The Maginot Line
7 days from £1,199pp
About the tour: The Maginot Line
Tour Introduction
The Maginot Line ran for nearly 300 miles along the French border, built to protect France from future invasion. Travel with us on the ultimate Maginot Line tour visiting key fortifications from the Ardennes to the Vosges, with the entry to each site included.
Tour Includes
- 6 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- 3 evening meals
- Specialist Battlefield Guide
- Local joining points
(Deposits from £50pp)
We offer flexible payment options
Once you have booked your battlefield tour either online, or by telephone 01709 385 624, you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can -
- Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
- Send payments via online banking.
- Send payments via cheque.
- Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.
Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.
Tour Itinerary
For customers living outside of the UK, if you want to make a booking you will need to provide a UK postcode on our online booking system. If you are not able to provide a relevant UK postcode then you can enter the postcode for London Victoria Coach Station – SW1W 9TP. You should then be able to proceed to complete your booking.
If you do encounter a problem then you can speak to one of our friendly advisors who will be happy to help.
Please Note : After completing your booking, a member of our Customer Service team will be in touch to make sure everything is okay.
Either e-mail our Reservations Department or call on 01709 830 333 and they will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.
Day 2 - Blitzkrieg – Villy La Ferte
We begin the Ardennes where the German Blitzkrieg swept into France in May 1940, and travel to Villy la Ferte, one part of the Maginot Line that witnessed heavy fighting. We see the damaged bunkers and turrets, the anti-tank rails and barbed wire, and have a guided visit inside the fort, seeing the museum and cemetery here too. We then continue to our hotel in the Alsace for four nights.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Villy la Ferte (2)
Key Visits
- Villy la Ferte
Day 3 - Ouvrage Schoenenbourg, Hagenau & Ouvrage Four a Chaux
Today we begin our visits to the Maginot Line fortifications in Eastern France and start at Ouvrage Schoenenbourg, where some of the heaviest combat along the Maginot Line took place in 1940. Over 17,000 shells were fired from the bunkers here, and it came under the bombardment from over 3,000 shells. We explore the site, seeing the bunkers and museum.
We then take lunchtime in Hagenau, a town where Easy Company ‘The Band of Brothers’ operated their last patrol in 1945. In the afternoon, we visit Ouvrage Four a Chaux, which faced German troops advancing through the Vosges and was bombed by Stukas. Here we visit the tunnels, bunkers and museum.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Ouvrage Schoenenbourg (2)
Key Visits
- Ouvrage Schoenenbourg
- Hagenau
- Ouvrage Four a Chaux
Day 4 - Maginot Line Bunkers & Liberation
Today we look at a series of Maginot Line bunker systems in the Vosges and discuss the Liberation of the region by Free French troops at the end of WW2. We start at the Memorial Museum of the Maginot Line at Marckolsheim, an excellent museum with an original casemate bunker and a Free French Sherman tank on display.
In the afternoon, we visit the Bunker Museum at Hatten and nearby Casemate Esch. Both of these were Maginot bunker systems and have excellent museums of the fighting here with tanks and equipment on display.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Casemate Esch (2)
Key Visits
- Memorial Museum of the Maginot Line
- Bunker Museum Hatten
- Casemate Esch
Day 5 - Ouvrage Simershof & MM Park Tank Museum
Simershof was one of the main Maginot Line forts built in the 1930s, and we spend this morning taking a guided tour of the site. The scene of fighting during Operation Nordwind, we also look at this final German Offensive in France during WW2.
After lunch, we visit the MM Park France, an incredible and unique museum with over 130 tanks and armoured vehicles from all nationalities on display, including an important collection of French tanks and vehicles from the 1940 campaign.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
MM Park Tank Museum (2)
Key Visits
- Ouvrage Simershof
- MM Park Tank Museum
Day 6 - Ouvrage Hackenberg
We depart the Alsace and visit Ouvrage Hackenberg, a large Maginot Line fortress with a working railway line inside which we travel on as part of our visit. After lunch we travel to Reims for an overnight stay.
Included meals: Breakfast
Ouvrage Hackenberg (2)
Key Visits
- Ouvrage Hackenberg
Day 7
Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
Specialist Battlefield Guides
All of Leger’s battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line.
Please note: On certain tours, you may get tour guides other that the ones listed below.
Hotel
If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.
No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.
All hotel rooms benefit from private bathroom facilities.
Some hotels have tea and coffee making facilities. Please check the tour pages for more information or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333
Most hotels have a lift, please call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 for more information.
Some hotels have ground floor rooms. Please email for information on individual hotels or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.
Your hotels will supply towels in your room.
We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.
We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.
You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Des Vosges in Klingenthal, near Obernai.
In 2027, you will stay for four nights at the 3-star Hotel l'Ours de Mutzig.
Overnight stays in France will be in city-style hotels.
Des Vosges
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About the hotel
The 3-star Des Vosges is situated only a few miles from the pretty Alsace town of Obernai. The hotel is set within pleasant parkland, ideal for a walk after dinner.
Hotel Features
- Bar
- English Speaking Staff
- Lift
- Restaurant
- Swimming Pool
- WiFi Available
Room Features
- Bath and/or Shower
Travel Options
Departure times given for each region are approximate. Please check your travel documents to confirm the actual timings.
Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £25pp (9 days duration and over) on all European tours. In addition to this seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £15pp (9 days duration and over). This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on feeder journeys to/from the U.K. port. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law. Central view seats are free.
Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.
If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.
Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.
We guarantee that all passengers on the same booking will be seated together on the main tour coach. Seats on the transfer coaches to and from the U.K. port are not allocated.
