ClicktheabovemaptoseewheretheSommeandYpresbattlefieldsarelocatedrelativetoCalais.Allofourhotelsare centredeitheronorveryclosetothebattlefieldsaswefeelthatit’simportantthatourclientsareliterallywithin earshotofwherethesetwomostsignificantbattlestookplace.Wearenotlikeanonlinebookingagencywepickand chooseourhotelscarefully,workingmainlywithprivatelyownedhotelswherewenowthestaffandmanagement personally(andtheygettoknowhowfussyweare!).WehavenowincludedtheIbisHotelinAlbert(Somme),whichis theonlyhotelbeingpartoftherespectedAccorgroup,duetoitsextremelycloselocationtotheSommebattlefield- and we have tried it ourselves and are happy to recommend it!Therearetwoclickablelocationmaplinksbelow,theoneontherightshowingthelocationofourYpresbattlefield hotels(allofwhichliewithintheinner‘oldtown’)andthetheoneontheleftshowingthesamefortheSomme battlefield. Please scroll down the either of the two columns to see the hotels we offer.There are two luxury boutique hotels marked with a red star which carry a supplement available upon request.
Whenitcameformetochooseaphotoforthetopofthis pageIwasgoingtoshowanimageofthehotelbuilding,like onallotherpages,buttheArianeisdifferentforitisthe ownerNatasjaandallherstaffwhoreallymakethislovely hotel. They are the Ariane Hotel!Therecentlyre-furbishedandextended4-starHotelAriane, whichhasalargeopencarparkforguests,isoneofour favouritehotelsandforthisreasontheoneweusedmost oftenforourself-drivetours.TheArianeHotelcombinesthe luxuryofatop-classhotelwiththepeaceandtranquillityofa spaciouslandscapedgarden,whilstatthesametime maintainingapositionclosetothecentreofthisbeautiful town(themainsquareandInFlandersFieldsMuseum5-10 minutewalk-seemapabove).Weparticularlylikethe ArianeHotel(liketheAlbionandmainStreetHotelswhich wealsorecommend)asitisaprivatelyownedhotelandso notpartofsomelargeremotefacelesschain.Natasja,The ownerofthehotel,hasalovelywarmstyleandtakesgreat pridein‘leadingfromthefront',soisoftenseenhelpingat tablesandguidingstaffinhelpingguestsineveryway possible.Pleasenotethattripleroomscompriseadoublebedanda goodqualityroll-out(temporary)bedwhichisonlysuitedto children and young persons.TheEnglishspeakingstaffatthishotel(especiallythose manningthereception…)areextremelyhelpfulandwilldo their utmost to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
The 3-star AlbionHotel (Ypres)
The3-starAlbionHotelisconvenientlylocatedclosetothe centralmarketsquare(GroteMarkt)ofYpres(Ieper)andjust afewminuteswalktotheMeninGate.TheAlbionhotelisalso justafewyardsfromthefamousrampartsthatencirclethe eastern side of the city .TheAlbionHotelisnotpartofsomelargerchain,butowned andmanagedbyChristineandLuc,supportedbytheir daughterRuth,whotakeaprideinensuringthattheirguests are made to feel most welcome.Whilstthehoteloffersalavishbreakfastforguests(oneofthe best...)itdoesnothavearestaurantforeveningmeals.This isnotaproblemastheAlbionHotelislocatedinthecentreof Ypresandissurroundedbymanyexcellentrestaurants cateringforalltastes.Chris,LucandRuthwillbepleasedto adviseyouonwherebesttodine(theirhelpfulguidancewill takeyoutoexcellentrestaurantsofftheusualtouristroute...).The entire hotel is strictly non-smoking.Pleasenotethattripleroomscompriseadoublebedanda goodqualityroll-out(temporary)bedwhichismoresuitedto children and young persons.Thereisalargeprivatecarparkattherearofthehotelfor guestsatanadditionalper-nightcostpayabletoreception. Thereisalsoon-streetparkingaroundthehotel,bothmetered and no-charge.
