FAQ

1. TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

Q: Do you provide pick-up from Paris? A: No, I do not. The drive from Paris to the battlefields takes over 2 hours each way, which wastes too much of your touring time. I recommend taking the high-speed train (TGV) from Paris Gare du Nord to Arras (50 minutes) or a train to Amiens or Saint-Quentin. I will meet you directly at the train station when you arrive.

Q: Can I do a day trip from Paris? (Which train station to choose?) A: Yes, absolutely. Many of my groups stay in Paris and visit for the day. Access is very easy from Paris Gare du Nord. I will meet you at the train station when you arrive and drop you back for your return train. To optimize your day, I recommend choosing your destination based on your tour:

For General, Australian, or Somme Tours: Please book a train to Saint-Quentin (approx. 1h20 direct). It is the best starting point for the Somme and Hindenburg Line.
For Canadian Tours (Vimy Ridge/Somme): The high-speed train (TGV) to Arras (50 min) is the most convenient option.

Q: What happens if my train is delayed? A: Don’t panic. That is the huge advantage of booking a private tour: I wait for you. I monitor the train arrivals in real-time, so even if there is a delay, I will be at the station to welcome you. We will simply adjust the itinerary together once you arrive.

Q: Are the pick-up and drop-off locations flexible? A: Yes, absolutely. Standard pick-up is usually at your accommodation or the nearest train station. However, to help with your travel logistics, we can easily adapt. For example, I can pick you up at your hotel in the morning and drop you off at the train station at the end of the day. It is also possible to start the tour in one city (e.g., Amiens) and finish in another (e.g., Arras) if that helps your onward journey. Just let me know your plans in advance!

2. TOUR DETAILS & CUSTOMIZATION

Q: Will we be sharing the vehicle with other people? A: No. All my tours are strictly private. When you book a date, the vehicle and my services are reserved exclusively for you and your party. There will be no other people joining the tour.

Q: Can we request specific stops, cemeteries, or villages? A: Yes. This is your private day, and the itinerary is flexible. If you have a specific site, a memorial, or a village you wish to visit, please let me know in advance. I will design the route to include your requests. Note: If a requested site is far from the main circuit, we may simply need to adjust the time spent at other locations.

Q: I want to follow in the footsteps of a relative. What do you need? A: If you have a family member who fought here, please let me know when you book. Send me their full name and service number. I will check where they fought and try to include those specific locations in our itinerary.

Q: Can we visit Ypres (Belgium) and the Somme (Villers-Bretonneux) in a single day? A: I strongly advise against it. While these regions appear close on a map, the driving time between the Somme and Flanders is nearly 2.5 hours one way. Attempting to cover both sectors in one day would mean spending 5 hours in the car and rushing through the sites. To truly appreciate the history and pay proper respects, these two major battlefields require two separate days of touring.

3. PREPARATION & PRACTICAL ADVICE

Q: How should we dress for the tour? A: Practical comfort is key. Remember that we are visiting open fields where soldiers lived in the elements. Even in summer, the wind on the ridges (like Vimy or Pozières) can be cool, and rain showers are common. In winter, it gets very cold. I strongly recommend wearing warm multiple layers and waterproof footwear so you can explore sites comfortably, regardless of the mud or wind.

Q: Is there a lot of walking involved? A: It depends on what you want to see. We drive between the main sites, but visiting cemeteries, trenches, or craters requires walking on grass or uneven ground. Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes (avoid high heels or sandals), as it can be muddy in the fields. Anyway, the tour could be adapted to your needs avoiding too much walking.

Q: Can you recommend a place to stay? A: The cities of Arras, Amiens, Albert and Saint-Quentin are the best for the battlefields. If you do not have a rental car, please choose a hotel near the train station of your arrival city. If you have a car, you can enjoy the many B&Bs located in the quieter villages of the region. If you are looking for a specific type of accommodation feel free to ask me for personal suggestions.

4. BOOKING & PAYMENT

Q: How can we pay? A: For direct bookings made via email, payment is processed securely through my bank’s payment platform (Société Générale) via credit card to confirm your reservation. Bookings made through my website are processed through the FareHarbor platform.

Q: Is online payment secure? A: Yes, 100%. We take your security very seriously and only use industry-leading platforms. We never have access to your credit card numbers.

For website bookings: We use FareHarbor, the global leading booking platform for the tourism industry. It uses the highest standard of SSL encryption to protect your data.
For direct bookings: We use Sogecommerce, the official secure payment gateway of our bank (Société Générale, one of France’s largest banks). The transaction takes place directly on the bank’s secure server.

Q: My credit card payment was declined/rejected. What should I do? A: Please do not worry, this is very common. Since you are making a payment to a company in France, your bank’s security system may automatically block the transaction to protect you from potential fraud. The Solution: simply contact your bank (or check your banking app) to authorize the payment. Inform them that you are making a legitimate purchase for a tour in France. Once authorized, you can use the payment link again, and it will go through immediately.