End of the Western Front

End of the Western Front

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End of the Western Front

7 Days

Visiting: Reims, Forest of Argonne, Vosges, Pfetterhouse, Alsace, Verdun, United Kingdom

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

7few

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

Tour Overview

Join us as we travel the Western Front to the often forgotten ‘end of the line’, where the trenches ran beyond Verdun to the Vosges mountains.

Highlights

  • Fort la Pompelle museum visit near Reims, showcasing the fort's history on the front line.

  • Exploration of the Argonne Forest, highlighting French battles and American advances in 1918.

  • Visit to the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery, the largest American War Cemetery in Europe.

  • Tour of the preserved trench system and museum at Le Linge in the Vosges.

  • Visit to Hartmannswillerkopf, a stunning battlefield with a historical museum and memorials.

  • Exploration of the border area at Pfetterhouse, where the front lines ended at the junction of three countries.

  • Guided tour of Fort de Mutzig, a large fortification from the Great War in Alsace-Lorraine.

  • Visit to the Natzweiler-Struthof Concentration Camp Memorial and the Colmar Pocket Museum.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1

Location: Reims

Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to our hotel in Reims for an overnight stay.

Day 2 Reims And The Argonne

Location: Forest of Argonne

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we begin at Fort la Pompelle just outside Reims. The fort sat on the front line for four years and was constantly bombarded. Today, it houses a superb museum, and we have an included visit to see the remains of the fort and the exhibits within.

We then travel through the Champagne to the Argonne Forest, discussing the French battles here, and continue to where American forces made their advance in 1918.

After lunch, we pay our respects to the American dead at the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery, the largest American War Cemetery in Europe with over 14,000 graves. We then continue to the Vosges for a four-night stay.

Day 3 Great War In The Vosges

Location: Vosges

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The Vosges was a mountainous region where the Western Front crossed some incredible terrain. Today we look at the French attacks here from as early as 1914, seeing the preserved trench system and museum at Le Linge, and also the nearby cemetery.

After lunch, we then travel to the high point of Hartmannswillerkopf and see the Historical Museum (included visit), preserved battlefield and memorials. Here both sides fought up in the mountains in one of the most stunning battlefields of the First World War.

Day 4 The End Of The Western Front

Location: Pfetterhouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We start at Jonchery this morning, seeing the memorial to the first French soldier killed in the Great War, and then travel to Pfetterhouse on the border with Switzerland. Here the front lines ended at the junction of three countries, and we see the border area as well as bunkers and battlefield sites.

We then go into Altkirch for the last ‘Demarcation Stone’ which marks the end of the Western Front, and also visit the impressive German Cemetery here with original memorials and graves that cover the whole war in the Vosges.

Day 5 Alsace-Lorraine At War

Location: Alsace

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we look at nearly a century of conflict in this region of France, discussing the Franco-Prussian War, the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, the fighting in the Great War and the events here in World War Two. We travel to territory that was German soil in 1914 to Fort de Mutzig, or Feste Kaiser Wilhelm II, one of many largest fortifications built in this area before the Great War. Here we get an included guided tour of this well-preserved fortification. Please note: this site requires some walking and has uneven ground and steps.

In the afternoon, we look at the tragic events of the Holocaust in France in WW2, seeing the site of the Natzweiler-Struthof Concentration Camp and included visit to the Memorial here, and later we travel to Colmar, looking at the Battle of the Colmar Pocket in 1944/45 and seeing the memorials and the Colmar Pocket Museum.

Day 6 Les Eparges And Verdun

Location: Verdun

Meals Included: Breakfast

We depart the Vosges and travel to the high ground of Les Eparges where both sides met in 1914, and it became an area of intense mining activity. We see the mine craters, remains of trenches and the memorials. We then travel into Verdun for lunch and drive through the battlefield here before departing for an overnight stay in Northern France.

Day 7

Location: United Kingdom

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Des Vosges in Klingenthal, near Obernai. Overnight stays in France will be in city-style hotels.

  • Visit to Fort la Pompelle

    Included visit to see the remains of Fort la Pompelle and the exhibits within.

  • Visit to Hartmannswillerkopf

    Included visit to the Historical Museum, preserved battlefield, and memorials at Hartmannswillerkopf.

  • Guided tour of Fort de Mutzig

    Included guided tour of Fort de Mutzig, a well-preserved fortification.

  • Visit to Natzweiler-Struthof Concentration Camp

    Included visit to the Memorial at Natzweiler-Struthof Concentration Camp.

  • Meals

    Breakfast and dinner are included on Days 2, 3, 4, and 5. Breakfast is included on Days 6 and 7.

What's Not Included

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.

