The French and Indian Wars

The French and Indian Wars

The North American campaigns of George Washington and James Wolfe 1754-1763

Experience ToursGeneral History ToursMilitary History and Battlefield Tours

The French and Indian Wars

The North American campaigns of George Washington and James Wolfe 1754-1763

Experience ToursGeneral History ToursMilitary History and Battlefield Tours

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Tour Introduction

In the company of the ever popular historians Fred Hawthorne and and Dr Stephen Brumwell, enjoy a once in a life-time opportunity to comprehensively explore the events of the French-Indian Wars in North America. The story takes us through some wonderful and iconic scenery and places: the mighty Ohio River, splendid Pennsylvania countryside, the wonderful Niagara Falls, beautiful Lakes George and Champlain, remote Cape Breton and the magical city that is Quebec. Many of the historical sites we visit have been carefully restored and rebuilt and feature professional re-enactment demonstrations. This will be a fast-moving tour that necessarily covers much ground from western Pennsylvania through upstate New York to Montreal from where we take two return internal flights to Cape Breton Island and Quebec.

Background

When King George II granted tracts of land to the Ohio Company in 1749 it brought the British into direct conflict with the French who were intent on maintaining their hegemony in the Ohio Valley. A seemingly minor skirmish in western Pennsylvania in 1754 brought on by a Virginian militia officer by the name of George Washington became the catalyst for a war that would see the end of the French interest in North America. Such a victory would not come easily to the British: Braddock was mortally wounded at Monongahela in 1755. Whilst at Oswego, Lake George and Ticonderoga, and despite the best efforts of Lord Amherst, the careful and imaginative leadership of the Marquis de Montcalm placed inferior French forces at the head of the Hudson valley. Although both countries were distracted by a greater worldwide war (The Seven Years War), unlike France, Britain decided to send significant reinforcements resulting in the reduction of Louisbourg fortress in 1758 and the despatch of a major army under James Wolfe that would, despite that general’s vacillation, result in the fall of Quebec in 1759 and the end of French influence.

Highlights

  • Visit Fort Necessity Battlefield Park
  • Explore the site of the battle of Monongahela
  • Visit the fabulous reconstructed Fort Ligonier
  • Fort Pitt Blockhouse and Museum
  • Take a boat-trip through the mist at Niagara Falls
  • The wonderfully preserved key French strongpoint of Fort Niagara
  • Fort Stanwix National Monument
  • Explore the Battle of Lake George
  • See the famous Fort Ticonderoga
  • Visit Gabarus Bay where the British fleet arrived & Wolfe’s landing place
  • Take an historical walk around Quebec

What's Included

  • Return flights from London (optional)
  • 3 Internal flights
  • 3 & 4 Star Hotels
  • Buffet breakfast each morning
  • Dinner parties hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
  • Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
  • Dedicated Tour Manager
  • Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
  • Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
  • Tour information booklet
  • Access to the Cultural Experience app
  • Helpful and friendly travel advice
  • The company of like-minded travelers

Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly London to Pittsburgh

Check-in to our hotel for three nights.

Day 2 - The War Begins

Drive to Fort Necessity Battlefield Park to discuss the opening shots at Jumonville Glen, George Washington’s surprise attack on the French and Great Meadows where Washington built the fort that was subsequently surrendered to the French. We’ll visit the site of the battle of Monongahela with its recently opened visitor centre and pay our respects at General Braddock’s final resting place.

Day 3 - The French lose the Ohio Valley

Visit the fabulous, reconstructed Fort Ligonier, built as one of a series of forts along the approach to Fort Duquesne. We’ll also visit the battlefield of Bushy Run fought against the Indians during Pontiac’s uprising of 1763. Upon our return to Pittsburgh, we’ll visit the Fort Pitt Blockhouse and Museum and see the outline of the long-gone Fort Duquesne.

