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A Guided Tour of France’s Historic Battlefields and War Memorials

France is home to some of the most significant battlefields and war memorials from World War I and World War II. These sites offer an opportunity to learn about the history of these wars and pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and died for their country. A guided tour of these sites can be a powerful and moving experience, providing a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by those who fought in these conflicts.

In this article, we will be exploring some of the most famous battlefields and war memorials in France, including those on the Western Front, the Eastern Front, and the Southern Front. We will also provide information on what to expect on a guided tour, and tips and advice on how to plan your visit .

The Western Front

The Somme region in northern France is known for the famous battles that took place during World War I. The Battle of the Somme, which lasted from July to November 1916, was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, with over 1 million casualties. The Somme region is home to several war cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the battle, including the Thiepval Memorial and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial.

The Battle of Verdun, which took place from February to December 1916, was one of the longest and most brutal battles of World War I. The Verdun region is home to several war cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the battle, including the Douaumont Ossuary and the Verdun Memorial.

The Ypres region in western Belgium was the site of several major battles during World War I, including the Battle of Ypres in 1914 and the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. The Ypres region is home to several war cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the battles, including the Menin Gate Memorial and the Tyne Cot Cemetery.

The Eastern Front

Alsace , located in northeastern France, was the site of several major battles during both World War I and World War II. The region is home to several war cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the battles, including the Hartmannswillerkopf Memorial and the Struthof-Natzweiler Memorial.

Lorraine, located in northeastern France, was the site of several major battles during both World War I and World War II. The region is home to several war cemeteries and memorials that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the battles, including the Metz Memorial and the Nancy Memorial.

The Southern Front

The maginot line:.

The Maginot Line, a series of fortifications and bunkers built along the French-German border before World War II, was an important part of France’s defense strategy during the war. The line, named after French Minister of War André Maginot, was intended to deter a German invasion. The Maginot Line saw action during the Battle of France in 1940 and many of the fortifications and bunkers can still be visited today. Visitors can tour these fortifications and learn about the history and tactics of the French defense during World War II, including the museums and exhibits dedicated to this topic.

Normandy Beaches

The Normandy beaches, located on the northwest coast of France, were the site of the famous D-Day landings during World War II. On June 6, 1944, the beaches of Normandy were the location of the largest amphibious invasion in history, as Allied forces landed on five beaches in an effort to gain a foothold in Europe and defeat the German army.

One of the most famous beaches is Omaha Beach, where American forces faced heavy resistance and sustained heavy casualties. Another famous beach is Sword Beach, where British and Canadian forces landed. The invasion was a turning point in the war and marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

The Normandy beaches are now home to several war cemeteries, monuments and museums that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died during the D-Day landings. Visitors can pay their respects to the fallen soldiers by visiting the American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, the Bayeux War Cemetery and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery in Ranville. The D-Day Museum in Arromanches is also a must-see for visitors interested in learning more about the history of the landings and the events that led up to them.

Visitors can also take a guided tour of the beaches and the surrounding area, which can include visits to key landmarks such as the Pointe du Hoc, the Omaha Beach Memorial and the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Eglise. These tours can provide a deeper understanding of the logistics, strategy and sacrifices made during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy.

Planning Your Guided Tour

When planning your guided tour of France’s historic battlefields and war memorials, there are a few things to consider. First, it is important to choose the right tour company for your budget and needs.

Second, select the right itinerary for your interests and time frame. There are many different tours available, some of which focus on specific battles or regions, while others cover multiple sites. Make sure to choose an itinerary that will allow you to see the sites you are most interested in.

Finally, it is important to organize transportation. Some tours include local bus transportation, while others do not. If transportation is not included, it is important to plan how you will get to the various sites on your itinerary .

Of course on one of our tours, you’ll have your private driver and luxury vehicle to escort you and your private group. 

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A guided tour of France’s historic battlefields and war memorials can be a powerful and moving experience. It allows visitors to learn about the history of these wars and pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and died for their country. From the Western Front to the Eastern Front and the Southern Front, there are many significant sites to visit and learn from. By planning ahead and selecting the right tour company, itinerary and transportation, you can have a memorable and educational experience. Remember that these sites are not only important for their historical significance, but also for the sacrifices made by those who fought in these conflicts.

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Our World War I and World War II battlefields tours take you to the most horrific frontlines. We’ll gain a deep insight as we journey to the D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches, Vimy Ridge, Dunkirk, Fromelles, Gallipoli, the Somme and the Ypres battlefields. Your Local Specialist Guides and Travel Directors will share incredible stories as we pay tribute to the millions of brave souls who lost their lives in the World Wars.

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Battlefield tours in France

Metropolitan France was settled during the Iron Age by Celtic tribes known as Gauls. Rome annexed the area in 51 BC, leading to a distinct Gallo-Roman culture that laid the foundation of the French language.

In the High Middle Ages, France was a powerful but highly decentralised feudal kingdom. Philip II successfully strengthened royal power and defeated his rivals to double the size of the crown lands; by the end of his reign, France had emerged as the most powerful state in Europe.

From the mid-14th to the mid-15th century, France was plunged into a series of dynastic conflicts involving England, collectively known as the Hundred Years’ War, and a distinct French identity emerged as a result.

France reached its political and military zenith in the early 19th century under Napoleon Bonaparte, subjugating much of continental Europe and establishing the First French Empire.

The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars shaped the course of European and world history.

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WW2 battlefield Guided Tours in France

Experience ww2 battlefields in france with custom-tailored guided tours and private guides, discover france's ww2 battlefields with guided tours specialists.

Are you interested in the Second World War ? We organize your WW2 battlefield custom-tailored Guided Tour in France , with the best guides and specialists.

From the D-day Normandy beaches to the Ardennes mountains, passing by Dunkirk or the landing in Provence, France hosts some of the most famous WW2 battlefields in the world. Experience the emotion of the D-day beaches (1944), the jubilation of the liberation of Paris (1944), the unknown episode of the Landing in Provence (1944), the snow of the Battle of the Bulge (1944-45)... but also discover the bloody battle of Dunkirk (1940), the tragic landing in Dieppe (1942), the Occupation era in Paris, the heroic fightings of the French Resistance (like the Vercors battle in 1944).

From offbeat locations to the most renowned battlefields , you are accompanied by an independent local professional guide and specialist, who makes these battlefields alive especially for you.

Your WW2 battlefield Guided Tour is entirely private and custom-tailored

Save time and money ! Depending on your requests and destination, we organize your perfect trip everywhere in France : tell us where you go and what you are interested in and we design your Guided Tour .

Here are just a few of the places we visit:

• The Normandy landing sites (US, British, Canadian)
• The paratroopers in Normandy
• The battle of Normandy
• The battle of Bulge
• The Dunkirk battle
• The Dieppe landing
• The Provence Landing
• Occupation and Resistance in Paris, in Lyon
• The Resistance battle in Vercors
• The slaughter of the Oradour sur Glane village
• And much more... contact us !

If you don't have your own vehicle, we can also organize transportation with private limousine or van.

We complete your Guided Tour with recommendations for the best restaurants, hotels and exhibitions, in order to provide a unique experience.

Each Guided Tour is different: price is quoted on demand.

Contact us so we can start working on your customized WW2 battlefield Guided Tour in France : [email protected].

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• France World War Tours

France endured the calamity of German invasion and occupation twice in the 20 th century, in conflicts now known as World Wars I and II (three times, if you count the Franco-Prussian War of 1870). Both world wars were fought extensively within France and won through the sacrifices of French military forces with the extensive support and sacrifices of its Allies. The most important among them were the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Many of the key engagements of both world wars in France can be visited from Paris as a day tour, and Paris Luxury Tours proposes a wide selection of them. They include Canadian battle sites at Vimy Ridge and Beaumont Hamel, Australian sites at Pozières and Villers Bretonneux, French and American sites at Verdun and Montfaucon, and United States sites at Belleau Wood, the Château Thierry American Monument and Oise-Aisne American Cemetery.  

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While each of these tours focusses on the accomplishments of some of the Allied countries, what they have in common is that each one is led by a guide with comprehensive knowledge of how the two wars began, what drew in the Allies to support each other, the over-all evolution of each conflict, and an in-depth understanding the importance of each of the engagements in the perspective of the final victory that was achieved.

For each of these tours we provide courteous and discreet guides who speak English as natural first language and who are expert and cautious drivers. The comfort, enjoyment and safety of our clients are paramount concerns for our guides. The vehicles that we use are procured from a major car rental company, Sixt, which ensures that they are always maintained perfectly and are always very new vehicles, often brand-new.

(For tours in Normandy, please refer to the Normandy section of our website here > . ) We do include in this section a two-day tour of Canada’s role in WWI and WWII. It includes: Vimy Ridge, Beaumont  Hamel, Dieppe (overnight), Juno Beach, the Juno Beach Centre and the Canadian Cemetery at Reviers (aka Bény sur mer). We believe that we are the only company proposing a two-day tour from Paris that encompasses Canada’s remarkable contribution toward the German defeat in both world wars.

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All of our tours of Paris are led by bilingual university graduate guides, who are specialized in the culture and history of Paris and France. As experts in your tour theme, they will be sure to give you a comprehensive insight into the city while you tour in one of our upscale vehicles.

At Paris Luxury Tours we are able to eliminate any hint of stress from your tour of Paris. Our team guarantees seeing to your every touring need and maximizing your experience of Paris by showing you more of it to you than you could possibly discover on your own.

Please note that the city of Paris has decided to make Sundays a traffic free day. Automobiles will therefore be barred from circulating inside most of Paris between 11 am and 6 pm on Sundays. We therefore can not perform any of our Paris tours on a Sunday, unless we do so entirely on foot. We are happy to do that, but clients should be aware that we have this limitation on Sundays, and it will inevitably reduce how much of Paris we will be able to show you. Please ask us to quote you the cost of a Paris tour to be performed on a Sunday. We will, of course, reduce the cost to reflect the fact that we will not be providing an upscale vehicle.

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Battlefield and War Cemetery Tours

Frenchtours Ltd is the preferred tour guide and operator for a variety of regimental associations, schools, and overseas travel agents wishing to organize a quality tour of battlefields and war sites in France at a reasonable cost. A package can be for guide only, hotel only, rental car only or a combination of all three. Groups or individuals are catered for, whether it be a day trip or a week’s touring. We are happy to provide testimonials and references. Frenchtours MD, Michael Smith is a licensed, bilingual guide, based in the Somme department of France for the past 30 years. He is also licensed and insured to carry passengers in his comfortable 7 seat Renault Grand Scenic.

Popular itineraries :

Australian WW1 : Pozières, Mouquet Farm, Villers-Bretonneux, Australian national monument, Victoria School and museum.

Canadian WW1 : Beaumont-Hamel battlefield (France), Vimy Ridge battlefield (France), Essex Farm (Belgium), St. Julien (Belgium), Ypres (Belgium)

British WW1 : La Grande Mine, Thiepval, Monument to first tank battles, Beaumont-Hamel battlefield, Ulster Tower, café with trenches in the back garden.

South Africa and New Zealand also have important memorials.

United States WW1 : American action in Bellau Wood, Argonne Forest, St. Mihiel, Montfaucon.

United States WW2 : D-Day landings and subsequent actions (Battles of Normandy), Omaha Beach, Utah Beach. German surrender (Reims in eastern France)

Canada WW2 : Juno Beach, Caen, Dieppe, Adegem (Belgium), Pont-Rémy (the 2 Bailey bridges constructed by Canadian engineers in September, 1944, are still standing).

