Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel Battlefield Tour

23 – 28 September 2026 (6-days / 5-nights)

Get knee deep into history following the American Expeditionary Forces in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives of late 1918. On 24 July 1918 General Pershing issued orders announcing the formation of the First American Army, effective 10 August; and in early August Generals Pershing and Foch agreed that this army should eliminate the St. Mihiel Salient. The German Supreme Command had already planned a retreat from the salient to a more defensive position, and the first German troops had started moving when the offensive began.

The rapid success of the St. Mihiel Offensive, lasting only from 12 – 16 September 1918, would give a shot in the arm to America’s coalition partners and make the A.E.F. over-confident.

In late 1918 Foch ordered Allied attacks in parallel all along the Western Front to give the German Army the deathblow. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive began on 26 September, but it would not go as smoothly as the previous assault. Green troops and leaders would suffer severe casualties in the face of a skilled adversary fighting for survival on terrain that favored the defender.

Briefings during this tour will focus on the complexities of coalition war-making in late 1918, advances made by Allies on other fronts, General Pershing and other key A.E.F. leaders, and a comparison of U.S. and German casualties.

This tour is timed to coincide the 108^th Anniversary of the start of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

The Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel battlefields have many areas with great walks. — The Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel Battlefields are rich in areas to walk. Photo by Georg Snatzke.

Schedule: (Subject to Modification)

Pick-up and return point for this tour will be CDG Airport. A specific meeting point will be provided later. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the meeting point. Participants with their own vehicles can arrange to meet us at an alternate location.

Day 1, Wednesday, 23 September: Pick-up at CDG at 12:00pm. Visiting select sites in the St. Mihiel Salient, including the St. Mihiel American Memorial, with a focus on the 26^th and 1^st Division assaults. We will visit an altarpiece attributed to 16^th Century French Sculptor Ligier Richier in Hattonchâtel. Introductory dinner that evening. Hotel du Lac de Madine, Heudicourt.

Day 2, Thursday, 24 September: St. Mihiel Salient day 2. Visiting select sites on the southern flank of the salient, including the St. Mihiel American Cemetery. Hotel de Montaulbain, Verdun.

Day 3, Friday, 25 September: Meuse-Argonne day 1. Focus on III Corps and the East Bank of the Meuse. Walks will include the destroyed village of Forges and areas around Molleville Farm. We will end the day at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. Hotel de Montaulbain, Verdun.

Day 4, Saturday, 26 September: Meuse-Argonne day 2. Focus on V Corps operations, including the Meuse-Argonne American Memorial at Montfaucon. Walks will include the (German) Wiesenschlenkenstellung, Montfaucon and Nantillois to the Hindenburg Line. Hotel L’Argonn’ Auberge, Apremont-sur-Aire.

Day 5, Sunday, 27 September: Meuse-Argonne day 3. Focus on I Corps, including the Lost Battalion Pocket, Le Chêne Tondu and Vauquois Hill. Hotel L’Argonn’ Auberge, Apremont-sur-Aire.

Day 6, Monday, 28 September: Meuse-Argonne day 4. Continuation of I Corps positions. In the early afternoon we will depart for CDG. We expect to arrive at CDG around 17h00.

Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel Battlefield Tour Overview:

Tour Price (based on double occupancy) $

Single Room Supplement $

Tour Price Includes*

TWO military historian guides who understand both sides of the story and who speak multiple languages and understand European culture
- Local guides at specific sites as needed
3-Star accommodations, typically in European family-owned hotel / restaurants
Transportation typically in comfortable 9-person people movers with A/C or in cars
Almost all meals, except those specified as “on your own” in the itinerary
Water, soda and snacks available in the van
Cultural outings (calvados tasting, church tour, etc.) and shopping time on trips longer than a few days
Admission fees to all sites

Tour Price Excludes*

Transportation to and from the starting point and lodging and transportation before or after the tour’s start and end times; for example, the cost of a hotel night for participants who choose to arrive early.
Dinner drinks
Dinners or lunches specifically excluded in the tour brochure
Souvenirs and gifts

*See KDIH’s 2026 Terms and Conditions for full details.