Tour of Arras and Lille Christmas Markets
No of nights: | 3 nights |
Key sites: | Two nights in Arras |
Transport: | Car, minibus/coach & ferry |
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Call me and we can discuss this tour, the best dates and the costs
It is hard to imagine a more mesmerizing Christmas setting than the historic centre of Arras.
Every winter, the city’s old town is transformed into a magical winter wonderland with sparkling lights and decorated Christmas trees, against a backdrop of gingerbread- like houses.
This 4-day tour will take you in with its convivial atmosphere combined with many culinary delights and includes the sights of Arras, and Lille Christmas market. This all results in an incredible Christmas experience.
With a maximum of 8 guests, you will have a truly personalised trip, getting the most from your own personal guide and meeting others that are looking for a new Christmas experience.
Your Guide
Hello, I am Andy Oliver, your guide.
I am now retired from 22 years in the military service which took me around the world and the battlefields of the Western Front and Far East.
I have studied, toured, and guided on the Western Front battlefields for the last few years since retiring from the Armed Forces. I have built up an extensive knowledge of the Great War and I look forward to sharing it with you.
“I was telling a friend that we wanted to go to Ypres and battlefields, luckily she passed me Andy’s details.
I contacted Andy to discuss Ypres and that we would only sail from Hull as this is where we live, and that we wanted to stay 2 nights in Ypres. Andy asked if we had any relatives in the Great War (we didn’t at that stage). Andy created a bespoke tour with lots of stops to cover everything from trenches, tunnels, various cemeteries and memorial locations. We agreed date, price (which includes ferry crossing, hotel in Ypres, all fees to sites and a meal on our first night in Ypres) and paid deposit.”
Tracy & Neil Tindall
Personalise the Tour
I can personalise the tour for you and your family history. I can ensure the tour covers places where your family has fought or fallen. If you are unsure of your family's involvement in the First World War, I can complete that research for you and make a tour based on what I find. For a tour that's all about you and your family, get in touch.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Meet and greet and travel to Arras
- Pick up from a convenient location for you – we make our way to Arras via Dover and Calais
- Check into the Mercure hotel in Arras for the first of a two-night stay
- Then you have the evening to see the wonderful city of Arras at night
Day 2 - Battle for Arras & Arras Christmas Market
- After a good breakfast we have a full day in Arras for another day of the Battlefields of Arras. We visit places like Oppy Wood for the Hull Pals Battalions, or the Wellington tunnels in Arras itself
- We then visit the wonderful Christmas market in Arras, which is a must-see, must-do experience
- As we wander through the hundreds of market stalls weaving throughout the city centre, the sounds of Christmas carols and the scent of holiday treats fills the air, making it hard to ever head home
- We then head back to the Mercure centre hotel for our second night in Arras
- You have the evening to yourselves to take in what the wonderful sights Ypres has to offer at night-time
Day 3 - Lille Christmas Market
- After a good breakfast we leave Arras behind and visit the beautiful French city of Lille and see the wonderful sights it has to offer at Christmas time
- Lille is often overlooked as a Christmas holiday destination, probably because the Lille Christmas market is quite small, but this is actually one of the best reasons to go. The market is small, charming, and not overcrowded
- You can ride the Christmas Ferris wheel at dusk for beautiful views of Lille’s historic old town
- We finish the day by checking into the Hotel Barriere in Lille of a one -night stay
Day 4 - Sightseeing in Lille & Drop off and return home
- After a good breakfast we take in one more Christmas market in Lille, before we head back to the ferry at Calais
- Ferry home and drop off at a convenient location for you
- Drop off at a convenient location for you in the Hull area if required
Trip Includes
4 days, 3 nights
- Services of a full-time guide
- Pick up & drop off from a convenient location
- All transportation and return ferry crossings, plus 3 nights in a 4* or 5* hotel (based on 2 sharing)
- Restaurant on days 1 & 4
- Breakfast every day in the hotels
- Welcome drink on arrival at the hotel
Email me to Discuss Dates and Costs
Call me and we can discuss this tour, the best dates and the costs