The 3-star Hotel New Regina (Ypres)
Therecentlycompletelyre-builtHotel‘New’ReginaHotel (replacingthe‘old’ReginaHotelwithitslongandproud history)wasopenedinMarch2018.Theinsideofthe buildingwascompletelyclearedawaytomakewayfor completelynewroomsandrestaurant(somestandardtwin anddoubleem-suiteroomscanbeonthesmallside),with theexceptionofthelistedfaçadewhichstandsasproud todayasitdidwhenthehotelwasre-builtsoonafterthe GreatWar.TheNewRegina’smainappealisitslocationright intheverycentreofYpres,beingdirectlyoppositethe famousClothHallandentrancetotheacclaimedInFlanders Fields Museum.Thehotelhasitsownrestaurantonthegroundfloorwhich doesathrivingtradewithvisitorstothismostpoignanttown of the Great War.Thehoteldoesnothaveitsowncarparkbutparkingis usuallynotaproblemasthereasthereisalargepublicoff-roadcarparktotheeastofthemainsquare(‘GroteMarkt’), infrontofthehotel,aswellasstreetparkingintheroads that surround the hotel.
The 2-star Ambrosia Hotel (Ypres)
TheAmbrosiaisasmall,privatelyownedandrunhotelright inthecentreofYpres,quietlylocatedjusta100metrewalk fromthemainsquareandsuperbInFlandersFieldsMuseum. TheMeninGateMemorialtotheMissingisjustashort3 minutewalkfromthemainSquare.TheownersVincentand Iwonahavecreatedasimpleyetfreshcontemporaryfeelin thewaytheyhavesotastefullyandlovinglyfurnishedtheir hotel,asyoucanseefromthephotosbelow(justclickthe pictures).Roomsarelocatedonthreefloorsandthereisno lift(thoughwecanrequestaroomonthefirstfloorifthis helps).Thehoteldoesnothaveadedicatedcarparkbuton-streetparkinginthisquiterpartoftownususuallynota problem..Other features include•High 4.5/5+ Tripadvisor feedback•Free wi-fi •BicyclesareavailabletorentdirectfromtheHotel Ambrosia (a great way to explore the countryside!)•Bothcookedandcontinentalbreakfasts(includedwith our self-drive tours)
The 3-star Ibis Hotel, Albert (Somme)
The57-room3-starIbisHotelissituatedontheoutskirtsof themainWW1battlefieldtownofAlbertandlessthana milefromtheBritishFrontLineon1July1916,where casualties were amongst the greatest that fateful day. TheIbishoteliseasytofindasitislocatedadjacenttothe mainD929roadwhichleadstothetownofAlbertdirectly fromtheA1autoroute/motorway/freewayfromCalais.The hotelissetinitsownspaciousgroundswithalargeprivate carpark,setamongstotherindustrialpremisesabout20 minutes walk from the centre of Albert. Thesmarten-suiterooms(seephotosbelow)aretypicalof theIbisandsimilartravelhotels.Tripleroomscomprisea doubleandasingledrop-downbed,whichismoresuited for younger children. Thehotelhasitsownrestaurantandbarwithalocal specialitypizza-likedish(extremelynice!)andlimitedrange ofothermealoptionsbeingofferedthroughouttheyear, withtheexceptionofthequieterwintermonthswhenthe restaurant’sopeningtimesmaybemorerestricted.There areanumberofotherrestaurantsinandaroundthecentre of Albert.
The 3-star Hotel Royal Picardie, Albert, Somme
(closed at present - awaiting reopening 2022)
The3-starHotelRoyalPicardieissituatedontheoutskirtsof thesmalltownofAlbert.Thehotelhasalargeopencarpark adjacent to the hotel. TheHotelislocatedjusttenminuteswalkfromthecentreof AlbertandthefamousBasilica(ofleaningstatuefame).We havebeenusingtheRoyalPicardieforbothconductedand self-drivetoursforoverseventeenyears.Theroomsare veryslightlyonthesmallside,butontheplussideallrooms arehaveaseparatebathroom(bathandover-bathshower), separate WC and have tea and coffee facilities.Thenewownersofthehotelareupdatingmanyofthe roomsinamorecontemporarybutwelcomingstyle,with somehavinglovelywalk-inshowers.Pleasealsonotethat sometwin-bedroomsmaycompriseadoubleandaslightly narrower(butfulllength)singlebed.Theseroomsarealso offered for triple occupancy.Pleasenote.ThehotelRoyalPicardierestaurantandbarcan sometimesbeclosedforlunchanddinner,orclosedearly withoutwarning,especiallyinthequietermonths.Thisissue doesnotaffecttheverygoodbreakfastwhichisalways servedinthehotelsrestaurant.Thissaid,theownersdo fromtimetotimeendeavourtoprovidelightmeals/snacks andotheralternatives.Therearealsoalimitednumberof otherdiningoptionstobefoundinthecentreofAlbert whichwewilllistintheadvicewhichaccompaniesyour guide material.
