2025 Northwest Europe
Canadian Battlefield Tour
SUMMER EDITION
2025 Summer Northwest Europe Canadian Battlefield Tourexplore WWI & WWII in one weekthe perfect trip for educators and families with students
At a glance
July 13-19, 2025 • 7 Days in France Overnights Paris • Normandy Region • Amiens • Arras/Lille Region Highlights Paris • Normandy & Juno Beach • Beaumont-Hamel and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment • Vimy Ridge • scroll down to see complete details |
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Saturday July 12
For many of our travelers it is departure day, for the overnight transatlantic flight to France. Some travelers may choose to leave for Europe sooner to extend the start of the trip - let us know if we can quote you on pre-tour accommodations. Guests who have other travels already in progress, or guests from other points of origin including the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere, will meet the start of the tour on Day 1 in Paris. |
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Day 1
Sunday July 13 In the mid-afternoon travelers can check into the group hotel. In the meantime, luggage is stored in the baggage lock-up. Today you are free to explore Paris, the City of Light. Sightseeing highlights could include The Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe, Jardins de Luxembourg, Père Lachaise Cemetery, the Eiffel Tower, shopping along the Champs-Élysées, and so much more! In the early evening we gather in the heart of Paris for our Welcome Dinner, to set the stage for our special journey. Overnight Paris - hotel tbc. [D] |
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Day 2
Monday July 14 This morning we depart for the Normandy coast, for two special days exploring the historic allied landings of D-Day - June 1944 - by walking the sands of Juno Beach. In the mid-morning we arrive in the village of St-Aubin-sur-Mer, where a 50-mm German anti-tank gun still sits ominously in its casemate. We follow in the footsteps of our Canadian soldiers, from the landing on the beach (where the famous film footage was recorded) to the back streets, and to the German bunker. After a group lunch, we venture a short distance to the town of Bernières-sur-Mer to observe the famous Canada House and the nearby defenses. This house is arguably the most famous of all the structures on the Normandy coast. Travelers will have the option to walk the beach 30 minutes from Saint-Aubin to Bernières, to reflect upon the sacrifices made so long ago. Overnight Bayeux/Caen Region - hotel tbc. [B,L] |
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Day 3
Tuesday July 15 Today is very special as you tour inside the amazing Juno Beach Centre - your home away from home in Normandy. Scheduling permitting, you will receive a guided tour of the German command bunker buried beneath the dunes. We then walk along the shore, with storytelling and much reflection, to hear personal accounts of the men who landed in this stretch of Juno Beach. Following another wonderful group lunch, we move across the channel into the town of Courseulles-sur-Mer with more visits at the water's edge and a close-up look at a Sherman Tank. We conclude the day at the hallowed grounds of Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, the burial place of 2,044 Canadians who fell in the early hours of D-Day and the subsequent Battle of Normandy. The young men resting here await your visit. Overnight Bayeux/Caen Region - hotel tbc. [B,L] |
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Day 4
Wednesday July 16 This morning you will enjoy some free time for cultural exploration in the medieval town of Bayeux. You may wish to consider seeing the 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry which depicts events leading to William the Conqueror's invasion of England, or perhaps take a peek inside the enormous cathedral. Bayeux is a wonderful location for photography, the town having been mostly spared the destructive fighting of the war. Later, we pause at Abbey Ardennes near Caen, an important site of pilgrimage. Here, young Canadian prisoners were illegally executed by the Germans in the early days following D-Day. We then say goodbye to Normandy and continuing our journey into northeastern France. Overnight Amiens - hotel tbc. [B] |
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Day 5
Thursday July 17 Day Five is steeped in history as we wind our way into the French countryside to consider the Battle of the Somme, one of the largest, bloodiest and most destructive battles of World War One. You will be intrigued with a guided tour at Beaumont-Hamel - it is here that the Royal Newfoundland Regiment was nearly wiped out in the first few hours of the attack. This proudly Canadian battleground is one of the best preserved WWI sites in all of France. Following a group lunch in the midst of the Somme region, we visit the impressive Thiepval Memorial - the largest Commonwealth War Graves monument in the world on which are inscribed the names of over 72,000 soldiers who fell in battle and have no known grave (including one very special name). The day includes a visit to Canada's monument to the battle at Courcelette. Overnight Arras / Lille - hotel tbc. [B,L] |
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Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park.
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Y-Ravine Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel.
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Day 6
Friday July 18 Each Canadian ought to visit Vimy Ridge once in their lifetime and today is your day. Ample time is then given to be on and around the monument, arguably the most impressive of all the war monuments in Europe. Scheduling permitting, we will go down into the tunnels with an on-site guide to learn how soldiers prepared for battle beneath the earth. We also walk the above-ground trenches for a first-hand feel of trench warfare. To conclude the day, we visit Cabaret Rouge Cemetery where many of those who fell in the Battle of Vimy Ridge are laid to rest. In the evening we gather for our Farewell Dinner, to raise a toast to all those past and present who wear the uniform in the pursuit of freedom, democracy and peace. Overnight Arras / Lille - hotel tbc. [B,L,D] |
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Day 7
Saturday July 19 This morning is departure day for some travelers, with the coach providing an optional early morning shuttle to Charles de Gaulle Airport on the outskirts of Paris. Buffet or box breakfast is included depending on departure time from the hotel. Some travelers may choose to remain in Europe longer to extend the end of the trip - let us know if we can quote you on post-tour accommodations! [B] |
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