The Franco-Prussian War 1870

The Franco-Prussian War 1870

The German Invasion of France

Military History and Battlefield Tours

23rd - 30th July 2024
(8 Days)

Expert Historian : Grenville Bird

Tour price: £3,095

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The Franco-Prussian War 1870

The German Invasion of France

Military History and Battlefield Tours

Your Holiday Essentials

23rd - 30th July 2024
(8 Days)

Includes Standard Premier Eurostar, first class TGV, 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, meals as indicated, all entrance fees and expert guide

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian: Grenville Bird

Prices:

Standard price: : £2,945

Incl. travel from UK: £3,095
Room sole occupancy supplement: £350
Non-refundable deposit: £600

Booking open

click here to book

Interested in this tour but not ready to book? Register your interest using the link below and we will keep you updated on the progress of the tour.

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Tour Introduction

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.

Background

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.

Highlights

  • Travel in the company of expert historian Grenville Bird
  • Discover the atmospheric towns of Strasbourg, Metz and Sedan in the delights of summer
  • Follow the path of the Prussian war-machine from the German border to Amiens
  • Walk the battlefields, discuss the evolving tactics and witness the social change of the most important war since Waterloo
  • Full exploration of the seminal battles of Wissembourg and Worth
  • Investigate the decisive battle of Sedan and the site of Napoleon III’s surrender
  • Explore how the war and its legacy changed the face of Europe for the next fifty years
  • Discuss the fight for the Niederwald

What's Included

  • Return Standard Premier Eurostar from London (optional)
  • Return Standard SNCF/TGV rail journey from Paris
  • 4 Star Hotels
  • Expert historian throughout providing a daily variety of talks, presentations and Q&A
  • Dedicated Tour Manager
  • Dinner parties hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
  • The company of like-minded travelers
  • Helpful and friendly travel advice
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
  • Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
  • Tour information booklet
  • Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach

"Very well organised and planned, which is what I expected and wanted. Well done"

Itinerary

Day 1 - Strasbourg

Depart London St Pancras for Strasbourg via Paris and check-in to our hotel for two nights. Enjoy a stroll through the magical ‘Petit France’ district. (D)

Day 2 - Wissembourg and Wörth

Full of confidence but with no plan, Napoleon’s armies initially attempted to take the war to Germany, but were repulsed at the Battles of Wissembourg and Wörth. From the dominating heights above Wissembourg we will discuss the Bavarian advance on that little town and its determined defence. After lunch we will move to Wörth to view the battle from the Crown Prince’s command position and then gain a fantastic overview of French dispositions from Elsasshausen. (B, D)

Day 3 - Wörth and Spichern

Today we continue our study of Wörth: we discuss the fight for the Niederwald, the Prussian encircling movements and final stand of the French at Froeschwiller. We then drive northwest to the site of the meagre French offensive towards Saarbrucken and the response of the Prussian 1st and 2nd Armies, both sides being largely unaware of the presence of the other. At Spichern we will discuss how the gallant General Frossard’s II Corps held off the counter-attacking Germans for a whole day. We walk along the Rotherberg Spur, visit the little cemetery there and stand on the Pfaaffenberg. We return to Metz along the path of the French retreat. Check-in to our hotel in the centre of Metz for three nights.(B, D)

Day 4 - Mars la Tour

Here the Prussian III Corps managed to prevent the French Army’s withdrawal from Metz. We will examine Alvesleben’s approach, the Prussian capture of the Verdun Road at Vionville, Von Bredow’s famous death charge, the failure of the French to capture Mars La Tour (and thus continue their retreat) and the devastation of the final Prussian attack in the Bruville Ravine. Return to Metz mid-afternoon. Dinner at your own epxense this evening. (B)

Day 5 - Gravelotte-St Privat

Visit the wonderful museum, recently refurbished. Then follow the battlefield action at Gravelotte-St Privat, where the Prussians finally drove Bazaine's Army back into Metz. We explore the Mance Ravine, ‘Point du Jour’ and Moscow Farm; travel northwards along the front line via Verneville and Amanvillers and thence to follow in the footsteps of the Prussian guard up the glacis-like slope to St Privat.(B, D)

Day 6 - Advance on Sedan. 

We examine the Prussian advance after Gravelotte St Privat and the actions fought at Nouart, Beaumont and Bazeilles, the latter the scene of the French Marines’ fight to “la derniere cartouche”. Check in to our Chateau hotel for two nights.(B, D)

Day 7 - Sedan

Visit the field of the decisive battle of Sedan including the Calvaire d’Illy, the fatal French cavalry charges at Floing, the Crown Prince’s command post above Frenois, the final moves at Doncherey and the house where Bismarck met Napoleon III.(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 General Faidherbe restored the fighting confidence in his small French Army. Continue to Lille to catch the return Eurostar to London St Pancras.(B)

Grenville Bird

Grenville Bird

Grenville has a lifelong fascination for military history, his particular interest in the Franco-Prussian War dating back to the late 1980’s when he stumbled across the old Musée de Guerre in Gravelotte when driving from Metz to Verdun during a tour of WW1 battlefields. Interest piqued, he has spent much of his spare time during the last 35 years walking, exploring and photographing the battlefields around Strasbourg, Metz and Sedan, his in-depth research into the conflict resulting in the publication of a four-volume series of books - The Destruction of the Imperial Army- on the downfall of the Second Empire; The Opening Engagements; The battles around Metz; The Sedan Campaign and Castastophe - Sedan , Strasbourg and Metz.

Your Holiday Essentials

23rd - 30th July 2024
(8 Days)

Includes Standard Premier Eurostar, first class TGV, 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, meals as indicated, all entrance fees and expert guide

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian: Grenville Bird

Prices:

Standard price: : £2,945

Incl. travel from UK: £3,095
Room sole occupancy supplement: £350
Non-refundable deposit: £600

Booking open

click here to book

Interested in this tour but not ready to book? Register your interest using the link below and we will keep you updated on the progress of the tour.

click here to register your interest

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