The 2-star Hotel De la Basilique Albert (Somme)
TheHotelDelaBasiliqueisatraditional10-bedroom2-star hotelsituatedrightintheveryheartofAlbert,oneofthe main'battlefieldtowns'oftheGreatWar-andtheSomme battleinparticular.ItslocationoppositethefamousBasilica, andexcellentmuseumbeneaththestreetsofthetown,just cannotbebeatenandtherestaurantissuperb(Didier,the owner,istheheadchef).Oneusedtobeabletofindthese smallfamily-runhotelsalloverFrance,butnotsomuchtoday.Althoughfairlybasic,theBasiliqueremainsoneofour favourite hotels.Wehavebeenusingthishotelforourconductedandself-drivetoursforover20yearsandasaprivatevisitorforover 40years!Thereasonforchoosingthishotelisbecauseit'sa trulyfamily-runestablishment,afactorwhichisvery importanttous.DidierPetithaslivedheresinceachild, wherehewatchedhismotherandfatherrunthehotel-as Didier and Sandy's two children now do likewise! ThehotelDelaBasiliquehassingle,doubleandtwinrooms. Allroomshavecolourtelevision(withanEnglishchannel)and en-suitefacilities(somewithbath,shower&WC,othersjust shower and WC. IfyouarethinkingofbookingtheHoteldelaBasiliqueaspart ofyourself-drivebattlefieldtourthenpleasebearinmindthat thehotelisclosedonSundaysafterservinglunch(avery popularspotforlocals...)andalldayMondays,so unfortunately no overnight stays Sunday and Monday nights.
The 3-star Hotel De la Paix, Bapaume (Somme)
TheoriginalHotelDeLaPaixhasbeencompletelyrefurbished (2014)andtodayoffersverymodernen-suiterooms,the majoritycomprisingeitheradoublebedoradoublebedanda lonesinglebedsuchasshowntothe rightofthispage.Thiscombinationis usedfortripleandtwin-bedbookings, sooneoccupanthastodrawtheshort straw!Thehotelislocatedjust3 minutesfromthemainLille-Paris AutorouteA1(Junction14)sovery easy to find for our clients. The3-starDeLaPaixislocatedatthe edgeofBapaume(seebluestar1916 battlefielddiagrambelow)withthe townjustafewminuteswalkaway.TheDeLaPaixhasitsownrestaurantwithadditionaldining optionsnearbyinthetownitself.Off-roadparkingforguestsis in front of the hotel.
Avril Williams Guest House (Somme)
AvrilWilliamsGuestHouseandTeaRoomsissituatedjust aboutascloseasonecanstaytothe1916FrontLineofthe Somme battlefield.ThepreservedtrenchesatNewfoundlandParkarejustafew minutesstrolldownaquiet(now…)countrylane,asareother famousbattlefieldplacessuchasthemassiveHawthorn Crater(blownonthe1stJuly1916),BeaumontHamel, Sunken Road and ‘White City’. Aparticularlyinterestingfeature ofAvril’sGuestHouseisher museumofWWIartefacts(and someWWII),andcellarbeneath herhousewhichonceprovided shelterandfirstaidtotroops servingintheFrontLineaonlya shortwalkaway.Thesecellars featuredintheBBCtelevision documentary‘WarWalks’.Avril’s accommodationhasalsofeatured in articles produced by The Times and Telegraph newspapers.Avril’sisparticularlysuitedtothosewhowishtoescapethe formalityofnormalhotellife-inthecompanyofchickens, sheepandwhatother‘visiting’animalsAvrilhappenstobe caring for when you come to stay!TheaccommodationatAvril'scomprisesamixofdouble, singleandtwinrooms(allen-site),aswellasa‘proper’fried breakfastforthosewantingamoresubstantialstarttothe day.TheaccommodationatAvril'sisquitebasic.Avriloffers aneveningmealforguestsstayingwithheratafixedprice, includingwine(thoughsomeclientshavechosentoeatout intheevening,thenearesttownbeingAlbert,some8miles away - see map below). Visitorstothisguesthousewillbeabletoseeforthemselves theresultofmanyyearshardworkbysomeofAvril’s‘fan club’inexcavatingthetrenches(seepicture)thatonce connectedthepropertytothemaintrenchsystemofthe FrontLine(ascommenteduponbyEdmundBlundeninhis memorable book ‘Undertones of War’.