IMPORTANT : If you do use a guide please ensure that your guide holds the appropriate guide’s licence, and if it’s a driver/guide, that the vehicle and driver are licenced and insured to to carry passengers. The gendarmes and transport ministry inspectors are increasingly vigilant in this respect. I’ll be happy to email mine on request.

World War I Guided Tours

Re-live the slaughter, the bravery, and the devotion to duty. How did the poppy became the symbol of their sacrifice in this bloody war? How did the war start, and why? In which respects was this a 19th Century war, and in which respects a 20th Century war? Find the answers with French Tours.

Frenchtours Ltd is the preferred tour operator for a variety of regimental associations, schools, and overseas travel agents wishing to organize a quality tour at a reasonable cost.

We can arrange a package for guide only, hotel only, rental car only or a combination of all three. Groups or individuals are catered for, whether it be a day trip or a week’s touring. We are happy to provide testimonials and references.

Cross no-man’s land at Beaumont-Hamel, walk the trenches at Vimy Ridge, listen to the moving ‘Last Post’ bugle call at Ypres, visit the armistice clearing where the ceasefire was on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 1918.

Whether you are from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, or the Indian sub-continent, there is a tailor made programme for you.

Some comments:

‘Best guide ever…..’ Sgt. Bill O’Kane, Retired Sgt, US Marine Corps ‘Your package was definitely the highlight.’ Frank G, Canada ‘Excellent tour of the WW1 Battlefields’ Nick W, UK

If you are looking for a guide to show you the best of the First World War sites, then please get in touch with Michael Smith at French Tours. He will be happy to answer any questions you have.

World War II Guided Tours

Learn the background of how Hitler came to power, and the subsequent subjugation of Europe under the jackboot. Hear about the ‘forgotten’ but crucial fronts; North Africa, Russia, Italy. Visit the Normandy Beaches, the sites of the D-Day Landings, for an unforgettable and moving experience: Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Point du Hoc with its massive shell craters, the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, the German guns and bunkers, still in place.

Visit a museum with unique wartime film footage taken by both sides of the conflict. Visit the Gold, Sword and Juno Beaches, to include Mulberry Harbour, Pegasus Bridge, as well as the beautiful Normandy countryside and villages.

Michael Smith has years of experience in guiding visitors around the key locations of the Second World War in France and the rest of Europe. Whether you are an individual or a small group he can tailor the tour towards your interests and background. Please contact Michael if you have any questions.

‘Our thanks to Michael Smith for being our guide and showing us his wealth of knowledge on the whole subject of Normandy’ European War Museum

Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars Tour

See where Napoleon trained as an officer in the army of King Louis XVI, then his rise to power with the revolutionary army. Learn about his campaigns, his marriages, his exile on Elba, his subsequent escape, and regrouping of his armies to confront his enemies at Waterloo.

After his defeat he was exiled to the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena, and we can see a reconstruction of his last home there. We can visit his tomb in Paris.

If you are interested in taking a tour which includes key sites which featured in Napolean Bonaparte’s life, then please contact Michael Smith who will be pleased to give you advice on an itinerary.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Our office is closed from Friday 22 December 2023 to Friday 05 January 2024. We reopen Monday 08 January 2024.

During this period, for any enquiries please email [email protected] and we will reply after the break.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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“We have no hesitation in giving you a 10/10, and highly recommend Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours. Adrienne & Graham Buttner Bombing of Darwin Anniversary Tour I really enjoyed the tour it was enjoyable, entertaining and informative, could not have asked for anything better. Jack Thomason Bombing of Darwin Anniversary Tour Amazing!  My sister and I visited the Western Front and experienced a one day private tour on the Ypres Salient and also a one day private tour on the Somme. As I go through my photographs of the 3 weeks we spent in Europe, it is these 2 days that I keep coming back to and would class as the highlight of the trip. The information provided was first class, the effort to locate some of our ancestors who did not make it home was very much appreciated and the whole experience was extremely moving.

I know that these 2 days will stay with me forever.

Absolutely incredible!

Erdem as guide, Roachie as our historian and Zafir as our fearless bus driver.

I would like to recommend highly the Western Front Battlefields Tour.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The whole experience was one I will remember.

The Tour Guide was very knowledgeable and approachable. The facilities were amazing.

I have been in complete awe of the service and experience from Mat McLachlan tours.

Not only was my family and I reassured about our safety from the moment we booked but we knew we were in safe hands the moment we started the tour.

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2024 Battlefield Tour

In the footsteps of titans: salonika and the great war, friday, sept. 13 – wednesday, sept. 18, 2024.

Venture into the crossroads of mythology and modernity with the National WWI Museum and Memorial as we explore the cultural and historical significance of the Salonika Front. From the dense forests and mountain landscapes of beautiful Greece, we will trace the forgotten trench lines of some of the war’s most remote battlefields and discover the global stories of this lesser-known theater rich in geopolitical importance as the “cradle of democracy.” The tour begins and ends in Thessaloniki (SKG) with five nights of lodging in the scenic Grecian countryside.

Please note:

This tour traverses rugged terrain and includes locations with steep and unpaved grounds. Unlike previous battlefield tours, much of this battlefield is inaccessible by vehicle. Participants MUST be able to walk a minimum of 6 miles without assistance and be able to carry their own equipment needed for hiking.

Planned Itinerary

Tour pricing, frequently asked questions.

Previous Tours

(May be subject to change)

Day 1: sept. 13.

Starting in Thessaloniki, the group’s first introduction to the campaign will be the Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, containing personnel from all nations. The group will travel north to study Birdcage Line, constructed by the British Army in 1916, and end the day at the Doiran Memorial.

Overnight Doiran – Dinner included

Day 2: Sept. 14

Northbound from Doiran, the group will explore the furthest extent of the French Army’s advance in 1915, passing through Gradsko and Krivolak. Stopping at the Demir Kapija tunnel on the way back to Doiran, the group will study the Dec. 1915 retreat before finishing the day at Lake Doiran.

Overnight Doiran – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 3: Sept. 15

Most of the day’s travels will be on flat ground and near the group’s hotel in Doiran, examining key points of action in the Battles of Doiran like La Tortue, Hill 340, the Hilt and the Petit Couronné.

Day 4: Sept. 16

A full day’s hike to Devil’s Eye and its views over Pip Ridge, the scene of the final decisive battle of Salonika in Sept. 1918. En route to the site, the group will pass through the Bulgarian reserve positions, artillery and command bunkers, as well as the T Line bunkers and an isolated British Divisional Memorial.

Day 5: Sept. 17

Trekking through the Struma Valley, the group will explore the various actions at Tumbitza Farm, specifically the 27th Division attacks, as well as the British battery positions at Triada (Dragos) and the Bulgarian positions at Palio Castro. For the final evening, the group will return to Thessaloniki.

Overnight Thessaloniki – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 6: Sept. 18

Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport for departures.

Questions?   Frequently Asked Questions

$500 deposit (per person) due by April 30, 2024

Account in full due by june 30, 2024, costs include:.

• Pick-up and drop-off at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
• Bus, driver and guides throughout tour
• 5 nights accommodation (includes all meals)
• Small group size

It does not include:

• Flights to and from Greece
• Incidentals

Travel Insurance

Traveler is responsible for securing their own optional travel insurance.

We encourage scheduling your arrival the day before the tour begins to avoid any risk of a delayed flight.

Ready to register?      Registration   

The British Memorial to the Missing near Lake Doiran.

Bulgarian artillery position between Grand Couronné and Pip Ridge.

Please note: Modifications may occur due to current global travel restrictions.

When and where will we meet the group?

All participants should meet at the designated meeting place and time, provided with your tour information. It is recommended to arrive in the destination city the day before the tour, giving you ample time to meet at the gathering place. Once you receive the green light to purchase your airfare, please forward your arrival time and flight number to the Museum and Memorial's Learning Coordinator at [email protected] . This will assist guides in roll call before starting the tour.

What sites will we be visiting?

Please see the itinerary sent by the guides. The itinerary is loose, allowing flexibility in visiting additional sites.

What hotels will we be staying in? What amenities are included?

Please see the itinerary sent by the guides. Breakfast, WiFi and laundry services are generally available.

How many meals are included with my registration?

Breakfasts and at least one group dinner are covered under your registration. Lunches and other dinners are not included, unless otherwise specified. Please notify us immediately if you have any special dietary requirements. For most destinations, lunches will be approximately €15-€20 and dinners approximately €35.

How will we travel between different sites/cities?

Participants will travel by coach (bus) between cities and will walk around most sites.

What amenities are included with the bus?

The bus will have A/C and heating, a refrigerator, a restroom and complimentary water.

What should I wear?

• Comfortable outdoor wear (e.g. T-shirts, jeans, shorts.) Avoid wearing clothing with large, loud logos.
• Sweater or lightweight fleece
• Appropriate footwear (e.g. walking shoes). A change of footwear is also advised.
• Waterproof outer layers (light jacket)
• Hat and sunscreen

What are essential items I need to pack?

• Medicine (in your carry on!)*
• Camera or phone
• Night clothes
• Socks and underwear
• Satchel/day pack
• Electricity adapters for destination countries
• Portable power bank (if you have one)
• Waterproof jacket (and trousers if you have them)
• Sturdy shoes
• Large plastic bag for worn clothes

* Note on medicine: should be kept in its original packing, and kept in your carry-on along with a copy of any doctor's prescription. Please consult with State Department travel information to ensure that your prescriptions are not prohibited in the destination countries. Most over-the-counter medicines can be obtained abroad, though they may have different names than those in the U.S. One of the guides, where possible, will accompany you to a pharmacy (widely available) to assist with replacements, if needed.

I am staying in Europe after the tour. Can I be dropped off at my hotel after the tour?

Unfortunately, due to the size and schedule of the coach, you will not be able to be dropped off at your hotel by bus. If you need assistance returning to your hotel:

• See if your hotel has a shuttle service—communicate when and where you’ll need to be picked up.
• If a shuttle is unavailable, the guides can assist you in finding a taxi.
• If you’d prefer to use public transportation, the guides can assist you in getting the correct ticket/line.

How safe will I be touring in the Battlefield Tour regions?

Battle Honours hosts nearly 60 tours yearly and has been in the battlefield touring business for 15 years—many of the guides are former military or police. They have thoroughly assessed any potential risks that may occur during the tour—you will not be visiting any areas that may compromise your safety. Security is both their specialty and priority—you will be in very capable hands. To secure your money and passport, we recommend investing in a wearable money belt/pouch.

How much spending money should I bring with me?

We recommend bringing at least €200 in local currency, but how much you bring is truly a personal preference. Please make sure to notify your banks that you will be out of the country if you plan on taking your debit/credit/bank cards.

• VISA is most readily accepted; American Express/Discover are not accepted at most places.
• Cards issued by a smaller, regional bank that don’t have backing from larger institutions will not likely be accepted.
• ATMs are accessible everywhere for cash withdrawal—withdrawal fees/exchange rates may apply.

How can I use my cellphone while abroad?

You will need to contact your service provider to arrange an international plan (plans vary by provider.) To avoid roaming charges, we recommend turning off apps needing WiFi data before departure. Set your phone to “Airplane Mode” before boarding your overseas flight.

I have an ancestor who fought in World War I in this particular region. Can I see the sites pertinent to their involvement?

Yes! The guides cater the tour itinerary to these requests. Send the name, rank, and any key military/occupational identification of your WWI ancestor to Clive Harris and Mike Sheil approximately two months before departure, to give ample time for research.