Hot and cold drinks are served on the main tour coaches. Prices are approximately £1 or 1.25 Euro per drink. Prices will be confirmed by the driver. Drinks may also be served on the transfer coaches but this is not guaranteed.
Transfer vehicles are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure and will depend on where passengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.
With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.
All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer vehicles to and from the U.K. port may not have on-board toilets. When non-British coaches are used on transfers and tours (air holidays only) an on-board toilet may not be available. However, comfort stops will be made during long journeys.
All coaches feature air-conditioning. Should the air-conditioning system break down for a period exceeding 12 hours, compensation will be awarded up to a maximum of £10 per fare-paying passenger per tour.
Depending on the location of your pickup point, you may be picked up by coach (not necessarily the on you are touring on), minibus, taxi, National Express or Megabus service. You may then be taken to another centralised pickup location or service station. We operate a passenger interchange at Folkestone Services, where you will meet the tour coach you are holidaying on and then continue on with your outbound journey. Similarly, on the way home, you may also change transfer vehicles at another location, to take you to your final drop off point.
One medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full. We may refuse to carry larger or heavier cases. Hand luggage can be stored in the overhead racks aboard the coach.
It could be either - This will be confirmed in your travel documents.
When it comes to getting to the Battlefields, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you choose from.
Silver Service Coach
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Silver Service Features
- Designed for Socialising A stylish and spacious rear lounge offers a sophisticated and private place to unwind, where conversation flows easily and friendships are made along the journey.
- Privacy Board An innovative privacy screen creates a calm retreat away from the rest of the coach, giving you the choice to enjoy quiet seclusion while you socialise with fellow passengers.
- Tables with Cup Holders Thoughtfully designed cabinets with secure cup holders mean refreshments are always within easy reach, adding both practicality and polish to your travel experience.
| Silver service | Luxuria | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks Served on Board | ||
| WC and Washroom | ||
| Climate Control | ||
| Reclining seats | ||
| Deluxe Seating | ||
| Deluxe, Wider, Armchair-style Seating | ||
| Adjustable Armrests | ||
| Flexible Footrests | ||
| Extra Legroom | ||
| Superior Seat Pitch | ||
| Double Seats | ||
| Single Seats | ||
| Face-to-Face Seats with Tables | ||
| Personal Tables | ||
| Spacious Rear Lounge | ||
| At-seat Entertainment | ||
| USB Points and Plug Sockets | ||
| Communal, Drop-down TV Screens | ||
| Onboard Wi-Fi |
Silver Service Features
Deluxe design
Specially designed, luxurious seats enhanced with leather headrests deliver superior support, blending comfort with a premium finish.
Space to stretch out
Enjoy the luxury of generous legroom that goes far beyond standard coach travel, giving you the freedom to settle in with ease and stretch out fully.
Spacious rear lounge
Designed for socialising, the spacious rear lounge offers a stylish retreat with privacy screens, handy tables and cup holders – perfect for relaxing, chatting and enjoying the journey.
Thoughtful touches that make a difference
A carefully maintained interior climate and soft ambient lighting ensure the coach always feels comfortable, welcoming and perfectly suited for a relaxing journey.
Luxuria Coach
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The pinnacle of luxury coach travel
Exclusive to Leger Holidays, these exceptional vehicles blend state-of-the-art features with sophisticated design, offering business-class comfort on the road. Try Luxuria once, and you’ll never look back – the journey will stay with you long after the holiday ends.
With just 31 spacious seats, enjoy a calm, unhurried atmosphere from the moment you step on board – because true comfort means more space, more privacy, and more time to relax. You’ll also benefit from a choice of seating, allowing you to travel in a way that suits you...
- Double Seats Designed for two, double seats are great for couples or friends travelling together – offering comfort, connection, and a relaxed way to share the journey.
- Single Seats Offering privacy and comfort, single seats are perfect for solo travellers who prefer a little more personal space.
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Face-to-Face Seats
Face-to-face seats with personal tables are the sociable way to travel, ideal for card games, coffees and conversation.
With a superior average seat pitch – 32% greater than many leading short-haul airlines – Luxuria double seats offer unmatched personal space. Enjoy comfort that’s built in, not added on.
Luxuria Features
Entertainment at your fingertips
Immerse yourself in your own touch-screen TV, offering a world of films, TV shows, music, and games – entertainment designed around you.
The perfect pour
Our crew serves a selection of hot and cold beverages directly to your seat – ideal for staying refreshed throughout your journey.
Relax in unmatched comfort
Recline in spacious, ergonomically designed, armchair-style seating with generous legroom and experience a refined sense of luxury, crafted exclusively for your relaxation.
Stay connected
Keep your devices fully charged throughout your journey with USB ports and plug sockets at every seat – perfect for capturing memories and staying connected with loved ones.
Travel Extras
With an overnight stay, a Door-to-Door pick up or the option to meet us at the interchange, our travel extras allow you to create a travel experience to suit your needs...
Join coach at Interchange
+ Find out moreJoin your tour coach at the interchange.
On most tours if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Folkestone Services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.
Excludes tours to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.
Door-to-Door service
+ Find out moreOn Battlefield tours of 7 days’ duration or more, you don’t even have to think about getting to your local joining point. Our Door-to-Door Service collects you from your home and takes you to meet your transfer vehicile, then brings you back at the end of the holiday. Door-to-Door Service is available within a 20-mile radius of one of our free joining points and is from £90 per car, return (up to 4 passengers per vehicle).
If you live a little further afield, you can also take advantage of this convenient option for an additional charge – please enquire at the time of booking.