Ewart Alan MackintoshEwart Alan Mackintosh was the son of Alexander Mackintosh, from Inverness-shire.MackintoshservedinFrancefromJuly1915,appointed battalionbombingofficer.InMayMackintoshleda successfulraidonaGermantrench,duringwhichthreeof hismenhadarmsorlegsblownoff;despitehisstrugglesto carrythembackin,theyalldied.Theactionbroughthim theMilitaryCross,thoughhewrotethathewould‘rather havetheboys’lives’.Italsoinspiredhisbest-knownpoem, ‘InMemoriam’,whichshowsthedepthoftheloveforhis menandthesenseofresponsibilitywhichwastourgehim toreturntotheFront.Hewashimselfwoundedandgassed at High Wood in August 1916. MackintoshwaskilledinthefightingaroundCambraion 21st November 1917.
In MemoriamEwart Alan MackintoshSo you were David’s father,And he was your only son,And the new-cut peats are rottingAnd the work is left undone,Because of an old man weeping,Just an old man in pain,For David, his son David,That will not come again.Oh, the letters he wrote you, And I can see them still, Not a word of the fighting, But just the sheep on the hill And how you should get the crops in Ere the year get stormier, And the Bosches have got his body, And I was his officer.You were only David’s father, But I had fifty sons When we went up in the evening Under the arch of the guns, And we came back at twilight - O God! I heard them call To me for help and pityThat could not help at all.Oh, never will I forget you, My men that trusted me, More my sons than your fathers’,For they could only seeThe little helpless babies And the young men in their pride.They could not see you dying,And hold you while you died.Happy and young and gallant, They saw their first-born go, But not the strong limbs broken And the beautiful men brought low, The piteous writhing bodies, The screamed ‘Don’t leave me, Sir’,For they were only your fathers But I was your officer.
LuxurybedandbreakfastaccommodationintheSomme regionofFrancehastraditionallybeenhardtofind.AtLe Macassartheownersoffertheirgueststhecomfortand serviceofasmallluxuryboutiquehotel,togetherwiththe relaxationandinformalityofaprivatehome.Suitesvaryin size,layoutandfurnishingranging.Thisuniquehotelis offeredbyasasanoptionatanaddedsupplementupon request.LeMacassarhasbeenawardedTripAdvisor’sCertificateof Excellenceeveryyearforthepast13years,aswellas havingbeenawardedTripAdvisor’s‘Travellers’Choice’Top 10 B&B’s in Europe.Extensivelyrestoredinthe1920'sand30's,thebuilding boastsuniqueartdeco-andearlierartnouveauinteriors alongsidetraditionaleighteenthcenturyrooms.Guestsare encouragedtoenjoytheentireproperty,includingalarge andsunnyformalcourtyardgarden.Haveaquietmoment withabookintheartnouveausplendouroftheMajorelle drawingroom,relaxwithaglassofwineorbubblyand horsd'ouvresafteradayssight seeing;orchallengefellow gueststoagameofFrench billiardsintheartdecobilliard room-theirhomeisyoursto enjoy during your stay.Forbreakfast,adeliciousandvariedselectionofhome madeandlocalproduce,includingcookedspecialities,are included-servedinthediningroomorontheterraceata timetosuityouandnottheowners!Theownerswillbe happytomakerecommendationsandreservationsfor lunchordinneratoneofthesuperbrestaurantsinand around Corbie.DuetotheabundanceofantiquesLeMacassarmaynotbe suitable for younger children.