Can I bring my ancestor’s personal items (a diary, photographs or other memorabilia)?

Yes, please do! These really help bring your ancestor’s story come to life on the battlefield. Please let the guides know what items you’ll be bringing before packing them.

How much can I expect to walk during the tour?

Participants can expect to walk multiple miles each day across uneven, unpaved terrain. Please make sure you have comfortable, sturdy walking shoes. Battlefield maps will be provided by guides on-site and via email to the participants.

What is the climate of the region we’ll be visiting?

Generally, weather will be warm to mild, and potentially rainy. Feel free to pack a light jacket for the evening and a day pack that includes snacks as you travel off the beaten path.

Questions about mobility and accessibility, or any other questions? Contact [email protected] or 816.888.8153.

Serbian Mausoleum in Lembet Road Allied Military Cemetery.

British artillery position on La Tortue.

Considering taking your first tour? View journals from our past tours:

2023: The War in Champagne (Instagram stories)

2022: Verdun and Saint-Mihiel (YouTube playlist)

2019: Gallipoli

2018: Harry S. Truman and the A.E.F.

2018: A.E.F. Centennial Tour of France

2017: The Doughboys in France

2016: British, Italian and American sectors of the Italian battlefields

2015: Imperial German Army on the Western Front

About Clive Harris

Raised in Hertfordshire, Clive developed a lifelong fascination with history. He spent seven years with the Royal Corps of Signals, serving operationally overseas with the 1st Armoured Division in BAOR — an Infantry attachment with the Royal Green Jackets, in Cyprus, Germany and France — and finally taking an instructor’s post in the Signals Wing of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. On leaving the army he joined his local Constabulary, serving 11 years in their Force Operations Room as a specialist communications officer and control room manager. In 1998, he began working as a speaker, writer, researcher and battlefield guide and since then has guided groups to the Somme, Ypres, Arras, Mons, Cambrai, The Hindenburg Line, Verdun, and Gallipoli for the Great War, as well as Normandy, Arnhem, The Italian Campaign, and of course the London Blitz for the Second World War. Clive is a Badged Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides (No33) and also a member of the British Commission for Military History.

About Mike St Maur Sheil

Mike is the award-winning curator of Fields of Battle, Lands of Peace 1914-1918. After studying Geography at Oxford, in the early 1970s Mike began his career as a photojournalist covering “the Troubles” in Northern Ireland. Here he became associated with the New York picture agency, Black Star, and over thirty years later he is still in the fortunate position of being paid to do what he loves doing — taking photographs. Mike has visited over 60 countries around the world, working for a wide range of clients such as ABC-TV, BBC, Anti-Slavery International, British Red Cross, European Commission, National Geographic , The New York Times , Shell, Time and Time Life .

Images courtesy of Mike St Maur Sheil / Fields of Battle 1418

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"Rudy created a 1-week custom tour for my dad, uncle, brother and I to follow the path of my Grandpas division (2nd Infantry Division) in WWII. We have been researching and talking about going on this trip for over 5 years and Rudy made our dream trip come true and exceeded all expectations. Rudy has great knowledge of WWII and has detailed stories of what took place at each of the battle sites that we visited. Rudy was able to customize a tour for us to travel all over France to visit every battle my Grandpa's division fought and took us to other historic sites and museums. He created a tour that was a true honor to my Grandpa and all the heroes from WWII. Rudy will take care of all of your logistics once you arrive in France. He is the best tour guide I have experienced!"

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WWI Tour: War to End All Wars

There were many words that you could not stand to hear and finally only the names of places had dignity. Abstract words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow were obscene.

– Ernest Hemingway, Great American writer and WWI veteran

Our World War I: War to End All Wars Tour will explore the most significant sites along the old Western Front, seeing where history was made and discussing the Great War’s terrible consequences.

From 1914-1918 millions of men fought each other across a brutal 475-mile long “No Man’s Land,” that stretched from the North Sea to the Swiss border. When the guns finally fell silent, 10 million soldiers were dead, century’s old monarchies were overthrown, the map of the Middle-East was redrawn, the United States had become a world power, and an angry and embittered Corporal Adolf Hitler returned to Bavaria determined to avenge the humiliation of defeat and return Germany to greatness.

Chris Anderson leads our World War I Tour. He is a senior historian at Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours and has spent considerable time researching and studying the First World War. After college, he moved to the UK for a year to interview British veterans of the Great War. Later as assistant curator at the Historical Society of the Militia and National Guard, he was able to interview many surviving American Doughboys. As the former associate editor of MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History and WWII Magazine , he edited and wrote about all areas of American involvement in both WWI and WWII. You can read his full bio here .

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• Waterloo (Belgium):  Battle of Waterloo redrew the map of Europe
• Ypres/Salient Battlefields (Belgium): Site of some of the first clashes between the Germans and the British Expeditionary Forces
• Arras Battlefields (France): One of the bloodiest encounters of the war
• Cambrai (France):  Canadian National Memorial at Vimy Ridge; Trescault, one of the Western Front’s most incredible archaeological discoveries
• Battle of the Somme (France): Explore the battlefields of the darkest day in the history of the British Army
• The Meuse-Argonne (France): America's greatest offensive
• Verdun (France): America's first offensive
• Montfaucon (France): American Memorial, largest battle in American history; Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at Romagnes

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1   travel day.

Guests travel independently to Brussels, Belgium.

DAY 2   Brussels

Arrive in Brussels. First activity is an evening Welcome Reception and Dinner at the hotel. 

DAY 3   Ypres

A defining moment in European History, the June 18, 1815, Battle of Waterloo redrew the map of Europe and altered the balance of power on the Continent. In the Allied victory over the French, however, lay the seeds of a conflict far more terrible than anything Napoleon or Wellington could have imagined. After meeting in Brussels, we travel to the Wellington Museum, located in the “Iron Duke’s” former headquarters, to see its amazing collection of artifacts related to the battle and the commander of the Allied army. Our first stop on the battlefield will be the recently renovated museum and visitor’s center, the famous cyclorama painting of the battle and Lion’s Mound, then a tour of the battlefield itself. We continue to Ypres in the heart of the British sector.

DAY 4   Tour of Ypres/ Salient battlefields

In 1914 some of the first clashes between the Germans and the British Expeditionary Forces occurred around the town, which would remain a battlefield for the rest of the war. We begin with the Ypres Salient at Essex Farm Cemetery, where Canadian writer John MacRae wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields.” Then it’s on to Hooge to visit remains of trenches and sites associated with the very first battles fought around Ypres. Nearby Langemark was the site of the first use of gas on the Western Front as well as the German cemetery. We then tour sites around the Salient including the battlefields of Passchendaele and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 and its unsurpassed collection of uniforms, weapons and other artifacts. We also explore the huge British underground bunker complexes used by the British as well as preserved German and British trenches. We finish the day with the incredibly moving Last Post Ceremony, which honors the 250,000 soldiers of the British Empire who died in and around Ypres and have no known grave.

DAY 5  Tour of Arras battlefields

Begun by the British in April 1917, the Battle of Arras was intended to be a diversionary assault on a larger French offensive launched along the Chemin Des Dames further south. Events, however, meant that the battle grew in size and scope into one of the bloodiest encounters of the war. We view the remains of a German bunker used by Corporal Adolf Hitler while a runner in the Bavarian List Regiment. We continue on to Ploegsteert (Plugstreet to the British), where a young Winston S. Churchill commanded a battalion in 1915 and experienced horrors that would remain with him until he became prime minister at the start of World War II. From Ploegsteert we will stop outside the village of St. Yvon to see the spot where German and English soldiers ceased fighting to celebrate Christmas 1914 together. The Island of Ireland Peace Park and New Zealand memorial, with its preserved German bunkers, will be our next stop. Our first day in Arras will be at the Wellington Quarries Museum where the group will travel 70 feet underground to see the 12 miles of tunnels that 20,000 men called home.

DAY 6   Cambrai and the Birth of Modern Warfare

We exit Arras by the old Roman road at the heart of the battlefield. En route we will make stops at each of the three defensive lines that the Germans held in such strength in June 1917. Next we see the Canadian National Memorial at Vimy Ridge to visit the preserved battlefield and then go on a private tour of the trenches that Canadian engineers dug under the German lines prior to the battle. Trescault is next where November 20, 1917 nearly 400 British tanks on crashed through the German front line and drove toward Cambrai.

DAY 7   The Battle of the Somme: The British Army’s Darkest Day

The Battle of the Somme began July 1, 1916 and was the darkest day in the history of the British Army. Nearly 60,000 men would become casualties by sunset. For the next 141 days the soldiers of the British Empire hurled themselves against German positions along the Somme River. Our study of this five-month battle will begin at the Hawthorne Ridge Crater.   We then explore the preserved trenches at the Newfoundland Memorial Park before making our way to the Ulster Tower and Schwaben Redoubt. After seeing the spot of the furthest British advance on July 1st, we will go to the Thiepval Memorial, which lists the names of 72,104 men killed on the Somme who have no known grave. The group finishes at the Butte de Warlincourt where the terrible fighting along the Somme finally came to an end.

DAY 8   The Breaking of Armies and the Doughboys Enter the Fray

Leaving the British sector of the front, we visit the site of the airfield at Cappy where Manfred von Richtofen took off on his final flight. Moving on, we will enter the region of the Somme fought over by two untried American infantry divisions in 1918. We will follow the attack made by Doughboys from the 107th Infantry Regiment on September 29, 1918, as they broke through the “impenetrable” Hindenburg Line and suffered the highest casualties of any American Regiment on a single day of the war. Our day will conclude along the Chemin des Dames, the 25-mile long road where General Robert Nivelle launched the disastrous offensive that cost France 188,000 casualties and precipitated the mutinies of 1917. The group will tour the underground Caverne du Dragon where French and German soldiers fought a bitter underground war as well as the Point California where vestiges of some of the bitterest fighting along the Chemin Des Dames remain.

DAY 9   “Hell, We Just Got Here”

With Russia’s exit from the war, the Germans were able to move some 50 fresh divisions to the Western Front to make one last great effort to win the war before millions of American soldiers could enter the fray. Launched in the spring of 1918, “Operation Michael,” crashed through Allied positions all along the Western Front and soon the Kaisers soldiers were within 50 miles of Paris. Desperate, Ferdinand Foch pleaded with American Expeditionary Force commander John Pershing to release untried American troops to plug holes in the line. Pershing agreed and in a series of engagements at Chateau Thierry in May and Belleau Wood in June 1918 stopped the Germans once and for all. We begin the early American battlefields at Fere-en-Tardenois and AEF commander Pershing’s headquarters. Here he and future Army chief of staff George C. Marshall planned the great American offensives at St. Mihiel and the Meuse Argonne. Next is Pershing’s headquarters, where according to Douglas MacArthur, Doughboys, “stormed and captured the Croix Rouge Farm in a manner which for its gallantry I do not believe has been surpassed in military history.” We move on to the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery to pay our respects to the 6,012 men buried there and the grave of poet Joyce Kilmer, the author of the famous poems Trees and Rouge Bouquet. Our visit will take us to the bridges held by elements of the 3rd Infantry Division against incredible odds in May, the impressive American memorial that sits on the heights overlooking Chateau Thierry and then to Belleau Wood where, over the course of 25 immortal days, U.S. Marines fought a battle that is rightly remembered as one of the Corps finest hours.

