Two days tour to WW1 trenches, Verdun & Bastogne
Visit unique WW1 trenches at a Main de la Massige uncovered only in 2008. Learn about the battles of Verdun which became the biggest, longest and costlies battles of WW1. Tour the battlefields of the famous siege of Bastogne in Belgium and the heroic stand of the "Band of Brothers" 101st Airborne.
One of the most authentic trenches in Europe
Plan of the visit Maginot Line
Jack Woods - foxholes of the "Easy Company"
2500
Highlights of the tour
- WW1 trenches at La Main de Massige
- Fort Douamont
- Verdun battlefields
- Maginot Line
- Bastogne & Jack Woods
- Other interresting sightseeing
The price of the tour is 2500 Euros
- Price for the group: 1 to 7 guest
- Direct pick up and drop off to your accommodation
- Private guide / driver (same person)
- Tour itinerary and flexibility to change the tour
- Spacious, aircoditioned minibus
Full description of the tour
PROPOSED ITINERARY DAY ONE
| 6:30am depart | Direct pick up from your accommodation in Paris |
| La Main de Massige | WW 1 trenches that were forgotten till 2008 when reconstruction works began. Today it is the most authentic site of WW1 trenches in the Europe. Some movies and documentaries were shot here. |
| Lunch | Traditional local restaurant of sandwiches in the car (can decide on the day) |
| Fort Douamont (Verdun) | The mightiest of the forts surrounding Verdun. Visit of the fort, exposition of photographs & movies, barracks room, 155mm gun turret and more |
| Douamont ossuary | The ossuary contains the remains of 130.000 soldiers ! |
| Trench of Bayonets | A monument created by an American artist |
| The "Red Zone" and the destroyed villages | Nine villages in the "Red Zone" were razed to the ground. Some positions of the houses and public buildings remain till today, but were never rebuilt - They became ghost villages that "Died for France" during the great war |
| *Verdun citadel & underground galleries | *only if time allows ! |
| +/-5pm drop off to your hotel in Verdun | Suggestion of the hotels will be sent to you upon booking |
PROPOSED ITINERARY DAY TWO
| "Ouvrage de la Ferte" Maginot Line | Visit and explore two massive combat blocks (bunkers) linked with underground tunnel accompanied by your guide. Ouvrage de la Ferte is the most northern part of the French Maginot line. It was exactly here where Germany stormed into France in 1940 at attacked this fotified position. Interiour & exteriour visit of the entire complex + a video introduction |
| Important information for participants ! "To proceed from one fortified position to the second, every participant has to take a 90 feet staircase down, than walk a 300 yard long narrow corridor and another 90 feet staircase up (there is no lift). There will be atleast one-two breaks while taking the staircase up, but it is still a physically demanding experience. As well as not recomended to someone who is claustrophobic due to the close up space See the photo "Plan of the visit Maginot Line" |
|
| Foy | Village from which the Germans were continuisly attacking the Easy Company positions |
| Jack Woods | Walk through the parts of forest where the Easy Company "Band of Brothers" were defending Bastogne. Foxholes are still visible all around the woods. |
| Bizory Chapel | Chapel turned into a provisional aid station |
| *Mandarsson momument and the museum | *visit of the museum depending on time. Comes up how much time was spent in previous sites |
| Bastogne | Sightseeing of Sherman tank and monument to Gen. McAuliffe |
| +/- 4:30pm depart | Direct drop off to your accommodation in Paris or airport |
WHATS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR
- Governmental tax - No hidden extra fees
- VIP Private Trip 1 to 7 guests – Price is for the group
- Private spacious and luxury Van – Full option 7 seater mini bus
- English speaking driver / guide
- Insurance while guest in the car (transportation insurance)
- Pick up and drop off from and to the hotel/accommodation in Paris
- Full transportation including all road charges (petrol, parking, highway fees)
- Planning and Flexibility of the itinerary
- Suggestions and booking of hotels & restaurants (If needed)
- For multiple day tour - guides accommodation, breakfast and dinner are covered
WHATS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee breaks & snacks expenses
- Entrance fees to any museums, activities, visits and tastings
- Your own hotel - accommodation - overnight stay
- Guides lunch on guests expenses (20Euros max)
- Any additional or personal expenses
- Guides gratuity (optional)
- Each guest personal insurance : The guest has to be covered with his own private international travel insurance for any accidents or sickness while being on the tour as Private Trip does not take any responsibility for it
Useful informations
Appropriate clothing ! Good walking shoes and wind/water proof jacket are essential. In winter months extra clothing is recommended.
If you had a relative that participated in The Battle of the Bulge or any other battle to liberate Europe - let us know! We can do the necessary research on the individual or his unit / division and adapt the tour depending on the possibilities. In the last years we had helped many families to reveal what their relatives went through in Normandy !