Lunéville Main Tour
Sept 10, 2019 - Sept 17, 2019
(B = buffet breakfast, L = lunch, D = 3 course dinner)
DAY 1 TUE SEPT 10 USA IN AIR
Depart USA for Paris (CDG) International Airport. Arrive on Sept 11.
DAY 2 WED SEPT 11 ARR PARIS (CDG) AIRPORT
On arrival at Paris (CDG), check into our easily accessible 4-star airport hotel. Expert World War II Veteran's Tour Director and friend of Lunéville (Patrick Hinchy) welcomes you. Time to relax after your red-eye flight or to visit Paris independently.
DAY 3 THU SEPT 12 PARIS - LUNÉVILLE
Depart our Paris airport hotel with Tour Director for Lunéville, via World War 1 battlefields, champagne country and Reims - the beautiful cathedral city where the Germans surrendered in SHAEF Forward HQ, May 8, 1945. (B)
DAY 4 FRI SEPT 13 LUNÉVILLE
Lunéville's Liberation Festival Program begins today by ceremonially commemorating the fierce battles around Lunéville when Hitler ordered Manteuffel's Fifth Panzer Army to pierce the southern flank of Patton's Third Army heading eastwards towards the Rhine in September 1944. But the 79th Division and 2nd Cavalry successfully repelled this dangerous German flank attack at Lunéville. Participate in the 2nd Cavalry and 79th Division Lunéville Liberation Ceremony, followed by a Wine Reception. Then dinner as guests of the City of Lunéville, followed by a documentary film of the Liberation of Lunéville in Lunéville Château. (B, D)
DAY 5 SAT SEPT 14 LUNÉVILLE
This morning the heroic American crossing of the River Meurthe on the southern side of Lunéville against heavy German resistance is festively celebrated in Moncel lès Lunéville. Then follows the highlight of Lunéville's Liberation Festival Program. This is the official dedication ceremony of the new monument to 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion (TDB) and 106th Cavalry and their 79th Division battle action in the middle of Parroy Forest (where Hitler served as a soldier in World War I), followed by a festive wine reception. The 1944 Battle of Parroy Forest was an extremely tough and critical battle. The forest had to be captured by the Americans because it formed an important part of the formidable German "Vorvogesenstellung" (Vosges Mountains Forward Defensive Line) blocking American access to the Saverne Gap and through to the Rhine and Germany. (B)
DAY 6 SUN SEPT 15 LUNÉVILLE
Lunéville's Liberation Festival Program comes to its concluding climax by again highlighting indomitable American determination to break through the powerful German "Vorvogesenstellung" Defensive Line, firstly in Frémonville in the morning and then in Ancerviller. After lunch there are extended festivities in Ancerviller which specially commemorate the fierce battle actions of 315th Regt of 79th Division. The focal point of this commemoration is Ancerviller's Monument dedicated to Doc Long, Arthur Palmer and all the heroic 315th soldiers who fought here. (B, L)
DAY 7 MON SEPT 16 LUNÉVILLE - LORRAINE TGV STATION - PARIS
Today our whole group departs by coach from Lunéville. Our first stop is Lorraine TGV train station, about 50 miles north of Lunéville for those of you returning immediately to Paris CDG. You will travel on a late morning TGV train directly to Paris CGD accompanied by an assistant. (B)
DAY 8 TUE SEPT 17 PARIS (CDG) - USA
Check in individually for your departure flights home from PARIS (CDG). (B)
Depart USA for Paris (CDG) International Airport. Arrive on Sept 11.
DAY 2 WED SEPT 11 ARR PARIS (CDG) AIRPORT
On arrival at Paris (CDG), check into our easily accessible 4-star airport hotel. Expert World War II Veteran's Tour Director and friend of Lunéville (Patrick Hinchy) welcomes you. Time to relax after your red-eye flight or to visit Paris independently.
DAY 3 THU SEPT 12 PARIS - LUNÉVILLE
Depart our Paris airport hotel with Tour Director for Lunéville, via World War 1 battlefields, champagne country and Reims - the beautiful cathedral city where the Germans surrendered in SHAEF Forward HQ, May 8, 1945. (B)
DAY 4 FRI SEPT 13 LUNÉVILLE
Lunéville's Liberation Festival Program begins today by ceremonially commemorating the fierce battles around Lunéville when Hitler ordered Manteuffel's Fifth Panzer Army to pierce the southern flank of Patton's Third Army heading eastwards towards the Rhine in September 1944. But the 79th Division and 2nd Cavalry successfully repelled this dangerous German flank attack at Lunéville. Participate in the 2nd Cavalry and 79th Division Lunéville Liberation Ceremony, followed by a Wine Reception. Then dinner as guests of the City of Lunéville, followed by a documentary film of the Liberation of Lunéville in Lunéville Château. (B, D)
DAY 5 SAT SEPT 14 LUNÉVILLE
This morning the heroic American crossing of the River Meurthe on the southern side of Lunéville against heavy German resistance is festively celebrated in Moncel lès Lunéville. Then follows the highlight of Lunéville's Liberation Festival Program. This is the official dedication ceremony of the new monument to 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion (TDB) and 106th Cavalry and their 79th Division battle action in the middle of Parroy Forest (where Hitler served as a soldier in World War I), followed by a festive wine reception. The 1944 Battle of Parroy Forest was an extremely tough and critical battle. The forest had to be captured by the Americans because it formed an important part of the formidable German "Vorvogesenstellung" (Vosges Mountains Forward Defensive Line) blocking American access to the Saverne Gap and through to the Rhine and Germany. (B)
DAY 6 SUN SEPT 15 LUNÉVILLE
Lunéville's Liberation Festival Program comes to its concluding climax by again highlighting indomitable American determination to break through the powerful German "Vorvogesenstellung" Defensive Line, firstly in Frémonville in the morning and then in Ancerviller. After lunch there are extended festivities in Ancerviller which specially commemorate the fierce battle actions of 315th Regt of 79th Division. The focal point of this commemoration is Ancerviller's Monument dedicated to Doc Long, Arthur Palmer and all the heroic 315th soldiers who fought here. (B, L)
DAY 7 MON SEPT 16 LUNÉVILLE - LORRAINE TGV STATION - PARIS
Today our whole group departs by coach from Lunéville. Our first stop is Lorraine TGV train station, about 50 miles north of Lunéville for those of you returning immediately to Paris CDG. You will travel on a late morning TGV train directly to Paris CGD accompanied by an assistant. (B)
DAY 8 TUE SEPT 17 PARIS (CDG) - USA
Check in individually for your departure flights home from PARIS (CDG). (B)
NOTE: This tour requires a minimum of 30 participants. We recommend you book your flight with Gate 1 Travel to avoid any airline penalties. Gate 1 Travel can secure an airline reservation on your behalf without jeopardizing any losses towards airline tickets in the event the tour gets postponed or cancelled due to lack of participants.