The Hundred Years War still remains one of the greatest ruptures between England and her continental neighbour up until the modern period. This smouldering yet savage power struggle included Crecy (1346), Poitiers (1356), Agincourt (1415) and Castillon (1453) - some of the most enduringly resonant battles in English history. On this tour we explore the causes and development of the conflict visiting major sites connected with the period. In the expert hands of medievalist Dr John Sadler we learn of the tactics of the time and the place of the war in the military revolution of the time.

This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a tour of the rolling Loire and Pas-de-Calais countryside and marvel at imposing Gothic architecture. The gorgeous summer sunshine allows us to combine this tour with pleasant countryside strolls, surrounded by flora and fauna and conjuring images of armour glinting in the sunlight. Travel is by coach and Eurostar where you will enjoy comfortable Eurostar Plus seating. We stay in a variety of small medieval towns and cities where we wander along cobbled streets and through open market squares to enjoy wonderful food and wine in local restaurants

The English claim to the French throne as the birth-right of King Edward III of England, the closest male relative to the last of the Capetian Kings of France, began the Hundred Years War which precipitated a revolution in military affairs. This allowed small English armies to defeat far larger French forces and laid the foundation of a British way of waging war, which continued to Waterloo and beyond. In this tour we will examine how the English feudal array of mounted knights backed by a poorly armed and trained militia was transformed into a professional army of career soldiers fighting on foot, supported by the English weapon of mass destruction – the longbow.

Much myth and legend surrounds the Hundred Years War, particularly concerning Joan of Arc: contrary to popular belief she was not a poor peasant girl but the daughter of a local government official and she had a good basic education. Whether her voices came from God, as she alleged, whether she invented them or whether they indicated some form of insanity is still debated. Whatever the truth she was certainly an inspiration for a resurgence of French zeal before being betrayed, put on trial, and burnt at the stake in Rouen.

Day 1 – Crecy. Our morning Eurostar departure from London St Pancras will whisk us quickly and smoothly to Lille. Picking up our coach, we drive to the battlefield of Crécy where, in 1346, King Edward III, faced by a far larger French army, took up a defensive position, waited for the French heavy cavalry to attack and then slaughtered them with a shower of arrows that ‘turned the sky black’. We also visit the Crecy Historical Centre where the battle is described within the context of the Hundred Years War. Check-in to our hotel in Montreuil sur Mer for one night. (D).

Day 2 – Agincourt and Amiens. This morning we visit the iconic site of Agincourt, where Henry V of England with a tiny, hungry and bedraggled army, utterly defeated a far larger French force. The visitors’ centre here provides further illumination on the events of St Crispin’s Day. We continue to the interesting town of Le Crotoy where Joan of Arc was imprisoned before her trial in Rouen. After lunch here we travel to Amiens where we enjoy the sumptuous Gothic architecture of Amiens Cathedral, mainly built between 1220 and 1288, and thus already many decades old by the time hostilities started in the 1330s. Drive to Rouen and our hotel for one night. (B, D).

Day 3 – Rouen and Patay. This morning we explore Rouen, the location of the main French shipyards during the war, which was besieged by Henry V in 1418/19. It was here that Joan of Arc was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in 1431. We will visit the modern church which was erected as a memorial, the Joan of Arc interpretation centre and the wonderful Gothic cathedral, which houses the tomb of the heart of Richard the Lionheart. We then continue to the location of the Battle of Patay, 14 June 1429, one of the few battles that the English, including a contingent led by Sir John Fastolf (the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Falstaff) lost, not as claimed by the French because of Joan of Arc, but because of the English commander’s over-confidence. Continue to Beaugency and our hotel for two nights. (B, D).

Day 4 – Chateau de Guedelon and Fleury Abbey. Today we visit the remarkable Chateau de Guedelon, site of a unique example of medieval experimental archaeology. We view this castle constructed in recent years from nothing using medieval construction techniques. Here we observe castle-builders at work: stonemasons, woodcutters, carpenters, tilers and carters. From here we return to the beautiful Abbaye de Fleury, originally founded in 640 and well known to both sides in the war. It was here that Joan of Arc met the Dauphin in 1429 and persuaded him to march on Burgundian-held Reims. (B, D).

Day 5 – Orleans and Chinon. This morning we enjoy a walking tour of Orleans, a city besieged by the English and Burgundians in 1428/29 and supposedly relieved by Joan of Arc, hence one of her many soubriquets ‘The Maid of Orleans’. Here we can see the Maison de Jeanne d'Arc, a reconstruction of the house where she stayed in the town. We then move on to the castle of Chinon, home of Charles VII of France, and where Joan had a vision of her success against the English. Drive to Poitiers and our hotel for the night. (B, D).

Day 6 - Poitiers. Our day starts with an exploration of the Battle of Poitiers where on 19 September 1356, the Black Prince, son of Edward III, campaigning from English Bordeaux to Calais, was attacked by a French army south of Poitiers. The French had learned something from Crécy and they attacked dismounted, but to no avail. Once more the professional English archers turn the French advance into a rout, taking the French king prisoner. We return to Poitiers and tour the amazing Cathedral with its 12th Century stained glass windows. During the afternoon we take the high-speed train to Bordeaux, medieval capital of English Aquitaine. Hotel in Bordeaux - 2 nights. (B, D).

Day 7 – Bordeaux and Castillon. There is free time this morning to look around this fine city perhaps sampling some wines or purchasing last-minute gifts. After lunch we drive to the site of the Battle of Castillon, the last major battle of the war, where French developments in artillery defeated the English who had just recaptured Bordeaux. In the evening we have the opportunity to view (subject to availability) a live performance of the battle replete with costumed actors, re-enactments and a sound and light show. This journey into medieval life and warfare is a fitting finale to a tour of the longest military conflict in European history. (B, D).

Day 8 – Return. Train from Bordeaux to Paris then Eurostar to London St Pancras. (B).