Luxurybedand breakfastaccommodationin theSomme regionofFrance hastraditionally beenhardtofind. AtLeMacassar theownersoffer theirgueststhe comfortand serviceofa smallluxuryboutiquehotel,togetherwiththerelaxation andinformalityofaprivatehome.Suitesvaryinsize,layout andfurnishingranging.Thisuniquehotelisofferedbyasas an option at an added supplement upon request.LeMacassarhasbeenawardedTripAdvisor’sCertificateof Excellenceeveryyearforthepast13years,aswellas havingbeenawardedTripAdvisor’s‘Travellers’Choice’Top 10 B&B’s in Europe.Extensivelyrestoredinthe1920'sand30's,thebuilding boastsuniqueartdeco-andearlierartnouveauinteriors alongsidetraditionaleighteenthcenturyrooms.Guestsare encouragedtoenjoytheentireproperty,includingalarge andsunnyformalcourtyardgarden.Haveaquietmoment withabookintheartnouveausplendouroftheMajorelle drawingroom,relaxwithaglassofwineorbubblyandhors d'oeuvreafteradayssightseeing;orchallengefellow gueststoagameofFrenchbilliardsintheartdecobilliard room - their home is yours to enjoy during your stay.Forbreakfast,adeliciousandvariedselectionofhome madeandlocalproduce,includingcookedspecialities,are included-servedinthediningroomorontheterraceata timetosuityouandnottheowners!Theownerswillbe happytomakerecommendationsandreservationsforlunch ordinneratoneofthesuperbrestaurantsinandaround Corbie.LeMacassarregretsthatduetotheabundanceofantiques it is not a suitable destination for children under 12.
AllourhotelsarecentredoneithertheSommeor Ypresbattlefieldsaswefeelthatit’simportantthat ourclientsareliterallywithinearshotofwherethese twomostsignificantbattlestookplace.Wearenot likeanonlinebookingagencyforwemainlywork withprivatelyownedhotelswherewenowthestaff andmanagementpersonally(andtheygettoknow howfussyweare!).WehavenowincludedtheIbis HotelinAlbert,whichistheonlyhotelbeingpartof therespectedAccorgroup,duetoitscloselocation totheSommebattlefield-andwehavetriedit ourselves and are happy to recommend it!Asspaceislimitedwe’velistedourSommehotels firstfollowedbyourYpreshotels,eachhavinga clickablelocationmaplinkattheheadofthelist. PleasealsonotethatLeMacassar(Somme)&Main Streetluxuryboutiquehotel(Ypres)carriesa supplement available on application (see red stars).
Whenitcameformetochooseaphotoforthetopofthis pageIwasgoingtoshowanimageofthehotelbuilding,like onallotherpages,buttheArianeisdifferentforitisthe ownerNatasjaandallherstaffwhoreallymakethislovely hotel. They are the Ariane Hotel!Therecentlyre-furbishedandextended4-starHotelAriane, whichhasalargeopencarparkforguests,isoneofour favouritehotelsandforthisreasontheoneweusedmost oftenforourself-drivetours.TheArianeHotelcombinesthe luxuryofatop-classhotelwiththepeaceandtranquillityofa spaciouslandscapedgarden,whilstatthesametime maintainingapositionclosetothecentreofthisbeautiful town(themainsquareandInFlandersFieldsMuseum5-10 minutewalk-seemapabove).Weparticularlylikethe ArianeHotel(liketheAlbionandmainStreetHotelswhich wealsorecommend)asitisaprivatelyownedhotelandso notpartofsomelargeremotefacelesschain.Natasja,The ownerofthehotel,hasalovelywarmstyleandtakesgreat pridein‘leadingfromthefront',soisoftenseenhelpingat tablesandguidingstaffinhelpingguestsineveryway possible.Pleasenotethattripleroomscompriseadoublebedanda goodqualityroll-out(temporary)bedwhichismoresuitedto children and young persons.TheEnglishspeakingstaffatthishotel(especiallythose manningthereception…)areextremelyhelpfulandwilldo their utmost to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
The 3-star AlbionHotel (Ypres)
The3-starAlbionHotelisconvenientlylocatedclosetothe centralmarketsquare(GroteMarkt)ofYpres(Ieper)andjust afewminuteswalktotheMeninGate.TheAlbionhotelisalso justafewyardsfromthefamousrampartsthatencirclethe eastern side of the city .TheAlbionHotelisnotpartofsomelargerchain,butowned andmanagedbyChristineandLuc,supportedbytheir daughterRuth,whotakeaprideinensuringthattheirguests are made to feel most welcome.Whilstthehoteloffersalavishbreakfastforguests(oneofthe best...)itdoesnothavearestaurantforeveningmeals.This isnotaproblemastheAlbionHotelislocatedinthecentreof Ypresandissurroundedbymanyexcellentrestaurants cateringforalltastes.Chris,LucandRuthwillbepleasedto adviseyouonwherebesttodine(theirhelpfulguidancewill takeyoutoexcellentrestaurantsofftheusualtouristroute...).The entire hotel is strictly non-smoking.Pleasenotethattripleroomscompriseadoublebedanda goodqualityroll-out(temporary)bedwhichismoresuitedto children and young persons.Thereisalargeprivatecarparkattherearofthehotelfor guestsatanadditionalper-nightcostpayabletoreception. Thereisalsoon-streetparkingaroundthehotel,bothmetered and no-charge.