DAY 10   The AEF on the Attack

Throughout the summer of 1918 American forces were part of the Allied effort to retake ground lost during Operation Michael. The Doughboys demonstrated that they were a competent and professional army ready to take on the best the Germans had. Next is the tiny village of Chamery where, on July 14, 1918, President Theodore Roosevelt’s son Quentin had his last dog fight. We conclude in the ancient city of Reims . Here in the the Champagne region, guests may have an opportunity to sample some of the products from celebrated local wineries.

DAY 11   Verdun

No visit to the Western Front would be complete without a visit to the fortress city of Verdun and the surrounding battlefields. During this nearly year-long battle, France would endure greater losses than America has in all of its wars since the American Revolution until Desert Storm. Our first stop is the recently refurbished Memorial de Verdun Museum. We continue to the ghost village of Fleury then include the Ossuary, which contains the remains of 130,000 unknown soldiers as well as the famous Trench of the Bayonet, where a protruding line of bayonets reminds us of the French soldiers still on duty. Lastly at Verdun is Fort Douamont, the most important of the 19 forts and site of some of the heaviest fighting in the 10-month long battle.

DAY 12   America’s First Offensive

Involving more than 1.2 million men, the Meuse Argonne offensive is the largest land battle in American history and where the war was finally won. German warlord Paul von Hindenburg remarked after the war, “that the British food blockade and the American blow in the Argonne Forrest decided the war for the Allies.” Despite this, most Americans know very little about this climactic 47-day battle. Our day begins at one of the largest sections of preserved trenches along the whole of the Western Front, the archaeological site at Massiges. Next we go to the Valley of Moreau, where a dedicated team of volunteers has preserved one of the large German rest areas used by the Germans in the Argonne. We discuss the battles fought near here by a young Erwin Rommel in 1918. At day’s end we stop at Essay to see where George S. Patton led American tanks into combat for the first time. 

DAY 13   Conquering Hell

Revisiting the American offensive of autumn 1918, we go to the steeply wooded valley outside of Apremont where the “Lost Battalion,” gained immortality for its epic six-day defense. We then go to Chatel Chéhéry where we walk in the very footsteps of Sergeant Alvin C. York, a former conscientious objector, who single handedly killed 20 Germans and captured 132 others. Our time in the Argonne concludes at the Musée de Romagne 14-18, a collection of artifacts discovered on the battlefields. Following lunch at the museum we will take a short driving tour, visiting sites associated with future president Harry S. Truman and George S. Patton.

DAY 14   When the Guns Fell Silent

We begin at the American Memorial at Montfaucon, explore the remains of the village destroyed in the fighting, and ascend to the top of the memorial. Guests will see the ground fought over during the largest battle in American history. From the memorial we go to the Meuse Argonne American Cemetery at Romagnes. The largest American cemetery in Europe, we will pay our respects to the 14,246 Americans buried there before heading to Paris. On the way we stop in the Forest of Compiegne, where we visit the clearing where, on November 11, 1918, the armistice that brought an end to the fighting was signed.

DAY 15   Transfer to Paris Airport

Morning transfer to Charles de Gaulle airport. Extra nights available at the group rate in both Brussells and Paris. Call us for more details.

• October 13 - 27, 2024
• October 3 - 17, 2025

Recommended Reading

• All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Tour Includes

• Full time professional American historian and logistical escort
• Educational road book full of maps and historical information
• 3 or 4 star hotels accommodations
• Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage (where available) and service charges
• Touring by private first class air-conditioned motor coach
• Breakfast daily, 11 Dinners and a Welcome Reception
• All entrance fees to museums and attractions
• Flights are not included in tour costs
• We are happy to help you book your flights
• If you purchase your own airline ticket, please know that Day 1 is the day that you fly, Day 2 is the day you arrive
• Before you purchase your airline tickets please call us to confirm the recommended time of arrival

Activity Level

Since we have always had Veterans traveling with us, there is nothing that is overly taxing.

• Hugh MacDonald Buchanan

TRIP COST $7,190

Prices are per person based on double occupancy. For a single room add $1,800.

Our Guests’ Reviews

There are 3 reviews for ' WWI Tour: War to End All Wars '. Add your review

Wow! This had to have been one of the best history tours I’ve taken with SAHT (sorry, Rick.) Chris Anderson and the SAHT gang made this a lesson in how and why wars are fought, and who was involved from many points of view. Absolutely amazing and emotionally charged since I got to see where my grandfather fought in France. Excellent crew from Chris A (with Hugh Buchanan) as historians, to Chris T. as manager, to our lovely bus driver. Highly recommended!

I have enjoyed many tours and this may be my favorite. Absolutely amazing and emotional. Too many highlights to mention. Tour historian Chris Anderson, and the entire team, was beyond excellent.

Highly recommended!

I enjoyed a terrific tour of the WWI battlefields in Belgium & France last fall with historian Chris Anderson! It was the 100th anniversary of the US entering the war and it was an amazing 2-wk trip that began in Brussels then on to the Battle of Waterloo that re-drew the map of Europe in the early 19th century and set the stage for events leading up to WWI. My good friend and travel companion, Jim Hutson convinced me to go and I’m so glad that I did. Highly recommended!

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• Mémorial des martyrs de la Déportation
• Memorial of the Shoah

• See iconic sites around the city through the lens of the defiant French Resistance, diving into hidden stories of everyday life under Nazi control and the heroes of the Resistance.
• Explore the liberation of Paris, its complex aftermath, and how the city grappled with the shadows of its wartime past.
• Begin in the heart of Saint Germain de Prés , a critical location for both the Nazi occupiers and the Résistance. Did you know this neighborhood was home to the secret headquarters of the Defense de France newspaper? 
• Look upon the very hotel where the Gestapo operated, imagining the details of unspoken betrayals hidden in its walls. Next, summon a little defiance and follow the very footsteps of Jean Moulin, leader of the Resistance. Here, your guide will reveal details about the secret meeting places that ignited hope in the city's darkest hour.
• Step into the opulent Jardin du Luxembourg that served as the headquarters for the Luftwaffe, or head directly north to the entertainment quarter for Nazi occupiers. Close by, you’ll stand where French communist resistors famously rioted against rationing in 1942. 
• Stop at Saint-Michel, a site captured for eternity in Doisneau's photo of defiant barricades. Steps away, literary lovers can stop into a beloved bookstore that previously served as Samuel Beckett's refuge from the Gestapo’s hunt. 
• Across the Seine, the stark Deportation Memorial chills . Pause at the school where 260 children vanished in the Vel d'Hiv raid. Time may offer a space for reflection at the Shoah Memorial.

• You want to walk in the steps of historic individuals who made a difference in the trajectory of Paris’ liberation from Nazi occupation.
• It’s important to you to devote time to remembering the six million Jewish victims and thousands of non-Jewish victims of Nazi oppression, thousands of who lived in Paris during WWII.
• You’d like to visit iconic Parisian destinations while also understanding the histories behind each.
• You want to feel the resilience of the Parisian spirit, a thread that weaves quietly through life in Paris today. 
• The Paris Left Bank is a vibrant cultural and artistic hub on the southern side of the Seine River, famous for its historic landmarks, intellectual history, and bohemian atmosphere.
• The Paris Right Bank is the northern part of the city, home to iconic attractions like the Louvre Museum, Champs-Élysées, and upscale neighborhoods, offering a blend of historic and modern experiences.
• The Memorial de la Shoah is a poignant and solemn museum and memorial in Paris dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust, honoring the victims and educating visitors about the atrocities of World War II.
• The Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation is a moving monument in Paris, situated on the Île de la Cité, commemorating the French victims of deportation during World War II, serving as a symbol of remembrance and reflection.
• There will be a break in the tour to stop and use bathroom facilities as well as opportunities to stop and rest along the way if needed. 
• Please communicate any particular needs or concerns with your guide throughout your tour.
• We do cover extensive walking territory on this tour. If you have mobility problems or concerns, please contact us so we can best advise if this tour will be appropriate for you. 
• If you are looking to learn more about Paris prior to your visit, check out our Online Lectures and Audio Guides . 

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

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16-day World War II Memorial Tour of Europe

NORMANDY, FRANCE

The Higgins boat monument at Utah Beach

Colleville-sur-mer, france.

The American Cemetery near Omaha Beach honors over 9000 fallen soldiers

Paris, france.

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the end of the famous Champs-Élysées Avenue

Amsterdam, the netherlands.

Quaint row houses line the canals of this influential city

Antwerp, belgium.

The main city square is lined with 16th-century Flemish Guildhouses

Dachau, germany.

The memorial at Dachau Concentration Camp was designed by Holocaust survivor Nandor Glid

Munich, germany.

Get a taste of Oktoberfest all year round at the Hofbräuhaus beer hall

Caen, france.

The Caen Peace Memorial & Museum

Nuremberg, germany.

The colossal Congress Hall was built to seat the Nazi Party congress

Rhine river, germany.

This legendary waterway is lined with castle ruins, vineyards, and romantic villages

Pricing disclaimer.

  16-day tour featuring Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland and France. Revisit the dramatic history of World War II at famous battle sites, war museums and memorials. Many scenic and cultural highlights are also included, providing an enjoyable combination of learning and leisure.

Tour Year 2024

Tour itinerary.

DAY 1 - Overnight flight to Europe.

The Trip Documents will provide guidance for airport check-in and for your arrival in Europe. Relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.

DAY 2 - GERMANY . . Arrival at Frankfurt Airport – Bavaria.

Upon arrival, clear passport control and collect your luggage. Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” in the Trip Documents for directions on where and when to meet your tour manager. Settle into your comfortable motor coach on the way to your hotel in the scenic and festive state of Bavaria. Get acquainted with your fellow tour members during the “Welcome to Europe” dinner. (Dinner)

DAY 3 - GERMANY . . Nuremberg - Bavaria.

Your bus transfer into the city center introduces you to the history of Nuremberg. Hitler staged his propaganda rallies here and, after his fall, it was chosen as the location for the War Trials. You will have an opportunity to see the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Congress Hall, and Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Consider the causes and consequences of Nazi Germany during a visit to the Documentation Center (visit the temporary exhibit during the 2023 renovations).  Discover the Old Town’s half-timbered buildings and gingerbread shops before returning to your Bavaria hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 - GERMANY . . Dachau - Munich - Tyrolean Village.

Travel to Dachau for a somber visit to the Concentration Camp Memorial. At the entrance, you are prompted to reflect on the incomprehensible as your tour manager translates the German phrase on the iron gate: ARBEIT MACHT FREI (Work Makes One Free). Study the exhibit recounting the “path of the prisoners” and see the site of the former barracks. Your tour continues to Munich, the elegant capital of Bavaria. Pass points of interest, such as the Hitler Building, on your way to the Marienplatz, a pedestrian-only zone where historic buildings are cleverly interspersed with modern store fronts. The centerpiece of the square is the Rathaus (Town Hall) with its captivating Glockenspiel (clock tower). Following your visit to Munich, head south into the mountain range along the German/Austrian border, where you will spend the next two nights in a Tyrolean Village. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5 - GERMANY/AUSTRIA . . Tyrolean Village.

Enjoy a relaxing day in the surroundings of your hotel. Your Alpine Village offers a variety of options for leisure activities amid the spectacular mountain scenery. Another choice is to join the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle’s Nest with Dinner  excursion (see Optional Excursions), which includes a guided visit to the Kehlsteinhaus, Hitler’s mountain hideaway, followed by an afternoon in Salzburg, known as Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Spend a second night at your peaceful Tyrolean Village hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 6 - GERMANY . . Ulm – Bad Herrenalb.