  • Optional Activities

    Any optional activities or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.

Mode of Transport

Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to our hotel in Reims for an overnight stay.

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Des Vosges in Klingenthal, near Obernai.
Overnight stays in France will be in city-style hotels.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Des Vosges in Klingenthal, near Obernai. Overnight stays in France will be in city-style hotels.

  • Are there any significant historical sites included in the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes visits to several significant historical sites such as Fort la Pompelle, the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery, the preserved trench system and museum at Le Linge, Hartmannswillerkopf, and the Natzweiler-Struthof Concentration Camp.

  • Will there be any guided tours during the trip?

    Yes, there is an included guided tour of Fort de Mutzig, or Feste Kaiser Wilhelm II, which is one of the largest fortifications built in the area before the Great War.

  • Is there any part of the tour that requires physical activity?

    Yes, the visit to Fort de Mutzig requires some walking and has uneven ground and steps.

  • What is the focus of the tour on Day 5?

    On Day 5, the tour focuses on nearly a century of conflict in the Alsace-Lorraine region, including the Franco-Prussian War, the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, the Great War, and World War Two. It includes a visit to Fort de Mutzig and the Natzweiler-Struthof Concentration Camp.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?

    Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Gary White (Google Reviewer)  

Just got back from a...

27-May-2024

Just got back from a holiday with leger holidays to callea spain which my wife done as a surprise for my 60th and wedding anniversary together my wife and i had a great time the coach journey there was excellent regular stops for toilet breaks and a stretch. Our two drivers Geoff and katrina were brilliant serving regular drinks and making the trip pleasant all the people on the coach were pleasant the hotel in spain was so nice the best we've stayed in lovely staff lovely bar the guy at the bar was great really friendly nice room. Overall our journey there and our return journey was brill the only thing that was not good at all was the ibis hotel on the return journey the room was horrible not a nice breakfast not polite French staff. Not really interested in trying to speak some english if i was leger should try and use a different hotel. Once again a big thank you to Geoff and katrina well done guys for making our holiday lovely. Hope to see you on another holiday soon

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Remon Wanis (Google Reviewer)  

We have been working with...

05-Aug-2024

We have been working with them for nearly a year now as Sussex Airports Taxis, and they offer the best customer service ever. All their customers are always happy when they return from their holidays. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years to come.

William Olley (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

21-Aug-2024

I recently went on a coach holiday with this company. Everything was on time but there can be traffic hold ups with jams and roadworks! The coach was comfortable and the driver stopped for rest periods. The hotel was a 3 star close to a spectacular beach and was adequate. The catering was excellent! I went on the excursions included in the package and visited some lovely places.

Gordon Price (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from Italian holiday....

21-Jul-2024

just returned from Italian holiday. It was great spoilt a little by the high temperature even Ledger can't control that. The only real thing to spoil the trip was one of the hotels. The Krystall hotel in Diano Marina was terrible the room was dire with cracks in shower bogged up shower fittings noe control for AC end so on. The food was very poor, limited choice luke warm food on cold plates. After 4 evening meals (3 or four courses) we were only able to remember 2 we enjoyed. Breakfast was poor no bread except for hard rolls. No fresh fruit if you liked cake for breakfast you were good. If this is a 3 star hotel Italian standards have fallen which I don't think they have. Ledger brochure states "some of Europes most fascinating unique hotels" for Luxuria trips. This hotel should be removed from your list at once. The holiday was other wise good I cannot praise your coach crew too to much they were excellent. A highlight of the trip was the return trip through the swiss alps. It was superb and deserves mention in your holiday iteniary description.

Hilary Jackson (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

12-Jun-2024

I recently went on a 4 night tour to Scarborough. Driver was great hotel superb. My criticism is too many destinations crammed into day excursion. Example visit to Flamborough head stop for 1 hour it was teeming nobody got off coach but even if fine pointless. Then on to Bridlington coach Park 1.5 ml from centre. Most people are hard pressed to get to center & back in 1.5 hours pointless. Incidentally if Leger paid a permit they could alight us in the resort. Very bad logistics. On to Whitby with a decent stop should have taken us there & bypassed the other stops. I will not go with them again. I will source a better holiday with excursions to one place only.

Suzanne Maylin (Google Reviewer)  

Having returned from a fabulous...

24-Sep-2024

Having returned from a fabulous tour of Austria with excellent tour guides/ drivers, it's disappointing to say the least that I'm left chasing a return for an excursion that was cancelled. I called Leger 5 days ago and am still waiting in a call back. Leger if you want to retain customers you need step up on service. Good training , good service costs very little, and once embedded in a company produces more income. I don't suppose anyone from Leger will respond to this, but who knows

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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