Back-Roads Touring Co

This Tour is on Special ~ See details below

4 Day Battlefield Tour 
This is a superb four-day tour for those who want to see where some of the most seminal events of the 20th century were played out. Our tour encompasses both wars but with the greater emphasis on World War II. We've tried to make it as comprehensive an overview as is possible in the time we've allotted. It includes sites evocative of the Dunkerque evacuation, the ‘Sheild’, the Nazi Atlantic Wall fortifications, the Dieppe raid, Hitler’s secret weapon, and, of course, Normandy Beaches.

INCLUDES:

• Accommodation for 3 nights 
• Continental breakfasts 
• Dinners
• Transportation from Lille
• Services of driver/guide
• All entrance fees to attractions
• All taxes and tips (other than those you may wish to give your guide). 

**Transportation from London can be arranged on request.

Itinerary:

Day 1 (Tuesday) Lille - Dieppe
First, to the Dunkirk beaches and surroundings studying the 'miracle' of the withdrawal, seeing the famous mole and the area of Dunes where the 'small ships' came to prominence. You'll also study the fighting in and around Calais, the 'Last Stand' and Green Jackets Memorial which stands at the entrance to Calais harbour, and see the site of the Le Paradis massacre. You'll also be seeing sites such as the Citadel, Fort Neuilly, the Cathedral Bunker and nearby Fort Lapin that features in the battles of Boulogne. Finally, Griz Nez, the museum at Todt Battery with its immense Railway Gun and the V3 London Cannon site at Mimoyecques round off our griping day before we follow the Atlantic Wall to Dieppe. 

Stay in: Dieppe 

Day 2 (Wednesday) Bayeux  
We'll begin today with visit sites connected with the Dieppe landings of 1942 where Canadian Infantry, British Commandos and American Rangers were badly mauled in an early attempt at a coastal invasion. The Canadian Museum at Dieppe and the site of the commando landings will be highlights.

We then continue to the first of the Normandy Beaches. We spend a day covering various British and Commonwealth landing and dropping zones, visiting Arromanches, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches and following the advance inland. We also visit Bayeux Cemetery and Museum, Pegasus Bridge, Cafe Gondree (first house liberated), Ranville, Merville Battery, Troarn Bridge and many other places of interest, including Divisional and Unit Memorials. The length of time we spend at each site will vary according to the nationality and interest of those on board the tour. 

Stay in: Bayeux

Day 3 (Thursday) Bayeux
We spend a day covering the American involvement, visiting Utah and 'Bloody' Omaha Beaches, Ste. Mere Eglise (with its famous church on which US paratrooper John Steele landed), Pont Du Hoc (where Col. James Rudder and his Rangers scaled the sheer cliffs) and the very poignant American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. We also cover part of the advance from the beaches, through the Normandy bocage including Operation Epsom. 

Stay in: Bayeux 

Day 4 (Friday)
Our first stop today will be in mediaeval Rouen, city of Joan d'Arc. 'Cry God for Harry and England and bring on the dogs of war!' Agincourt, one of the greatest of all medieval battles, fought between the English and French forces, will be our next focal point. It was here that the long bow came into its own for the first time and made all the difference. Even though this battle took place nearly 600 years ago, you can still feel the chill of the atmosphere and feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as you hear tales of both bravery and massacre. Finally, we’ll stop at La Coupole where yesterday’s arrows give way to today’s missiles. This incredible and massive subterranean bunker was where Hitler’s V1 and V2 rockets were developed and today the site is dedicated to displaying a history of the rocket/missile, the history of transportation and forced, slave labour and a variety of ad hoc, special commemorative events. ‘Mind-blowing‘ is the description most often used by past participants on this tour and it provides a fitting climax to our four days. 

Notes:

• You might want to link this tour with one or more of our battlefield tours which run every Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

 Price:

The tour departs from Lille. Travel from London to Lille can be arranged at additional cost.

This tour can nicely be combined with our The Somme, France battlefield single day tour, departing Saturdays.

Tentative Itineraries:
Please note that Back-Roads itineraries are designed to be flexible. Because our groups tend to be smaller, we are able to adapt our day-to-day route and visits according to the interests of the group, weather conditions, and local events. 

Pick-up Information:
Tour departs at 9:30 AM from Lille Europe Station.
Travel from London can be arranged at additional cost - please contact us for details.

4 Day Battlefield Tour 
This is a superb four-day tour for those who want to see where some of the most seminal events of the 20th century were played out. Our tour encompasses both wars but with the greater emphasis on World War II. We've tried to make it as comprehensive an overview as is possible in the time we've allotted. It includes sites evocative of the Dunkerque evacuation, the ‘Sheild’, the Nazi Atlantic Wall fortifications, the Dieppe raid, Hitler’s secret weapon, and, of course, Normandy Beaches.