A day trip to the WWI Battlefields from Paris is a memorable and riveting experience. Educate yourself on how the first world war affected this area in northern France and all of Europe while visiting historical sites along the way.

Here's your guide to the WWI Battlefields, one of the most insightful day trips from Paris.

How to get to the WWI Battlefields in Somme from Paris?

Some of France’s most notable WWI battlefields are located in Somme, an area in northern France 200 kilometers from Paris. Somme is part of the larger region of Hauts-de-France and is perfect for an excursion to the WWI battlefields from Paris.

From Paris to the WWI Battlefields by car

The easiest way to get to the WWI Battlefields in Somme is by car. The drive will take 2.5 hours depending on the traffic and is approximately 200 kilometers long.

From the city, head north towards Charles de Gaulle Airport before turning onto the A1 highway in the direction of Lille. Turn off the highway at Amiens to end your journey to some of the best WWI battlefields.

From Paris to the WWI Battlefields by train/public transport

France has an extensive train network and you can reach Somme with the TGV high-speed rail. It leaves from Marne-la-Vallée Chessy station outside of Paris and will take you to the TGV station in Haute Picardie. You can easily reach it by getting on the RER regional train from the city centre of Paris.

Once your journey is complete at TGV station in Haute Picardie, you can take local buses or a taxi to different WWI battlefields.

Guided tour to the WWI Battlefields from Paris

What makes the WWI battlefields of northern France unique is the history behind them. The best way to appreciate a trip to this area is to join a guided tour with a knowledgeable guide.

You’ll be able to learn about the significance of these historical sites and can enjoy a quick and comfortable trip on a shuttle bus. You’ll be picked up in Paris and a full day trip to the WWI Battlefields will take approximately 10 to 12 hours.

How much does the entrance ticket to the WWI Battlefields cost?

The majority of WWI battlefields can be visited for free. Some privately owned museums or monuments might charge a small entrance fee, usually between €4 and €10. In general, there is no need to book tickets, though and most major locations are free to visit.

What is the itinerary of a WWI Battlefields tour from Paris?

At around 7 AM, you’ll be picked up in a central location in Paris to start your excursion to the WWI Battlefields. Meet your guide and tour group who will accompany you for the day.

After a two- to three-hour journey on a bus, you’ll reach the first of many WWI Battlefields on your day trip. Commonly visited locations include the Aisne Marne American Cemetery, the Ypres Salient Battlefield and the Museé de la Grande Guerre.

At noon, you’ll stop in a small French village for a local lunch. Some tours will give you an hour or so of free time to explore before moving on to the next spot.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue your journey along France’s most notable WWI battlefields. The Chateau-Thierry Monument has some of the best views in the area and commemorates the friendship between France and the United States.

Finally, you’ll visit another WWI burial site such as the Cimetiere Militaire Allemand de Belleau, the German cemetery where over 8,000 soldiers are buried. Your tour guide will give you fascinating insight into these war grounds and how they came to be.

In the early evening, you’ll start your journey back to Paris after an educational day trip to the French WWI Battlefields.

What kinds of tour options are there to visit the WWI Battlefields?

The WWI Battlefields in northern France are best visited as part of a guided tour. Some day trips will be tailored to American or Australian visitors wanting to visit specific monuments or cemeteries. Others will be more general.

Turn your day trip from Paris to the WWI Battlefields into an educational jaunt to the French countryside.

Guided tours to the WWI Battlefields from Paris

Get to know the WWI Battlefields with the help of a professional tour guide. Make the journey to Somme in an air-conditioned tour bus which will take you to the most interesting WWI locations in the area.

Small group guided tours to the WWI Battlefields from Paris

If you’re interested in learning every last detail about the WWI Battlefields, you’ll benefit from a small group day trip from Paris. Share a minivan with six to eight other people and head into the beautiful French countryside and its many vineyards.

If you’re unsure whether to invest in a private tour but don’t want to be distracted by a large group, this will be the ideal compromise.

Private tour to the WWI Battlefields from Paris

WWI affected several countries, and many international visitors go on an excursion to the French Battlefields to trace their ancestry. A private tour of this area will be very beneficial for those seeking specific information, or even just wanting a day packed with activities.

Enjoy hotel pickup in Paris and transport in a luxury vehicle.

2-Day tour to the WWI Battlefields from Paris

It can be a challenge to cram so many activities into one day. A two-day trip from Paris to the WWI Battlefields will take you to all the important memorials, trenches and cemeteries in both northern France and Belgium. You’ll spend the night at a quaint hotel and return to Paris late in the evening on your second day.

How much do day trips to the WWI Battlefields from Paris cost?

A day trip from Paris to the WWI Battlefield will cost between €200 and €250 per person. This does not include hotel pickup or lunch in most cases.

If you’re interested in a private day tour of the WWI Battlefields, you should expect to pay €700. An overnight trip will start at €840 per person, including accommodation and breakfast.

What will you see and do at the WWI Battlefields?

The journey from Paris to the WWI Battlefields will take you to several different cemeteries, memorials and former battlegrounds. Here are some of the most notable attractions.

Chateau-Thierry Monument

This is one of the most popular places to visit on a day tour to the WWI Battlegrounds. The Chateau-Thierry Monument commemorates the sacrifices of the Americans and their achievements during the First World War.

Your tour guide will be able to give interesting insights into the design and significance of this monument.

Museé de la Grande Guerre

The Museé de la Grande Guerre or Museum of the Great War exhibits over 50,000 objects related to WWI. Visiting this museum will give a perspective on the extent of the war and how it affected countries worldwide.

Aisne Marne American Cemetery

The Aisne Marne American Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 2,000 American soldiers who fell here during WWI. It spans across 17 hectares and is an impressive and thought-provoking location to visit.

When are the WWI Battlefields open over the year?

Visitors can come to the WWI Battlefields throughout the year. They are open every day, even during winter.

What are the opening times?

Many of the WWI Battlefields are public places and do not have opening hours. Visitors can come and go as they please. While this is generally the case, there are some privately-owned locations or museums where this does not apply.

For example, the Museé de la Grande Guerre is open from 9:30 AM to 6 PM every day except Tuesday.

When is the best time to tour the WWI Battlefields?

There is no specific time that is preferable when touring the WWI Battlefields. You might have a more enjoyable experience on a warm and sunny day. Northern France can be quite cold and windy at times, so make sure to bring warm clothes if you’re making the journey to the WWI Battlefields between November and early March.

May to September will be the most popular time for visitors and the best time to plan a jaunt to the WWI Battlefields.

Know before you go

Always be respectful when visiting WWI Battlefields or cemeteries even when on a fun jaunt from Paris. Avoid running or shouting and make sure to keep an eye on any children you are travelling with.
Ask your tour company which cemeteries you will be visiting before you go. They might be able to accommodate requests should you be looking for a specific one.
Pack your camera to capture the mesmerizing views of northern France. It’s definitely worth it.

What other day trips are there from Paris?

WWI Battelfields: Day Trips and Tours from Paris