WW1 Australians in the Somme -Villers Bretonneux, Le Hamel - Day trip from Paris
19 Reviews
Paris, France

Bus Tours hosted by ADRIAN ROADS
13 hours (approx.)
Up to 8 travelers
Meet everyone at the start point
Mobile ticket
Offered in English
About
- Admission to the Historial of the Great War in Péronne
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Driver Guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Lunch
What's not included
Pickup point
Multiple pickup locations offered. During checkout you will be able to select from the list.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop atAustralian National Memorial
The Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux is the main memorial to Australian military personnel killed on the Western Front during World War I. It is located on the Route Villiers-Bretonneux (D 23), in the Somme département, France. The memorial lists 10,773 names of soldiers of the Australian Imperial Force with no known grave who were killed between 1916, when Australian forces arrived in France and Belgium, and the end of the war. The location was chosen to commemorate the role played by Australian soldiers in the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux (24–27 April 1918). Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the memorial consists of a tower within the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, which also includes a Cross of Sacrifice. The tower is surrounded by walls and panels on which the names of the missing dead are listed. The main inscription is in both French and English, on either side of the entrance to the tower. The memorial and cemetery are maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
40 minutes (approx.)・No admission tickets required
Stop atAustralian Corps Memorial
This commemorates and interprets the battle of Le Hamel which took place on 4 July 1918, when, with the support of the Americans, General Monash launched a hugely victorious attack by combining for the first time infantry, artillery, air forces and tanks, thus heralding the tactics of modern warfare. This memorial park was created in the village of Le Hamel by the Australian state and inaugurated on 7 August 1998. The site’s panoramic displays and explanatory panels help visitors to understand the strategic challenge which it represented during the battle. Several trenches have been preserved.
30 minutes (approx.)・No admission tickets required
Stop atLochnagar Crater
The Lochnagar mine south of the village of La Boisselle in the Somme département was an underground explosive charge, secretly planted by the British during the First World War, ready for 1 July 1916, the first day on the Somme. The mine was dug by the Tunnelling Companies of the Royal Engineers under a German field fortification known as Schwabenhöhe (Swabian Height). The British named the mine after Lochnagar Street, the British trench from which the gallery was driven. The charge at Lochnagar was one of 19 mines that were placed beneath the German lines on the British section of the Somme front, to assist the infantry advance at the start of the battle. The mine was sprung at 7:28 a.m. on 1 July 1916 and left a crater 98 ft (30 m) deep and 330 ft (100 m) wide, which was captured and held by British troops. The attack on either flank was defeated by German small-arms and artillery fire, except on the extreme right flank and just south of La Boisselle, north of the Lochnagar Crater. The crater has been preserved as a memorial and a religious service is held each 1 July.
10 minutes (approx.)・No admission tickets required
Stop atWindmill Memorial
The Windmill site at Pozières was established as an Australian memorial in the 1930s at the suggestion of Australia's official war historian, Charles Bean, because, 'The Windmill site marks a ridge more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth'. Over seven weeks in 1916, at the Battle of the Somme, the Australian Imperial Force suffered 23 000 casualties, more than 6700 of whom died, in the countryside around the Windmill. On 11 November 1993 soil from the Windmill site was cast over the coffin of Australia's Unknown Soldier during his funeral at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
10 minutes (approx.)・No admission tickets required
Stop at2nd Australian Division Memorial
Mont Saint-Quentin Australian war memorial, located in Mont Saint-Quentin region of Picardy, is an Australian First World War memorial. The Australian Second Division has a war memorial on the road from Bapaume to Péronne. It is the only one of the five Australian division memorials initiated by members of the division. The base was erected in 1925. It has bronze bas-reliefs by May Butler-George of men hauling and pushing a gun and of men advancing with bayoneted rifles and hand-grenades. It had on its top an Australian soldier thrusting his bayonet through a German eagle. The sculptor was Charles Web Gilbert. However, in 1940, German soldiers smashed the memorial. A replacement statue by Stanley Hammond of a thoughtful Australian soldier looking down was erected in 1971
10 minutes (approx.)・No admission tickets required
Stop atHistorial de la Grande Guerre
After lunch and to end that very moving day, you will get a free access to explore the «Great War Historial and museum" in Péronne. A 13th century medieval castle house the WW1 museum which display a a large exhibits of uniforms and weapons all worn, designed and used by the soldiers during the conflict. The historial of peronne museum also offers a permanent collection of Trench Artists such as « Otto Dix » who did testimony of the atrocities of the war with sketching some very graphic etchings.
1 hour (approx.)・Admission included
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
Free Cancellation: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions?
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Reviews
19 Reviews
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Life highlight experience.
Nick M, Dec 2024
Life highlight experience.Our day spent with Regis was more than we ever expected.His encyclopaedic knowledge of every aspect of the Somme battles was extraordinary and he seemed very proud of the Australian bravery and sacrifice and it was as expected,a moving and proud experience.Dont look any further,just book Regis and enjoy a great day.Thank you Regis,we will be back.
Nick and Kristin Mcintyre.
Great tour, great guide who is passionate and knowledgeable
katmS8512MC, Dec 2024
Régis is an incredibly knowledgeable guide who planned out our day perfectly. He taught us all so much more about the areas we were walking on and left us with a thirst to learn more. Thank Régis
A very moving experience
m_tall_m, Dec 2024
What an amazing place! It commands a spectacular view and pays homage to the fallen diggers. The interactive experience in the John Monash Centre was very moving. The cafe was quite good.
Australians in the Somme
Trooly, Dec 2024
We booked a private tour for our family of 4. Regis is a very gracious, knowledgeable and personable host. We learnt so much and felt so welcomed to learn about our shared history. We packed a lot into the day but at the same time never felt rushed. We were conveniently picked up and dropped back to our hotel in Paris in a very comfortable van. Regis is a very safe driver. He also took wonderful photo's for us to treasure. I would definitely recommend this tour company to my friends.
Full day trip of Somme and Villers Bretonneux
sandratV9605KZ, Dec 2024
Service and knowledge of Adrian was very very good. The ease of the pick and drop off was great and the vehicle was also really great.
The history laid against the landscape was surreal, and this coupled with Adrian's knowledge and guidance made for a really great day. It was a long day, but a very full and enjoyable day!!