The Great War was one of the biggest wars our planet has ever seen. Most people I know had a family member fight in the war, so it is unsurprising that visiting the WW1 Battlefields is a priority for many travellers – either to pay respect to their country, the sheer loss of life, or some specific family members. Although it is relatively morbid visiting such a historic place, it is important for many of us to honour and respect those who have risked, or lost, their life for our countries.
There are a number of WW1 Battlefields throughout Europe and depending on how many you would like to visit; you may wish to explore the various travel options available. Visiting the battlefields can be a both an enlightening and emotional experience so you may wish to break it up with visits to nearby cities.
How to Visit the WW1 Battlefields
You really have two main options if you decide you want to visit some WW1 Battlefields – either going by yourself or by way of a tour. There are pros and cons to both options. If you’re not sure which will suit you best, take a look at your budget, how much time you have in the area and who you are traveling with. If you want something easy and are planning to cover a lot of distance in a short time frame, then a tour might be the best option. However, if you prefer to be in control of your schedule, want more flexibility and have other activities in mind, then visiting the battlefields independently might be your best option.
Great Rail Journeys provide rail itineraries combined with accommodation and tours of the battlefields. More information about the options available can be found on their website.
Which WW1 Battlefields Should You Visit?
If you have any family ties to the WW1 Battlefields, then you might find it best to visit the specific fields Almost as soon as the guns fell down in 1918, people have started flocking to the Battlefields to pay respect to their friends, family and fellow countrymen that lost their lives here. If you are not sure which Battlefield you would like to visit, here are some suggestions:
Flanders Battlefields
Flanders is a region in Belgium that was fought over during World War I. For almost the entire duration of the war there was conflict in this region. Ypres, an ancient city in Flanders that is now known as Ieper, is a popular base for visiting the numerous Battlefields here. You can organise tours to Ypres either directly from the UK, locally or you can explore independently – there are a number of helpful guidebooks available.
The Somme Battlefields
Located in Northern France, the Department of Somme is another large region where there were a number of WW1 Battlefields. There are a number of Battlefields here and they are all quite easily accessible. If you only have a day spare, you will be able to find a number of good day long itineraries. Many visitors to the Somme base themselves in Albert, which is a small town – there’s not much in the way of hotels and restaurants, so be mindful of this when planning your visit. Albert is located only minutes from the 1916 Battlefields, making it a great base.
Verdun Battlefields
This is quite a unique area to visit, as after the war this region was considered a ‘red zone’ and many of the areas have not been rebuild. As such, there is still a lot left to see in the area. You can visit the villages themselves that were destroyed in the war, as well as the Battlefields. If you are planning a visit from England, Verdun is quite easily accessible so is often a popular choice.
No matter which WW1 Battlefield you choose to visit, it will be an emotional journey. To think of the sheer number of lives lost in each battlefield and collectively is overwhelming, even more so if you have family members that fought in any of the wars. Despite almost 100 years passing since World War I, many people each year flock to the Battlefields to pay their respects.