The 3-star Hotel New Regina (Ypres)
Therecentlycompletelyre-builtHotel‘New’ReginaHotel (replacingthe‘old’ReginaHotelwithitslongandproud history)wasopenedinMarch2018.Theinsideofthe buildingwascompletelyclearedawaytomakewayfor completelynewroomsandrestaurant(somestandardtwin anddoubleem-suiteroomscanbeonthesmallside),with theexceptionofthelistedfaçadewhichstandsasproud todayasitdidwhenthehotelwasre-builtsoonafterthe GreatWar.TheNewRegina’smainappealisitslocationright intheverycentreofYpres,beingdirectlyoppositethe famousClothHallandentrancetotheacclaimedInFlanders Fields Museum.Thehotelhasitsownrestaurantonthegroundfloorwhich doesathrivingtradewithvisitorstothismostpoignanttown of the Great War.Thehoteldoesnothaveitsowncarparkbutparkingis usuallynotaproblemasthereasthereisalargepublicoff-roadcarparktotheeastofthemainsquare(‘GroteMarkt’), infrontofthehotel,aswellasstreetparkingintheroads that surround the hotel.
The 2-star Ambrosia Hotel (Ypres)
TheAmbrosiaisasmall,privatelyownedandrunhotelright inthecentreofYpres,quietlylocatedjusta100metrewalk fromthemainsquareandsuperbInFlandersFieldsMuseum. TheMeninGateMemorialtotheMissingisjustashort3 minutewalkfromthemainSquare.TheownersVincentand Iwonahavecreatedasimpleyetfreshcontemporaryfeelin thewaytheyhavesotastefullyandlovinglyfurnishedtheir hotel,asyoucanseefromthephotosbelow(justclickthe pictures).Roomsarelocatedonthreefloorsandthereisno lift(thoughwecanrequestaroomonthefirstfloorifthis helps).Thehoteldoesnothaveadedicatedcarparkbuton-streetparkinginthisquiterpartoftownususuallynota problem.Other features include•High 4.5/5+ TripAdvisor feedback•Free wi-fi •BicyclesareavailabletorentdirectfromtheHotel Ambrosia (a great way to explore the countryside!)•Bothcookedandcontinentalbreakfasts(includedwith our self-drive tours)
The 3-star Ibis Hotel, Albert (Somme)
The57-room3-starIbisHotelissituatedontheoutskirtsof themainWW1battlefieldtownofAlbertandlessthana milefromtheBritishFrontLineon1July1916,where casualties were amongst the greatest that fateful day. TheIbishoteliseasytofindasitislocatedadjacenttothe mainD929roadwhichleadstothetownofAlbertdirectly fromtheA1autoroute/motorway/freewayfromCalais.The hotelissetinitsownspaciousgroundswithalargeprivate carpark,setamongstotherindustrialpremisesabout20 minutes walk from the centre of Albert. Thesmarten-suiterooms(seephotosbelow)aretypicalof theIbisandsimilartravelhotels.Tripleroomscomprisea doubleandasingledrop-downbed,whichismoresuited for younger children. Thehotelhasitsownrestaurantandbarwithalocal specialitypizza-likedish(extremelynice!)andlimitedrange ofothermealoptionsbeingofferedthroughouttheyear, withtheexceptionofthequieterwintermonthswhenthe restaurant’sopeningtimesmaybemorerestricted.There areanumberofotherrestaurantsinandaroundthecentre of Albert.
