Private tour in Lille Claude V
5.0
(9) reviews
2 days
1
2 days
1
Claude V.
4.9
Guide rating
128
Reviews
Tours delivered
4 hrs
Avg. response time
Hi, my name is Claude, I was born and raised in Flanders Fields. The Great War became a passion when in 1981, Nelly and I purchased a bar and restaurant just opposite Ploegsteert Memorial to Missing. We still meet people coming from all over the world at our place. I started doing research with Ted Smith and Tony Spagnoly in the eighties, and then with many other authors and historians. I am now a specialized battlefield guide in the plains of Flanders in Belgium and the Somme area in France. Below you will find my standard tours but I can also build a custom tour, you provide the information and I'll do the rest. I like to talk about history of course but also about all what makes our daily life in France and Belgium. I am flexible, provide a high standard service, can bring a walker or a wheelchair to make your tour more comfortable. I am using digital maps and old pictures of the places you will visit. For the tours I use a Mercedes Vito Tourer fully equipped and fully insured for tour purposes. Guide license "GL70/2007.03 delivered by the "Commisariat Général au Tourisme. Transport license TLAB251 300/1. (mandatory in Europe) Official guide of the "Tourist Office of Comines-Warneton" Member of the Scientific Committee of the "Plugsreet 14-18 Interpretative Centre" Member of the "Royal British Legion" Somme Branch Member of the "Western Front Association"
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Claude V.
During that 2 day tour, I will bring you to the battlefields where Australian troops were in action in Flanders, Belgium, as well as in the Somme area. You will visit the most important museums and memorials, and we will spend time on the battlefields, where I will tell you why and how these operations happened. I will try to make you understand what the daily routine of a soldier was, and how they adapted to trench life. We will have lunch at one of the local places. In Ypres, you will have some free time to wander in the little town or taste one of the numerous Belgian beers.
Claude was fantastic. The content was relevant and very informative. To be honest, his detail at each site brought it to life. He picked me up and dropped me off, each day at my hotel. He even put up with all of my silly questions, even those that didn't relate to the tour content. He was only to happy to assist with recommendations for accommodation, restaurants and shopping in Ypres. I would not hesitate recommending this tour with Claude.
Claude Thankyou so much for our two full day tour of the Ww1 battlefields. We all thought it was very informative and enjoyable. Your expert knowledge and detailed explanations made for a well worth trip to see the battlefields and allowed us to take back unforgettable memories. Thank you Mark and Cathy Delbridge Gary Hooper and Bev White. Also we appreciated the gift of a booklet covering all the places we visited with the history of the wars and battles fought.
We could not have asked for a better experience of the Australian WW1 Battlefields. Claude was informative, patient with our questions, thoughtful & measured in his responses. On Day 1 I gave him details of my Uncles war history. He researched through his own network & on Day 2 took us to where my uncle was reportedly buried. We were able to pay our respects & leave a small wooden cross in the field. It was such a special day. This tour was a highlight & I highly recommend it to all Aussies. Thnx Claude!
Thankfully we found Claude who gave us two full days of his time, understanding and knowledge of the WW1 battlefields. The vehicle we travelled in was extremely comfortable, and Claude provided the information and sites we would have covered in four days within two days. He picked us up in Lille and was on time, professional, friendly and gave us all the time we wanted at the memorials, cemeteries and museums we visited in the Battlefield tour Australians in Flanders and the Somme. Highly recommended.
We would definitely recommend Claude's services. He is an extremely knowledgeable and organised local guide. We took a private two day Australian battlefields tour and was impressed by his insights and stories of the ANZAC troops based in the area. We travelled with four children, from 14 years to a baby, and Claude was very patient and accommodating. He put together the perfect itinerary for our group and my children were thrilled with the summary booklet he provided as a momento. Thanks again Claude!
This is a fantastic way to see and learn about the WW 1 history, battlefields and experiences. We did a 2 day tour and found both days to be very informative and worthwhile. Claude was a exceptionally professional and charming guide. We cannot recommend him and his company highly enough.
Day 1: Leaving your hotel at 09:00 towards Fromelles "Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery," the museum, and seeing where the mass grave was. Standing where the Australians launched their assault on 19 July. You will see "VC Corner Cemetery" and the Cobbers Statue figuring Simon Fraser. Driving towards Ploegsteert. Going through Messines, having lunch. See Hill 60, the Caterpillar crater, the memorial to the 1st Australian Tunneling Cie, Polygoon Wood, and the Memorial to the 5th Australian Div. Visiting Tyne Cot Mil Cy and the German cemetery of Langemark. Seeing Ypres, the cloth hall, and the Menin Gate, attend the Last Post at 20:00 before heading to your hotel. Day2: Leaving at 09:00 towards Villers Bretonneux, see the Victoria School the Villers Bretonneux Memorial and the SJMC, Le Hamel Australian Memorial. Lunch near Pozières, stand at the Windmill, Moo Cow Farm, and the Memorial Park. Going to Bullecourt to visit the standing Digger in the park. Driving back towards your hotel.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
For transport we use a fully equiped Mercedes Vito.
Lille, Hauts-de-France, France
at your hotel or train station in Lille or Ieper (Ypres).
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AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
2 days
1
2 days
1
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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