Honour those who served

It’s travel day!

Our participants depart Canada and travel to Paris, France. To ensure a smooth journey, our group will meet at Toronto Pearson Airport and travel together to Paris with a representative from Legion National Foundation ready to assist every step of the way.

If you are departing from a different Canadian city outside of Toronto, don’t worry – we have organized connector flights to Toronto to make your travel experience hassle-free.

Welcome to Paris

Once we arrive in Paris, our shuttle will be waiting to transport us to the charming town of Bayeux, known for its stunning medieval center. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the scenic cobblestone streets in the afternoon and relax after the flight once you’ve settled into the hotel.

To conclude the day, we will indulge in a lovely three-course French dinner together as a group, providing you the opportunity to meet Historian John Goheen, your experienced tour guide with over 25 years of leading military tours.

Accommodation: Novotel Bayeux

Assaulting Juno

On 6 June 1944, over 15,000 Canadians arrived in Normandy as part of Operation Overlord, the largest military operation in history. The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division was given the 10 km stretch of Norman coastline codenamed Juno.

We’ll explore the main landing sites along Juno and visit the Juno Beach Centre. Then, we’ll head inland to the Abbay d’Ardenne, a site with a dark chapter in Canada’s Normandy story. Our day will end at Beny sur Mer Canadian War Cemetery, where over 2000 Canadians who lost their lives in June and July 1944 are laid to rest.

Accommodation: Novotel Bayeux

Operation Jubilee

This day will see us heading north to upper Normandy and the port town of Dieppe, where the ill-fated Dieppe Raid took place on 19 August 1942.

We will explore the three Canadian landing areas at Dieppe, Puys, and Pourville to understand how the Raid played out. 19 August is still remembered as the costliest day of the Second World War for Canada.

Our day will end at the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery.

Accommodation: Mecure Dieppe

Bloodbath: The Somme 1916

On this day, our journey takes us through different locations and historical periods as head to the Somme to explore the sites linked to the 141-day Somme Campaign that took place between July and November 1916.

Our day will kick off at Beaumont Hamel, where the Newfoundland Regiment suffered heavy losses in just one morning. We will also visit the Hawthorne mine crater and other locations connected to the first day of the Campaign. Following lunch, we will tour sites related to Canada’s involvement on the Somme, which started in September 1916 at Courcellette and concluded in November after more than 24,000 casualties.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Arras

Vimy: Canada’s Day

In the spring of 1917, following two years of battle on the Western Front, the Canadian Corps evolved from regular citizens in Khaki to a highly-skilled, trained, and efficient professional army. This evolution was tested at Vimy Ridge from April 9-12, 1917. Vimy was where the Canadian Corp truly proved themselves, and their success labeled them as the Empire’s Shock Troops from then on.

We will take a short drive and spend the day exploring locations linked to this significant battle, such as Hill 145 and the Vimy Memorial, the Grange Tunnel Tour, preserved trenches, the Vimy visitor’s centre, and other nearby sites.

Accommodation: Novotel Ieper, Ypres

The Dreaded Salient, Ypres 1915-1917

Over 16,000 Canadian soldiers lost their lives during the Great War within a 15 km radius of Ypres, Belgium. The Salient, which extended in different directions from the medieval city, saw intense fighting and casualties from 1915 to 1917.

Our tour will take us to significant locations linked to Canada’s early involvement in the war, such as Kitcheners’ Wood, St Julian, and Essex Farm, where John McCrae penned “In Flanders’ Fields.”

We will also explore Hill 62, the site of a forgotten battle in 1916 that resulted in over 8000 casualties. The day will end with visits to sites related to the brutal Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, including Crest Farm, Tyne Cot Cemetery, and Passchendaele village. Finally, we will attend the moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in the evening.

Accommodation: Novotel Ieper, Ypres

The Hundred Days

In 1918, Marchal Foch of France said that the Canadian Corps is the ram with which we will break the last line of resistance of the German Army”. By that time, the Canadian Corps had gained a reputation as the most powerful fighting force on the Western front.

From August 1918 at Amiens to November 11, 1918, at Mons, the four-division Corps confronted and defeated elements of over 45 German divisions, which accounted for about a quarter of their army.

We will explore important locations linked to what is now known as the “Hundred Days” campaign at Dury, Canal du Nord, and Bourlon Wood. Our day will conclude with a visit to the Wellington Tunnels at Arras.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn – Arras

The Hundred Days

Today’s itinerary includes a visit to significant Great War sites such as Thiepval and the Lochnagar Crater before heading back to Paris.

The remainder of the day is yours to discover the wonders of the city.

Join us for a three-course group dinner in the evening to strengthen our bonds and reminisce about our unforgettable journey.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express – CDG Airport

Travel Day

Today is the day of departure for our participants. You will travel back to Canada from Paris, France with a renewed appreciation of the sacrifices of those who paved the way before you.