33 U S A ( To l l - f r e e ) 1- 877- 381- 2 9 14 E m a i l inf o@the culturalexperience.com 17 th & 18 th Century 17 th & 18 th Century The Battle of Ramillies on the Höchstadt plain, fought throughout the dust and sweat of the day. Thence to the climactic struggle for the village of Blenheim itself, the key bastion of the French defence line, which was finally surrendered as night fell. Day 4 – H öchstadt & Transfer. We explore the town of Höchstadt with its battlefield museum and diorama before continuing to Munich for our flight to Brussels and thence to our hotel in Mons for 2 nights. Day 5 – R amillies & O udenarde. In the morning we study the battle of Ramillies where Louis XIV hoped to restore the prestige of the French Army two years after his defeat at Blenheim. Then in the afternoon, we move ahead in time to the battle of Oudenaarde where Marlborough drew the French into battle, enabling recovery of territory lost over the intervening two years. Day 6 – Malplaquet & Vauban. This morning westudythebloodybattlefieldofMalplaquet, fought in September 1709, where the Allies aimedtocaptureMonsanddestroytheFrench Army once and for all. They succeeded, but it was Marlborough’s most expensive victory. After lunch, we visit the well-preserved fortress of Maubeuge to look at the theory and practice of Vauban fortifications. We then head to the French town of Lille, with its lovely town square, for the final night. Day 7 – L ille and Return. We continue our study of Vauban fortifications by looking at the Lille Citadel (besieged by Marlborough in 1708 and still a military installation) before catching the afternoon Eurostar connection to London. Höchstadt Castle Your expert guide Dr John Sadler at Mauberge Vauban Fort