Canadian War History: Paris, Vimy, and Normandy

Explore Paris with a licensed local guide on a sightseeing tour of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Admire the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées, stroll the grand boulevard lined with shops and cafés, and see the ornate 19th-century Opera House. Look up at the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, and visit Les Invalides, Napoleon’s military refuge, along with other historic sites.

The ultimate palace, Versailles was begun by Louis XIII and transformed by Louis XIV into the seat of royal power until the French Revolution. Inside, admire the 250-foot Hall of Mirrors, flanked by the salons of War and Peace, and the State Apartments where lavish ceremonies unfolded. Step into the magnificent Gardens of Versailles, a masterpiece of fountains, sculptures, and sweeping vistas. Be sure to visit Marie Antoinette’s rustic hamlet, where she escaped court life by tending sheep and playing at village life. Please note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.

Explore the memorial park set on the former Passchendaele battlefield, now a peaceful green space that stands in contrast to the intense fighting that took place here in 1917. Learn about the experiences of Canadian forces who fought through harsh conditions to capture the ridge, and consider the lasting impact and legacy of one of the First World War’s most challenging battles.

Gain insight into the First World War at the In Flanders Fields Museum, from the invasion of Belgium through four years of trench warfare and the region's lasting journey to peace. Visit the museum and honour the more than 600,000 people who lost their lives.

The Last Post, the traditional final salute to the fallen, is played by the buglers of the Last Post Association in honour of the soldiers of the former British Empire and its allies who died in the Ypres Salient during the First World War (1914–1918).

Ingenious engineering allowed the Allies to land at Arromanches on D-Day, when 600,000 tons of concrete were sunk to form an artificial harbor. Barges, jetties, and 10 miles of floating roadways brought troops ashore. At the Arromanches Museum, dioramas, models, and interactive displays bring this remarkable feat to life.

Step into the shoes of Canadian servicemen who took part in the D-Day landings in Normandy. Learn about their lives and experiences to gain both personal and historical perspective.

The world’s largest art museum, the Louvre, is housed in a former medieval fortress and entered through I.M. Pei’s striking glass pyramid. Inside, discover masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory, along with vast collections of Egyptian antiquities, Greek ceramics, and works spanning seven departments. Please note: The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.

Discover Montmartre on a Tour Director-led walk through the hilltop neighborhood that inspired artists like Picasso and Van Gogh. Stroll the lively Place du Tertre, where painters still work today, see the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret, and climb to the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur for sweeping views over Paris.