After breakfast, travel to Ulm to view the imposing Ulm Minster with the tallest church steeple in the world. This afternoon, make a stop at the grave of Erwin Rommel, the German general who was forced to commit suicide when Hitler suspected him of treason. End the day with a buffet dinner at your hotel in Bad Herrenalb, on the northern edge of Germany’s Black Forest. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7 - FRANCE . . St. Avold – Fort Hackenberg & GERMANY . . Trier.

Follow a scenic route through the Alsace Region and the Vosges Mountains. This area was the site of heavy fighting in the fall of 1944. You will make a stop at Lorraine’s American Cemetery in St. Avold, the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. The afternoon is reserved for a tour of Fort Hackenberg, part of the Maginot Line, which was constructed between the world wars as a defense against any future German invasions. Your hotel for the next two nights will be in Trier, the oldest city in Germany, located near the three-country border of France, Luxembourg and Germany. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 - LUXEMBOURG . . American Cemetery - Diekirch, BELGIUM . . Ardennes – Bastogne & GERMANY . . Trier.

The morning stop is at the American Cemetery in Luxembourg where General George Patton is buried. Continue into the Belgian Ardennes Region and arrive in Bastogne to view the star-shaped Mardasson Monument, a tribute to the soldiers who died in the Battle of Ardennes. You will also see the fox holes used by Easy Company, whose stories inspired the TV mini-series “Band of Brothers.” Your travels this afternoon take you to the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History in Diekirch. Trier's famous Porta Nigra provides an intriguing backdrop for your independent dinner before returning to your hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 9 - GERMANY . . Rhine River – Remagen – Rhine-Ruhr Region.

Motor to one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine River where you will board a river steamer for a boat ride past endearing villages, medieval fortresses, and hillside vineyards known for producing the distinctive Rhine wines. Continue through the Rhine River Valley to Remagen to view the remains of the Ludendorff Bridge, the last standing bridge on the Rhine, which was captured by U.S. soldiers on March 7, 1945. By mid-afternoon, continue to your Rhine-Ruhr region hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 10 - HOLLAND . . Groesbeek – Nijmegen – South Holland.

Crossing the border, focus on sites significant to World War II liberation efforts in The Netherlands (Holland), including locations associated with Operation Market Garden. The bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen was a strategic asset reclaimed after the historical crossing of American paratroopers. Travel Hell’s Highway and stop at the memorial in Overasselt, commemorating the site of the largest airborne operation of all time. This day will also feature a visit to one of the local museums documenting the World War II resistance in The Netherlands. Continue to your South Holland hotel for check-in and dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11 - HOLLAND . . Amsterdam – South Holland.

Travel through Holland's countryside, characterized by canals, dikes and windmills, as you make your way to the dynamic city of Amsterdam. Your visit begins with a ride aboard a glass-topped boat through Amsterdam’s harbor and canals where you will see numerous bridges, boathouses and bicycles while gliding past 17th-century gabled houses. During an independent lunch, try a pannekoek (Dutch pancake) or other local specialties. This afternoon, walk to the main square, an ideal focal point for your individual exploration. Return to your South Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 12 - BELGIUM . . Antwerp & FRANCE . . Caen.

Today consists of a full day of travel from Holland to Caen, France, with a stop in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. Explore the central market square with its irresistible chocolate shops and convivial outdoor cafés serving Belgian Waffles. Continue the drive into France for an early evening check-in at your Caen hotel where dinner is served shortly after your arrival. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 13 - FRANCE . . Normandy Landing Beaches – Caen.

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches. From Caen, drive to the coast and stop at Pointe du Hoc to view the German fortifications. You’ll also travel to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église, the site where paratroopers landed during World War II as portrayed in the movie “The Longest Day.” Visit Sainte-Mère-Église Airborne Museum before continuing to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Proceed to the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. At today’s final stop in the village of Arromanches, view remnants of the artificial harbor and reflect on the sights of the day over an independent dinner. (Breakfast)

DAY 14 - FRANCE . . Caen – Paris.

Spend the morning touring the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum, established to honor the liberators, victims, and all those who continue to fight for peace. As you depart Caen, pause at the Pegasus Bridge to understand how its capture by the British 6th Airborne division was instrumental in deterring a German counterattack. Arrive in Paris by early evening and join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” of enticing French dishes at an authentic Parisian bistro with roving musicians. The return transfer provides additional impressions of the city at dusk. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 15 - FRANCE . . Paris.

The day is devoted to Paris, La Ville Lumìere ("City of Light"). On your way into the center, see the Arc de Triomphe which has been the staging area for victory parades throughout history including those following World War II. Your tour manager will also direct you to the location of other principal sights, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum (open every day except Tuesday). Before beginning your free time, we suggest joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion (see Optional Excursions). Spend the evening exploring the Montmartre District, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings and artists still display their works. An uphill walk to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica rewards you with expansive views of the cityscape. Montmartre boasts excellent restaurants and characteristic sidewalk cafés perfect for an independent dinner in the French capital. (Breakfast)

DAY 16 - Daytime flight back to U.S.A.

Transfer to the Paris Airport for your return flight home. (Breakfast)

Travel Time

Overnight flight from the U.S.A. to Frankfurt.

Arrival at Frankfurt Airport . Meet your tour manager, board your deluxe motor coach and travel (1¾ hrs) through the Franconian Wine Region . After a rest stop, continue (1½ hrs) to your hotel located in the festive state of Bavaria for a "Welcome to Europe" dinner. ( Dinner )

During an introductory sightseeing (1 hr), experience the history of Nuremberg and view the site of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the Congress Hall, and the Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Return (½ hr) to your hotel in Bavaria  for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 4 - GERMANY . . Dachau - Munich - Alpine Village.

Depart Nuremburg (1¼ hrs) and after a morning stop travel (1¼ hrs) to Dachau Concentration Camp . In the afternoon continue (½ hr) to the elegant Bavarian capital of Munich . Depart Munich in the late afternoon and head south (2 hrs) to an Alpine Village hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5 - GERMANY/AUSTRIA . . Alpine Village.

Enjoy a day of leisure or join your tour manager for the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle's Nest with Dinner  excursion, including a guided visit to Hitler's mountain hide-a-way (1 hr), sightseeing in Salzburg (½ hr) and an authentic Austrian dinner (1 hr) before returning (1 hr) to your Alpine Village hotel. (Breakfast)

Return to Germany (2 hrs) and after a morning stop proceed (1½ hrs) to Ulm for an independent lunch and views of the imposing Ulm Minster. Next, travel (1 hr) to the Rommel Memorial. Continue (2¼ hrs) to Bad Herrenalb , on the northern edge of Germany's Black Forest. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 7 - FRANCE . . St. Avold – Fort Hackenberg & GERMANY . . Igel.

Follow a scenic route (1¾ hrs) through the Alsace Region and Vosges Mountains. On to (1 hr) Lorraine's American Cemetery, the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. From here continue (1 hr) to Fort Hackenberg , part of the Maginot Line. After a visit, continue (1½ hrs) to your hotel in Igel . (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 8 - LUXEMBOURG . . American Cemetery - Diekirch, BELGIUM . . Ardennes – Bastogne & GERMANY . . Trier – Igel.

It's a short ride (¾ hr) to the American Cemetery in Luxembourg . Drive (1½ hrs) through the Belgian Ardennes Region and arrive in Bastogne . In the afternoon travel (¾ hr) to the Luxembourg National Museum of Military History in Diekirch . Transfer (1 hr) to Trier , the oldest city in Germany, for an independent dinner before returning (¼ hr) to your hotel in Igel . (Breakfast)

In the morning, travel (2 hrs) to the legendary Rhine for a boat ride along one of the most beautiful stretches of the river. After disembarkation, proceed to Remagen (1 hr) to view the Ludendorff Bridge. Continue (1¼ hrs) to your hotel in the Rhine-Ruhr Region . (Breakfast, Dinner)

Cross the border (2¼ hrs) on the way to Nijmegen to focus on the sites significant to WWII liberation efforts in the Netherlands. Visit (½ hr) one of the local museums before traveling (1½ hrs) through the Dutch countryside to your South Holland hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Transfer (1½ hrs) to Amsterdam where a boat ride through the canals is followed by ample free time. In the evening, return (1½ hrs) to your South Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

A full day of travel. Head south (1¾ hrs) into Belgium to visit the historic town of Antwerp . After free time in Antwerp, drive (2 hrs) to a lunch break near the French/Belgian border. Continue (2¼ hrs) to an afternoon stop in northwestern France. Just before dinner time, arrive (2 hrs) at your hotel in Caen . (Breakfast, Dinner)

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches , including a visit to Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, Sainte-Mère-Église Airborne Museum and stops at Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer and Arromanches (travel time between stops varies from ¼ hr to ¾ hr). Short transfer (½ hr) back to Caen . (Breakfast)

Transfer (¼ hr) to the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum for a visit and then continue (½ hr) onto the Pegasus Bridge. Stop for lunch (1¾ hrs) in the French countryside on the way (1¾ hrs) to Paris . Spend the evening in the Montmartre District, an ideal place for your independent dinner (¼ hr). (Breakfast)

A full day for individual exploration (¾ hr transfer in each direction) of Paris , during which you may wish to join the optional Seine River Cruise excursion. This evening, join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” at an authentic Parisian bistro. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Transfer (1 hr) to Paris Charles de Gualle Airport for your flight home. (Breakfast)

Favorite Traveler Experiences

•   View Hitler’s Nuremberg Rally Grounds with solemn contemplation
•   Examine the eye-opening exhibits at Dachau Concentration Camp
•   Listen to the chiming of the Glockenspiel on Munich’s main square
•   Tour part of the Maginot Line defense structure at Fort Hackenberg
•   Explore Bastogne, synonymous with the “Battle of the Bulge”
•   Glide past castles and vineyards on a scenic Rhine River boat ride
•   See first hand the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe in Paris
•   Take a serene boat tour through the famed canals of Amsterdam
•   Tour the Normandy Landing Beaches and Military Cemetery
•   Accommodations in Superior Tourist Class or First Class hotels
•   14 Breakfasts and 10 Dinners in addition to any in-flight meals
•   Tour Manager for the full European duration of the tour
•   Land Transportation in Europe by deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach
•   Image Tours Touroclopedia® trip preparation tips
•   Trip Documents with luggage tags, final details and travel guidance

Traveler Reviews

Kenneth & tammie j., andrew & jean b., paul & tammy k..

The Availability, Departure Dates, and Rates are for illustration and planning purposes only. Since final pricing and single availability can only be confirmed with a travel agent, steps 4 & 5 of this on-line booking module is reserved for your travel agent only. (Please Call) indicates that we still have some tour availability; however, you should have your travel agent call our office to confirm air availability.

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Upcoming departures, may 08, 2024, may 23, 2024, $4,940 p.p.d.o., jun 12, 2024, jun 27, 2024, sep 04, 2024, sep 19, 2024, almost sold out, sep 11, 2024, sep 26, 2024, may 07, 2025, may 22, 2025, $4,990 p.p.d.o., jun 11, 2025, jun 26, 2025, sep 03, 2025, sep 18, 2025, oct 01, 2025, oct 16, 2025, tour hotels.

