ANZAC on the Western Front & La Belle France

From the trenches of Ypres to monuments marking The Somme, our ANZAC tour maps Australian and New Zealand troops’ movements in WWI – delving into the stories of the soldiers’ involvement in the battles of the Western Front. With poignant visits to cemeteries and national memorials on the agenda, this history-themed journey is perfect for those wishing to learn more about their countrymen who fought and died in The Great War.

Step into a land of renowned artists and royal crusaders, hilltop monasteries and valley castles. This tour takes us from France’s dramatic northern shores to château-sprinkled countryside, breaking off to see WWII sites, explore centuries-old villages and sample home-grown delicacies.

Your Fly, Stay & Tour Package Includes:

• Return economy class flight from Sydney to Paris
• 1 night 4-star accommodation in Paris
• 1 day intermediate car hire, Paris to Lille
• 6 day ANZAC on the Western Front guided holiday with Back-Roads Touring, Lille return
• Includes hand-picked accommodation, 7 meals, premium mini-coach transportation, Tour Leader plus more
• 1 day intermediate car hire, Lille to Paris
• 3 nights 4-star accommodation in Paris
• Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line & Seine River Cruise
• 10 day La Belle France guided holiday with Back-Roads Touring, Paris return
• Includes hand-picked accommodation, 14 meals, highlights such as visiting Claude Monet’s estate in Giverny plus more
• Airline taxes

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 03-21 September 2022

Single traveller pricing available, speak with your travel consultant

ANZAC on the Western Front

Tour Highlights:

• Have the opportunity to pay your respects at your relative’s graves
• Delve into the Australian story on the Western Front at the Franco-Australian Museum
• Visit the Wellington Quarries – a network of underground tunnels dug by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 - Lille

After meeting the group in Lille, we’ll kick off our history-laden journey with a delicious welcome dinner.

Day 2 - Lille – Ypres

Today’s itinerary will take us from Lille to Ypres via the historic Messines Ridge. Our first stop will be the Passchendaele battlefields – where we’ll walk in the footsteps of WWI allied soldiers who fought to break the German line in 1917. Next, we’ll pay our respects at Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery before visiting the shell-scarred Hill 60. This afternoon, there’s an opportunity to explore the fascinating Hooge Crater Museum – home to a unique collection of WWI artefacts and reconstructed trenches. We’ll enjoy some free time this evening in Ypres – our home for the next two nights.

Day 3 - Ypres

Today, we’ll continue to delve into the moving stories of the West Flanders Front, beginning with a visit to the In Flanders Fields Museum – a unique institution that commemorates the four-year trench war and conveys a contemporary message of peace. This afternoon, you’ll be free to explore Ypres at your leisure. A medieval town that was completely destroyed during WWI and rebuilt anew, there is plenty of history to uncover here. This evening we’ll reconvene to attend the Last Post ceremony under the iconic Menin Gate.

Day 4 - Ypres – Amiens

Today it’s out of Belgium and across the border. Our destination? Fromelles, the site of the disastrous attack of 19 July 1916 – where we’ll pay a poignant visit Pheasant Wood Cemetery and the fascinating exhibition nearby. After, we’ll move on to the Wellington Quarries: a network of tunnels built by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company as part of the preparations for the Battle of Arras. We’ll remember Australia’s role in this battle at Bullecourt, with a stop at the Digger Memorial later this afternoon. Concluding the day in lovely Amiens, we’ll have the evening to spend as we wish.

Day 5 - Amiens – Somme – Amiens

The Somme still captivates the soul and it’s here that the ANZACs first saw major action in 1916. Today we’ll visit Pozières and Mouquet Farm – significant sites for the Australian soldiers, as well as Longueval and Flers, which were similarly monumental to the Kiwis. Before returning to Amiens, we’ll also take some time to remember the colossal loss experienced by Great Britain – with a visit to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. Reconvening this evening, we’ll reminisce on our unforgettable tour over a farewell dinner.

Day 6 - Amiens – Villers-Bretonneux– Lille

As the home of the National War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux is central to Australian WWI commemoration and memory. Today we’ll visit the Franco-Australian Museum, a site paying tribute to the brave Australian soldiers who helped save the town and a monument to international solidarity. We’ll make a brief stop at Sir John Monash Centre before shifting our focus to the last year of the war – with a visit to Le Hamel. Our tour will conclude upon our return to Lille.

