ralph_and_veronica

Hello, is there such a thing as a Battfields day tour (10 or 12 hours) from Paris to Villers-Brettoneux and Amiens region? We will be in Paris for 3 or 4 days early Sept-08.

This is where my Grandfather fault as a 16 year old in WW1 before returning to Australia as a TPI.

If not a day tour then with an overnight stay second option.

Regards,
Ralph and Veronica

64driver

Ralph,
Depending on which battles you are interested in, this website is a superb link to self-drive and escorted tours of the Somme:
http://www.battlefield-tours.com/

The operator gets very high marks from Australians if you read his testimonials.

If you are going it alone, the Major and Mrs. Holt's battlefield Guide to the Western Front (North) is an excellent overview, and has good maps.

For an overnight, I think the best place to stay in this area is Albert- right in the Somme battlefields. There is an excellent Best Western there with a good restaurant.

Enjoy! My trip to the Somme was one of my favorite travel memeories so far.

Clio

I'm going in late April/May this year with my parents and we're visiting where my Grandfather fought as part of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. We're based in Paris but are taking two days with an overnight in Verdun. I didn't find too many on-line listings for tours that fit our bill, most were week-long arranged by groups from Great Britain, U.S., etc.

Personal guides are another option which we looked into, the dates just didn't work for us though. So I'm planning it myself renting a car and using Major and Mrs. Holt's guides and good local maps, they are very detailed.

We'll lose out some on the historical context and expertise that a personal guide could give us but we'll make sure to see the things and areas my grandfather mentioned.

AnselmAdorne

Ralph and Veronica, I can't add to 64driver's advice, as I haven't been to the Somme yet. My wife and I are planning a trip there this fall.

Clio, I spent a few days in the Verdun region last fall and looked at some of the Meuse-Argonne battlefields and memorials. I wrote a trip report that includes references hotels, maps, photos, and books:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35091624

I didn't use a personal guide, but I did see a reference to Christina Holstein and Ingrid Ferrand, who I understand offers tours in the Verdun area:

www.verdun-tours.com (Christina Holstein)

http://ingrid-tourisme-verdun.com (Ingrid Ferrand)

Can't vouch for either, but they may be helpful.

Anselm

Clio

Thanks Anselm. I enjoyed your report immensely and forwarded to my parents. This will be a sober time in our vacation but one we feel we owe to my Grandfather and his compatriots that were not as lucky to return home.

As far as guides, I had contacted Tony Noyes who was very knowledgeable and prompt in replies. We couldn't work out the timing but I feel confident he would have been an excellent guide. He also suggested Ingrid Ferrand as a replacement.