'The Salient' struck fear into the Great War Tommy for being the hottest spot on the 80 mile front held by British and Empire troops. Over a quarter of a million men gave their lives to hold this last bit of Belgium from the Germans. Although history records four great battles fought at Ypres, it was in fact a constant battle against shells, bullets, bombs, gas, mud and rats.


 

Tour Inclusions
• Specialist Battlefield driver/guide
• All mini-coach transportation
• All entrance fees

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Itinerary:

Day 1  (Sunday)  Ypres Salient
We join the tour today in Lille. On our day touring the Salient we see, in the company of a first class guide, some of the most important sites that remain: the area of the first gas attack, John McCrae's Essex Farm, the Messines Ridge, Hooge crater where the flame thrower was introduced into modern warfare, and the sites that played a pivotal role in the Battle of Passchendaele; Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot. Walk the moonscape of the Hill 60 battlefield and see literally dozens of memorials to British, Australian and Canadian regiments and units. Your tour returns to Lille this evening.

Price

JOINING THE TOUR IN LILLE/ FROM PARIS
Already in France and no need for transfers from London? Join this tour in Lille. Make our own way to the pick-up point at 11:30 am at the 'Meeting Point' inside the Lille Europe station. If you are staying in Paris you may catch the SNCF operated train service from Paris Nord to Lille Flanders (approx 1 hr 20 mins). From Lille Flanders make your way to Lille Europe for the 11.30am pick up at 'The Meeting Point' inside the rail terminal. Please note that transfers from Paris are not included in the price of your tour.


JOINING THE TOUR IN LONDON
We can pre-arrange your Eurostar ticket from London (St Pancras International Rail Station) to Lille where you may then meet your guide at 11:30 am at the 'Meeting Point' inside the Lille Europe station. If you nominate this option, Back-Roads will book your Eurostar on your behalf. You will be provided with a reference number that you use to retrieve your ticket at St Pancras station. Please ensure you arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the train departure time. We advise all tour participants to call us a day or two prior to departure to ensure they have the correct ticket reference as we do not have a representative in London on the morning of departure.