b'THE FRANCO-PRUSSIANScan here WAR 1870 for the full itineraryTHE GERMAN INVASION OF FRANCE2128 July 2026 Historical Background8 days The Franco-Prussian War was the largest and most important war in Europe Expert Historian: after Waterloo, changing the face of the continent for the next fifty years. Grenville Bird Having already defeated Austria in 1866 as part of his continuing plan for the unification of Germany, the Chancellor of Prussia Otto von Bismarck, Activity Level: 2 engineered this war against the France of the Second Empire under Napoleon III. The contrast between the efficient Prussian war-machine under Helmuth In the company of one of the leadingvon Moltke and the shambolic performance of the French Army shocked all experts on the Franco-Prussian War youobservers. Within a matter of weeks, the Prussians and their allies had won will explore some of the most importanta series of spectacular victories, leading to Napoleons abdication and the battlefields in Europe and discuss theestablishment of the French Third Republic, followed by the Siege of Paris evolution of tactics and strategy as theyand the abortive revolution of the Paris Commune. In 1871 a unified Germany morphed in tandem with the developmentdominated by Prussia was proclaimed, eclipsing France as the leading power in of new weapons, transport systems andEurope, and leaving a legacy of rivalry and hatred that was not finally resolved social change. Travel to and from Franceuntil the end of the Second World War.and Germany will be in comfortable Eurostar Plus class and first class TGV. We are based out of wonderful hotels, each situated in the historical heart of Strasbourg, Metz or Sedan. We enjoy dinner at a variety of local restaurants all within a short, pleasant and atmospheric walk from our hotel.Day 1Strasbourg Eurostar London to Paris, TGV to Strasbourg (2 nights) (D)Day 2 Opening Battles Wissembourg, Worth (B,D)Day 3 Opening Battles Worth (continued), Spicheren, Metz (3 nights) (B,D)Day 4 Mars la Tour (B)Day 5 Gravelotte-St Privat (B,D)ESSENTIALS Day 6Advance on Sedan Nouart, Beaumont, Bazeilles Sedan (2 nights) (B,D)4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Day 7Sedan (B,D)drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 8St Quentin Eurostar Lille to London (B)tour manager and expert historian throughout, all internal travel,optional travel from UK.445926 TCE BROCHURE 2025-26_Aug25.indd 44 22/08/2025 13:35'