NH Collection Nürnberg City

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• Satellite TV
• In-Room-Safe

Seminaris Hotel Nuremberg

• satellite TV
• in-room safe
• fitness center

Landhotel Kirchenwirt

• wellness area

Parkhotel Luise Bad Herrenalb

• indoor swimming pool
• safety deposit box at reception

Vienna House Easy Trier

NH Hotel Capelle

• air conditioning
• in room safe

Van der Valk hotel Ridderkerk

Mercure Caen Côte de Nacre

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Holiday Inn Express - Canal de la Villette

• internet center

Optional Excursions

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS DETAILS

Our tours are carefully planned to offer a comfortable balance of sightseeing, entertainment and leisure time. Optional Excursions provide the flexibility to choose between leisure time or additional guided sightseeing activities. Unless otherwise noted, optional excursions must be booked with and paid to your tour manager during the tour. Prices are in U.S. Dollars. MASTERCARD®, VISA®, or DISCOVER® (no other credit cards are accepted) are recommended to avoid carrying excessive cash and exchange rate fluctuations. You must be able to present the actual card to your tour manager. If you bring a DISCOVER® card, also bring a VISA® or MASTERCARD®, as DISCOVER® is not widely accepted in Europe. Cash payments during the tour must be in Euros. Personal checks and traveler’s checks are not accepted. The operation of all excursions is subject to sufficient participation, and some excursions are subject to favorable weather conditions. Your tour manager reserves the right to make changes or cancel excursions at their sole discretion.

SALZBURG & EAGLE'S NEST WITH DINNER

Upon arrival in Berchtesgaden, Germany, you will take a bus and elevator up to the Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountain hide-away. In the case of halted bus operation, we will substitute a visit to the Obersalzburg Documentation Center. After an independent lunch, become acquainted with nearby Salzburg, famous home of the “Sound of Music” and Mozart. This excursion includes a traditional Austrian dinner at an alpine village restaurant.

SEINE RIVER CRUISE

Glide along the Seine River by boat, while viewing the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and several other impressive sights in Paris. This excursion provides for excellent photo opportunities.

Tour Extensions

Paris post-tour extension, paris and london post-tour 3-night extension, tour year 2025.

Today begins your World War II Memorial Tour of Europe adventure. The Image Tours "Departure Instructions" will provide guidance for airport check-in. Relax on your transatlantic flight with the assurance that Image Tours has taken care of all the details.

Refer to the “Arrival Instructions” for directions on where and when to meet your Tour Manager. Settle into your comfortable motor coach on the way to your hotel in the scenic and festive state of Bavaria. Get acquainted with your fellow tour members during the “Welcome to Europe” dinner. (Dinner)

Your bus transfer into the city center introduces you to the history of Nuremberg. Hitler staged his propaganda rallies here and, after his fall, it was chosen as the location for the War Trials. You will have an opportunity to see the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Congress Hall, and Palace of Justice where the War Trials were held. Consider the causes and consequences of Nazi Germany during a visit to the Documentation Center.  Discover the Old Town’s half-timbered buildings and gingerbread shops before returning to your Bavaria hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Enjoy a relaxing day in the surroundings of your Tyrolean Village hotel, which offers a variety of options for leisure activities amid the spectacular alpine scenery. Another choice is to join the full day optional Salzburg & Eagle’s Nest with Dinner  excursion (see Optional Excursions), which includes a guided visit to the Kehlsteinhaus, Hitler’s mountain hideaway, followed by an afternoon in Salzburg, known as Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Spend a second night at your peaceful Tyrolean Village hotel. (Breakfast)

DAY 10 - THE NETHERLANDS. . Groesbeek – Nijmegen – South Holland.

Crossing the border, focus on sites significant to World War II liberation efforts in The Netherlands (Holland), including locations associated with Operation Market Garden. The bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen was a strategic asset reclaimed after the historical crossing of American paratroopers. Travel Hell’s Highway and stop at the memorial in Overasselt, commemorating the site of the largest airborne operation of all time. This day will also feature a visit to one of the local museums documenting the World War II resistance in The Netherlands. Continue to your, in the region of South Holland, for check-in and dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 11 - THE NETHERLANDS. . Amsterdam – South Holland.

Travel through Holland's countryside, characterized by canals, dikes and windmills, as you make your way to the dynamic city of Amsterdam. Your visit includes a ride aboard a glass-topped boat through Amsterdam’s harbor and canals where you will see numerous bridges, boathouses and bicycles while gliding past 17th-century gabled houses. During an independent lunch, try a pannekoek (Dutch pancake) or other local specialties. This afternoon, walk to the main square, an ideal focal point for your individual exploration. Return to your South Holland hotel for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today consists of a full day of travel from The Netherlands to Caen, France, with a stop in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. Explore the central market square with its irresistible chocolate shops and convivial outdoor cafés serving Belgian Waffles. Continue the drive into France for an early evening check-in at your Caen hotel where dinner is served shortly after your arrival. (Breakfast, Dinner)

The entire day is spent touring the famous Normandy Landing Beaches. From Caen, drive to the coast and stop at Pointe du Hoc to view the German fortifications. You’ll also travel to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église: the site where paratroopers landed during World War II as portrayed in the movie “The Longest Day.” Continue to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Proceed to the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer. At today’s final stop in the village of Arromanches, view remnants of the artificial harbor and reflect on the sights of the day over an independent dinner. (Breakfast)

Spend the morning touring the Caen Peace Memorial and Museum, established to honor the liberators, victims, and all those who continue to fight for peace. As you depart Caen, pause at the Pegasus Bridge to understand how its capture by the British 6th Airborne division was instrumental in deterring a German counterattack. Arrive in Paris by early evening and join your travel companions for a festive “Farewell Dinner” of enticing French dishes at an authentic Parisian bistro with roving musicians. The return transfer provides impressions of the city at dusk. (Breakfast, Dinner)

The day is devoted to Paris, La Ville Lumìere ("City of Light"). On your way into the center, see the Arc de Triomphe which has been the staging area for victory parades throughout history, including those following World War II. Your tour manager will also direct you to the location of other principal sights, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Louvre Museum (open every day except Tuesday). Before beginning your free time, we suggest joining the optional Seine River Cruise excursion (see Optional Excursions). Spend the evening exploring the Montmartre District, where Paris looks as it does in old paintings and artists still display their works. An uphill walk to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica rewards you with expansive views of the cityscape. Montmartre boasts excellent restaurants and characteristic sidewalk cafés perfect for an independent dinner in the French capital. (Breakfast)

16-day World War II Memorial Tour of Europe Map

• Trip Advisor

Utah Beach C.S Frères - CRT Normandy

World War II History Tour

If you are interested in WWII history and/or have a family member who fought in the Battle of Normandy, this tour is just for you.

We can plan a general itinerary based on what we think you would be most interested in, or you can tell us. For example, North Americans may like to visit the American and Canadian beaches of Omaha , Utah and Juno , and the American and Canadian war cemeteries.

If you have a family connection, we will plan an itinerary that follows the route your family member took with their battalion during the Battle of Normandy.

WWII Family History Tour

What is truly unique about this tour is that if you have an ancestor who fought in the war , we can carry out some research on your behalf and plan a tour of the exact places they would have been during their time in Normandy .

These soldiers played a crucial role in the liberation of France, so it is an immense honor for us to help travelers walk in their ancestors’ footsteps. We charge no extra fee for personalizing the tour in this way.

Just tell us everything you can about your ancestor, and we will take care of the research and the planning.  

Wherever possible we prefer to travel on our own as opposed to going on a tour package. With France - Just For You, they arranged for a vehicle and booked us into a couple of …

Wherever possible we prefer to travel on our own as opposed to going on a tour package. With France - Just For You, they arranged for a vehicle and booked us into a couple of lovely B&B’s and a great Boutique Hotel in Paris and booked a couple of activities that we were interested in. Besides that, they put together a book for us with everything we would need for a safe and hassle free trip. This included general information about France, common French phrases, suggested daily itineraries, recommended restaurants, etc, etc. It was a wonderful holiday with the flexibility to see and do what you wanted at your own pace. I would not hesitate to recommend France - Just For You. Truly amazing!

Your accommodations

Step by step

Private tour of the wwii battle sites and places of interest.

Our preferred private guides in Normandy know the region very well and are experts in WWII history.  One day is normally enough to visit the landing beaches.

Then you’ll need a day to visit the places of interest that are further inland, and a day for Bayeux and Caen (key cities in the region).

We also include a day in Paris so that you can enjoy a walking tour of key places in the city during the Liberation of Paris and a visit to the war museum. This tour gives travelers an excellent overview of the great military operation of Operation Overlord.

Day 1: Bayeux - Caen area

• From Paris or a Paris airport, we will organize the car rental pick up at the most convenient location.
• You will begin your tour in the lovely town of Bayeux , which was not damaged by the WWII bombing. You will visit the Battle of Normandy Museum to gain some insight into the events of the war and learn about the places you will be visiting on your private tour.
• Your Bayeux itinerary will include a self-guided walking tour through the town so you will learn more about what happened during the liberation of Bayeux. We’ll also recommend some very nice shops and restaurants. Even if not part of the WWII history, you will also enjoy visiting Bayeux Cathedral and famous Tapestry. 
• In the afternoon, you will visit Caen, a city that suffered serious damage during the bombing of WWII. You will see the Caen Memorial and experience the 360° movie theater, where you will feel how it was to be in Caen during the bombing.

Accommodation near Bayeux

• Your  fi rst B&B for 3 nig hts is  a peaceful countryside house, conveniently loc ated between Bayeux's old town and the Landing Beaches .  From here, you are within reach of all   the D-Day sites   and museums: between Sainte Mère Eglise and Ouistreham, Isigny, Pointe du Hoc, the   artificial port of   Arromanches or the Caen Memorial.  

Day 2: Landing Beaches & War Cemeteries

• The second day will be entirely on the Landing beaches of Normandy . 
• Your expert private guide will meet you at your accommodation, and together you will drive to the Normandy landings beaches. If we have researched your WWII family history, this is where the most personalized part of your tour begins. If not, you will visit beaches where your nation’s troops landed, or those that are of greatest interest to you.
• On the family history tour, you will travel to the beach where your relative landed with his battalion on June 6 th 1944 (or later) – Gold Beach, Sword Beach, Utah Beach or Omaha Beach. Your guide will explain everything you see, leaving you with a clear understanding of exactly what happened on the day of the Allied operation.
• You will also visit Arromanches-sur-Mer, where there is another 360° circular movie theater located on the remains of one of the two artificial Mulberry harbors set up by the Allies during the war. This short movie shows footage from around the world telling the story of the 100-day Battle of Normandy, and is a very moving experience.
• After the beaches, you’ll visit the military cemeteries , either to visit a relative’s grave if he died in battle, or to see where those who gave their lives now rest.

There will also be time to visit other places of interest along the coast. For example, Dieppe in Upper Normandy will be of particular interest to Canadian travellers due to the failed landing there, during which many Canadian troops lost their lives. Many soldiers were buried in the military cemeteries in Dieppe and Rouen. As some of these places are a few hours’ drive from the main landings beaches, we may suggest adding an extra day to your itinerary. This way you can enjoy visiting each place as a comfortable pace. 

Day 3: Battle of Normandy - inland

• The third day takes you inland to follow the progession of the Allied forces. You will following the route that your ancestor or a selected battalion took following their entry via the beaches of Normandy.
• If you are exploring your own family history, we will prepare an itinerary that includes visits to places your relative would have passed through, such as the Pegasus Bridge or the town of Sainte-Mère-Église, which was taken during the first days of the Allied invasion. Your ancestor might have told you some stories about places they remembered from their time in Normandy, such as farms or manors where they stayed with their battalions . In this case, we will also try to include these in your itinerary.
• Many of the buildings in these rural villages have changed very little since the war. You will move on to inland areas that were in key strategic positions as the Allied troops continued to push the German forces back. These may include Saint-Lô , where American bombardments destroyed 95% of the town during the Battle of Normandy, or Falaise , where two thirds of the town was destroyed, 10,000 German soldiers were killed and 50,000 taken as prisoners of war as the town was taken by Canadian and Polish troops in August 1944.

