ANZAC Day in France and Belgium Tour (London to London option)

Spend ANZAC Day on the western Front in FRANCE & BELGIUM, 24-27 APRIL 2012

4 Day Coach & Hotel Tour: only £345 per peson

If you are interested in our Lille to Lille tour, please click here!

Whilst Gallipoli marked the first major involvement of Anzac troops in World War One, it was on the Western Front in France and Belgium that saw Anzac soldiers serve and give their lives in highest numbers during horrendous warfare. Join us for a 4 day 3 night emotional tour to some of the major Anzac battlefields and memorials of Northern France and Belgium, and attend the Anzac Day dawn service at Villers-Bretonneaux on 25 April 2012 to commemorate Anzac involvement on the Western Front.

More than 310,000 Australian troops (after their 8 month ordeal in Gallipoli) fought on the Western Front in France, with around 53,000 losing their lives. Despite all the bloodshed, Anzac troops in particular are still remembered amongst their allies and by the local French people for their bravery and significant contributions during these terrible battles.

One example of Anzac participation was the battle at Villers- Bretonneux where 5 divisions of Australian troops liberated the town in 1918, and not only halted a German advance but forced their retreat. By a pure coincidence, it was on the 25th of April (Anzac Day) that Villers-Bretonneux was liberated by the Anzac soldiers. Each year at the Australian memorial at Villers-Bretonneux a dawn service is held on 25 April and is attended by over 5000 people.

During our Anzac Day on the Western Front Tour, we will attend the dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux to remember those Anzac troops who lost their lives and also visit their memorial. The size and solitude of the memorial is awe-inspiring, a 32 meter high tower carries the name of over 11,000 soldiers who have no known grave in France. The local French people are so appreciative of the Anzac troops that liberated their town, the local primary school (The Victoria School) in Villers- Bretonneux still carries a large sign painted in English “Do Not Forget Australia”.

On the first day of the tour we visit Fromelles. In just one day and one night of fighting in July 1916, 5,533 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. The Australian war memorial describes the battle as “the worst 24 hours in Australia’s entire history.” After the battle many Australians were buried in mass graves which were found by Australian amateur historian Lambis Englezos 2007. In 2008 they started exhuming the bodies and reburying them in a near cemetery in Fromelles. We visit the new cemetery, and also see the famous “don’t forget me cobber” memorial.

On the second day (ANZAC Day) we have a very early start (approx 2.30am) and attend the ANZAC Day dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux, home of the Australian Memorial. We also visit the museum and school which has the “don’t forget Australia” sign. We visit Adelaide Cemetery, and see the grave from which a unknown soldier was exhumed and taken back home and is now laid to rest in the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. We will have a group lunch (included) and also visit Le Hamel and Pozieres. The Australians sustained massive casualties (23,000) during the battle of Pozieres, as Australian official historian Charles Bean said, “the Pozières ridge is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth.”

On the third day we visit the Passchendaele battlefield in Belgium, and spend time at Tyne Cot cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world which is the resting place of 11,956 Commonwealth soldiers. Tyne Cot cemetery is located on the ground the Australian 3 Division captured on 4 October 1917. We also visit Polygon Wood cemetery, which is also home to the Australian 5^th Division memorial. We also visit Hill 60, the site of the famous 2010 film “Beneath Hill 60”. At lunchtime we have a group meal (included) and Hooge Crater café and museum and have free time in central Ypres for dinner (not included). We then attend the Last Post ceremony in the beautiful town of Ypres.

On the fourth day, we travel back to London, where the tour should terminate back at London Embankment Tube Station around 5pm.

During our tour we stay in the Ibis Hotel in the centre of the beautiful French city of Lille, one of the most fought over cities in the world. All rooms are twin or double rooms and en suite. The hotel has its own bar and restaurant, but is also located in the centre of Lille and is surrounded by bars, restaurants and shops.

If you are already in France, or want to make your own way to Lille by Eurostar, you can start and finish the tour at our hotel in Lille. Tour starts around 3pm on Tuesday 24 April 2012, and finishes after breakfast on Friday 27 April at our hotel. Make your own way and meet us and leave us at our hotel in Lille – only £325. Click here if you want to book this LILLE TO LILLE option for £325 per person.

Please Note: We attend the Australia ANZAC Day dawn service at Villers Brettoneux, and this particular tour itinerary is intended for Australian clients.

Please Note: Although we normally offer young and adventurous tours (18 to 35 years old), our ANZAC Day tour is different and attracts people of all ages. We conduct a respectful tour and this tour is suitable for any age range. For example our 2011 tour attracted an average age of around 34 to 36 years old, with plenty of youngsters but also people aged 70+.