ANZAC on the Western Front: Dawn Service
Lille
Lille
ANZAC on the Western Front: Dawn Service
Tour summary
7 days
France & Belgium
8 meals
18 guests (max)
Driver
Trip leader
Luxury minicoach
Twin-share / double / double for single occupancy
6 nights in thoughtfully selected accommodation6 nights
This ANZAC tour has been carefully designed to connect you to the past – and with any ancestors who may have fought and died during the Great War. Encounter tales of the soldiers who courageously captured the Messines Ridge at Passchendaele. Breathe in the scent of damp earth as you delve into the Wellington Quarries’ twisting tunnels. And pay your respects at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service as the sun begins to rise over the heroes laid to rest in Villers-Bretonneux. Join us and uncover not just their stories, but perhaps a few hidden narratives of your own.
Tour highlights
- Attend a poignant ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Villers-Bretonneux
- Delve into the Australian story on the Western Front at the Franco-Australian Museum
- Visit the Wellington Quarries – a network of underground tunnels dug by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company
Tour itinerary
Day 1 - Lille (France)
After meeting the group in Lille, we’ll kick off our remarkable journey with a delicious welcome dinner.
After meeting the group in Lille, we’ll kick off our remarkable journey with a delicious welcome dinner.
Included today
Accommodation
Hôtel Couvent des Minimes (or similar)
Meals
- Dinner
Day 2 - Lille – Ypres (Belgium)
Today’s itinerary will take us from Lille to Ypres via the historic Messines Ridge. Our first stop will be the Passchendaele battlefields – where we’ll walk in the footsteps of WWI allied soldiers who fought to break the German line in 1917. Next, we’ll pay our respects at Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery before visiting the shell-scarred Hill 60. This afternoon, there’s an opportunity to explore the fascinating Hooge Crater Museum – home to a unique collection of WWI artefacts and reconstructed trenches. We’ll enjoy some free time this evening in Ypres – our home for the next two nights.
Today’s itinerary will take us from Lille to Ypres via the historic Messines Ridge. Our first stop will be the Passchendaele battlefields – where we’ll walk in the footsteps of WWI allied soldiers who fought to break the German line in 1917. Next, we’ll pay our respects at Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery before visiting the shell-scarred Hill 60. This afternoon, there’s an opportunity to explore the fascinating Hooge Crater Museum – home to a unique collection of WWI artefacts and reconstructed trenches. We’ll enjoy some free time this evening in Ypres – our home for the next two nights.
Included today
Accommodation
Hotel Recour (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3 - Ypres
After breakfast, we’ll continue to delve into the moving stories of the West Flanders Front beginning with a visit to the In Flanders Fields Museum – a unique institution that commemorates the four-year trench war and conveys a contemporary message of peace. This afternoon, you’ll be free to explore Ypres at your leisure. A medieval town that was completely destroyed during WWI and rebuilt anew, there is plenty of history to uncover here. This evening we’ll reconvene to attend the playing of the Last Post at the iconic Menin Gate. Whilst renovation to the Gate is ongoing, we’ll still be able to experience the ceremony that has been performed here daily for almost 100 years.
After breakfast, we’ll continue to delve into the moving stories of the West Flanders Front beginning with a visit to the In Flanders Fields Museum – a unique institution that commemorates the four-year trench war and conveys a contemporary message of peace. This afternoon, you’ll be free to explore Ypres at your leisure. A medieval town that was completely destroyed during WWI and rebuilt anew, there is plenty of history to uncover here. This evening we’ll reconvene to attend the playing of the Last Post at the iconic Menin Gate. Whilst renovation to the Gate is ongoing, we’ll still be able to experience the ceremony that has been performed here daily for almost 100 years.
Included today
Accommodation
Hotel Recour (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 4 - Ypres – Fromelles (France) and Arras – Amiens
Today it’s out of Belgium and across the border. Our destination? Fromelles, the site of the disastrous attack of 19 July 1916 – where we’ll pay an emotional visit to Pheasant Wood Cemetery and the fascinating exhibition nearby. After, we’ll move on to the Wellington Quarries: a network of tunnels built by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company as part of the preparations for the Battle of Arras. We’ll remember Australia’s role in this battle at Bullecourt with a stop at the Digger Memorial later this afternoon. Concluding the day in lovely Amiens, we’ll have the evening to spend as we wish.