Last Day in Paris 

• Y ou will finish your WWII history tour in Paris, which was liberated from the German occupiers on 25 August 1944. We include a privately guided walking tour for a half-day in Paris.
• This will include a walk along the Champs-Élysées avenue from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, following in the footsteps of the French 2nd Armored Division during their victory parade on 26 August 1944.
• You will then visit the Musée de l'Armée - Invalides, which has an interesting section about World War II. This concludes your WWII history tour of France.
• Spend you last night  in a  charming 4* boutique-hotel in the Latin Quarter , by the Luxembourg gardens & Sorbonne university, perfectly located to discover the French capital city.

This tour can also be incorporated into any of our itineraries that include Normandy and Northern France.

Activities included

Private Guide on the WWII sites

Spend a full day with a private guide who will customize the itinerary to your wishes and interests. A must do to better understand what happened on D-Day. 

Paris Liberation Private Tour

For a half-day, follow a private guide in the heart of Paris to learn about how the city was liberated in August 1944. From the Arc de Triomphe to the Army Museum, follow on the footsteps of the 2nd Armored Division.

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Explore the French regions

Alexandre Lamoureux - CRT Bretagne

Riquewihr lovely town M.Schampion - CDT Alsace

Lille Main Square Laurent Ghesquière - OTCL Lille

Lille & North

Lyon along the Saône river T.Deschamps - OT Lyon

Amiens Cathedral Somme Tourisme - F. Leonardi

Verzenay Champagne vineyards E.Vidal - ADT Marne

The Meuse river in Verdun Verdun Tourisme

French Basque Country Sceneries CDT Pays Basque

Basque Country

Tours of Carcassonne - fortress ADT Aude

Carcassonne

Half Timbered Farms in the Normandy Hinterland - Normandy Tours Calvados Tourisme

Dentelles - 7 days in Provence - Provence tours Alain Hocquel - CDT Vaucluse

tours of Dordogne region Dordogne Valley

Visit Chateau de l'Islette - Loire Valley driving tours Chateau de l'Islette

Loire Valley

Paris tours Paris Tourism Office - Amélie Dupont

Le Miroir d'eau - self drive tours Bordeaux France - Bordeaux tours Christophe Bouthé - OT Bordeaux

Burgundy wines Alain Doiré

Eze perched village France Just For You

French Riviera

Our travelers’ reviews.

This was a perfect holiday put together so personally for us by Emilie of France Just For You. Every B&B was exceptional with charming hosts. Our personalised tour book was excellent and everywhere that was suggested we visit never disappointed. We travelled through Burgundy, Loire Valley and Normandy over 17 days. So many highlights,two in …

This was a perfect holiday put together so personally for us by Emilie of France Just For You. Every B&B was exceptional with charming hosts. Our personalised tour book was excellent and everywhere that was suggested we visit never disappointed. We travelled through Burgundy, Loire Valley and Normandy over 17 days. So many highlights,two in particular were Mont St Michel with our own tour guide and the British landing sights at Normandy again with our own tour guide. We hope to return again and tour other regions and would definitely use France Just For You.

I can echo everything that has been said in the previous three reviews. The personalization of this entire trip was incredible and Emilie communicated quickly and completely, both in the planning of the trip and after we were in France. My husband and I were spending four weeks in France in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We were a little …

I can echo everything that has been said in the previous three reviews. The personalization of this entire trip was incredible and Emilie communicated quickly and completely, both in the planning of the trip and after we were in France. My husband and I were spending four weeks in France in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We were a little reluctant to take a trip this long and do this much driving but Emilie's planning and suggestions were so great that we never had any problems. And she arranged the best bed and breakfasts possible. All of the hosts were wonderful and we had some very good dinners around a table with many people from other countries, which was one of the reasons why we wanted to stay at bed and breakfasts. Our tour guides were amazing and at two different places Emilie had left personal notes and gifts. That is just the type of person she is. We asked Emilie if we could meet her and we were fortunate enough to be able to do that in her hometown of Langeais. She is just was delightful as you would expect her to be and she spent over an hour with us. It was one of the highlights of our trips. Every day we had to pinch ourselves that we were doing all of these fabulous things from Paris, to Normandy, to Brittany, to the Loire Valley, to Burgundy, to Provence and to the French Riviera. As you can see, we covered a lot of territory because of Emilie's willingness to customize our trip so that we could see a lot of France. We agree with the suggestion to go with your own GPS. It certainly helps to know how to use it before you arrive. We also suggest that you book your trip well in advance so that Emilie has time to arrange the best bed and breakfasts and the best tour guides. We certainly felt like we had that and we booked our trip seven months ahead. And read your tour book(s) before you go. You will still refer to them each and every day but there is so much general information in the books that we found very helpful. We have NEVER had a better trip and it's because of Emilie. Thank you, Emilie, for truly giving us the trip of a lifetime. We have memories that will last forever because of you.

Exceptional Trip to France We are posting this review with huge thanks to Laura and her colleagues. They planned a trip for us in June 2023 and created a perfect itinerary for our first time to France. We visited Paris, Burgundy, Provence and the Riviera. All accommodations were beautiful and their booking and recommendations for tours were …

Exceptional Trip to France We are posting this review with huge thanks to Laura and her colleagues. They planned a trip for us in June 2023 and created a perfect itinerary for our first time to France. We visited Paris, Burgundy, Provence and the Riviera. All accommodations were beautiful and their booking and recommendations for tours were excellent. We appreciated the extent of information provided in the app and guide books .The app is truly brilliant with all important information immediately accessible. We received exceptional service and would definitely use FJFY again. Highly recommended!

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War News | Military History | Military News

The battle of france saw a european power fall in just six weeks.

• World War 2
• War Articles

One campaign changed the direction of the Second World War: the Battle of France. The period leading up to the engagement was known as the “ Phoney War ” and it had lulled the Allies into a false sense of security. Taking advantage of this, Germany developed a strategy based on a concept known as Blitzkrieg – or “lightning war.”

By circumventing the heavily-fortified Maginot Line, the military aimed to catch the Allies off-guard. All this preparation paid off, with Germany gaining control of not just France, but also the Low Countries by the end of June 1940.

Germany’s Blitzkrieg strategy

The German military’s Blitzkrieg strategy was a marked departure from traditional warfare. It emphasized speed, coordination and surprise, and its integration of tanks, mechanized infantry and air support ( all coordinated via radio ) enabled the German forces to penetrate deep into enemy territory with unprecedented speed. The approach aimed to disrupt and surround the Allies -and it did just that.

The first use of Blitzkrieg tactics came with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, and it continued to see success throughout World War II . While largely unmatched, there was one strategic stance it couldn’t win again: an organized defense that used a combination of infantrymen and guns to target the rear of mobile units.

Diverting Allied troops away from the Maginot Line

The Maginot Line was a series of defense structures that were built along the French-German border in the aftermath of World War I . Stretching across 280 miles, it consisted of underground bunkers, forts, machine gun batteries and minefields, with the majority of these being constructed with concrete and steel.

Unsurprisingly, the Maginot Line was a central part of France’s defensive strategy, as it was believed an attack by Germany would come via the countries’ border. However, the latter’s military was aware French officials assumed this and devised a strategy that would see them bypass the line entirely by moving through Belgium and the Netherlands, effectively rendering it useless. As well, this plan would serve a dual purpose of diverting attention away from other access points.

In the aftermath of the invasion of Poland, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), supported by Belgian troops and France’s most modernized units , amassed in the Low Countries. On May 10, German troops made their advance. The first strike on Belgium was an attack by airborne troops on Fort Éban-Émael, and the enemy’s success led the Belgian Supreme Command to order that those stationed there withdraw to the Koningshooikt-Wavre Line (KW-Line).

The German advance on Belgium consisted of three groups. The first saw troops move through the Netherlands and northern Belgium in a pincer movement, with the same strategy occurring in the south, into Luxembourg. We’ll get into the third group soon.

The Netherlands witnessed a similar defeat, with the country’s air force losing half its numbers on the first day of combat. Various bridges were also captured. While Dutch troops attempted to stop any additional German soldiers entering the country, they were unsuccessful, forcing Queen Wilhelmina to flee and establish a government-in-exile in Britain.

Breaking through the Ardennes

With the majority of the Allied forces aiding in the fight in Belgium, the third group of German troops moved through the largely undefended Ardennes region. While they ran into resistance near Sedan, it took the 60,000-strong force just a few days to defeat the outmatched 20,000 French soldiers they encountered.

The offensive through the Ardennes, spearheaded by Gen. Gerd von Runstedt’s Army Group A, was a masterstroke of military strategy, exploiting a defensive gap left open by the Allies. The maneuver not only bypassed the Maginot Line, but it also took advantage of the rough terrain in the region, which the French had deemed unsuitable for a large-scale armored assault.

The surprise of and speed with which the advance through the Ardennes was conducted shattered the Allied front, and it set the stage for a rapid push through France that saw the Germans reach the English Channel , near Abbeville, just a week after they’d launch their assault. By May 26, all Belgian and French ports north of the Somme (except for Dunkirk) had been captured, with Belgium surrendering just two days later. The Netherlands had surrendered quite a bit earlier, on May 15.

Dunkirk Evacuation

With the Germans making quick work of France’s defensive strategy, the Allies, primarily made up of the British Expeditionary Force, found themselves pushed back to the port of Dunkirk . Realizing swift action needed to happen to save them from being taken as prisoners of war (POWs) or, worse, killed, the British Royal Navy command in Dover, under the command of Vice Adm. Bertram Ramsay, organized an evacuation.

The Dunkirk Evacuation – codenamed Operation Dynamo – was among the most remarkable episodes of the Battle of France. Beginning on May 26, 1940, and lasting until June 3, it saw over 800 ships (some sources say 900) rescue 338,226 troops. A unique aspect of this operation was that it wasn’t just naval vessels involved. Civilian boats – known as “ little ships ” – also took part, reaching areas the larger vessels couldn’t.

Speaking about the evacuation, Royal Artillery Gunner Allan Barratt said :

“It was dusk by the time we reached Dunkirk and we could see the fires blazing fiercely, buildings silhouetted in the red glow, it looked frightening… the troops could be seen in lines like dark snakes extending down into the sea itself, they appeared to be wading out to small boats some distances from the water’s edge. In front of us too, small boats were picking up men off the beach and taking them out to ships waiting offshore.”

While the Allies had to evacuate from France, the rescue of so many British soldiers ultimately boosted morale and support for the war effort in Europe – a notion that came to be known as the “ Dunkirk spirit .”

Launching Fall Rot – the second phase of the Battle of France

With the Allies evacuated and the fall of Belgium and the Netherlands, it was time for Germany to place its full attention on the capture of France. Dubbed Fall Rot (“Case Red”), it began with troops heading south, with Paris being the end point.

The regions around the Aisne and Somme were the first to be attacked, along with the Maginot Line. The latter offensive, officially known as Operation Tiger , began on June 13, 1940, and saw the German 1st Army strike between St. Avold and Saarbrücken, with subsequent assaults taking place along other areas of the defensive line.

