Day 1 Friday
Transfer from Paris CDG by minibus to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for independent pursuits.
Days 2 & 3 Saturday & Sunday
Two full days to explore the Paris you've always dreamed of. Your tour price includes $235 credit for your choice of sightseeing and activities, so that you can personalise your stay as you wish.
Day 4 Monday
We depart Paris at 08.30 for an excellent varied first day’s touring commencing with a city with royal roots stretching back in the 12th century, Fontainebleau. It was here, from the famous horseshoe staircase of the magnificent palace, that Napoleon bade his men farewell following his abdication in 1918. The palace can only be described as magnificent.
Our next stop will be Sens, noted as the site of France’s first gothic cathedral (12th Century). There's also a fine covered market here where we'll get our first insight onto the wonders of French food!
Our final destination is the ancient and atmospheric town of Beaune. En route, we’ll be driving through some glorious countryside.
Day 5 Tuesday
Naturally, a visit anywhere in France will offer the opportunity of visiting vineyards, but on this tour we have three very special regions; our first is here, in Burgundy.
The first vine was planted here in Roman times and the produce of ‘La Cote’ has been revered virtually ever since. We’ll be visiting one of the vineyards as we tour. We’ll also visit the Burgundy Wine Museum when in Beaune.
Our exploration of Beaune will take the form of ‘organised independence’ . On the evening prior to our visit you’ll have been well briefed by your guide-companion about the town. You’ll have been advised of the main sites, supplied with maps and had questions answered. You’re then free to explore the delights of the city at your own pace, choosing the attractions that hold the most interest for you. Of course, if you’re travelling alone you need not fear being neglected, as your guide-companion will also be offering a walking tour for those who would prefer his/her companionship.
Beaune offers a wealth of delights including the Hôtel-Dieu, a marvel of Burgundian-Flemish art. There are also the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and a museum sure to delight any physicians who travel with us, that of the great experimental doctor and physiologist, Etienne-Jules Marey.
Others will enjoy shopping in the old town or walking the 15th century town ramparts.
Day 6 Wednesday
Michelin give Dijon a three star rating, and it certainly deserves every one of them. We’re going to spend a full day here to get inside this ancient university city, and seat of the Dukes of Burgundy.
Highlights will include strolling pedestrian streets of the old town, such as the Rue des Forges, and exploring the rich remains of the Palais de Ducs (the Salle des Gardes in the Musée des Beaux–Arts cannot be missed). There’ll be an opportunity to visit the archaeological museum (including fantastic local finds from Neolithic and Gallo-Roman periods), the botanic gardens, the cathedral and numerous smaller chapels. Or perhaps a visit to the mustard museum!?!
Dijon is a gourmet’s and shopper’s delight! We’ll find the Auger shops for local products such as mustards, sweets, blackcurrant liqueurs and spicy ginger cake.
Tonight dinner is not included to allow for some individual choice in dining. There are several Michelin two and three star restaurants in Dijon. Should anyone wish to sample the extremely expensive delights of one of these, please advise us well in advance and we’ll be delighted to make appropriate arrangements.
Day 7 Thursday
We drive east, passing the ancient city of Besancon and into the mountains where we’ll follow the Vallée du Doubs. To say that this is a remarkably pretty drive is a gross understatement. Indeed, the Gorges du Doubes between the towns of Morteau and Monteliard, is breath-taking.
The Alsace is, of course, another area famed for its wines. The touring we're doing may afford us the opportunity of stopping at a scenic location in the mountains where we can enjoy a picnic of local produce, and simply enjoy nature in her magnificence.
Day 8 Friday
This morning you’re free to rise late and to explore Colmar. Highlights will include exploring the old town with its picturesque timbered houses, and perhaps enjoying a canal ride around ‘petite Venice’. There is also the Musée d’Underlinden, a fantastic collection of art housed in an old convent, a magnificent cathedral, and a small museum dedicated to the man who designed the Statue of Liberty.