Today it’s out of Belgium and across the border. Our destination? Fromelles, the site of the disastrous attack of 19 July 1916 – where we’ll pay an emotional visit to Pheasant Wood Cemetery and the fascinating exhibition nearby. After, we’ll move on to the Wellington Quarries: a network of tunnels built by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company as part of the preparations for the Battle of Arras. We’ll remember Australia’s role in this battle at Bullecourt with a stop at the Digger Memorial later this afternoon. Concluding the day in lovely Amiens, we’ll have the evening to spend as we wish.
Included today
Accommodation
Hôtel Le Prieuré (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 - Amiens – ANZAC Day Dawn Service – Amiens
The Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux commemorates the battle of 24-25 April 1918 – during which Australian and Commonwealth Soldiers liberated the town. Buried here are more than 2,100 servicemen of the First World War – including over 770 Australians. Since 2008, the memorial has been the site of a special ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Today, stand with fellow visitors from Australia and New Zealand alongside local townspeople in remembering those who lost their lives in the Great War.
The Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux commemorates the battle of 24-25 April 1918 – during which Australian and Commonwealth Soldiers liberated the town. Buried here are more than 2,100 servicemen of the First World War – including over 770 Australians. Since 2008, the memorial has been the site of a special ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Today, stand with fellow visitors from Australia and New Zealand alongside local townspeople in remembering those who lost their lives in the Great War.
Included today
Accommodation
Hôtel Le Prieuré (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6 - Amiens – Somme – Amiens
The Somme still captivates the soul and it’s here that the ANZACs first saw major action in 1916. This morning, we’ll visit Pozières and Mouquet Farm – significant sites for the Australian soldiers, as well as Longueval and Flers which were similarly monumental to the Kiwis. Before returning to Amiens, we’ll also take some time to remember the colossal loss experienced by Great Britain with a visit to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. This evening, we’ll regroup for one final dinner together and reminisce on our unforgettable journey.
The Somme still captivates the soul and it’s here that the ANZACs first saw major action in 1916. This morning, we’ll visit Pozières and Mouquet Farm – significant sites for the Australian soldiers, as well as Longueval and Flers which were similarly monumental to the Kiwis. Before returning to Amiens, we’ll also take some time to remember the colossal loss experienced by Great Britain with a visit to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. This evening, we’ll regroup for one final dinner together and reminisce on our unforgettable journey.
Included today
Accommodation
Hôtel Le Prieuré (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 7 - Amiens – Villers Bretonneux – Lille
As the home of the National War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux is central to Australian WWI commemoration and memory. Before we say our goodbyes today, we’ll visit the Franco-Australian Museum – a site paying tribute to the brave Australian soldiers who helped to save the town and a monument to international solidarity. We’ll make a brief stop at the Sir John Monash Centre before shifting our focus to the last year of the war – with a visit to Le Hamel. Our tour will conclude upon our return to Lille.
As the home of the National War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux is central to Australian WWI commemoration and memory. Before we say our goodbyes today, we’ll visit the Franco-Australian Museum – a site paying tribute to the brave Australian soldiers who helped to save the town and a monument to international solidarity. We’ll make a brief stop at the Sir John Monash Centre before shifting our focus to the last year of the war – with a visit to Le Hamel. Our tour will conclude upon our return to Lille.
Included today
Meals
- Breakfast
Worth noting:
You can choose between two directions on this tour: northbound or southbound. Simply view and select your preferred route by clicking on the buttons above!
If you join our tour departing 20 April, Day 5 and Day 6 of the itinerary will be exchanged – meaning we’ll visit The Somme on Day 5 and attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service on Day 6.
Things we think you'll love

