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Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge
Normandy to The Battle of the Bulge
Travel in history from Bonaparte in Paris to the Second World War Normandy beaches. Then the World War One Somme Battlefields. Onto Belgium and the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 before visiting Bastogne and the last major German offensive of WWII, the Ardennes Offensive, also known as the ‘Battle of the Bulge’. See the sites of some of Europe's most consequential military campaigns. Other battlefield sample tours are available on this website and by contacting us.
SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY BELOW
SOME OF THE TOUR’S SIGHTS.
Day 1 — Arrival Paris
On arrival meet with your professional tour guide for the short transfer to the city centre to experience an introductory tour of some famous landmarks and begin to discover a captivating city with bustling street life, cosmopolitan cafés and some of the most spectacular buildings and monuments in Europe, complete with an included cruise on The River Seine. Overnight stay in Paris.
Day 2 — Paris
This morning take time out to explore the shops, parks and cosmopolitan life near the hotel before an organized afternoon visit to Les Invalides, a hospital founded in the 1670’s by King Louis XIV for his invalid soldiers. See the most notable tomb at Les Invalides, that of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) in the crypt under Mansart's dome, then follow the Esplanade to cour d'honneur which houses the Army Museum in its east and west wings. Overnight stay in Paris.
Day 3 — Normandy
Leave Paris for the coast of Normandy, an area full of military history from William the Conqueror to the Normandy Landings. Travel to Caen and the Memorial and Museum of Peace before reaching Bayeux. In Bayeux see the Museum of the Battle of Normandy and going back in time the Bayeux Tapestry which recounts, simply but with a wealth of detail, how and why William the Conqueror conquered England on 14 October 1066 Overnight stay in Normandy.
Days 4 and 5 — Normandy Beaches
Over the next two days, suggested visits are to the World War II beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword along the Normandy coast will be arranged. There will be reflective time and visits to the American cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer, the Utah Beach Museum, Pointe du Hoc, the Airborne Museum and the D-Day Landings Museum in front of the actual vestiges of the artificial harbour (Mulberry Harbour). These days are often amended to suit the specific requirements of the group and we arrange commemorative wreaths to your preferred colour scheme and design. Overnight stays in Normandy.
Day 6 — Somme Battlefields
This morning pause to view Pegasus Bridge (The Longest Day) before heading east to the Somme battlefields near Albert. Albert was at the very heart of the Battle of the Somme in which so many suffered and gave their lives in the trench warfare of World War I and a visit to the Somme Trench Museum will be arranged. Again this day and the next is often changed to match a groups interest - Canadian, Australian, New Zealanders and others, Overnight stay in Lille.
Day 7 — Ypres
Full day exploring and trying to understand more about the Ypres salient. Passchendaele, The Cloth Hall, Ypres and more will be seen. The town was strategically very important in World War 1 and there were at least three offensives the third of which cost around 500,000 lives. Overnight stay in Lille.
Day 8 — Waterloo - Brussels
Begin the day travelling through Belgium to Waterloo and visit to The Battlefield Museum and the visitors centre built around Lion Mound. Forces of the French Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte were defeated by those of the Seventh Coalition including a Prussian army and an Anglo-Allied army under the command of the Duke of Wellington. The wax museum provides the opportunity to put faces to the names of the characters involved in the Battle of Waterloo. Arrive in Brussles to experience the highlights of this capital. See of course the little Manneken Pis a bronze fountain sculpture, depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin, is the best-known symbol of the people of Brussels. It also embodies their sense of humour and their independence of mind and is near The Grand Place that will also be seen. Overnight stay in Brussels.
Day 9 — The Battle of The Bulge
Journey today to the the lush forests of the Ardennes hills, the countryside around full of rivers, streams and waterfalls. Visit the December 1944 Historical Museum in La Gleize where a German Tiger tank sits outside. Built at the exact place where heavy fighting killed hundreds of men in both camps, it is a place where veterans and their families often come to stand in silence in front of the many monuments that were erected in memory of their sacrifices.
Journey today to the city of Bastogne and the Bastogne Historical Centre, the most significant of all the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ museums, was built to remember the last German offensive and the historical siege of the city of Bastogne. Take time to see the German and American reconstructed scenes which allow visitors to relive, with realism and a lot of detail, moments of the battle and the soldier’s daily life. Overnight stay in Brussels.
Day 10 — Brussels
Full free day in Brussels. Visit inside the Atomium, The European Parliament, try a few of the local beers or relax and watch the world go by with some Moules-frites. Overnight stay in Brussels
Day 11— Departure
An executive motor coach is provided for the transfer to Brussels Airport.