La Belle France

Tour Highlights:

• Wander the enchanting island village of Mont Saint-Michel
• Enjoy a tasting session at a local winery set amidst the rolling vineyards of the Loire Valley
• Be inspired by the vivid colours of Claude Monet’s estate in Giverny

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 - Paris

Welcome to the City of Lights. After meeting the group at our hotel, we’ll get to know each other over a sumptuous welcome dinner. Bon appétit!

Day 2 - Paris – Honfleur

Our first impressions of France will be formed in Giverny at the home of Claude Monet – one of the world’s most celebrated artists. The vivid colours in every room paint a picture of his life, and the surrounding gardens host flowers in every shade. Our home for the next two nights will be the charming port town of Honfleur – which you may recognise as the subject of a fair few Impressionist paintings. We’ll spend the evening at our leisure, soaking up the rugged maritime atmosphere of this quaint town.

Day 3 - Honfleur – Normandy – Honfleur

This morning we’ll visit Honfleur’s bustling market and wander past its historic buildings and 17th-century harbour on an orientation tour. Then: we’ll track the Route du Cidre in Normandy, pausing at a local calvados producer to sample the fruits of the region’s orchards. From cool, crisp ciders to heady, amber-hued calvados – it makes for a delicious end to our day of exploration! Back in Honfleur, we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure.

Day 4 - Honfleur – Normandy Beaches – Bayeux – Arromanches-les-Bains

Today we’ll turn our attention to the windswept shoreline of the Normandy beaches, where we’ll visit the sites of the 1944 D-Day landings. Afterwards, there’s the opportunity to pay a poignant visit to the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, where we’ll take some time to reflect on history overlooking Omaha Beach. An awe-inspiring Tapestry awaits in Bayeux and after taking some time to inspect this masterpiece, we’ll move on to Arromanches-les-Bains – our home for the night and setting for tonight’s included dinner.

Day 5 - Arromanches-les-Bains – Mont Saint-Michel – Dol-de-Bretagne – Dinan

This morning we’ll drive on to the enchanting Mont Saint-Michel, crossing the walkway to wander the buzzing island village and explore the Abbey. As we make our way to Dinan, we’ll stop off for a photo opportunity at Dol-de-Bretagne – where we’ll see the famous Menhir de Champ-Dolent. Tonight, an included dinner awaits us in a traditional Breton crêperie.

Day 6 - Dinan

Today is yours to spend however you wish in the medieval town of Dinan. Wander cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses, take a closer look at the Basilique St-Sauveur, visit the old bridge, walk along the Rance River – you certainly won’t be short of things to do!

Day 7 - Dinan – Angers – Chinon

Today will find us deep in fairytale territory as we travel towards the Loire Valley. Here, the landscape’s skyline is peppered with the turrets of castles. Our first port of call will be Angers, which was once the medieval stronghold of the Plantagenet kings. After spending some time absorbing the history of the castle, we’ll move on to Chinon – where we’ll dine together at a local restaurant.

Day 8 - Chinon – Château de Villandry – Chinon

Next stop: Château de Villandry. Famous for its impeccably manicured gardens and architectural elegance – this mesmerising château is one of the last built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. Taking in so much beauty is thirsty work, so on our way back to Chinon we’ll enjoy a detour at a local winery – where we’ll visit the vineyard and cellars before sampling a glass or two.

Day 9 - Chinon – Château de Chenonceau – Amboise – Chartres Region

Today’s château? One of the Loire Valley’s finest: Château de Chenonceau. Here we'll take some time to stroll through the idyllic gardens and explore the fascinating museum. We’ll make a brief stop in Amboise – the town where Leonardo da Vinci lived out the last years of his life – before making our way to the region of Chartres. This evening, we’ll enjoy a delicious final dinner together.

Day 10 - Chartres Region – Chartres – Paris

Before we say our final goodbyes, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the medieval city of Chartres. The celebrated Chartres Cathedral is believed to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in France – and it’s a beautiful image to take with us back to Paris.

Prices listed are per person in Australian/New Zealand Dollars, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 28 April 2022 and can be withdrawn without notice. Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Airfares are based on economy class flights from Sydney and are subject to the carriers’ flight schedules and conditions, please call us for prices from other cities.  Visas are not included. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge. 241xtra pricing does not require a 241 certificate.