Colmar is a town not quickly forgotten. It is so quaint that you almost feel you're in a film set. Gift shopping here is good so you'll enjoy your day of 'organised independence'. And for those with a taste for beer and wine, the cafes and bars here afford ample opportunity of sampling some of the local brews in the company of friendly locals.
Dinner is taken independently this evening and not included in your tour price.
Day 9 Saturday
We leave early this morning and follow the German border to the Capital City of the European Union, Strasbourg. Your day here will illustrate why the politicians chose it! Not only is this an historical crossroads for Europe, but it has an intellectual history that claims both Guttenberg and Goethe. It is rich in art treasures, has one of the finest gothic cathedrals, has superb shopping, and last but certainly not least, some of the best eating and drinking possibilities in the whole of the Union!
We visit on a Saturday to take advantage of it being market day (there’re both traditional and flea market to explore and both are great for interesting souvenirs and presents), and to give you an opportunity of joining a special themed walking tour.
Our return from Strasbourg takes us through Obernai where we’ll stop for dinner.
Day 10 Sunday
Another scenic day as we discover the Route des Cretes. This was a strategic road built during the First World War to ensure communications on the Vosges front line. We’ll obtain an amazing panorama of the area at Hohneck, from the Vosges to the German Black Forest, and later see the Vieil-Armand battlefield monument.
This afternoon we enjoy a two-hour drive west, through the hills and woods of the Vosges Forests to Nancy. Our description hardly does justice to the day's wonderful sightseeing. We’ll arrive in time for your guide-companion to offer a short orientation tour.
Day 11 Monday
Nancy is the former capital of the Dukes of Lorraine. It’s quite different in character from the towns of the Alsace and owes its elegance to 18th century town planning, though its roots go back to the 11th century! Art Nouveau is also much in evidence in Nancy’s architecture.
There’s much to see and do here, especially for those with an interest in arts and craftsmanship. There’re the Ducal Palace, the superb glass and crystal collection in the Musée des Beaux-Arts (and paintings by Monet, Modigliani and Manet), the wonderful art gallery at Musée de L’École de Nancy and the old town with its ranges of buildings of architectural and historical interest.
For those whose prefer to sit and stare, what finer way than at a pavement café in the Place Stanislas. Go on, shut your eyes and imagine yourself sitting in the shade, glass of fine wine to hand, a plate of regional snacks before you, perhaps some street musician providing the entertainment while you watch life go by without a worry in the world!
Day 12 Tuesday
We’ll take an opportunity of visiting another country today, Luxembourg. En route, we’ll visit Metz, a pretty and busy city on the river Moselle. This city was at the centre of 20th century Franco-German history and following the war of 1870 between France and Germany, the town took on a very Germanic character with the cathedral, post office and railway station all being re-built or re-fashioned in some form.
As this city was so important in France's defences against the Germans, it's not surprising that it's ringed by forts and we'll take the opportunity of visiting one of the ones that made up the famed Maginot Line.
If we have time, then maybe an opportunity to follow the river north to the independent country of Luxembourg.
Day 13 Wednesday
The First World War looms large again today. We won’t help but have noticed signs of the age-old conflict between France and Germany over the Alsace and Lorraine as we’ve travelled through the region but at Verdun, scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War, we’ll stop to contemplate this aspect of European history. Our time here will include a visit to the Citadelle Souterraine where there’s an imaginative tour that takes us on a recreation of life in the trenches. We’ll also visit the battlefield and associated museums and memorials.
Day 14 Thursday
It’s time to raise our glasses for today we explore the famed Champagne region.
Naturally, our day will include visits to well-known vineyards in the Marne valley, and to Champagne cellars (Moët et Chandon or Mercier) in Épernay itself, or perhaps the excellent wine museum. Whichever, there's obviously a great choice of wines and champagnes to try!