Day 4 - Niagara

Head up the Allegheny River valley via the sites of French Forts Machault, Le Boeuf and Presque Isle abandoned by the French after the fall of Fort Duquesne. Arriving at Niagara Falls late afternoon, we will take a boat-trip through the mist to the base of that majestic wonder. Check in to our hotel.

Day 5 - Lake Ontario

We visit the wonderfully preserved key French strongpoint of Fort Niagara which commands the mouth of the Niagara River. We travel the southern seaboard of the lake to Fort Oswego where Montcalm won his first victory in 1756. Continue to Syracuse, NY, where we spend the night.

Day 6 - The Great Carrying Place

Our first stop is Fort Stanwix National Monument, a superb example of a wood and earth fortification in the heart of Iroquoia. Traveling east we briefly visit the site of old Fort Edward where Robert Rogers’ Rangers trained and organized. We end at Lake George, site of several engagements including the Battle of Lake George and the siege and reduction of British Fort William Henry. We spend the night at Lake George.

Day 7 - Lake Champlain

We drive through “The Last of the Mohicans” countryside to the famous Fort Ticonderoga, site of a shocking French victory at the Battle of Carillon in 1758. Thence to the site of French Fort Frederic at Crown Point which fell during the Champlain campaign following which the British built a massive stone fortification that we can explore. Cross the border into Canada and spend the night at on the northern Lake Champlain.

Day 8 - Cape Breton Island

We make a brief stop opposite Isle aux Noix, Montcalm’s winter position through 1759/60. From Montreal we catch our lunchtime flight to Sydney, NS. Somewhat off-topic, we visit Table Head at Glace Bay from where Guglielmo Marconi sent the first ever trans-Atlantic wireless message in 1902. Continue to Sydney where we spend the next two nights.

Day 9 - Louisbourg

We spend a full day at this wonderfully reconstructed site, originally demolished by the British after its capture in 1758. We will visit Gabarus Bay where the British fleet arrived, Wolfe’s landing place, the site of the siege lines and Lighthouse Point, seized by Wolfe and his men, and which offers great views over the fortress. At the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, rebuilt in the 1960s, we’ll explore the King’s and Dauphin’s bastions as well as part of the town. We can also walk the balance of the ruins.

Day 10 - The St Lawrence River

A very long day starting with an early morning flight to Quebec via Toronto. We drive out to the Isle d’Orleans where Wolfe’s army landed. At Montmorency we discuss Wolfe’s abortive attempt to out-flank the French, and enjoy the lovely waterfall. From the Old Quebec we take the ferry across the St Lawrence to Levis and the site of the British batteries. Thence to Goreham’s point from where Wolfe reconnoitred the Anse au Foulon. Finally, we visit the monuments associated with the battle of Sainte Foy in 1760. Check-in to our hotel for two nights.

Day 11 - Quebec and The Plains of Abraham

We take a historical walk around Quebec from the Upper to the Lower town during which we will see a number of extant buildings from 1759. Thence to Wolfe’s Cove (Anse au Foulon) where we follow in the footsteps of the British as they ascended the Heights of Abraham. We explore the southern side of the resultant battlefield (the northern part is sadly built over) and see where both Wolfe and Montcalm were mortally wounded.

Day 12 - Quebec and home

We take a tour of the citadel, see the famous Van Doos changing of the Guard ceremony and visit their museum. We say farewell to North America as we catch our return flight to London.

Day 13 - Arrive London

Recommended Reading List

Photo Gallery

  • Admiring Montreal
  • An unspoilt view of the Ohio Forks
  • Above the Montmorency Falls
  • Fort Ticonderoga
  • Baptiste, the regimental goat of the 22nd 'Van Doos' Royal French Canadian
  • Dauphin Bastion at Louisbourg
  • Investigating The Bloody Pond
  • Beside a replica howitzer!
  • Alan summing up the fall of the fortress
  • Alan Rooney and Bev walking the ramparts at Crown Point.

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