The American Expeditionary Forces in WWI
9 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
Explore historic sites where American forces fought in Northern France and Belgium, while also enjoying French cuisine, with a stop in the Champagne capital of France.
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YOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Depart
- Fly overnight to Paris.
Day 2: Paris
- Upon arrival in Paris meet your Imagine Tour Manager who will greet you at the airport and remain with you throughout your stay.
- Transfer by private motor coach to your hotel and drop off your bags.
- This afternoon, stroll down the most famous avenue of the capital, the Champs-Elysées.
- Climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to admire the view.
- See the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- Have a delicious Parisian dinner at a local restaurant.
- Overnight accommodation in Paris.
Day 3: Amiens
- After breakfast at your hotel, board your private motorcoach to Amiens.
- Visit the city of the famous Hundred Days offensive (Summer 1918) where the American Expeditionary Forces, under General John J. Pershing, assisted the Allies in their operations.
- During the afternoon, navigate through Les Hortillonnages d’Amiens and explore the landscape surrounding Amiens by sailing through this former swamp.
- Enjoy a relaxing dinner at your hotel and overnight accommodation in Amiens.
Day 4: Ypres (Belgium)
- After breakfast at your hotel, board your private motorcoach to Ypres, Belgium on the border with France.
- Have lunch at local restaurant and try the famous Carbonnade Flamande, one of the regional specialties.
- Later, head out on a guided walking tour of the city. Ypres hosted several battles during WWI in 1914, 1917 and 1918. The city is infamously known as the place where Sulfur mustard were used by the Germans against the Canadian troops. Since then the gas is also known as Yperite
- Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation in Ypres.
Day 5: Cambrai - Soissons
- After breakfast at your hotel, board your private motorcoach to Cambrai.
- Enjoy your morning exploring the city. The Battle of Cambrai was won by the Allies because of innovations in their industrial warfare – tanks appeared for the first time in the Cambrai battlefields. Cambrai is also one of the only cities occupied by the enemy during WWI.
- Board your private motorcoach to spend the afternoon at the Historial de la Grande Guerre, one of the most comprehensive and best-located WWI museum. This modern white building is housed within the ruins of a medieval castle.
- At the end of your visit, board your private motorcoach and head South to Soissons, one of the oldest European cities.
Day 6: Soissons - Chemin des Dames - Reims
- Enjoy a traditional French breakfast in Soissons.
- Take a private walking tour of the city as your guide explains how the Americans helped the French Army win the Battle of Soissons at the end of July 1918.
- Have your lunch countryside in the middle of the former battlefield.
- Board your private motorcoach and head to Reims.
- On your way to Reims, stop at Le Chemin des Dames. The strategic importance of this 25km road led to three important battles, each named after the river which flows beside it.
- Head south to Reims and check in to your hotel in Reims for two nights.
- Have dinner and a champagne tasting in Maison Taittinger.
- Return to your hotel for night accommodation in Reims.
Day 7: Verdun - Saint Mihiel
- After breakfast at the hotel, board your private motor coach for a day trip to Verdun.
- Take a guided walk around the battlefield in Verdun and see remnants from the past that have been kept intact. Learn how the ten-month battle in Verdun became a symbol of the destruction caused by WWI artillery.
- Have lunch in Verdun before heading to Saint-Mihiel.
- After four years of German occupation Saint-Mihiel was liberated by the American Expeditionary Forces and General Pershing in September 1918. For three days, the French and American armies fought to break through German lines. In Saint-Mihiel, the US Army imposed its fire power for the first and last time during WWI.
- Visit the trenches and see what remains from this period.
- Spend some time at St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial.
- Return to Reims for dinner and night accommodation.
Day 8: Reims
- After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy some free time to visit the Champagne capital on your own. Do not miss its several places of worship and especially Notre Dame de Reims which was built in the 14th century.
- Meet the rest of the group to go to Le Phare de Verzenay. Climb the 101 steps to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the beautiful view over the Champagne country
- Enjoy lunch in a local vineyard followed by a private champagne tour. Visit the vineyard and take part in a champagne and chocolate workshop.
- Return to Reims for your farewell dinner and overnight accommodation.
Day 9: Reims- Paris - Chateau Thierry - Depart
- Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Reims before transferring to Paris.
- If time permits, make a stop in Chateau-Thierry, birthplace of the French poet Jean de la Fontaine and where in June 1918, the American Army stopped the German offensive for good.
- Lunch in Chateau-Thierry before heading to the airport.
- After an incredible adventure through time, say a fond “Au Revoir” to your Imagine Tour Manager and board your plane for your return flight.
