Anzac Day Trip to Villers-Bretonneux with WWI Somme Battlefields Tour from Paris

Small-Group ANZAC Day Trip from Paris: Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux and WWI Somme Battlefields Tour

Remember the fallen Australian and New Zealand forces on your ANZAC Day Trip

Small-Group ANZAC Day Trip from Paris: Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux

Duration13h

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 45 travelers

Overview

Don’t miss this year’s ANZAC Day, an Australian day of remembrance that marks the anniversary of Australia and New Zealand’s first military action during World War I. Travel from Paris to Villers-Bretonneux in the early morning for the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, followed by a tour of the surrounding Somme area to visit major WWI sites and battlefields. Visit the site of the Battle of Pozières and explore the Lochnagar Crater, Adelaide Cemetery, the Franco-Australian Museum and the Thiepval Memorial, all while learning about the history of WWI from your expert guide.

What's included

Transport by air-conditioned minivan, 15-seat mini-coach or large coach depending on the group size
Guided sightseeing tour with English-speaking guide

Food and drinks
Gratuities

What to expect

Australian National Memorial
3h

When you arrive at the Australian National Memorial which stands within Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, you'll attend the Anzac Day dawn service, which honors the sacrifice of the Australians and New Zealanders during the World War I.

This emotional service, regardless of your age or background, is a major part of the tradition of ANZAC Day, dating back to the military practice of 'standing to' at dawn, the most favorable time for attack. The ANZAC legend was poignantly put into words by Sir William Deane, Governor-General of Australia: "Anzac is not merely about loss. It is about courage, and endurance, and duty, and love of country, and mateship, and good humor and the survival of a sense of self-worth and decency in the face of dreadful odds.”

This ceremony offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Lochnagar Crater
20m

This incredible crater is a strong symbol and an impressive trace of the ravages of the Battle of the Somme. It took almost 30 tonnes of explosives placed 16 m underground to create this detonation which will mark the start of the offensive of July 1, 1916. The Crater is today the only one of this type still accessible by the public and there is no doubt that its dimensions, 91 meters in diameter and 21 meters deep, will impress all audiences regardless of their age.
Memorial de Thiepval
Pass by

"The Thiepval Memorial is one of the largest memorials in the world. Unveiled in 1932, it bears the names of more than 72,000 soldiers who went missing during the fighting. Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the memorial reminds visitors that the Battle of the Somme was one of the most deadly of the Great War, incurring 1,200,000 casualties from 1 July to 18 November 1916."
Historial de la Grande Guerre
1h

Stop for Lunch (not included) before returning to Paris

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Departure Point: Central Paris, at the Opéra Garnier
Address: Place de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris
Directions: Meet your guide on the steps of the Opéra Garnier.
Nearest metro station: Opera (lines 3, 7, 8)

End point

Departure Point: Central Paris, at the Opéra Garnier
Address: Place de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris
Directions: Meet your guide on the steps of the Opéra Garnier.
Nearest metro station: Opera (lines 3, 7, 8)

Additional information

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Many of the sites on this tour are outside so please dress appropriately
There will be one short stop on the way to Villers-Bretonneux for the dawn service ceremony and one stop around lunch time. Food and drinks are not included.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel at least 2 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Reviews

4.7 (7)