The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Furman has created an exciting opportunity to tour World War I Battlefields in Western Europe through WorldStrides Capstone programs. The Battlefields of Western Europe program is set for May 16-26 and will travel through France and Belgium, visiting glittering Paris as well as small yet significant towns such as Verdun, Arros, and Ypres.
Travelers will arrive in Paris where they will meet their field specialist and board a private coach for transfer to Reims, stopping in Château-Thierry for sightseeing and a visit to the American Cemetery de Belleau. Upon arrival in Reims, travelers will visit the Reims Cathedral before dinner.
From Reims, it’s off to Verdun. With a field specialist, visit Douaumont Ossuary where French and German bones representing 130,000 men were discovered but never identified, the Verdun Cemetery, the Verdun Memorial, Tranchee des Baionnettes, Douaumont Fort, and PC Driant, all before lunch! Return to Reims for a free evening of exploring.
The next morning, travel to Arras with stops in Compiegne and La Boisselle. Enjoy lunch at the Old Blighty Tea Room and visit the Battle of d’Elville Wood, the Lochnagar Crater, and the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
Continue on to Ypres, Belgium, stopping in Bruges for some free time to explore the city. We recommend visiting the historic city centre and Burg Square, as well as the Basilica of the Holy Blood and Groeningemuseum. Arrive in Ypres in time for dinner and exploring on your own.
After a night’s sleep, meet you guide for a day of sightseeing around Ypres, including visits to the British Field Hospital, Langemark, Hill 62, and more. Then, attend the Menin Gate Ceremony, the traditional final salute to the fallen of the Ypres Salient of World War I.
Following a morning of sightseeing in Ypres, travel on to Amiens with stops at historic sites like the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and Carriere Wellington. Spend the evening exploring Amiens on your own, then meet your guide the next morning for visits to Meaulte Cemetery and Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park before traveling on to Caen.
In Caen, it’s another day of sightseeing with your guide! Visit American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, where over 9,000 Americans who died in the Normandy campaign are buried and Omaha Beach, where you can still see war wreckage among other sites.
Finally, return to Paris where you will enjoy downtime for sightseeing on your own. We recommend Napoleon’s Tomb and Musee de l’Armee! Enjoy an authentic farewell dinner as a group in the evening to reflect on your experience before returning to the United States.