We have just returned from our second WWI battlefield tour with the tour company, Terres de Memoire, and our guide, Sylvestre. This year, we spent an amazing two days touring the American battlefields of the Marne and Meuse-Argonne, from Belleau Woods to Sergeant York; from Vauquois Hill to Verdun. There are not words to express the enormity of the history we experienced. Sylvestre is just the best! (Not only was his WWI knowledge endless, but he took us to little out-of-the-way restaurants and roadhouses for some of the best food we have ever had in France!) Perfectly coordinated pick-up and delivery to our hotels.
www.terresdememoire.com
Posted by
3240 posts
Thank you so much for posting! I would like to include some WWI sites on our next trip to Northern France and Belgium, which will probably take place this time next year.
- Did you take a private customized tour or one of the tours shown on the company's website?
- In what town(s) did you spend the night? Would you mind sharing the names of the hotels?
- What was your first tour with Terres de Memoire? Which would you recommend for people who will probably only be able to take one?
Thanks for your help.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
We have done both tours with this company: last year, we did a daytrip out of Amiens to the Somme region. Last week, we did a "customized" private tour specifically for the American battlefields, cemeteries, etc. We spent a night in Verdun at Les Jardins du Mess.
Recommendations would depend on your nationality, interest, etc. The Brits and Australians fought in their own regions; the Americans in others. Our tour last year out of Amiens was focused on the Australian effort. Very interesting but...we are Americans and were keen to see where our guys were...and many still are.
Posted by
3240 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
San Francisco
14503 posts
There is an American war cemetery close to Paris, ca 5 miles from the center, however you define that. The place is called Suresnes, one half of it are graves from WW1, the other half from WW2.