WW1 Somme Battlefields
 

Does any-one know of any Tour Group that conducts day tours to the WW1 Somme Battlefields, and in particular Villers-Bretonneux from Paris. I am interested in teh ceremonies to be held there on Armistice (Rememberance) Day - November 11th.<BR><BR>Many thanks.<BR><BR>David

The only one I know is out of the UK, but I guess you could always ask if you could join for land portion.<BR><BR>Holts' Battlefield Tours<BR>http://battletours.co.uk<BR><BR>they seem to have some interesting trips including one over Armistice Day.<BR><BR>

Salient tours does a Somme tour of several hours duration. www.battlefields.freeserve.co.uk<BR><BR>Bartlett Battlefield Tours does a 5 day all inclusive tour , they have their 2002 schedule posted at their website<BR>www.battlefields.co.uk. We have met both david Bartlett and Michael kelly and they are both extrememly knowledge and good company to boot!<BR><BR>There is a smilarity in the web addresses but they are 2 different companys.<BR><BR>I know the British Legion also does Remembrance tours but I don't have their site at hand at the moment. I'll look it up for you and post again

A related question? Has anyone heard of a group called The Battlefields Experience?

The website for the British Legion Remembrance tours is<BR><BR>http://www.remembrancetravel.com<BR><BR>I had checked out the Battlefields experience for a trip in the past and they seem quite reliable, and can tailor the tours to suit individuals.

Many thanks every-one<BR><BR>I'll contact those companies mentioned and see what they can do.<BR><BR>However, if there is any-one else out there that may have other information for me I would appreciate your input.<BR><BR>Thanks again<BR><BR>David

David, if you are in Australia, you should contact the War Museum in Canberra. I think they have a website. I believe there are terrific battlefields tours organised through them, or someone authorised by them. Also, there is an ex-Australian Army guy called Jack Thurgar who I had the privilege to listen to when he took our group around Gallipoli. He has his own website - I believe he's around the Canberra area as well. He may have some useful links. Good luck!

David,<BR>A couple of years ago we did a wonderful day tour from Paris of the areas you mention - particularly Villers-Bretonneux.<BR>I am not sure which bus company took us from Paris but once in the area the tour was organised by:<BR>Battlefield Tours Ltd.<BR>Colin and Lisa Gillard<BR>Phone/Fax:00 33-03 21 50 1887<BR>It was the most wonderful inspiring day - and Colin is an entertaining and extremely knowledgeable guide.

Once again, many thanks to all who have responded.<BR><BR>If there are any others out there who may have more information please don't hesitate in replying.<BR><BR>David

David<BR>The Office of Australian War Graves is really well geared up with information for those who want to tour the Somme. (or other areas)<BR>http://www.dva.gov.au/commem/oawg/wargr.htm<BR>We got their guides and maps before we went last year. We hired a car in Paris and headed north. The maps were fantastic, and very easy to follow, even for me, and I'm totally lost in the northern hemisphere. I think they also list tours.<BR><BR>Villers Bretonneux is interesting, but the whole area is so sad - so much destruction, so many cemetaries,so many lives wasted<BR><BR><BR>Hellfire Corner: http://www.fylde.demon.co.uk/welcome.htm<BR>We met Tom when we went to Flanders. I think he conducts private tours, but check his site.<BR><BR>If you are going to Flanders, I can't praise too highly Varlet Farm for accommodation. The family are great and breakfast was unbelievable.<BR>Email me if there's anything else you're interested in.

Thanks again every-one.<BR><BR>Margo, I'll eMail you later in the week to "talk" about this subject.<BR><BR>David