The Maginot Line
Tour
DEPARTS FROM: Convenient joining points in the UK, or begin/end your tour in Europe
from: $1223
5 Days
- Price: per person, twin share
- Deposit: 30%
This 5 day tour of the Maginot Line is a fascinating insight into the early stages of the Second World War.
The Maginot Line
Tour Info
Itinerary
Dates
Tour Includes
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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
Cross-section drawing of Maginot Line, on the French-German border, April 1938. It reveals an underground complex with railroads, soldiers quarters, a hospital, movie theater, tanks, and elevators
Maginot Line tunnel
Maginot Line, on the French-German border, October 1938. Pillbox turrets with retractable guns were protected against poison gas by special seals around the gun barrels and controlled air pressure
Maginot Line on the French German border Dec 1939 British troops march over bridge into the French underground fortress covered with vegetation in 1940
Japanese officers inspect Maginot Line after the German defeat of France in World War 2
Gun turrets of Welschhof bunker on the Maginot Line in Gros Rederching Moselle France
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)
Departure Dates
| Departure Date | Days | Travel By | Tour ref | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 21 October 2019 | 5 | Silver Service | 5FMLV/1 | $1173 |
| Mon 13 April 2020 | 5 | Silver Service | 5FMLV/1 | $1223 |
| Mon 19 October 2020 | 5 | Silver Service | 5FMLV/1 | $1223 |
| Mon 12 April 2021 | 5 | Silver Service | 5FMLV/1 | $1248 |
Your Tour Includes
- 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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How To Book
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How To Book
Contact our reservations team on 1300 880 340 or click on the enquiry button above.
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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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