and where some of the first and last British casualties on the Western Front are buried.
We end with the final shots at Mons in 1918, seeing the memorial to Canadian soldier George Lawrence Price, who fell two minutes before the Armistice.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
We leave Belgium and follow the story of the Retreat from Mons in August 1914, when the British Army marched over 200 miles. We visit the ground at Landrecies where the Guards fought, seeing the graves of their fallen. At Le Cateau, we visit the military cemetery and travel across the battlefield to the left flank at Esnes.
After lunchtime in Cambrai, we visit the British Memorial in the fields near Le Cateau and see where the Royal Munster Fusiliers made their last stand at Etreux. We then look at the story of the 'Iron Twelve' and discuss the British soldiers who were executed by the Germans while evading capture, visiting the memorial in the village of Iron and the graves of the men shot at Guise.
We continue to Compiegne for a three-night stay.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
We begin at Nery, where British cavalry and Royal Horse Artillery gunners fought a famous action in September 1914 that resulted in the award of three Victoria Crosses. We visit the graves of the fallen and see the memorials, then see the Guards' Grave at Villers-Cotterets.
After lunchtime in Meaux, we visit the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial to the Missing, which commemorates those who died between Mons and the Aisne and have no known grave. We also see the memorial to the Royal Engineers who bridged the River Marne here.
Looking at the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, when the Germans were stopped from taking Paris, we see the impressive memorial at Dormans, along with French and German cemeteries from the fighting here.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Today we look at the fighting on the Aisne in September and October 1914, which led to the first major trenches on the Western Front. We visit Vailly British Cemetery in the Aisne valley, then Soupir, where the front lines ran along the plateau above the village, seeing the church with its 1914 graffiti. We then visit Vendresse British Cemetery and the memorial to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at Cerny.
After lunchtime in Soissons, we end the tour at the Museum of the Great War in Meaux, which has one of the largest collections of First World War items in Europe and a reconstructed trench system.
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 three nights at the Hotel Hemera in Tournai and three nights at the Ibis Styles Compiegne.
Ibis Styles Compiegne
The 3-star ibis Styles Compiegne is located just five minutes from the centre of Compiegne, a golf course and the national forest. Rooms have air conditioning, a TV and free Wi-Fi.
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
- Sauna or Steam Room
Room
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Air Conditioning
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Shower or Bath
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Service
- Safe Box in Reception
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Iron at Reception
- Gym
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
- Disabled Rooms Available
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Rooms on Request
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals On Request
- Gluten Free Meals on Request
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Bar
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Hotel Hemera
The Hotel Hemera in Tournai offers comfortable rooms with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. You can relax on the sun terrace or in the garden, or take a short walk to the beautiful Tournai Cathedral.
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
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
Room
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Extra Pillows and Blankets
- Air Conditioning
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Shower or Bath
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
- Iron or Trouser Press
Service
- Safe Box in Reception
- Room Service Available
- Gym
- Dog Friendly (selected rooms)
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
- Disabled Rooms Available
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Rooms on Request
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals On Request
- Gluten Free Meals on Request
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- 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.
-
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 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.
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!
