From Paris: WWI Battlefields and Memorials in Normandy Full Day English Guided Tour

A historical journey through the Somme battlefields

Go on a full-day guided tour that provides an in-depth exploration of the Somme battlefields, one of the most significant sites of World War I. Traveling in a comfortable, air-conditioned van from Paris, you will visit key locations where major battles took place, accompanied by an expert WWI historian. With a small group limited to eight people, the tour ensures a more personal and detailed experience.

The tour begins with a visit to the Lochnagar Mine Crater, a massive site created by an explosion on the first day of the battle. You will then stop at the Thiepval Memorial, which honors over 72,000 soldiers who went missing in action. At the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, you will have the opportunity to walk through original trenches from 1916.

Memorials, museums, and personal stories from WWI

The tour includes entry to the Somme 1916 Museum in Albert, an underground museum that preserves artifacts, weapons, and personal stories from soldiers who fought in the trenches.

The second half of the tour features a visit to the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, dedicated to thousands of Australian soldiers with no known graves. You will also explore the Sir John Monash Centre, where multimedia exhibits provide further historical context on the Australian forces’ role in WWI. The tour concludes with a visit to the Cathedral of Amiens, the largest Gothic cathedral in France, before returning to Paris.

Know before you go

Accessibility

• Due to uneven terrain at key sites, this tour is not wheelchair accessible.

What to bring

• Lunch is not included in the tour price. However, there will be a one-hour lunch stop at a highly-rated local restaurant in Poziere. Guests are also welcome to bring their own lunch if preferred.

Additional information

• Restrooms are available at most stops, and a designated break will be made during the 2-hour drive.