The 3-star Hotel Royal Picardie, Albert, Somme
(re-opening Spring 2021)
The3-starHotelRoyalPicardieissituatedontheoutskirtsof thesmalltownofAlbert.Thehotelhasalargeopencarpark adjacent to the hotel. TheHotelislocatedjusttenminuteswalkfromthecentreof AlbertandthefamousBasilica(ofleaningstatuefame).We havebeenusingtheRoyalPicardieforbothconductedand self-drivetoursforoverseventeenyears.Theroomsare veryslightlyonthesmallside,butontheplussideallrooms arehaveaseparatebathroom(bathandover-bathshower), separate WC and have tea and coffee facilities.Thenewownersofthehotelareupdatingmanyofthe roomsinamorecontemporarybutwelcomingstyle,with somehavinglovelywalk-inshowers.Pleasealsonotethat sometwin-bedroomsmaycompriseadoubleandaslightly narrower(butfulllength)singlebed.Theseroomsarealso offered for triple occupancy.Pleasenote.ThehotelRoyalPicardierestaurantandbarcan sometimesbeclosedforlunchanddinner,orclosedearly withoutwarning,especiallyinthequietermonths.Thisissue doesnotaffecttheverygoodbreakfastwhichisalways servedinthehotelsrestaurant.Thissaid,theownersdo fromtimetotimeendeavourtoprovidelightmeals/snacks andotheralternatives.Therearealsoalimitednumberof otherdiningoptionstobefoundinthecentreofAlbert whichwewilllistintheadvicewhichaccompaniesyour guide material.
The 2-star Hotel De la Basilique Albert (Somme)
TheHotelDelaBasiliqueisatraditional10-bedroom2-star hotelsituatedrightintheveryheartofAlbert,oneofthe main'battlefieldtowns'oftheGreatWar-andtheSomme battleinparticular.ItslocationoppositethefamousBasilica, andexcellentmuseumbeneaththestreetsofthetown,just cannotbebeatenandtherestaurantissuperb(Didier,the owner,istheheadchef).Oneusedtobeabletofindthese smallfamily-runhotelsalloverFrance,butnotsomuchtoday.Althoughfairlybasic,theBasiliqueremainsoneofour favourite hotels.Wehavebeenusingthishotelforourconductedandself-drivetoursforover20yearsandasaprivatevisitorforover 40years!Thereasonforchoosingthishotelisbecauseit'sa trulyfamily-runestablishment,afactorwhichisvery importanttous.DidierPetithaslivedheresinceachild, wherehewatchedhismotherandfatherrunthehotel-as Didier and Sandy's two children now do likewise! ThehotelDelaBasiliquehassingle,doubleandtwinrooms. Allroomshavecolourtelevision(withanEnglishchannel) anden-suitefacilities(somewithbath,shower&WC,others just shower and WC. IfyouarethinkingofbookingtheHoteldelaBasiliqueas partofyourself-drivebattlefieldtourthenpleasebearin mindthatthehotelisclosedonSundaysafterservinglunch (averypopularspotforlocals...)andalldayMondays,so unfortunately no overnight stays Sunday and Monday nights.
The 3-star Hotel De la Paix, Bapaume (Somme)
TheoriginalHotelDeLaPaixhasbeencompletelyrefurbished (2014)andtodayoffersverymodernen-suiterooms,the majoritycomprisingeitheradouble bedoradoublebedandalonesingle bedsuchasshowntotherightofthis page.Thiscombinationisusedfor tripleandtwin-bedbookings,soone occupanthastodrawtheshortstraw!Thehotelislocatedjust3minutes fromthemainLille-ParisAutorouteA1 (Junction14)soveryeasytofindfor our clients. The3-starDeLaPaixislocatedatthe edgeofBapaume(seebluestar1916 battlefielddiagrambelow)withthetownjustafewminutes walkaway.TheDeLaPaixhasitsownrestaurantwith additionaldiningoptionsnearbyinthetownitself.Off-road parking for guests is in front of the hotel.
