In the company of one of the leading experts on the Franco-Prussian War, Grenville Bird, you will explore some of the most important battlefields in Europe and discuss the evolution of tactics and strategy as they morphed in tandem with the development of new weapons, transport systems and social change. Travel to and from France and Germany will be in Eurostar’s comfortable Standard Premier class and first class TGV. We are based out of wonderful hotels, each situated in the historical heart of Strasbourg, Metz or Sedan, the latter the town’s 15th century chateau and birthplace of Turenne. We enjoy dinner at a variety of local restaurants all within a short, pleasant, atmospheric walks of our hotel.

The Franco-Prussian War was the largest and most important war in Europe since Waterloo, changing the face of the continent for the next fifty years. Having already defeated Austria in 1866 as part of his continuing plan for the unification of Germany, the Chancellor of Prussia Otto von Bismarck, engineered this war against the France of the Second Empire under Napoleon III. The contrast between the efficient Prussian war-machine under Helmuth von Moltke and the shambolic performance of the French Army shocked all observers. Within a matter of weeks, the Prussians and their allies had won a series of spectacular victories, leading to Napoleon’s abdication and the establishment of the French Third Republic, followed by the Siege of Paris and the abortive revolution of the Paris Commune. In 1871 a unified Germany dominated by Prussia was proclaimed, eclipsing France as the leading power in Europe, and leaving a legacy of rivalry and hatred that was not finally resolved until the end of the Second World War.

Day 1 - Strasbourg

Depart London St Pancras for Strasbourg via Paris and check-in to our hotel for two nights. (D)

Day 2 - Wissembourg and Wörth

Full of confidence but with no plan, Napoleon III’s armies initially attempted to take the war to Germany, but French plans were thrown into confusion when Moltke went onto the offensive. From the dominating heights above Wissembourg and again at Chateau Geisberg we look at how Douay’s outnumbered division were surprised by III Army and defeated after a heroic but ultimately futile struggle. We then follow in the Crown Prince’s footsteps to Woerth where he clashed with MacMahon’s 1 Corps, deployed in a strong defensive position overlooking the Sauer valley. After lunch we visit the Musée de la Bataille du 6 août 1870 which commemorates the battle, before exploring the French positions and the fight for the Niederwald, culminating in Michel’s heroic but disastrous cavalry charge at Morsbronn. Return to Strasbourg. (B,D)

Day 3 - Wörth and Spichern

Today we continue our study of Wörth: we visit the Artillery Tower at Elsasshausen, discuss the bitter struggle for the Galgenberg Heights, the Prussian encircling movements, the brave and sacrificial charges undertaken by Bonnemains’ cuirassiers and the final stand of Ducrot’s division at Froeschwiller. We then drive northwest to Saarbrucken, the scene of the Prince Imperial’s ‘baptism of fire’ and the somewhat more considered response of the Prussian 1st and 2nd Armies as they took the offensive. At Spicheren we consider General Frossard’s II Corps response, follow in the footsteps of the attacking German forces as they storm the Rotherberg before making our way onto the Spicheren Heights. After lunch we look at the outcome of this battle, before following in the footsteps of the retreating French army to Metz, stopping on the way to discuss the clash of arms at Borny, the consequences of which having considerable impact on the outcome of the campaign. We then check-in to our hotel in the centre of Metz for three nights. (B, D)

Day 4 - Mars la Tour

We spend a full day exploring this pivotal battle of the campaign and see how Alvesleben’s III Corps managed to block the French Army’s retreat to Verdun. We examine the events leading up to this encounter battle, Alvesleben’s capture of the Verdun Road at Vionville, the charge of the Guard Cuirassiers, Von Bredow’s famous death charge, the fighting around Maison Rouge, the bloody clash within the fond de la cuve and then visit Ville sur Yron, where 6,000 horsemen clashed in one of the last great cavalry engagements on European soil. On our return to Metz, we visit the superb Museum of the War of 1870 and the Annexation at Gravelotte. Dinner at own expense this evening. (B)

Day 5 - Gravelotte-St Privat

Another full day spent exploring the first set piece battle of the campaign, Gravelotte-St Privat. We explore the Mance Ravine, the French positions at ‘Point du Jour’ and Moscow Farm; then travel northwards along the front line via Verneville and Amanvillers and thence follow in the footsteps of the Prussian guard up the glacis-like slope to St Privat before visiting the famous cemetery and churchyard in the heart of Canrobert’s position at St Privat. (B, D)

Day 6 - Advance on Sedan.

We follow the Prussian pursuit of Napoleon and the Army of Châlons after Gravelotte, and examine the actions at Nouart and Beaumont. After lunch we shadow the retreating French army towards Sedan and take an overview of the battle from the Royal command post above Frenois, from where Prussian King, Moltke and Bismarck viewed this decisive clash. Moving to Bazeilles, the scene of bitter fighting between French Marines and Bavarian troops, we visit the famous ‘la derniere cartouche’ museum and ossuary. Check in to our Chateau hotel in Sedan for two nights. (B, D)

Day 7 - Sedan

Another full day is spent looking at this climatic clash between the French and German armies. We visit La Moncelle, where the French commander, MacMahon was wounded; after examining the Prussian Guard’s gun line overlooking Daigny, we move onto the strategic high ground around the Calvaire d’Illy, scene of Margeuritte’s first charge. After viewing the positions occupied by V and XI Corps artillery, the ground where the French cavalry launched their final sacrificial charges at Floing and les Braves Gen’s memorial is fully explored. To complete the tour the locations associated with the French capitulation are visited; the Weavers Cottage at Donchery, where Bismarck met Napoleon III; Château Bellevue, the scene of the signing of the capitulation and the Iges Peninsula, where the defeated French army was held captive following the battle. After returning to our hotel there is an opportunity to visit the Château Museum with its copy of the Panorama of Sedan. (B, D)

Day 8 - St Quentin

Today we consider the ‘guerre à outrance’ on the Somme. Just to the east of Amiens we stand on the bare chalk slopes: perfect killing zones that would be so well known some 45 years later and where the one of the last major battles of the war was fought between General Faidherbe’s numerous, although poorly trained Republican troops and Von Goeben’s smaller army of battle-hardened veterans. Continue to Lille to catch the return Eurostar to London St Pancras. (B)