Fromelles and Ypres Day Tour from Arras and Lille
Overview
Inclusions
- Hotel pick-up (selected hotels only)
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Guide
- Drop-off in Ypres, Lille, or Arras
- Entry/Admission - Musee de la Bataille de Fromelles
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Musee de la Bataille de Fromelles, Rue de la Basse Ville 10 rue d'Eglise, 59249 Fromelles France
Hear about the battle and the story of the mass graves at Pheasant Wood in this excellent museum and visitors centre
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery, Rue de la Basse Ville, Fromelles France
We will pay our respects to the soldiers recovered from the mass graves at Pheasant Wood and re buried in this new cemetery
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Australian Memorial Park, Rue delval, Fromelles France
See the famous Cobbers Memorial on the German front line
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: VC Corner Australian Cemetery, 91 rue Delval Next to the Australian Memorial Park, 59249 Fromelles France
Visit the only all Australian Cemetery in France
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Ploegsteert Memorial, Rue de Messines Ploegsteert, Comines-Warneton 7782 Belgium
See where the 3rd Division will prepare for the Battle of Messines and hear about the 1st Australian Tunneling company who dug the Catacombs here.
Duration: 5 minutes
Pass By: Christmas Truce Memorial, Chemin du Mont de la Hutte, Comines-Warneton Belgium
Learn about the Christmas Truce of 1914.
Pass By: Messines Ridge, N314, Mesen 8957 Belgium
Learn of the successes of this offensive as we drive along the ridge
Stop At: Hill 60, Zwarteleenstraat 36-40, Ieper (Ypres) 8902 Belgium
See the preserved battlefield, the Bunkers and the two mine craters that the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company blew on the 7th June 1917
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Battle of Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke Belgium
Visit the Wood captured by the 5th Division on the 26th September 1917
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: 5th Australian Division Memorial, Menin Road, N8 Meenseweg, Ieper (Ypres) 8980 Belgium
See the 5th Division Memorial in the New Buttes Cemetery
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Tyne Cot Cemetery, Tynecotstraat, Zonnebeke 8980 Belgium
Visit the largest Commonwealth Cemetery in the World and hear of the terrible Battle of Passchendaele, the final phase of the third battle of Ypres, here you will see the two Australian VC.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Menin Gate Memorial, Menenstraat Poort gebouw, Ieper (Ypres) 8900 Belgium
At 1800hrs we arrive in Ypres, time to eat before the Last Post Ceremony at 2000hrs. You may lay a wreath here if you wish- please let the guide know.
Duration: 2 hours
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Infant seats available
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
My husband and I were picked up by Rod at Arras Railway Station at 9am to commence our day tour. The day was extremely interesting and often very moving. Rod has an exceptional knowledge of military history and is generous with his time explaining that history. Amazing and shocking that such c...
My husband and I were picked up by Rod at Arras Railway Station at 9am to commence our day tour. The day was extremely interesting and often very moving. Rod has an exceptional knowledge of military history and is generous with his time explaining that history. Amazing and shocking that such carnage took place in what is now a beautiful and peaceful landscape. The sculpture of soldiers shaking hands before a soccer game in a cease fire at Christmas 1914 at Messines Ridge was a total standout for me. Stopped for lunch at a lovely cafe en-route and we were made very welcome by the owners Nancy and Claude. Highly recommend this to anyone interested in more fully understanding just what went on. Thank you Rod for an exceptional day.We had a fantastic 1 day tour with Dennis, he was a great guide and we saw some interesting sites as well as hearing what it was like for the soldiers who were sent there, I feel my knowledge of the impact of the war on both civillian and troops has been enhanced enormously, and to experience t...
