Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for Amiens and The Somme, France
Amiens and the Somme Battlefields
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Saint Leu Quarter in Amiens ©Frédéric Léonardi, Somme Tourisme
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Place des Héroes, Arras
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Les Hortillonnages in Amiens ©Somme Tourisme-AB
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Carriere Wellington - Memorial de la Bataiile D'Arras, Wellington Quarries
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Wellington Quarries (Carrière Wellington), Arras ©Paper Menthe
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Thiepval Memorial, Somme
Nestled along the banks of the River Somme in the heart of the rolling fields of Picardy, lies the historic city of Ameins. From the striking Gothic Cathedral and quaint waterside St-Leu Quarter, to being at the heart of the fighting in WW1, Amiens has always boasted a key role in history. Amiens is also a good base from where to discover the other notable towns of Picardy and the Somme. As well as this, visit the WW1 battlefields, historic sites and memorials that are scattered across the landscape. The memorials, cemeteries and battlefields of the Somme are an important part of Europe’s shared history – a constant and invaluable reminder of the pains and deadly division of war and provided the front line for one of Europe’s – and the world’s – most infamous battles.
This tour is based in Amiens, a beautiful city of greenery, culture and history as you experience for yourself the profundity and poignancy of monuments like Thiepval and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial . The tour will also take time to uncover the beautiful villages and towns of north France including Arras and Albert.
Dates
Dates throughout 2024 and 2025
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Take the short sea ferry crossing to Calais and continue to Amiens for the next three nights.
Day 2
Explore Amiens and Arras (with specialised guide)
Meet up with our guide for a walking tour of Amiens. Take a walk along the River Somme to the floating gardens of Les Hortillonnages, where you can take a stroll or have a guided boat tour along the waterways. Amiens’ undoubted centrepiece is the strikingly beautiful Gothic Cathédrale Notre Dame. With special light shows illuminating it’s ornately carved facade between June and September, the cathedral is truly a sight to behold.
Continue to Arras, close to the Belgian border, was almost completely rebuilt after being destroyed during the Battle of Arras in WW1. You will discover the historic streets and Flemish-style architecture of the squares. However, the town’s history lies not only above ground – under the streets of Arras lie a warren of chalk quarries that proved a strategic base for numerous assaults in WW1. The evocative Wellington Quarries museum relates the story of some 24,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers stationed there, 20m underground in 1917.
Day 3
Albert and the Somme Battlefields (with specialised guide)
Albert was a central point for much of the fighting in the Battle of the Somme. Discover the re-built church, home of the famous Madonna statue whose fate was believed to foretell the result of the war, whereas next door to the church lies the Musée Somme 1916. The church spire’s statue of Madonna tumbled to a near-horizontal position but remained precariously balanced in place. British soldiers insisted that whoever felled ‘The Leaning Virgin’ once and for all would be damned to lose the war. Though, their German counterparts believed the opposite. Ultimately, a British shell exploded through the Basilica’s tower, causing the Madonna to finally fall.
Between Amiens and Albert lie many of the most notorious battlefields, memorials and cemeteries of the Battle of the Somme. From the evocative Thiepval Memorial to the rolling trenches of Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, Delville Wood or simply a small roadside cemetery, the haunting history of the area is hard to miss.
The enormous stone-pillared arch of Thiepval, the largest British war memorial in the world, features the names of 73,000 missing soldiers lost to the chaos of conflict. It stands on the ground of a former German stronghold stormed on the first day of the Somme. Still known as the bloodiest day of the British army, by the time night fell, 40,000 soldiers were injured, missing or dead.
Day 4
Return to the UK
Drive to Calais for the short sea ferry crossing to the UK.
Suggested hotel
Ibis Amiens Centre Cathédrale ***
Ideally located for visiting the city of Amiens, it is only a short walk from the pedestrian shopping area and cathedral and just over 1km from Les Hortillonages. The 94 air-conditioned rooms feature a desk, telephones and TV. All bathrooms contain a shower and hairdryer. Free wifi is available throughout the hotel. The large restaurant offers the new concept ibis breakfast each morning and dinners can be arranged for groups. There’s a small bar and web-corner as well as two meeting rooms. Coaches can drop off outside, but free parking is available at the municipal coach park 800m away.
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- Bedroom at Ibis Amiens Centre Cathédrale
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- Restaurant at Ibis Amiens Centre Cathédrale
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- View from Ibis Amiens Centre Cathédrale to Cathedral
Moxy Amiens ****
Located in Amiens city centre and a few steps away from the train station. The hotel is completely renovated and offers 109 air-conditioned rooms for 1, 2 or 3 people, free wifi and 49-inch connected television. They have a dining bar that is open 24/7. Other amenities consist of a snack shop, as well as a cool lounge area.
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| 4 day tours | Hotel | Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| Dates throughout | Moxy Amiens | From £250.00 per person | From £110.00 per person |
Prices by air or by train are available on request.
