Waterloo

The battle of Waterloo represents a great turning point in European history. This battle, more than any other in recent history, built the basis of modern Europe with its complex system of military and political alliances and broke the hold which Napoleon and France had held over the rest of the continent. Napoleon had returned from his forced exile to rapidly re-build the sleeping giant which was the French army into a force to be reckoned with once again. With the able and willing assistance of his Marshals, Soult, Grouchy and particularly Ney, Napoleon met his greatest adversary Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington on the fields of Mont St. Jean near to a small village which was to lend its name to one of the great battles of history, Waterloo!

Napoleon

DAY 1 We cross the channel by Eurotunnel and drive to the area of the battles. First up is a lunch stop to replenish the inner man. My Waterloo tour starts the day before the battle when we examine the opening salvoes of this conflict better known as the battles of Ligny & Quatre Bras. These battles effectively placed the two opponents on their battle lines at the small nondescript village of Mont St. Jean. After touring these battlefields we move on to the beautifully preserved Wellington’s museum in Waterloo itself to visit Wellington’s headquarters where he spent the night before the battle. There is a splendid audio-guided tour of the house and the associated museum, and we will also visit the church opposite dedicated to the combatants.

Duke of Wellington

DAY 2  After spending the night at a hotel in the Waterloo area we spend the second day touring the battlefields of Waterloo proper. One of the enchanting aspects of the battle was that it was fought over a battlefield no more than 3 miles wide and 1200 yards deep, and can be walked from end to end in a single day. We start by visiting the magnificent Panorama, the 360degree painting depicting various stages of the battle, followed, by those who can manage it, a trek up to the top of the Butte De Lion, ( the Lion Mound ) a monument built shortly after the battle in the 1820s to commemorate the wounding of the Prince of Orange and from where w e obtain a splendid view of the entire battlefield. After catching our breath we then walk a short distance to the other side of the crossroads to where Sir Thomas Picton was standing his ground waiting to repel the opening attack. After discussing the opening actions here we then re-join the vehicle and drive to the opposite side of the battlefield to Napoleon’s grandstand by La Belle Alliance Inn from where Napoleon directed the opening of the attack. This provides an excellent view of the battle from the French perspective.

The North Gate, Hougoumont Farm

It also provides an excellent venue for LUNCH.Separate visits are then made to the strongpoint positions at La Haie Sainte and in particular Hougoumont Farm and the actions at these locations discussed. Weather permitting we will walk diagonally across the battlefield from La Belle Alliance to Mercer’s Ridge where perhaps some of the most decisive actions of the day took place.

There is an option to stay on the battlefield and take an evening meal or leave the location and travel back to the coast and have a bite to eat at or near the channel. If desired, this tour can be made part of a three-day tour which can encompass a third day spent on the Great War battlefields of Ypres (see the Ypres tour for details of places which can be visited).

Travel & Accommodation  For small groups of no more than 6 persons all travel will be by people carrier with air-conditioning. Larger groups up to 14 will be by minibus, and large groups up to 24 by small luxury coach. Accommodation will usually be either 2/3* hotel or good quality B&B at your choice. Board basis will be either full-board at the hotel or a combination of B&B with separate lunch and 3-course evening meal with wine. All museum entrance fees are included.

Tour materials All parties will receive a selection of handouts and maps to complement the tour which will be yours to keep on completion of the tour. Prices start from £349 per person inclusive for a two day tour, £449 for the three day option.