The Maginot Line
Tour
DEPARTS: Convenient joining points in the UK, or begin/end your tour in Europe
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Price: per person, twin share
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Deposit: 30%
The Maginot Line
With the exception of the Great Wall of China, the Maginot Line was the greatest system of permanent fortifications ever built. Constructed in the 1930s just before World War 2, it came under attack in 1940. We see heavily fought over bunker systems like Villy la Ferte and Hackenberg, as well as looking at the German glider attack on Fort Eben Emael. These sites combine bunkers and museums, and you get a chance to travel on an ammunition train at two locations. A fascinating insight into the early stages of the Second World War.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from your chosen UK pick-up point and travel to the port where a coach interchange will take place, you will then join your tour coach for the Channel crossing. On arrival on the Continent we continue to our hotel (passengers joining the tour in Europe will meet the group at the hotel this evening).
Day 2 > Eben Emael & Fort d’Aubin-Neufchâteau
We begin this fortifications tour in Belgium and see the 1930s Liege forts used to defend Belgium against the Blitzkrieg. We start at Eben Emael, assaulted by German Airborne troops in gliders; we have a full tour of the site here. After lunch we see the heavily fought over Fort d’Aubin-Neufchâteau, completely surrounded in May 1940; here we take a guided tour of the fort, seeing the extensive damage caused in 1940. We then travel through the Belgian Ardennes, scene of the Blitzkrieg in May 1940, and into France to our Mainstay hotel were we stay for the next three nights. (B)
STAR INCLUSIONS ★ Fort Eben Emael ★ Fort d’Aubin-Neufchateau
Day 3 > Ouvrage Fermont & Villy la Ferté
Today we start our look at the Maginot Line at Ouvrage Fermont. This massive system of bunkers and tunnels came under attack in May 1940 and proved how strong the Maginot Line could be. We descend in the original lifts, travel on an old ammunition train and see the fighting bunkers during our morning’s guided tour of the site. Lunch nearby. In the afternoon we see Villy la Ferte, a smaller Maginot Line complex that saw heavy fighting in May 1940. The site has been left as it was, with anti-tank rails, barbed wire and bunkers showing wartime damage. We have a fully guided tour around one of the few Maginot sites that saw heavy fighting. (B)
STAR INCLUSIONS ★ Ouvrage Fermont ★ Villy La Ferte
Day 4 > Ouvrage Immerhof & Ouvrage Hackenberg
We continue with our look at the classic Maginot Line locations with a visit to Ouvrage Immerhof. Sited in the Thionville sector, it was built in the early 1930s with an extensive system of infantry and combat bunkers. In an excellent state of preservation we spend the morning visiting the whole site, with a 90-minute guided tour and also seeing the museum. Lunch nearby. In the afternoon we travel to Ouvrage Hackenberg. Set on high ground, this is the largest fortification on the whole Maginot Line and was one part of the line actually held by British troops in 1939/40. We spend two hours underground here seeing what a remarkable state of preservation the site is in, and seeing the many objects connected with the defence of this area. We continue our look at British troops in this area with a visit to the cemetery at Luttange, where the first British soldier killed in WW2 was buried. (B)
STAR INCLUSIONS ★ Ouvrage Immerhof ★ Ouvrage Hackenberg ★ Luttange
Day 5
We leave the hotel after breakfast and travel to the Channel port. You will leave your tour coach behind as you join your transfer vehicle for your return journey to your original departure point. (B)
Dates
Departure Date | Days | Travel By | Tour ref | Price |
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Mon 12 April 2021 | 5 | Silver Service | 5FMLV/1 | $1248 |
Travel By
Executive coach
All of our coaches are modern and comfortable, and you can be assured of a high level of service and reliability from our expert-trained coach crews, who will be on hand to assist and escort you along the way.
Silver service coach
More than simply your method of transport, our Silver Service departures offer a coach with added comfort and facilities, plus extra benefits such as porterage in your hotels and extra included excursions on selected tours.
Luxuria coach
From the outside, Luxuria looks elegant and stylish. Step on board and the luxury continues. Passenger comfort was top of our list when we came up with the idea for Luxuria, and this is evident from the moment you sink into the soft, wide seats.
Inclusions
★ 4 nights’ hotel accommodation
★ Daily continental breakfast
★ Specialist Battlefield Historian
★ Hundreds of convenient joining points in the UK, or begin/end your tour in Europe
★ Travel by Silver Service coach
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Value Tours are operated in conjunction with our UK partner, Leger Holidays.
Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to operational reasons. Any changes will be advised closer to the time of departure.
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