Day 15 Friday
Our final day sees us first in the ancient university town of Reims. It was here, at the magnificent cathedral, that French kings were traditionally crowned.
Architectural and cultural highlights here include the cathedral Notre-Dame (considered one of the finest in the world), the Basilica and Museum de St Remi and the Palais du Tau (the archbishops palace). We can also visit the fascinating Salle de Reddition, General Eisenhower’s HQ and where the act of German capitulation was signed. The actual room remains exactly as it was on May 7th 1945.
At day's end you'll be dropped at your Paris hotel for the night.
Suggested optional: Farewell dinner and show at the famous Moulin Rouge.
Day 16 Saturday
After breakfast, take the morning train from Paris to Lille .
To most people the Somme signifies one day - July 1st 1916. It was the day that the British Army suffered its greatest ever losses in a single day with nearly 60,000 casualties. But the actual battle for the Somme raged until November of that year, and saw massive fighting again in 1918.
What remains is truly awesome. There are sites seen today that will be etched into your consciousness forever. We tour the Somme battlefield covering major sites from the calamitous first day through the whole five months of the battle. You'll see Delville Wood, the Welsh memorial at Mametz Wood, the huge Lochnagar mine crater, the sunken road where the Accrington Pals were virtually wiped out, Sausage Valley, the Poziere battlefield and Windmill Hill (both important sites for Australians), Courcellette, site of the first major use of tanks supporting Canadian troops, and the nearby the tank memorial. We include Albert, the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing and the Ulster Tower. An undoubted highlight, however, will be our guided walk around the incredible preserved Beaumont Hamel battlefield site. Other sites will be added according to the interest of the tour participants.
Day 17 Sunday
The Salient' struck fear into the Great War Tommy for being the hottest spot on the 70 mile front held by Imperial 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 three great battles fought at Ypres, it was in fact a constant battle against shell, bullet, bomb, gas, water and rats. On our day touring the Salient you'll see, in the company of a first class guide, some of the most important sites that remain; the German trenches at Kemmel, 'Shot at Dawn' execution sites, sites of the first gas attack and where flame thrower were introduced into modern warfare, John McRae's Essex Farm site, the grave of double VC winner, Noel Chavasse, Hoogt crater and museum, the Passendaele dug-out and Tyne Cot cemetery. You'll walk the moonscape of the Hill 60 battlefield and see literally dozens of memorials to British, Australian and Canadian regiments. We'll also spend time in Ypres itself with the opportunity to visit St George's Chapel, the Menen (Menin) Gate Memorial. Those who have stayed overnight on the Saturday will have the opportunity to take an optional tour of the 'In Flanders Field' Museum to do so.
Day 18 Monday
This, the final day in our series of one-day Western Front battlefield visits, takes us to the line between Armentieres and Arras. It's a much neglected region but with a huge amount to see. You can either join for just this one day or make it part of a longer tour. If you're taking this as a one-day tour, you'll catch the 06.26 Eurostar from London's Waterloo station, and be met on arrival in Lille by your Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd guide. If you've been with us for the two prior days, touring the Ypres Salient and The Somme, you'll be collected from our Lille tour base hotel.
On this day we'll visit sites connected with the 1915 battles of Aubers Ridge, Festubert, and Neuve Chapelle, where the Indian Army gave a magnificent account of itself. You'll see where Adolf Hitler served and the bunker he is reputed to have used as a billet. Australian's will enjoy seeing the Fromelles memorial. We'll tour the Loos battlefield, site of the disastrous battle of 1915, and Vimy Ridge where we take a tunnel tour. Canadians will find this of special interest during the 90th anniversary commemorations. We'll also see sites in and around the pretty city of Arras including (subject to opening) the recently discovered underground hospital and the French National memorial at Lorrette de Notre Dame.
Reluctantly our tour ends this evening at Lille Europe station.
At your expense: Stay an additional night in Lille; return to London by Eurostar; take the TGV to Paris or Brussels.
PARIS A LA CARTE