Hertfordshire Lodge of The Legion
Verdun Tour 2022
Saturday 28th – Tuesday 31st May
“It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.” (Sir Winston Churchill)
With Covid 19 now hopefully a tamed beast, subject to the caveat above, we look forward once again to resuming our tours of the Battlefields. To this end we have re-scheduled the previously advertised visit to Verdun. The outline below is subject to a modification based upon timed entrances and any lasting legacy of the dreaded plague.
Saturday 28th May
Depart Halsey Hall by 07:15 in time to catch an early ferry from Dover to Calais. Due to the lack of facilities and decent sized hotels in the Verdun region we will base ourselves at the Cathedral Hotel in Metz where we will can experience a wider range of sightseeing and restaurants. Saturday afternoon / evening a chance to explore the local town.
Sunday 29th May
With few eateries in the area, we will have a picnic lunch. The German and French front lines north of Verdun. French Lt Col Driant’s command post in Bois des Caures. Flabais Reprisal Camp/memorial – 500 French POW in 1500 sq. metres. Douaumont, explore Fort Douaumont – the strongest fort in Europe. French national cemetery and ossuary Trench of bayonets.
Monday 30th May
Fort Vaux. Destroyed village of Fleury Verdun Memorial. Dead Man’s Hill (Mort Homme) and trenches and bunkers, Hill 34 – the limit of the German advance Verdun and Citadelle; the French unknown soldier – Cathedral
Tuesday 31st May
Butte de Vauquois, craters, trenches and bunkers- probably the most breath-taking site on the whole of the Western Front. Depart for Calais to catch a late afternoon ferry.
Cost
Bearing in mind the many future uncertainties remaining at this stage (e.g. Covid restrictions / political situation / fluctuating exchange rate hotel and travel costs) we have estimated the approximate price to be £355 per person (sharing) with £88 pp extra for a single supplement.
Included:
Coach and driver for three nights / four days Pick up and return to Cheshunt
Ferry return crossing from Dover
Three nights in our hotel with buffet breakfast
Tourist tax
Timed entrances to five major sites including forts and ossuary.
As we said in the last message
K.B.O.
