Posted on 09/14/2016 9:34:56 AM PDT by TexasM1A
I am starting to plan a trip to Normandy and to the battlefields of The Somme. I was wondering if anyone on here has had any experience with any of the many tour companies that in and around Ypres/Paris etc.etc. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Scott.
Thanks everyone I appreciate your replies, it has given me a starting point.
My wife and I have been to France many times but have never used a tour. Just take a Michelin green guide and a map. The Normandy beaches and graveyard are very accessible. If the weather is good you can pick up picnic supplies at any charcuterie, sorta like a deli. Trip Advisor can steer you to good accommodations.
If you get to Northeast France, You may want to visit Verdun, site of the great battle of WWI.
As I remember visiting the trenches and tunnels (Now filled with concrete and not dirt). How close the Germans were - 30’.
Remember to be careful as there can still be live ammunition near these sites. The French have a group that looks for this and sometimes gets injured or killed. There is an American Cemetery here. When I visited in 89, they were very appreciative of the US in WWI and WWII.
Oh my goodness, Normandy is the most amazing place ever, and I can’t emphasize enough how amazing this place is to stay. It literally made our trip 100x better, you will love it! The village of Ranville is near everywhere, and this chateau has so much history in itself. The small village has a wonderful little grocery with a patisserie that is fantastic. We bought food and cooked every evening and ate outside on the chateau grounds. Just go there. :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau_de_Guernon-Ranville As far as the tours, our family went with a private tour guide but I can’t remember how we found him. If I find the info I will send it to you.
I have visited most of the battlefield in France and Belgium WWI and WWII. If you are well versed in the history of these wars, I would strongly suggest you lay out a plan and follow your own instincts as to how long, where, etc. Drive yourself and govern your time spent where you are most interested.Tell me how long you have and i can give you an idea of what you can cover.
Go to TripAdvisor.com and check out their reviews of various companies, tours, guides, museums, etc. The details there aren’t always up-to-date, and they’re often biased unfairly in a negative direction, but I think this website is about the best source of such info — at least if you can take the time to read with a critical eye.
Anyway, for me, a guided tour of several days thru an entire area is usually best, because I can carry on a extended dialogue about local history and geography with the tour director while we’re on the bus, at restaurants and elsewhere. I learn a lot that way. That was certainly my experience when touring Normandy.
Moreover, the typical guides and tour directors for just about any tour company will know which times are best to visit certain sites, so as to avoid crowds and early closing times. And they will know which sites are worth skipping, especially some of the tourist traps. Also, other tourists in your group often will have in-depth knowledge of particular topics that can be valuable.
My wife and I have used three tour companies recently in Europe: Grand European Tours, Road Scholar and Grand Circle Tours. All were very good, with excellent tour directors. And I’ve heard good things from friends about several of the other big USA and British tour companies.
But the guided tour is not for everybody. Maybe you will enjoy the sites more if you simply hire a local guide at certain sites, then travel on your own from place to place. That approach is usually not my cup of tea, but then I wouldn’t want to judge your personal preferences on the matter.
Further removed from my preferences, some people I know evidently get a certain “satisfaction” from figuring out EVERYTHING by themselves when they travel overseas. No guides anywhere, period. I think they’re seriously short-sighted in this regard — but to each his own.
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I will have at most 6 days on the ground, so plus the two travel days 8.
I am really interested in the Thiepval Woods area, Passchendale, Courcelette, Ginchy/Guillemont.
Plus Normandy, those are the must see areas for me.
I would like to see the Meuse/Argonne and Verdun areas also.
Check this link out
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/paying-respects-a-short-tour-to-belgium-and-normandy.395526/
I don’t think you have enough time to really see what you are coming such a long way to see. Is there any way you can pick up a couple more days? Will you be traveling alone? There is a great B& B in Ypres (Ieper) that I would highly recommend. But first, where is your starting point? Texas? Are you flying into Paris? When are you planning this trip?
I am in France now and will pull out my maps to try to give you some ideas tomorrow. Am at a friend’s house now so don’t have things handy.
Don’t worry if you don’t speak French. There is always someone who speaks English...and if not, the French are wonderful at understanding sign language. France has excellent roads although in some places in the country they may be more narrow than we are used to. French laws are very similar to ours so driving is no problem as it is in England. I always rent a car and drive. Much less expensive in the long run and you’ll get to see so much more. Tours are much more expensive and you’re on a set schedule. Works for some, but nor for me. You’ll need an absolute minimum of two days in Normandy and two minimum in Ypres...Menin road, Passchendaele, Zonnebeke, Poelkapelle,Tyne Cot Cemetery, Holl 60, etc. on to Reims, Chemin des Dames, etc. etc. etc. to Verdun with so much to see and the road called the Voie Sacre to Bar-le-Duc..... And you’ll be passing not that far from Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood but not enough time.........
Thiepval, Courcelette (first use of tanks, Guillemont.....)Is there a particular reason you favor these battlesites?
There is just SO Much to see.
I can get maybe 1 extra day on the ground, have to play it by ear.
I will be coming from Houston, I am still looking into whether to fly into Amsterdam or Paris.
The trip will be in September of 17, Early I know, but I am not a spur of the moment person when it comes to travelling.
At the moment it is just me, but the potential for a second is there.
I haven’t really thought about renting a car, I have been told by others that it is expensive. As for the people in the region, I have been told as long as you stay out of Paris, the people are very nice.
As for the places I want to see and why, I have been reading about that area and the amount of VCs won in that relatively small area, I think I would be interesting to see what the area looked like to try a get an idea of how tough that area was on the soldiers on both sides.
Plus the Ulsterman did some good work in the area.
Wonderful! We have time if you’re not traveling until’17. I’m a bit of a Military nut-history buff and can give you some excellent pointers. You have time to prepare for your visit and that gives you even more flexibility. If you can drive a stick shift,you can get some really good deals on cars here, but don’t rent through any of the familiar names because they are too expensive. In Paris, to rent a car at gare d’Est is more expensive than gare de Nord. Same company! Go Figure.
I would suggest Paris as your starting point since your time is so short. Amsterdam will cost you more time you can’t afford if you want to see Verdun which is an absolute must, if at all possible.
September is a good choice because it is still beautiful weather in France and the summer crowds have gone home.
Talk to you tomorrow.
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