Highlights of Northern France

Day 1

TO LILLE
Following the Channel crossing to Calais and complete the journey to Lille where we stay for the next four nights. (D)

Day 2

ARRAS & WW1 MEMORIAL SITES
Today we visit Arras and first visit the Carrière Wellington, a museum named after a former underground quarry which was part of a network of tunnels used by British and Commonwealth forces during the First World War. After some free time in Arras we meet up with a local specialised guide and make the short journey to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Visitor Centre for a visit before continuing on to the UNESCO site of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial which honours soldiers who lost their lives in WW1 at the Battle if Rimy. On our way back to the hotel we make a stop at the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette 'Ring of Rememberance', the national cemetery where the names of 600,000 fallen soldiers from all nationalities are engraved on the circular wall. (B,D)

Day 3

LILLE & ART DECO SWIMMING POOL
This morning we meet up with a local guide for a walking tour of Lille. Starting at the heart of the city, the Grand Place, La Vielle Bourse (the old stock exchange) is arguably Lille's most beautiful building. Enjoy some free time at leisure in Lille then later we make our way to Roubaix to a gem of a museum that used to be a municipal swimming pool. This splendid Art Deco building closed its doors in 1985 to be replaced in 2001 by La Piscine - Musée d'art et d'industrie. This evening enjoy dinner together in a local 'estaminet' - the name given to local restaurants serving hearty Flemish food best enjoyed with a local beer!. (B,D)

Day 4

FROM LILLE
After breakfast we make our way to Calais for our return ferry back to the UK and complete the journey home. (B)