• Musée Somme 1916 - Begin the tour with a visit to the “Musée Somme 1916” located in the quaint town of Albert. This 230-meter-long tunnel, originally dug in the Middle Ages, houses an impressive museum featuring over 4,000 World War I artifacts. It chronicles the events leading up to the Battle of the Somme and offers an immersive experience of life in the trenches during the First World War.
• Basilique Notre-Dame de Brebières - The “Basilica Notre Dame de Brebières,” designed in a Neo-Byzantine style, was constructed at the end of the 19th century. Its unique architecture makes it a significant landmark in Picardy. Although destroyed during the Great War, it was meticulously rebuilt by the son of the original architect, Edmond Duthoit. The dome, adorned with gold sheets, features a statue of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus. The guide will share the story associated with this statue during WWI.
• Lochnagar Crater - Visit the site of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. The “Lochnagar Crater” was formed by a massive mine placed beneath the German front lines on the battle’s first day. It was one of 19 mines set beneath the German lines from the British section of the Somme front to aid the infantry’s advance. This remarkable site is 70 feet deep and 330 feet wide, making it the largest crater in the Somme.
• Pozieres British Cemetery - This is the third-largest CWGC cemetery in the Somme region, where 2,758 soldiers are either buried or commemorated. The guide will explain how the main belligerents managed their dead after the war, the controversies involved, the establishment of the CWGC, and the philosophy behind its design.
• Pozieres Memorial - Australian official historian Charles Bean remarked that Pozières “is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth.” Pozières is a place of great significance to Australians, with nearly 7,000 men losing their lives here. At the “1st Australian Memorial” site, the guide will recount the harrowing battle that occurred between July 23 and September 3, 1916.
• Le Tommy - This exhibition is a must-visit, featuring not only a charming café/bar but also a remarkable museum created by its owner Dominique and his son. It is a heartfelt tribute with an impressive reconstruction of WWI trenches, providing a vivid sense of the conditions faced by soldiers.
• Mémorial de Thiepval - The “Memorial of the Missing” is the largest British War Memorial globally. This grand monument overlooks the surrounding rolling countryside. Its walls bear the names of over 72,000 soldiers who are either missing or whose bodies were found but not identified. Discussions here will cover military tactics and the concept of being “missing,” and its impact on the soldiers’ families.
• Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial - The Newfoundland Memorial Park is the largest battlefield site in the Somme and a tribute to all Newfoundlanders who served during the First World War. The Battle of the Somme was the regiment’s first major engagement, where they suffered significant losses on July 1, 1916. The land, purchased in 1921 by the women of Newfoundland and their government, symbolizes sacrifice and serves as a source of identity for the island.
• Hawthorn Ridge Crater - This striking crater resulted from the explosion of two mines during the Battle of the Somme, with one detonating on July 1, 1916, marking the battle’s first action. The tour will then cross the road to Sunken Lane, where the Lancashire Fusiliers famously went over the top, as filmed by Geoffrey Malins. The events of July and November 1916, as well as the filming of the war, will be discussed.
• Beaumont-Hamel - The 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Memorial commemorates the actions of the Scots who fought on this ground. Unveiled by the Duke of Argyll, this stop highlights Scotland’s participation in WWI.
• Mailly-Maillet - Mailly-Maillet is a charming village in the Somme region with a history dating back to Roman times. During WWI, the village, located just 4 km from the Battle of the Somme frontline, was frequently used for billeting troops from around the world. Many village houses still bear the marks of shelling. Here, discussions will focus on life behind the frontline and the “Shot at Dawn.”

• Private transportation

• Lunch

This engaging 6-hour tour offers an in-depth exploration of the Battle of the Somme. The guide will lead participants through various stages, examining strategic elements, consequences, human costs, and the war’s effects on both people and the landscape, among other topics. Brigitte, a local guide, possesses extensive knowledge and a genuine passion for her work.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.