aisne in picardy battlefields chemin des dames, vallĂŠe de la somme, vallĂŠe de la Marne ...
From the Saint Quentin Canal to the Chemin des Dames 100 km . 60 mile circuit
2 days / 1 night
Š Flament, VÊrin, Balesse, ABMC
This itinerary retracing the movements of British forces in the Aisne explores World War I strategy, the key battles, the tragedy and lives of the soldiers in the underground networks.
Day 1: 75 km 45 miles
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In the morning, follow the footsteps of the British army in Saint-Quentin, a fine city of art and history renovated in the art deco style. The walking tour of the city centre takes in the historic buildings and emblematic locations where the British army passed: the meeting between Joffre and French, the well, … The tour then goes down to the Riqueval Tunnel, a unique and timeless civil engineering achievement, nearly 6 km in length, and incorporated into the Hindenburg Line constructed by the Germans in the winter of 19161917. Your guide will reveal the secrets of this “almost impregnable” strategic location. The afternoon is devoted to a visit to the Historial de la Grande Guerre (the WWI Museum) in Péronne, a gripping journey into human history. Hundreds of artefacts, drawings, posters and often unpublished archive footage give a vivid impression of the lives and suffering of front line soldiers, as well as the decisive role played by women in wartime society. You will then be taken to your 3* hotel where you will have dinner.
Day 2: 25 km 15 miles
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After breakfast, leave for a guided tour of the medieval city of Laon. Occupied by the German army as from September 2 1914, Laon was not liberated until October 13 1918. Though for four years, the Laon region had to endure austerity and food shortages, the city was spared, unlike Soissons and Saint-Quentin that were both completely destroyed. You will be able to admire the city’s treasures of medieval architecture and listen to stories of four years of occupation. In the afternoon, visit the Dragon’s Lair and the Chemin des Dames.
Caverne du Dragon Museum On the Chemin des Dames, the Dragon's Lair, a former limestone quarry located nearly 50 feet below ground, offers a poignant insight into the lives of soldiers during the Great War. Through sound, image and archive documents, visitors discover far below the front line what daily life must have been like for the troops.
Plateau de Californie, British position, May 27th 1918 Once the site of a farm, called "La Californie" after an owner who went to
America to sell champagne, this plateau was the scene of very fierce fighting. On May 27th 1918 the Germans launched a surprise attack on British units. After the war not a single tree was left standing, just millions of shells...
Loyal North Lancashire war memorial This is a classical style column bearing the insignia of the 1st battalion, Loyal North Lancashire regiment, in honour of the "Lancashire lads" who fought at Cerny in September 1914. The memorial, paid for by public subscription, was inaugurated in 1923.
Price per person: €149.50 for a group of 30 €144.00 for a group of 40 €16.00 per person / night for an extra single room The price includes: the tours, the guides, the lunches (including drinks), dinner (including drinks), breakfast, one night accommodation in a double room in a 3* hotel.
Information and booking: ADRT Aisne Mmes Sabourdy et Ledru Parc Foch Avenue Foch CS60627 – F-02007 Laon Cedex T : 0033 3 23 27 76 80 reservation@aisne-tourisme.com www.aisne-voyages-groupes.fr
British cemetery, Vendresse Cemetery created after World War I with graves for British soldiers who died nearby. Many graves are unidentified: out of 700 graves only 327 have a name. Some headstones bear the words "Buried near this spot". The programme ends here.
The Americans in WoRld War I, or the miracle of the Marne 40 km (25 mile) circuit
1 day
Š Balesse
Your tour starts
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... at the Oise-Aisne military cemetery where the 42nd US Rainbow division fought. Among the 6,012 tombs is that of the poet Joyce Kilmer, killed in action in July 1918. Then, in the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to Belleau, with its trenches, and cemetery with the graves of over 2,200 soldiers and its museum. The tour includes the Hill 204 Monument, dedicated to FrancoAmerican cooperation and the 1918 Battle of the Marne overlooking the Champagne vineyards. The day ends with a guided tour of superb champagne cellars with a chance to taste wine from the Aisne, France’s third-biggest Champagne-producing department. The programme ends here.
Price per person: €51.25 for a group of 20 to 50 The price includes: the guided tours, admission to Belleau Museum (open from May to October), lunch, including drinks
Information and booking: Office de Tourisme Mme Carriço 9 rue Vallée F-02400 Château-Thierry T : 0033 3 23 83 51 14 commercial.ot@otrct.fr www.aisne-voyages-groupes.fr