A soldier's war home
Deep below the cobblestones of Arras lies a network of underground tunnels specifically dug by ANZAC soldiers to create a network of barracks. With an expert as our guide, we'll trace our fingers across rough walls and hear the whisperings of their stories.

Golden dawn services
Join locals and visitors alike as the first golden light of the day spills across Villers-Bretonneux at a beautiful ANZAC Day Dawn Service.

Heroic Front tales
Discover heroic tales from the Western Front during an in-depth visit to the Hooge Crater Museum.
Read the reviews
Verified customer feedback powered byFeefo

Adrienne Ma October 2024
Stephen was very knowledgeable about world war 1 thankyou stopping at Spoilbank Cemetery were Ralph George Newbery has a grave.Petey was a very good driver
Anonymous October 2024
Every spot had a point. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and was happy to answer questions and research family history. The countryside was lovely and the highlights just too numerous to mention
Jan Pa September 2024
The 6 day Backroad Tour of the World War One Battlefields is a trip that will always have great memories for me. Every member of our group got on so well together. Steve our Tour Guide I Commented to...
Read full reviewJohn Br September 2024
This has been a most rewarding experience, thanks to Seve guiding us through with his comprehensive knowledge of the 1914-18 war. There was the sadness of the enormous loss of life, but it was so...
Read full reviewAnonymous September 2024
Steve was an excellent guide, he knew the geographical area and local history well and was never stumped when answering questions from the group , his knowledge of WWI battles and places was extensive...
Read full reviewYvonne Ro September 2024
Fun group, excellent guide Steve who was very well informed.
Anonymous August 2024
Your guide Steve and driver Ken were excellent, it was 6-day tour that Steve was able the fill with the facts and stories of the life and death on the Western Front. As I was an ex-soldier with a fair...
Read full reviewJoanne So July 2024
We felt well looked after by both our guide and driver. The tour was taken at a steady pace. Lots of detail given st each stop. Well worth the time to do.
Ian Ho July 2024
Very informed and emotional Tour, highlights were laying a wreath at the Menin Gate and being present at a re-burial of an unknown British Soldier.
Gave an excellent understanding of the lay of the...
Alan Fr June 2024
Stephen was great made the tour. Phil wash great as a driver
Duncan Ca June 2024
Steve was great guide giving lots of information without overdoing it.
Paul Ta May 2024
We toured with Steve (guide) & Ken (driver) & had a fabulous experience… enjoyed it absolutely ?
Jeffrey St September 2023
We found the whole tour both informative and moving. Our guide Steve was amazing at the level of knowledge he possessed. If he didn’t know an answer he would research it. The coach was comfortable and...
Read full reviewWilliam Bu September 2023
He talked more about the English than the Anzac
Anonymous June 2023
Excellent driver and tour guide giving their all.

Our friendly Customer Service team are available to advise you Monday to Friday.

Full tour details covering accommodation, transport and included experiences are available in our tour notes.
FAQs
We love helping our groups explore personal connections at specific historic sites or cemeteries in Belgium and France – as long as they’re not too out of the way of our official tour route. Please contact our Customer Service team before your departure and they’ll do their best to add any extra stops to your itinerary in advance.
This tour features several fascinating walking tours which take you across weather- and war-beaten battlefields, through vast and tranquil cemeteries, and into eerie subterranean caverns. We’d recommend packing your comfiest pair of walking shoes and preparing for muddy conditions on rainier days.
Our friendly Customer Service team will be in touch a few months before your tour departs to collect any extra information needed to register you for the ceremony – as you don’t need to register yourself. Please also bear in mind we may need to shuffle around some of the days’ activities so we can attend.
All the tour details in one handy document available to read at your leisure!
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