Private Battlefields Tour in Argonne from Paris in Van (2/7 travelers)

Overview

Travel with your own group (6 travelers maximum) and embark with your Driver and guide "Régis" aboard a comfortable and air-conditioned Minivan. Your Régis guide will tell you about the significant events of the First World War and the battles that took place here in the Argonne forest between 1914 and 1918. At the "Main de Massiges" you will walk in the middle of the trenches surrounded by hundreds of shell holes which evoke a lunar and apocalyptic scenery Discover the huge mine funnels at the top of the Vauquois hill and the remains of the trenches. Climb the 200 steps of the marble column of the American monument of Montfaucon then at the top admire the view of the valley which was the scene of the American offensive in September 1918. Visit the village of Varennes en Argonne where the King of France Louis XVI was arrested Pay homage to the fallen soldiers by walking through the largest American military cemetery (14,246 graves) in France at Romagne.

What's included

• ✓Private transportation
• ✓Admission tickets to the "Romagne 14-18" Museum
• ✓Driver / guide
• ✓Travel aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned Minivan (Maximum 6 travelers)
• ✓Support for customers at their place of residence in Paris and the Paris region

• ✕Lunch

What you'll do

1. 1

   The Germans retreated in early September 1914, entrenched on this natural height, each finger of which forms a bastion of this natural fortress. It was on this obstacle that the soldiers of the 4th French Army came up against on September 13, 1914, who participated in the counter-offensive succeeding the first battle of the Marne. A hotbed of fighting, this strategic position was the scene of fierce fighting that took place here in the Massiges sector between 1914 and 1918. The number of French soldiers killed, wounded or missing is estimated at 25,000, and certainly as many German soldiers.

   ⏱ 1 hour
2. 2

   The monument faces the front line of the 1st American army on the morning of September 26, 1918, when the attack began, the victory of which commemorates it, the Meuse-Argonne offensive. This lasted until November 11, 1918 and forced the enemy to retreat from its front. It consists of a Doric column in solid granite, surmounted by a statue symbolizing Liberty, which dominates the ruins of the old village by more than 60 meters. On the walls of the foyer is an engraved map of operations, with a story and a special tribute to the American troops who served here. The observation platform of the memorial can be reached at certain times by a staircase of 234 steps, from where visitors enjoy a view of almost all of the land conquered during this offensive.

   ⏱ 40 min
3. 3

   If there is one essential site in the Land of Argonne, it is this cemetery which allows us to understand what the Americans mean by "Duty to remember". Located in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, the 52-hectare Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery is the largest American necropolis in Europe. Inaugurated in 1937, this necropolis has 14,246 graves of American soldiers who perished during the Meuse Argonne Offensive from September 26 to November 11, 1918. The Romanesque memorial and its chapel overlook the cemetery. A map explaining the Meuse-Argonne offensive is engraved on a wall of the loggia. On another wall are engraved the names of 954 American soldiers who disappeared during the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Inside the chapel, the badges of the American divisions and higher army units are represented on the stained glass windows. On the front wall of the chapel are engraved the names of the villages and places where the American army fought.

Availability & pricing

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Good to know

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.