We had a fantastic 1 day tour with Dennis, he was a great guide and we saw some interesting sites as well as hearing what it was like for the soldiers who were sent there, I feel my knowledge of the impact of the war on both civillian and troops has been enhanced enormously, and to experience the last post at such a poinient time was very special indeed. Thanks for a very informative and interesting tour, highly recommend if heading to Arras Thanks Lisa and Ben (button pusher)These two day tours with Denis were an incredible experience, one of the highlights of our recent trip. His knowledge of the military details was excellent and his ability to convey it was effortless. Not only could he explain the military facts, figures and strategies, but he also rounded out hi...
These two day tours with Denis were an incredible experience, one of the highlights of our recent trip. His knowledge of the military details was excellent and his ability to convey it was effortless. Not only could he explain the military facts, figures and strategies, but he also rounded out his explanations with tales of what day to day life was like for both those in the trenches as well as the locals. Any questions we had at the many sites we visited were answered comprehensively and we have come away with a much greater understanding and appreciation of not only the horrors endured and the enormity of the sacrifices made, but also the honour still bestowed on those fallen. Particularly poignant was the Last Post at the Menin Gate, with Denis making sure we were well positioned to get full view of the entire proceedings. Sincere thanks Denis for your warm companionship and such a wonderful experience. These are tours we thoroughly recommend to anyone thinking of visiting the WW1 battlefields.
We had a wonderful long day with Rod,certainly learnt heaps. Loads of time for photographs,reflection,toliet stops,conversation and a fresh tasty lunch all provided. Bus comfortable and warm. Especially loved the last post on the trip home very emotional. For Aussie it was certainly meaningful...
We had a wonderful long day with Rod,certainly learnt heaps. Loads of time for photographs,reflection,toliet stops,conversation and a fresh tasty lunch all provided. Bus comfortable and warm. Especially loved the last post on the trip home very emotional. For Aussie it was certainly meaningful.Would highly recommend this tour for all ages . Thanks again.
We were taken to Beck House where Stanton was killed. This was out in the middle of a field. Jacky provided us with a small wooden cross on which to write and then we were able to place the cross in the ground. So far beyond our expectations. Then enabled us to join the wreath laying/Last Pos...
We were taken to Beck House where Stanton was killed. This was out in the middle of a field. Jacky provided us with a small wooden cross on which to write and then we were able to place the cross in the ground. So far beyond our expectations. Then enabled us to join the wreath laying/Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. Arranged for the wreath to be at a local florist/gift shop for us to collect. Introduced us to the master of ceremonies. We are still just amazed at the level of detail these guides were able to access on our behalf. Even provided a photo of Beck House. Absolutely outstanding!!!
Our tour was with Battleground Tours, We were collected from our Arras accommodation by our guide Denis in a comfortable 8 seater van. The mid-May weather was overcast with rainy periods which helped set the scene for the day. Being the only passengers in the van gave my wife and I Denis's ful...
Our tour was with Battleground Tours, We were collected from our Arras accommodation by our guide Denis in a comfortable 8 seater van. The mid-May weather was overcast with rainy periods which helped set the scene for the day. Being the only passengers in the van gave my wife and I Denis's full attention and we were able to range over a whole range of subjects during the driving between sites. As befits the nature of the the static battlefields of WWI we had frequent stops at the cemeteries, trenches, emplacements and memorials including the 1914 Christmas truce soccer match, criss-crossing the battle-lines throughout the day. As the day drew to a close we arrived at Ypres, had dinner and then attended the Menin Gate ceremony at 8pm. Following this Denis drove us home, thus completing a very interesting and enjoyable 12 hour day packed with memories.
We both felt that Denis' commentaries on the events and actions that influenced the course of the war were very even-handed and fair.
Our only suggestion would be for the provision on an individual basis, of a map, A-4 sized, showing both the route and sites for the day, and also with battle lines, possibly several to show the various advances and retreats, very similar to the cast bronze maps displayed at some of the sites, to aid in understanding and orientation. The maps as shown on Googlemaps, with topography would be a very useful starting point for this, since much of the actions were related to the taking of high ground or crossing rivers. If they were laminated it would be so much the better since they could be marked up with marker pens.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable day.