Avril Williams Guest House (Somme)
AvrilWilliamsGuestHouseandTeaRoomsissituatedjust aboutascloseasonecanstaytothe1916FrontLineofthe Somme battlefield.ThepreservedtrenchesatNewfoundlandParkarejustafew minutesstrolldownaquiet(now…)countrylane,asareother famousbattlefieldplacessuchasthemassiveHawthorn Crater(blownonthe1stJuly 1916),BeaumontHamel,Sunken Road and ‘White City’. Aparticularlyinterestingfeatureof Avril’sGuestHouseishermuseum ofWWIartefacts(andsome WWII),andcellarbeneathher housewhichonceprovidedshelter andfirstaidtotroopsservingin theFrontLineaonlyashortwalk away.Thesecellarsfeaturedinthe BBCtelevisiondocumentary‘War Walks’.Avril’saccommodationhasalsofeaturedinarticles produced by The Times and Telegraph newspapers.Avril’sisparticularlysuitedtothosewhowishtoescapethe formalityofnormalhotellife-inthecompanyofchickens, sheepandwhatother‘visiting’animalsAvrilhappenstobe caring for when you come to stay!TheaccommodationatAvril'scomprisesamixofdouble, singleandtwinrooms(allen-suite),aswellasa‘proper’fried breakfastforthosewantingamoresubstantialstarttothe day.TheaccommodationatAvril'sisquitebasic.Avriloffers aneveningmealforguestsstayingwithheratafixedprice, includingwine(thoughsomeclientshavechosentoeatout intheevening,thenearesttownbeingAlbert,some8miles away - see map below). Visitorstothisguesthousewillbeabletoseeforthemselves theresultofmanyyearshardworkbysomeofAvril’s‘fan club’inexcavatingthetrenches(seepicture)thatonce connectedthepropertytothemaintrenchsystemofthe FrontLine(ascommenteduponbyEdmundBlundeninhis memorable book ‘Undertones of War’..
Battlefield Locations
Ypres Hotel Locations
LuxurybedandbreakfastaccommodationintheSomme regionofFrancehastraditionallybeenhardtofind.AtLe Macassartheownersoffertheirgueststhecomfortand serviceofasmallluxuryboutiquehotel,togetherwiththe relaxationandinformalityofaprivatehome.Suitesvaryin size,layoutandfurnishingranging.Thisuniquehotelis offeredbyasasanoptionatanaddedsupplementupon request.LeMacassarhasbeenawardedTripAdvisor’sCertificateof Excellenceeveryyearforthepast13years,aswellas havingbeenawardedTripAdvisor’s‘Travellers’Choice’Top 10 B&B’s in Europe.Extensivelyrestoredinthe1920'sand30's,thebuilding boastsuniqueartdeco-andearlierartnouveauinteriors alongsidetraditionaleighteenthcenturyrooms.Guestsare encouragedtoenjoytheentireproperty,includingalarge andsunnyformalcourtyardgarden.Haveaquietmoment withabookintheartnouveausplendouroftheMajorelle drawingroom,relaxwithaglassofwineorbubblyand horsd'ouvresafteradayssightseeing;orchallengefellow gueststoagameofFrenchbilliardsintheartdecobilliard room - their home is yours to enjoy during your stay.Forbreakfast,adeliciousandvariedselectionofhome madeandlocalproduce,includingcookedspecialities,are included-servedinthediningroomorontheterraceata timetosuityouandnottheowners!Theownerswillbe happytomakerecommendationsandreservationsfor lunchordinneratoneofthesuperbrestaurantsinand around Corbie.DuetotheabundanceofantiquesLeMacassarmaynotbe suitable for younger children.
Le Macassar Luxury Hotel (Somme)
(supplement applies upon request)
Main Street Luxury Hotel (Ypres)
(supplement applies upon request)
ThisishowElodie,thelovelyownerofMainStreet describes her hotel:“Areyoucurious,inforatreat,boredbythestandard, lookingfortheunusual,yethomely?Doyoulikeluxury andcomfort,highqualityandabreakfasttodiefor?Are youafterasmallbutfunplacetostay,closetoallthe must-sees,historyandnature?Wehavewhatyouare lookingfor!Sogoaheadandbookoneofoursixsurprising roomswithincludedbreakfast,freemini-barandgorgeous bathrooms. and an honesty-bar worth exploring!”AndElodieisaboutright. Situatedjusta5+minutewalk fromthemainSquare(seemap left)MainStreetHotelhasa cosy,welcomingandslightly quirkyinaveryniceway,which everysingleoneofourclients whohavestayedtherehave voteditasoneofthebesthotelstheyhavestayedat (hence TripAdvisor rating being 5/5!).