Before long, the Maginot Line’s defenses had collapsed , with many of the forts along it either surrendering or being captured. This ultimately allowed for the areas around the Rouen and Seine also being overrun.

Paris – and France, in general – fall to the Germans

The capture of Paris by the German military came in mid-June 1940, marking a somber milestone in the Battle of France. Troops launched a major offensive on the city on June 9, with the government ultimately relocating to Bordeaux to avoid capture. The French soldiers tasked with guarding the capital city withdrew on June 13, to prevent its destruction, with the Germans moving in the following day.

The fall of Paris didn’t just deliver a big blow to French morale, but also demonstrated the extent to which the Germans came to dominate Western and Eastern Europe in the early stages of the Second World War. Paris, with its heritage and culture, quickly became a symbol of the tragedy of the conflict, its occupation serving as a dark chapter in the history of France and Europe as a whole.

Following the fall of France, the 192,000 Allied troops who’d been sent in following the Dunkirk evacuations, as well as civilians, were rescued as part of two amphibious operations, Cycle and Ariel .

Signing of the Second Armistice at Compiègne

The Battle of France officially ended with the signing of the Second Armistice at Compiègne on June 22, 1940. The capitulation of the nation had taken just six weeks , and the agreement was signed in the same railway carriage where the German surrender was formalized at the end of World War I.

Several terms were laid out in the armistice. While Germany initially wanted the French Navy to be completely removed from the conflict, it ultimately agreed to its disarmament. A small French Army was allowed to remain active, but fighting in French North Africa needed to stop. The decision was also made to keep some form of government in place, to reduce the amount of resources needed in the country.

The northern and western regions of France fell under German control, while the south was governed out of Vichy . Led by famed French Army commander Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain, the government claimed neutrality, but was, in reality, a puppet state aligned with Germany, given the conditions set out by the armistice. It also had limited control of some German-occupied areas.

The Vichy regime was taken over by Germany in November 1942, in retaliation for the Free French forces, led by Gen. Charles de Gaulle and his government-in-exile, fighting in North Africa .

How did the Battle of France impact World War II?

The ramifications of the Battle of France extended beyond its immediate aftermath. The country’s swift defeat sent shockwaves across the international community; the German victory significantly shifted the balance of power in Europe, emboldening the nation and its allies while forcing the Allies to reassess their military strategies.

In terms of those living in France, they faced several hardships under the German occupation. Food rationing became common, as was violence at the hands of their occupiers. Propaganda and censorship became the norm, as did Tuberculosis and illnesses among children. In an effort to combat the enemy troops, a Resistance movement popped up to conduct clandestine operations.

It wasn’t until June 1944, with the Allied invasion of Normandy , that France began the process of being freed from the grasp of its German captors. Over the subsequent months, the Allies pushed further inland, with Paris liberated that August – but not without some concerns from Gen. Omar Bradley and Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower . Charles de Gaulle was able to convince the pair to keep moving into the capital city.

More from us: Battle of Moscow: A Critical Turning Point In the Fight along the Eastern Front

By May 7, 1945, when the war in Europe officially ended, and the German surrender the following day, France was free of its occupiers and back under French control.

McIlroy open to resuming PGA Tour board role if wanted

Miami (AFP) – Rory McIlroy said Wednesday he is ready to return to the PGA Tour's policy board if wanted, believing he can help reunite the golfing world following the acrimonious civil war with LIV Golf.

Issued on: 24/04/2024 - 21:47 Modified: 24/04/2024 - 21:45

McIlroy stepped down from the board in a surprise move last November, saying he wanted to concentrate on his own game rather than the off-course politics that had dominated golf since the emergence of the Saudi-backed LIV circuit.

However reports this week have said the four-time major champion is poised to rejoin the board after Webb Simpson tendered his resignation on the condition that McIlroy take his place.

Asked about the reports on Wednesday ahead of this week's Zurich Classic in New Orleans, McIlroy would not confirm that he was set to make a dramatic return to the board.

"Not as of yet, no," McIlroy replied when asked if he was able to confirm his reported return.

McIlroy admitted however that he had discussed replacing Simpson following an approach by the American, adding that he felt he could help accelerate the progress of merger talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

"I think I can be helpful," McIlroy said. "I don't think there's been much progress made in the last eight months, and I was hopeful that there would be. I think I could be helpful to the process.

"But only if people want me involved, I guess. When Webb and I talked and he talked about potentially coming off the board, I said, 'Look, if it was something that other people wanted, I would gladly take that seat,' and that was the conversation that we had.

"At the end of the day, it's not quite up to me to just come back on the board. There's a process that has to be followed. But I'm willing to do it if that's what people want."

McIlroy emerged as one of the PGA Tour's staunchest defenders during the turmoil triggered by LIV, which lured a slew of major-winning top talent with lucrative signing bonuses.

However McIlroy has taken a more conciliatory tone in the months since the PGA Tour and LIV announced plans to join forces last year.

McIlroy said Wednesday that a unified golfing circuit was now inevitable.

"I think it's the only way forward for the game of golf," McIlroy stated.

The Northern Irishman acknowledged that while a residue of bad blood remained, it was time to draw a line under the acrimony.

"We obviously realize the game is not unified right now for a reason, and there's still some hard feelings and things that need to be addressed," McIlroy said.

"But I think at this point for the good of the game, we all need to put those feelings aside and all move forward together."

McIlroy said his original decision to step down from the board was taken after the realization his duties were taking a toll.

"It was maybe just taking away some time from me pursuing things or spending time doing things that I wanted to do at home, and having to hop on calls two, three times a week," McIlroy said.

"The whole thing started to take a toll, as it has on a lot of the players.

"We're golfers at the end of the day. We don't need to be trying to run a $15 billion business. We need to go out there and play golf and let the business people do the business things."

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The murky facts about Trump’s failure to visit American war dead near Paris

“I have to say, there are a lot of things that Donald Trump has said and done that I find extremely offensive. But one that offends me the most is when he refused, as president, to visit an American cemetery outside of Paris when he was president. Why? He said that those soldiers who gave their lives were, quote — it was his quote — ‘suckers’ and ‘losers.’”

— Biden, remarks in Scranton, Penn . April 16

“I was reminded of what my opponent said in Paris not too long ago. They asked him to go visit American gravesites. He said ‘no.’ He wouldn’t do it. Because they were all ‘suckers’ and ‘losers.’ I’m not making that up.”

— President Biden , remarks in Pittsburgh , April 17

“What I was thinking about when I was standing there was when Trump refused to go up to the memorial for veterans in Paris, and he said they were a bunch of ‘suckers’ and ‘losers.’”

— Biden, remarks to reporters in Avoca, Penn. , April 17

Three times last week, President Biden referenced one of the signature controversies of the Trump presidency — whether he refused to visit a cemetery of war dead outside Paris because he thought soldiers who gave their lives in combat were losers and suckers.

The original source for this story was an article in the Atlantic by Jeffrey Goldberg titled: “ Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers. ’” Goldberg, citing “four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day,” reported that Trump canceled a visit to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018 because he did not believe it was important to honor American war dead.

“In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, ‘Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers,’” Goldberg wrote. “In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood [during World War I] as ‘suckers’ for getting killed.”

Trump, on repeated occasions, vehemently denied this account. During the 2020 campaign, he claimed that 25 people had denied the story on the record — though at best the White House could produce 14 names of people traveling with the president , and most of those people were not present for the relevant conversations or issued carefully parsed statements. An exception was John R. Bolton, then Trump’s national security adviser and later a sharp critic, who said the trip was scrubbed because of weather.

In 2023, however, John F. Kelly, Trump’s White House chief of staff in 2018 — who had previously not commented on the controversy — issued a statement to CNN that Trump “rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.”

Absent a recording, there’s no way to definitively confirm the story. (The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.) But here’s a guide for readers to make their own assessment.

A dispute between on-the-record sources

John F. Kelly: He was Trump’s chief of staff and so is a credible source. Note, however, that his statement is carefully worded and does not directly say Trump refused to visit the graves because he thought they were losers. He says Trump thinks war dead are losers and he did not want to go to the cemetery. Both could be true — but not connected.

John R. Bolton: He was national security adviser and is also a credible source. His defense of Trump is significant because he wrote a book, “ The Room Where It Happened ,” that depicts the president in highly unflattering terms. He wrote that Trump was “displeased throughout the trip” and quoted then-White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders as saying Trump was in a “royal funk.” (The trip came right after the midterm elections that cost Republicans control of the House of Representatives.)

In a telephone interview, Bolton said “I don’t doubt that Trump didn’t want to go.” But he said that the Marine pilots who fly the presidential helicopter Marine One announced that the weather was so bad that it would not be safe to use it. Traveling by road to the cemetery 50 miles northeast of Paris was estimated to take 90 to 120 minutes. “We went round and round” about whether to make the trip, as other world leaders — such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron — were traveling by car. But, as Bolton put it, “they don’t carry a nuclear football.” While Trump could have overruled the pilots, he said that would have been unusual.

Bolton noted that Trump the next day did make remarks commemorating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice at another World War I cemetery just outside of Paris, the Suresnes American Cemetery — an event that had been previously scheduled. “Here on the revered grounds of Suresnes American Cemetery lie more than 1,500 U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War,” Trump said.

Anonymous sources

Beside the Atlantic, other news organizations reported that administration officials — provided anonymity to speak freely — said that Trump did not want to visit the cemetery.

Jennifer Griffin of Fox News: “Source: ‘The President was not in a good mood. Macron had said something that made him mad about American reliability and the need perhaps for a European army. He questioned why he had to go to two cemeteries. “Why do I have to do two”?’ ”

“When asked IF the President could have driven to the Aisne-Marne Cemetery, this former official said confidently: ‘The President drives a lot. The other world leaders drove to the cemeteries. He just didn't want to go.’”

Vanity Fair : “One Republican briefed on the internal discussions said the real reason Trump did not want to go was because there would be no tent to stand under. ‘He was worried his hair was going to get messed up in the rain,’ the source said.

The Bigger Picture

We may never settle on the precise reason Trump canceled his planned visit to Aisne-Marne American cemetery. But there are numerous examples of Trump suggesting that he thinks soldiers who were wounded or died in combat were losers. As part of his statement to CNN, Kelly referenced these anecdotes: “A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’ A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’”

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.): During the 2016 presidential election, Trump derided McCain’s legacy as a war hero, saying of his years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, “ I like people who weren’t captured .”

The Washington Post reported that Trump complained bitterly to Kelly that he didn’t understand why Kelly and others in the military treated McCain, who had been tortured as a POW, with such reverence. “Isn’t he kind of a loser?” Trump asked, according to an unnamed official.

Gen. Mark A. Milley: Goldberg in 2023 reported that Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had arranged for a severely wounded Army captain, Luis Avila, to sing at his welcome ceremony. “To Milley, and to four-star generals across the Army, Avila and his wife, Claudia, represented the heroism, sacrifice, and dignity of wounded soldiers. It had rained that day, and the ground was soft; at one point Avila’s wheelchair threatened to topple over. Milley’s wife, Holly­anne, ran to help Avila, as did Vice President Mike Pence. After Avila’s performance, Trump walked over to congratulate him, but then said to Milley, within earshot of several witnesses, ‘Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded.’ Never let Avila appear in public again, Trump told Milley.”

Veterans: Griffin reported , via an anonymous source, that Trump was puzzled why people went into military service: “What’s in it for them? They don’t make any money.” The official added: “It was a character flaw of the President. He could not understand why someone would die for their country, not worth it.”

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