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Fromelles and Ypres Day Tour: A Deep Dive into Europe's World War I History from Arras and Lille

4.9

30 Ratings

Arras

Immerse yourself in Europe's World War I history on a guided day tour from Arras. Visit Fromelles and Ypres, explore battle sites, and participate in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Duration: 13 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Musee de la Bataille de Fromelles - Hear about the battle and the story of the mass graves at Pheasant Wood in this excellent museum and visitors centre
Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery - We will pay our respects to the soldiers recovered from the mass graves at Pheasant Wood and re buried in this new cemetery
Australian Memorial Park - See the famous Cobbers Memorial on the German front line
VC Corner Australian Cemetery - Visit the only all Australian Cemetery in France
The Ploegsteert Memorial - See where the 3rd Division will prepare for the Battle of Messines and hear about the 1st Australian Tunneling company who dug the Catacombs here.
Christmas Truce Memorial - Learn about the Christmas Truce of 1914.
Messines Ridge - Learn of the successes of this offensive as we drive along the ridge
Hill 60 - See the preserved battlefield, the Bunkers and the two mine craters that the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company blew on the 7th June 1917
Battle of Polygon Wood - Visit the Wood captured by the 5th Division on the 26th September 1917
5th Australian Division Memorial - See the 5th Division Memorial in the New Buttes Cemetery
Tyne Cot Cemetery - Visit the largest Commonwealth Cemetery in the World and hear of the terrible Battle of Passchendaele, the final phase of the third battle of Ypres, here you will see the two Australian VC.
Menin Gate Memorial - At 1800hrs we arrive in Ypres, time to eat before the Last Post Ceremony at 2000hrs. You may lay a wreath here if you wish- please let the guide know.

What's Included

Hotel pick-up (selected hotels only)
Drop-off in Ypres, Lille, or Arras
Guide
Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Additional Information

Embark on a deeply moving full-day trip to Fromelles and Ypres, immersing yourself in the significant World War I past of Europe, starting from Arras. Venture through renowned WWI battlefields such as Fromelles, along with the Cobbers’ Memorial and Pheasant Wood cemetery. We trace the 1917 journey of the War, encompassing Messines Ridge and Hill 60, Polygon Wood, Passchendaele, and the Tyne Cot Cemetery. You also get to experience the historic city of Ypres at your own pace, and then witness the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate prior to your subsequent journey to Lille or back to Arras. This is a day of profound emotional impact which can be experienced on its own or combined with other tours from us. Here, you get the chance to follow the footsteps of an ancestor or pay your tribute at the Menin Gate Ceremony by laying a wreath in the evening.

Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Location

Gare d'Arras

Place du Maréchal Foch

Please wait for your guide at the glass entrance doors at the front of the station.

Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings

4.9

(30 Ratings)

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E5161tsstephenr

May 8, 2024

A tour into history not to be forgotten - Another fantastic trip back to a grim itime n our history everyone so helpful tour guide Jackie was so knowledgeable nothing to much trouble I would recommend it to anyone interested in history

Review provided by Tripadvisor

780baileyg

Apr 17, 2024

The Western Front’s best guide - Rod was one of the most knowledgeable guides I’ve ever had the pleasure of going on a tour with. As a retired British military serviceman, he was able to give us a special level of insight into the tactics used by both sides in WW1. He also had such a depth of knowledge about the events that took place around the battles. Me and my group thought of ourselves history buffs, but it turns out we knew very little compared to him. Along with his professionalism and keen mind, he was an absolute delight to spend time with. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking to get thoroughly into the details of the western front.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Caroline652

Apr 4, 2024

Amazing tour - A fantastic tour with Rod we all had an amazing time listening to all of the details and stories around the battlefield’s. Thank you so much.

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Seanfg8535tt

Oct 23, 2023

An informative and engaging day - a great foundation into the Western Front - Thanks to Rod for a memorable day on the Fromelles and Ypres tour. Rod was a knowledgable and engaging guide throughout the tour. His military background provided personal and unique insights, mixed with humour, and Rod was able to quickly tailor aspects of the day for us on the go. A poignant and memorable day that provided an excellent foundation to the history of the Western Front.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Douglas_m

Oct 6, 2023

Great insight into Australia’s involvement in action on the Western Front - Covered a lot of the battlefields in one long day. Good commentary from guide. Had extensive British military experience and long experience as guide. Group of eight. Guide drove very carefully and safely down little backroads of Flanders. Stopped at so many places of significance to Australians.

Review provided by Viator

Rob_j

Sep 7, 2023

A memorable experience - Thanks to Nigel for making this a memorable tour. Despite an initial hiccup with pickup due to Viator not passing on our pickup information till the last minute Nigel went out of his way to make our tour successful. Thanks too to Jackie for dropping us back to Lille.

Review provided by Viator

Judyt

Jun 10, 2023

Great tour; great guide - Great tour with guide Jackie who was very knowledgeable. The information she provided was thorough but not just facts. There were interesting anecdotes and stories that gave it a personal quality. Two couples on our tour had relatives who had died in the area’s fighting and Jackie had done research and took them to the locations where their relatives had perished. It was very touching for all of us.

Review provided by Viator

Jet55609735169

Apr 16, 2023

Amazing - We had Rod guiding us for this tour and he never stopped providing us with information and fascinating facts for the whole day. He diverts off to show hidden objects that you would definitely miss. If you want a tour of this area then definitely book with Rod & Jackie. You won’t be disappointed.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Mickh1951

Oct 26, 2022

A 'Must-do' experience. - My tour guide was Rod Bedford, an ex-Regimental Sergeant Major and former Police Officer. We were driven to many significant locations in France & Belgium. Rod's knowledge of all military matters, battlefields, cemeteries and general history of the whole area is beyond belief. He imparts this knowledge clearly and very well indeed. There were many highlights but for me the best was the Menin Gate ceremony where we found a crowd of more that 500 people, including children, on what was an ordinary day of the week. I will always remember this trip and will endeavour to return.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

William_j