Somme: Visit the battlefields

Discover the Somme Battlefield with Perrine’s Guided Tour

If you’re looking to connect with history on a personal level, Perrine’s 4-hour guided tour in the Somme is a compelling choice. For $527 per group of up to 40 people, this experience takes you from the town of Albert through some of the region’s most poignant sites, including the La Boisselle mine crater, the Thiepval memorial, and the Beaumont-Hamel battlefield. It’s a compact but deeply meaningful journey into the stories and sacrifices of WWI soldiers.

What we especially appreciate is how Perrine brings history to life with anecdotes and human stories that go beyond just facts and figures. The ability to visit confidential sites and singular subjects makes this tour stand out. Also, the focus on a varied itinerary—covering cemeteries, memorials, and actual battlefields—helps you gain a well-rounded perspective of the region’s wartime significance.

A potential consideration is the lack of transportation included—you’ll need your own vehicle or coach to get between sites. But for those willing to manage that detail, the tour’s depth and guide’s engagement make it a rewarding experience.

This tour is ideal for history buffs, veterans’ family members, or anyone eager to see the sites where history was made firsthand. The tour’s focus on authentic, lesser-known sites will especially appeal to those who want more than just a superficial overview.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Key Points

• In-Depth Guidance: Perrine offers a passionate and knowledgeable narrative, enriching your understanding of WWI history.
• Authentic Sites: Visit confidential and well-preserved locations, like the La Boisselle mine crater, less crowded than larger museums.
• Varied Experience: The tour covers military cemeteries, memorials, and battlefields, providing a comprehensive view of the region’s history.
• Flexible Group Sizes: The fixed price becomes more economical for larger groups, making it a good value.
• Self-Transport Required: You need to arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point in Albert.
• No Museum Admission: The tour focuses on outdoor sites and does not include entry to museums directly.

A Detailed Look at the Somme Battlefield Tour

Starting Point: Place Émile Leturcq in Albert

Your journey begins in Albert, a town central to the WWI battlefields. The meeting spot is easy to find, with Perrine waiting near the Caisse d’Epargne bank. The convenience of a designated meeting place makes this straightforward, especially if you’re arriving by car or coach.

The Ovillers-la-Boisselle Visit

The first stop is the Ovillers-la-Boisselle site, where Perrine offers a 30-minute guided tour. This location is notable for its preserved mine crater—one of the most impressive on the Western Front. Many visitors mention how this site vividly illustrates the scale of underground warfare and provides a tangible connection to the soldiers’ experiences.

As one reviewer notes, Perrine’s stories make this silent crater come alive, emphasizing the human effort behind the scars in the landscape. It’s a raw reminder of the destructive power of war and the ingenuity soldiers used to survive underground.

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The Thiepval Memorial and Cemeteries

Next, the tour visits the Thiepval Franco-British memorial, a towering tribute to over 72,000 missing soldiers. A guided tour here lasts around an hour, during which Perrine helps visitors understand the significance of this site. Its impressive size and poignant inscriptions evoke a sense of loss and sacrifice.

The nearby military cemeteries feature rows of meticulously maintained graves, each representing a life lost. Visitors consistently praise Perrine’s storytelling, which brings emotional depth to these solemn spaces. “Her anecdotes about individual soldiers and units made the scale of the war feel more personal,” says one traveler.

The Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial

The final major site is the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. This 1-hour guided visit offers a close look at a battlefield where Canadian forces fought fiercely. The preserved trenches and battlefield remains make it easier to picture the intense fighting that took place.

Many reviewers appreciate Perrine’s ability to connect the dots between the landscape and the stories of the soldiers. As one person remarked, “You really get a sense of what it was like to be there, especially when Perrine describes the strategic importance of the terrain.”

Ending the Tour Back in Albert

The tour concludes back at the original meeting point, giving you time to reflect on what you’ve seen. The compact duration means you get a solid overview without feeling rushed, but there’s enough depth to leave a lasting impression.

Pricing and Value

At $527 for up to 40 people, the tour offers good value for larger groups. It’s a fixed price, so the per-person cost drops as your group grows, making it budget-friendly for family reunions, school groups, or clubs. However, keep in mind that transportation is not included, so you’ll need to arrange your own vehicle or coach.

While that might seem like an additional hassle, the upside is you get to customize your transport and timing, and Perrine’s guiding makes the most of the outdoor sites and memorials—places that don’t require admission fees. The price covers expert guidance and a meaningful journey through key historic sites.

What’s Not Included

• Food or beverages—so plan to bring water or snacks if needed.
• Transportation—your own or arranged by you.

Who Will Love This Tour?

This experience suits those who are keen on history and want more than a surface-level visit. It’s perfect if you’re comfortable with self-arranged transport but seek a guide who makes the sites come alive with detailed stories. It’s also a good fit for groups that want a private, tailored experience. If you’re interested in exploring confidential sites and lesser-known locations, this tour offers that rare insight.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, Perrine’s Somme battlefield tour provides a balanced blend of outdoor sites, personal stories, and historical significance. It offers an intimate look at a crucial chapter of WWI, with a guide who genuinely cares about sharing authentic stories. The ability to visit preserved sites like the La Boisselle mine crater and the Beaumont-Hamel battlefield makes it especially valuable for those who want to see the scars of war firsthand.

The tour’s focus on storytelling and human stories makes history more relatable, especially in sites where you can see the actual trenches, memorials, and battlefield scars. While the logistics of transportation are on your shoulders, the guided experience and site selection are well worth it.

For anyone eager to walk the land where history was made and hear the stories behind the stones, this tour offers depth, authenticity, and a personal touch—not to mention a very good chance of moving beyond the dry facts to understand what it really felt like to be there.

FAQ

Do I need to bring my own transportation?
Yes, transportation is not included in the tour price, so you’ll need to arrange your own vehicle or coach to get between sites.

How long does each site visit last?
The Ovillers-la-Boisselle site is about 30 minutes, Thiepval and its cemeteries are around an hour, and Beaumont-Hamel takes roughly another hour.

Is the guide available in multiple languages?
The tour is led by a French-speaking guide, Perrine. Some content may be shown in its original language, but the guided commentary is primarily in French.

Can I cancel the tour?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, offering some flexibility if your plans change.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?
It’s wheelchair accessible, but since it involves outdoor sites and walking on uneven terrain, it’s best to check with Perrine for specific needs.

Are museums included in this tour?
No, the tour focuses on outdoor sites and memorials. Entrance to museums is not part of this experience.

To sum it up, Perrine’s guided battlefield tour in the Somme offers a meaningful, personal exploration of some of WWI’s most significant sites. Its emphasis on stories and authentic locations makes it a compelling choice for travelers seeking more than just a sightseeing trip. With a knowledgeable guide, a varied itinerary, and the chance to connect deeply with history, it’s well worth considering for your trip to the region.

You can check availability for your dates here: