Find your next holiday
Looking for holidays with solo traveller rooms available? It’s quick and easy to find exactly what you need!
Led by Head Battlefield Guide Paul Reed and Dr Victoria Humphreys, we explore the secret history of occupied northern France in WW2 as we look at the Resistance and the Holocaust, as well as the development of German secret weapons.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!
Please choose your preferred 4 day itinerary
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to our hotel in northern France for a three-night stay.
This morning, we begin at La Coupole near St. Omer, with an included visit to this massive bunker complex which was designed to be the launch site of the V2 rockets on Britain. We look at the development of the German secret weapons at this period of WW2 and have a full morning here exploring the site. After lunchtime, we look at the fighting in this region of Northern France in May 1940, and examine the Courrières and Oignies Massacre – the largest murder of French civilians by German forces during the Battle of France with over 500 deaths. Here we see the memorial and graves of those killed by the Germans. We then travel to Denain to have an included visit to the Museum of the French Resistance and the Forbidden Zone, which tells the story of resistance and occupation in this area, before visiting the nearby Resistance Memorial. We finish in Arras with a visit to the Citadel and the ‘Mur des Fusillés’, where members of the French Resistance and SOE were executed. Here we look at the work of the Special Operations Executive in Northern France.
Includes Breakfast
We begin today at the Resistance Museum at Bondues near Lille. It tells the story of the French Resistance in this part of France, which was one of the most active during the Second World War. Here we have an included visit to this important museum, and after lunchtime, we visit Lille Southern Cemetery for the story of SOE Agent Michael Trotobas. He worked in occupied France from 1941 until he was killed in a shoot-out with the Germans in 1943 and was recommended for a Victoria Cross for his bravery. We see his grave and memorial here. Later we travel to Ascq, near Lille, when soldiers from the 12th SS Hitlerjugend Division massacred civilians from the town in April 1944. We see the memorial and graves in the local cemetery. We end with the story of the ‘Train of Loos’, a train that left northern France for the Death Camps just as the area was being liberated. Of the 872 sent in that final train, only 284 survived.
Includes Breakfast
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!
Located a short distance from the Grand Place and the historic centre, the hotel features views of the city from the trendy bar. It also has air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi.
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
When it comes to getting you to your destination, Leger Holidays makes it easy with a selection of travel options to choose from.
From the attentive service to the carefully considered features, our Silver Service coaches create an atmosphere that is both friendly and memorable, bringing people together. Experience the difference – refined travel, shared moments, and lasting comfort.
| Silver ServiceBook Now | LuxuriaBook Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks Served on Board | ||
| WC and Washroom | ||
| Climate Control | ||
| Reclining Seats | ||
| Deluxe Seating | ||
| Deluxe, Wider, Armchair-style Seating | ||
| Adjustable Armrests | ||
| Flexible Footrests | ||
| Extra Legroom | ||
| Superior Seat Pitch | ||
| Double Seats | ||
| Single Seats | ||
| Face-to-Face Seats with Tables | ||
| Personal Tables | ||
| Spacious Rear Lounge | ||
| At-seat Entertainment | ||
| USB Points and Plug Sockets | ||
| Communal, Drop-down TV Screens | ||
| Onboard Wi-Fi |
Specially designed, luxurious seats enhanced with leather headrests deliver superior support, blending comfort with a premium finish.
Enjoy the luxury of generous legroom that goes far beyond standard coach travel, giving you the freedom to settle in with ease and stretch out fully.
Designed for socialising, the spacious rear lounge offers a stylish retreat with privacy screens, handy tables and cup holders – perfect for relaxing, chatting and enjoying the journey.
A carefully maintained interior climate and soft ambient lighting ensure the coach always feels comfortable, welcoming and perfectly suited for a relaxing journey.
All of our Executive coaches are modern and comfortable, and you can be assured of a high level of service and reliability from our expertly-trained coach crews. Features include:
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!