110th Anniversary of Verdun and the Somme Battlefield Tour

29 June – 3 July (5-days / 4-nights)

1916 would epitomize the war of attrition brought about by trench warfare on the Western Front. Battles would last for months. Millions of shells would be fired. Casualties would be counted in the hundreds of thousands, and relatively little ground would be gained, leaving neither side closer to a breakthrough or victory.

Get Knee Deep Into History as we examine the two greatest battles of 1916: Verdun and the Somme. We will start with the Somme, beginning with the various jump-off lines and expanding to other key sites over two days. On day 3, 1 July, we will participate in the 110^th Anniversary Commemorations at the Lochnagar Crater and at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, before heading to Verdun in the afternoon.

The last two days will take an in-depth look at Verdun, including the West Bank of the Meuse River. More than 500 kilometers of trenches, countless monuments, dozens of fortresses and concrete structures exist to this day. With the reconciliation summit of Kohl and Mitterand in September 1984, Verdun today stands as a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation.

Learn about the leaders and their strategies as well as the suffering of the individual soldiers in this in-depth look at these two 1916 battles.

The Remains of Fort Douaumont, Verdun are a highlight of the tour — The Remains of Fort Douaumont, Verdun. Photo by Valerie Young.

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, Monday, 29 June: Pick up at CDG at 12:00pm. Starting with the Somme battlefields, we will visit various jump-off lines from 1 July, Beaumont Hamel and Lochnagar Crater. Hotel on the Somme, TBD.

Day 2, Tuesday, 30 June: Continuation of the Somme battle including the fighting around Delville Wood. Then we will focus on some portions of the French fighting such as Belloy-en-Santerre, where French Foreign Legion soldier and poet, Alan Seeger, died on 4 July 1916. Hotel on the Somme, TBD.

Day 3, Wednesday, 1 July: Participation in certain Somme Battle commemorations, starting with the early morning remembrance ceremony at the Lochnagar Crater and the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing before driving to the Verdun battlefield. Hotel in Verdun, TBD.

Day 4, Thursday, 2 July: Focus on the East Bank of the Meuse River, starting with the fighting for the Caures Forest, Fort Douaumont, Fleury and the Vaux ravine. Followed by the battlefields on the western banks of the Meuse River: the Mort Homme and Cote 304. Hotel in Verdun, TBD.

Day 5, Thursday, 3 July: Continuation of the Verdun battlefields looking especially at the German hinterland, one heavy artillery firing position and the Camp Marguerre, a German experimental concrete factory site. Afternoon drive back to CDG. We anticipate arriving at CDG around 5:00pm.

Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park on the Somme still has trench lines — Trench remains in Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park. Photo by Dave Gaddis.

110th Anniversary of Verdun and the Somme Battlefield Tour Overview:

Tour Price (based on double occupancy) $2,550

Single Room Supplement $340

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.