ANZAC Day on the Somme 2012
Number of days: 5 Days
Departs from: Paris
Avg distance travelled / day: 131 kms
Adelaide Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: 23 April - Paris
Your tour commences in your Paris hotel this evening. We have included a welcome drink and dinner in your hotel. This is an ideal chance to meet and get to know your Tour Manager and fellow travellers.
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Your Paris Hotel - Mercure Paris Montmartre or Ibis La Villette
Day 2: 24 April - Amiens
We depart Paris and travel north to Fromelles to visit VC Corner (Australian Cemetery), Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery and the Australian Memorial Park at Fromelles, scene of Australia’s first major battle on the Western Front. From here we travel across the old Bullecourt battlefield to view the moving statue of an Australian soldier at the Bullecourt ‘Digger’ Memorial.
Your home for the next 3 nights is the city of Amiens. In 1918 Australian soldiers played a prominent part in the defence of the city. Our hotels are superbly located in the very heart of Amiens, within easy walking distance of all the major sights. Make sure you visit one of the gems of French medieval architecture - Amiens Cathedral, where the Australian and New Zealand soldiers have been honoured.
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Your Amiens hotel: All Seasons Amiens or Ibis Amiens Centre Cathedrale
Day 3: 25 April - Amiens - ANZAC Day
This morning we attend the Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial near Villers Bretonneux. At the conclusion of the Dawn Service, we attend the local community service, led by the Mayor, at the French monument near the town hall in Villers Bretonneux. A breakfast pack has been included today. Later, we experience the tragedy of the 1916 Somme battlefield including the Australian memorials at Pozières, which recall the loss of 23,000 men in six weeks. Also visited today are the vast and tragic Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, and the Newfoundland Memorial Park. A snack lunch has been included today.
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Day 4: 26 April - Amiens
Our first visit today is to the 2nd Australian Division memorial at Mont St Quentin, on the outskirts of the historical town of Péronne. Driving across the uplands of the Somme, we visit the Australian Corps Memorial at Le Hamel. This afternoon is dedicated to Villers Bretonneux. It was here on April 25, 1918, exactly 3 years after the Gallipoli landings, that Australian courage and determination provided a stunning victory that ended the German advance in this area. It is a place to think about how Australia’s story on the Western Front between 1916 and 1918 has been commemorated. You will visit the fascinating Franco Australian Museum at the Victoria School in the village, with its extensive collection of memorabilia, and revisit the Australian National Memorial. Our last stop is a visit to the Adelaide Cemetery (site of the exhumation of Australia’s Unknown Soldier in November 1993). Return to Amiens where this evening you enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
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Day 5: 27 April - To Paris
Sadly your Western Front Tour ends this morning after breakfast as you are transferred to Paris to arrive around midday. Drop off points will be Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Gare du Nord station. We recommend that you do not book flights or trains that depart Paris before 2pm today.
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