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Offered languages
- English
Don’t miss this year’s ANZAC Day, an Australian day of remembrance that marks the anniversary of Australia and New Zealand’s first military action during World War I. Travel from Paris to Villers-Bretonneux in the early morning for the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, followed by a tour of the surrounding Somme area to visit major WWI sites and battlefields. Visit the site of the Battle of Pozières and explore the Lochnagar Crater, Adelaide Cemetery, the Franco-Australian Museum and the Thiepval Memorial, all while learning about the history of WWI from your expert guide.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Departure Point: Central Paris, at the Opéra Garnier Address: Place de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris Directions: Meet your guide on the steps of the Opéra Garnier. Nearest metro station: Opera (lines 3, 7, 8)
Itinerary
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1Australian National Memorial
When you arrive at the Australian National Memorial which stands within Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, you'll attend the Anzac Day dawn service, which honors the sacrifice of the Australians and New Zealanders during the World War I. This emotional service, regardless of your age or background, is a major part of the tradition of ANZAC Day, dating back to the military practice of 'standing to' at dawn, the most favorable time for attack. The ANZAC legend was poignantly put into words by Sir William Deane, Governor-General of Australia: "Anzac is not merely about loss. It is about courage, and endurance, and duty, and love of country, and mateship, and good humor and the survival of a sense of self-worth and decency in the face of dreadful odds.” This ceremony offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
3 hours • Admission ticket free -
2Lochnagar Crater
This incredible crater is a strong symbol and an impressive trace of the ravages of the Battle of the Somme. It took almost 30 tonnes of explosives placed 16 m underground to create this detonation which will mark the start of the offensive of July 1, 1916. The Crater is today the only one of this type still accessible by the public and there is no doubt that its dimensions, 91 meters in diameter and 21 meters deep, will impress all audiences regardless of their age.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Memorial de Thiepval (Pass by)
"The Thiepval Memorial is one of the largest memorials in the world. Unveiled in 1932, it bears the names of more than 72,000 soldiers who went missing during the fighting. Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the memorial reminds visitors that the Battle of the Somme was one of the most deadly of the Great War, incurring 1,200,000 casualties from 1 July to 18 November 1916."
Admission ticket free -
3Historial de la Grande Guerre
Stop for Lunch (not included) before returning to Paris
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Many of the sites on this tour are outside so please dress appropriately
- There will be one short stop on the way to Villers-Bretonneux for the dawn service ceremony and one stop around lunch time. Food and drinks are not included.
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Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 2 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 2 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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