Day 1:

Out in the Somme

The tour commences at 9:00am in Arras. You will be collected from your accommodation or Arras train station and head down to the Somme for the day.

We head back to mid-July 1916 and visit ‘Lochnagar Crater’, the village of Pozières, the 1st Australian Division Memorial, and the remains of the German blockhouse, ‘Gibraltar’. You will also see the famous ‘Windmill’ site, and consider the attacks on ‘Mouquet Farm’ on our way to visit the imposing, yet somehow unobtrusive, Thiepval ‘Memorial to the Missing’. After lunch we head south of the Somme to the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, and the battelfield of Le Hamel, before returning via the scene of bitter fighting in April & May 1917 at Bullecourt.

You stay in Arras for the evening.

Day 2

Fromelles to Ypres

We start the day with a battlefield walk at the site of one of Australia’s darkest days during the Great War: Fromelles. The ‘Cobber’ memorial and the unique ‘VC Corner’ cemetery are poignant reminders of the bravery and sacrifice displayed by the Anzacs in their first major battle on the Western Front.

We then head north venturing through Ploegsteert ‘Plug Street’ Wood and enjoy lunch. We then visit further sites of significance, including ‘Polygon Wood’, Passchendaele and Tyne Cot cemetery. We then head into the old market town of Ypres, where will enjoy a leisurely dinner before we walk to the Menin Gate and the poignant ‘Last Post’ ceremony. You will have the opportunity to lay a wreath if you would like (just let us know so we can arrange a wreath for you).

We return to Arras, arriving around 9:30pm. A long day, but a rewarding one.

Day 3:

Arras to Bayeux

We leave Arras behind and head to beautiful Normandy. On the way, we pause in Rouen to visit the CWGC St Sever Cemetery where many Australians are buried after dying of wounds in the nearby base hospitals (located within the race course). Rouen is also the scene of the US 8th Airforce’s first daylight bombing raid in August 1942 when B-17s attacked the Rouen-Sotteville marshalling yards.

We then head for Bayeux via Merville Battery, and the famous ‘Pegasus Bridge’, where the the British 6th Paras were ordered to “Hold until relieved!” on D-Day. We visit a few other very interesting sites before arriving in Bayeux where we will visit the Battle of Normandy museum after which you can discover the 1,000 year old Cathedral and other sites. Unfortunately, the famous Bayeux Tapestry is being refurbished.

You stay in Bayeux for the evening. 

Day 4:

Utah Sector

We head to Utah Beach sector to explore the beach where the US 4th Infantry Division came ashore, before venturing inland. Here we discover the landing grounds and famous actions of the 82nd and 101st Airborne where legends were born in the early hours of 6 June 1944. We head to the famous Sainte-Mère-Église, before walking in the footsteps of ‘Easy Company’ at Brecourt Manor on the road to Carentan. We also make a stop at the striking La Cambe German War Cemetery where famous ‘Tiger Tank Ace’ Michael Wittman is buried with his crew.

You stay in Bayeux for the evening.

Day 5:

Omaha Sector

One of the significant feats on D-Day was the Ranger action at Point du Hoc. Marvel at the agility and bravery of these young Americans as we tour the bunkers and craters of this stunning coastal area. We venture to Omaha Beach where the troops coming ashore met a hail of bullets. Heavy casualties and hard fighting ensued before small groups of determined men were able to get off the beach and on to the bluffs to eliminate the German defenders. After this we venture up to the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer where many of those brave boys now rest. We will also take a look at the remarkable gun battery at Longes-sur-Mer and ‘Mulberry Harbour’ at Arromanches.

The tour concludes in Bayeux.