France and Belgium: World War 1 History Tour

Overview

Highlights

Experiencing the culture in France and Belgium
Exploring with local guides
Enjoying a spectacular mix of scenery and sights
Exploring the numerous WW1 battlefields and learning more about the devastating history
Traveling with peers on a horizon broadening experience
Joining a Last Post ceremony at Menin Gate
Discovering the magnificent Versailles Palace and Gardens

The history of World War 1 is devastating, and the France and Belgium: World War 1 History Tour has been formed to engage students interested in this extensive history, providing the opportunity to explore many of the battlefields across France and Belgium while learning about the story, history and impact of each. Students will be able to pay respect to those who were lost and the sacrifices that were made in places of true significance to the war and the people, and allow their minds to be opened to the depth of the impacts after the war and each battle. Along the journey, informative and interpretive commentary will be provided by local tour guides.

Countries:

Activities:

Grading:Adventure touring

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Day 1
Arrive in Paris

Arrive in Paris where you will meet a local assistant and coach and transfer to your hotel. Check-in to your hotel before having dinner at a local restaurant for the first taste of the French cuisine.

Meals: D

Day 2
Paris Tour

You will be issued a 3-day public transport pass for zones 1-3. Enjoy a full day guided tour with a local guide by public transport and view the main sights of the city, such as the Arc du Triomphe, Champs Elysees, and Place de La Concorde. Continue to the Conciergerie for a visit and explore the Latin Quarter.

Meals: B

Day 3
Paris Tour

Enjoy a full day guided tour of Paris, during which the group will visit the Musee de la Liberation, the Musee du General Leclerc and the Musee de l’Armee.

Meals: B

Day 4
Paris Tour

For the final full day guided tour of Paris, you will be able to enter the Eiffel Tower (subject to availability) and take a 1-hour Seine River cruise with informative commentary to see Paris and its beauty from new perspectives. Explore the Montmartre District and visit the Sacre Coeur.

Meals: B

Day 5
Versailles Palace and Gardens

This morning the group will travel to Versailles with their guide by public transport. You will take a tour of the magnificent Versailles Palace and Gardens before returning to Paris and having the afternoon free at leisure.

Meals: B

Day 6
Fontainebleau and Compiegne Excursion

Go to Fontainebleau and Compiegne for a full day excursion. First, visit Chateau de Fontainebleau, then transfer to Compiegne to visit the Armistice Memorial and the Armistice Carriage Museum. Return to Paris.

Meals: B

Day 7
In Flanders Field Museum and Last Post Ceremony

Transfer to Ypres, where the group will visit In Flanders Field Museum. Check-in to your hotel before having dinner at a local restaurant and attend the Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate and commemorate soldiers.

Meals: B,D

Day 8
WWI Battlefields Tour

Enjoy a full day WWI Battlefields tour with a local specialist guide. Visit Essex Farm Cemetery, Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62), Polygon Wood Cemetery and Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant in Ypres.

Meals: B,D

Day 9
WWI Battlefields Tour

Enjoy a full day WWI Battlefields tour with a local specialist guide. Transfer to Fromelles and visit the Australian Memorial Park, then onto Thiepval to visit the WWI Memorial, the largest in the Somme area. Transfer to Albert, to visit the Somme 1916 Museum.

Meals: B

Day 10
WWI Battlefields Tour

For the last day of the WWI Battlefields tour you will be self-guided. Transfer to Villers-Bretonneaux, to visit the Sir John Monas Centre at the Australian Memorial. Continue to Peronne for a visit to the Great War Museum. The day will end back in Paris.

Meals: B

Day 11
Paris Disneyland

Enjoy a full day at Disneyland in Paris for a final day of fun and activity before having dinner in a local restaurant.

Meals: B,D

Day 12
Depart Paris

Transfer to Paris CDG airport and depart.

Meals: B

Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.

Inclusions

What's included

International economy group flights (return) - as required/requested, organised by World Expeditions Schools
Experienced English speaking local guide/s
All meals as described in the itinerary (11 breakfasts, 3 dinners)
11 nights accommodation
All transfers as described in the itinerary by private coach and train, public transport
Entrance fees and experiences as outlined
24 hour Emergency support contact in France and Belgium
All city taxes
Teachers travelling from school with program

What's not included

Any drinks during meals
Items of a personal nature
Travel insurance - mandatory
Tips and gratuities
Visa if required
Lunch

Grading

Adventure touring

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Testimonials

Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.