Paris - Place de la Concorde

The Pyramid of Louvre

DAY 2 - Paris (B)
                                                                                    

This morning we are joined by an expert guide for a Paris panoramic city tour which will bring alive the city; from the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre and Notre Dame. Your afternoon will be free to explore the shops, cafes, museums and grand boulevards that Paris is famous for. This evening we will take an Illuminations drive to see Paris’ major landmarks bathed in glorious light.  We will also be stopping at the Latin Quarter, located on the ‘left bank’ of the River Seine, which is renowned for its narrow winding streets packed with cafes, bars and bistros. You will have free time to select a restaurant and enjoy a romantic dinner in this very Parisienne atmosphere.

DAY 3 - Ypres (B, D)

We depart Paris and mid morning cross the uplands of the Somme to visit the 2nd Australian Division memorial at Mont St Quentin, on the outskirts of the historical town of Péronne.  In 1918 the ‘Diggers’ stormed and took this heavily fortified town under intense machine gun fire. Lunch time is at leisure in the old town of Péronne.   Later this afternoon we continue to Ypres where we stay the next four nights. Between 1916 and 1918 thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers came to Ypres where some of the heaviest fighting in World War 1 took place. Completely destroyed in the war, the town was lovingly re-built, carefully restoring the grand old buildings and picturesque square.  Tonight after a buffet dinner in your hotel, you will attend the sounding of the Last Post at the Menin Gate, a moving ceremony repeated every night since 1928.

Your feature hotel in Ypres – The Novotel Ieper Centrum

The hotel is modern and certainly not unique. It is a feature hotel because of its incredible location in the very heart of the old town; 50 metres from the giant gothic square and barely 200 metres from the famous Menin Gate. Our selection of this hotel is very important as we stay here 4 nights.

The Australian Monument in Peronne

Menin Gate

Cloth Hall

DAY 4 - Ypres (B)

This morning your Tour Manager will take you on a walking tour through the centre of town, including the magnificent Cloth Hall, St Georges Chapel and St Martin’s Church.  We have also included a visit to the ‘In Flanders Fields’ Museum - a remarkable interactive experience of World War 1 located in the Cloth Hall. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free. Time to dine out in one of the numerous local Belgian cafes and restaurants, and of course you can again attend the sounding of the Last Post at the Menin Gate.

DAY 5 - Ypres (B)

A fascinating day to discover the battlefields and memorials associated with some of the most costly operations fought in by Australian soldiers – the battles of the ‘Flanders Offensive’ of June to November 1917. In the morning we visit the site of the Battle of Messines, the New Zealand Memorial, the beautiful Toronto Avenue Cemetery and the Island of Ireland Peace Park. After time at leisure for lunch in Ypres, we drive up the famous Menin Road to visit Hooge Crater Cemetery and Museum (this small, private museum is in a renovated Chapel and small school), the 5th Australian Division Memorial and New Zealand Memorial at Polygon Wood, and the British Commonwealth’s largest war cemetery at Tyne Cot. What happened in this area east of Ypres in 1917 was eventually summed up in one terrible word – Passchendaele!

Hooge Crater Cemetery

The Canaux of Bruges

DAY 6 - Ypres (B)

We have included a delightful excursion today to the charming city of Bruges. Recognised as one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities, Bruges is riddled with canals, bridges and quiet back streets and is often called the Venice of the North. Wander the quaint and picturesque cobbled stone streets lined with tiny lace boutiques, tempting chocolate shops and cosy cafes. Maybe take a cruise along the canals or a ride in a traditional horse drawn carriage through the old town to admire the historic architecture. Or simply relax in one of the pavement cafes on the glorious old market square. On our return to Ypres, we will visit Essex Farm Cemetery, the site of the composition of the poem ‘In Flanders Field’.

DAY 7 - Amiens (B, D)

The Australian Memorial Park at Fromelles
 

VC Corner

DAY 8 - Amiens (B, L)

DAY 9 - Caen in Normandy (B, D)

Your morning stop will be in the medieval city of Rouen, where Joan of Ark was burned at the stake in 1431.  We continue to Normandy where we spend a fascinating afternoon exploring the Normandy landing beaches and visit Arromanches-les-Bains, and the Landing Beaches Museum. Here you discover the remains of Mulberry ‘B’ Harbour, often referred to as the ‘key to Normandy’. Well also visit Ranville for the recently opened Pegasus Memorial and Museum, dedicated to heroic men of the 6th airborne division who played a pivotal part in the 1944 invasion. Your next two nights will be spent in William the Conqueror’s city – Caen. Dinner this evening is in your hotel.

Your Normandy Hotel – Holiday Inn Caen City Centre

Rouen

Normandy's Land Beaches

The Mont Saint-Michel

DAY 11
Amboise in the Loire Valley (B, D)

Today we make our way to the verdant Loire Valley where, during the 15th and 16th centuries, the Kings of France and their courtiers had their holiday palaces. Driving south we reach the town of Usee with its 16th century Chateaux overlooking the Loire and Indre River Valley. Accredited as the castle in Charles Perrault’s story ‘Sleeping Beauty’ it is also sometimes called the ‘Castle of Dreams’. Lunchtime will be spent in the village of Azay-le-Rideau which sits on the lakeside by its graceful chateaux. We then visit the gardens of Chateaux Villandry. Inspired by the classic gardens of the 16th and 18th century, different levels of the gardens include ponds, topiary, ornamental hedges and an extraordinary kitchen garden covering 12,500 square metres. We spend the next two nights nearby in the charming royal city of Amboise.  Dinner tonight is included in a local restaurant.

Your Loire Valley Hotel – Le Vince Hotel, Amboise

Chateau Villandry
 

Chateau Azay-le-Rideau

Chateau Chambord

Le Clos Luce

DAY 12 - Amboise in the Loire Valley (B)

Today you have the opportunity to explore two of the region’s wonderful chateaux.  Firstly Chenonceau, where you enjoy both the interior and also the stunning gardens. Possibly one of the most photographed of the Loire Chateaux, the former home of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, spans the river Cher on a series of arches.

We also stop and view the magnificent Chateaux of Chambord. This enormous chateau was created by King Francois I as a hunting lodge within the surrounding grounds, which consisted of over 5,000 wooded hectares. Lunchtime is taken today in Blois, known for its historic castle and old town with narrow cobbled stone streets. This afternoon we return to Amboise with its Royal Palace and the famous Manor House ‘Le Clos Luce’- where Leonardo da Vinci once lived as a guest of King Francois 1st. Your afternoon and evening will be entirely free to explore and enjoy the city sights.

DAY 13 - Paris (B, D)

First stop of the day will be at Chartres to take in the inspirational cathedral with its soaring aisles, beautiful stained glass and delicate carvings.  This afternoon we take a guided tour through Louis XIV’s magnificent Palace of Versailles, where the Versailles Treaty, which brought World War 1 to an end, was signed. The royal state rooms, with the ‘Sun Kings’ Hall of Mirrors, are extraordinary. On arrival in nearby Paris we check into our hotel where we spend our last night. Our farewell dinner tonight is in a traditional French restaurant called ‘Chez Clement’. 

Your Paris hotel – Marriott Rive Gauche

Cathedrale of Chartres

DAY 14 - Paris (B)

Sadly, your Chateaux, Boulevards and Battlefields tour ends this morning after breakfast.