# Belleau Wood private tour from Paris: the US Marines in 1918 Source: https://www.privatetrip.fr/battlefield-tours-from-paris/belleau-wood-usmc-tour/ Updated: 2026-11-05 Walk the forest where the US Marines fought from 1 to 26 June 1918, from Hill 142 and the wheat fields to the Devil Dog fountain and the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. - **Length** Full day, 8 am to about 7 pm - **Drive** 1 h 15 each way - **Group** 1 to 7 guests - **Winter price** €880 winter price, instead of €1,100€1,100 per group ## At a glance Belleau Wood is about 90 km from Paris, roughly 1 h 15 by road. This private tour runs from 8 am to about 7 pm and covers the 26-day battle of June 1918 on the ground, from Hill 142 and the wheat fields to the Devil Dog fountain, ending at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery at 4:30 pm. It costs €1,100 for up to 7 guests. - Full day, 8 am to about 7 pm - About 1 h 15 drive each way from Paris - €880 winter price, instead of €1,100€1,100 per group of 1–7 (about €126€157 each for 7), 20% off for tours until 28 February 2027 - Pickup and drop-off at your Paris hotel - Best for: Marines, veterans and USMC families ## About this tour This is a deep historical day for travelers and families with a connection to the US Marine Corps. It covers the Battle of Belleau Wood, from 1 to 26 June 1918, on the ground where it was fought, a battle that became a defining moment in Marine Corps history. It is not a sightseeing tour. Your guide adapts the day to your interest, from general history to detailed analysis of terrain, tactics and units, with maps of the positions. ## What you will see - **Belleau Wood** The forest where the Marines fought some of their heaviest combat; trenches and craters are still visible. - **US Marine monument** The memorial to the 4th Marine Brigade inside the wood. - **Aisne-Marne American Cemetery** Where more than 2,000 Americans rest at the foot of the wood. - **Devil Dog fountain** A pilgrimage site for Marines, on private property in the village of Belleau. - **Bouresches** The village east of the wood, scene of intense fighting. - **Lucy-le-Bocage** Marine headquarters during the battle. - **Château-Thierry and Hill 204** Key positions where the German advance on Paris was stopped. - **Hill 142 and the wheat fields** Where the assault began and where many Marines were cut down by machine-gun fire on 6 June 1918. ## Itinerary A typical day. As the tour is private, every stop can be changed. 1. 8 am**Pickup in Paris** At your hotel or apartment. About 1 h 15 to Château-Thierry. 2. Château-Thierry**American monument and Hill 204** Overlooking the Marne, where the German advance was stopped. Short stop at the visitor centre. 3. Lucy-le-Bocage**Marine headquarters** The village that served as headquarters for the Marines during the battle. 4. Hill 142**Where the assault began** Terrain, tactics and unit maps. 5. Wheat fields**The attack of 6 June 1918** Where Marines crossed open ground under German machine-gun fire. The mistakes, the confusion and the courage of that day. 6. Bouresches**Village fighting** The village east of the wood that saw heavy fighting. 7. Lunch**The 1775 bar** Named after the year the Marine Corps was founded; a sandwich and a beer or glass of wine. Closed on Wednesdays, when we use another restaurant. 8. Belleau Wood**The forest** The Iron Mike monument, German guns, craters and trench lines in the parts of the wood that saw the heaviest fighting. 9. Devil Dog fountain**Marine pilgrimage site** On private property in Belleau village. 10. 4:30 pm**Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and the flag** Final respects at the cemetery below the wood. When a US Marine is in the group, the American Battle Monuments Commission staff offer them the honour of lowering the flag at 4:30 pm. 11. About 7 pm**Back in Paris** Drop-off at your hotel. The evening drive into Paris is usually slow, so allow for traffic. ## What’s included ### Included - Spacious air-conditioned 8-seater van for your group only - Professional English-speaking guide who also drives - Pickup and drop-off at your Paris hotel or apartment - Fuel, tolls and parking - Itinerary planning and changes on the day - Hotel and restaurant suggestions and bookings - Passenger insurance while you are in the vehicle - All taxes, no hidden fees - Family or military history research for your relative ### Not included - Meals and drinks - Entrance fees to museums, châteaux and monuments - The guide’s lunch (up to €20) - Personal purchases and gratuity (optional) - Your own travel insurance ## Practical information ### What to wear Walking shoes and a waterproof jacket; the woods are muddy after rain. In winter bring extra layers. ### Lunch The 1775 bar is closed on Wednesdays; we use another restaurant that day. ### Flag ceremony US Marines in the group are offered the honour of lowering the flag at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery at 4:30 pm. Tell us when you book if a Marine is coming. ### Drive About 1 h 15 each way on the A4 motorway. ## This tour in winter 20% off for tours from 1 November 2026 to 28 February 2027: **€880** instead of €1,100 per group of 1–7. - The Aisne-Marne American Cemetery is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, except 25 December and 1 January. In December the flag ceremony at 4:30 pm takes place at dusk. - 10 November, the Marine Corps birthday, and 11 November, Armistice Day, both fall within the winter offer. - The woods and wheat fields are muddy in winter. Bring waterproof shoes and a warm coat. [Winter prices, events and opening times for all our tours](https://www.privatetrip.fr/winter-tours-from-paris/) ## Did a relative serve here? Send us a name, unit or division. In partnership with Ancestry®, we research military records and war diaries, usually in 2 to 4 weeks, and build the day around the ground your relative crossed. More than 40 families so far. ## Questions about this tour **How far is Belleau Wood from Paris?** About 90 km, roughly 1 h 15 by road, which leaves a long day on the battlefield. **Can we follow a specific Marine regiment?** Yes. Give us the regiment, battalion or company, for example the 5th or 6th Marines or the 6th Machine Gun Battalion, and we will follow its positions. **Can a Marine lower the flag at the cemetery?** Yes. Each time we bring a guest from the US Marine Corps, the American Battle Monuments Commission staff offer them the honour of lowering the flag at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery at 4:30 pm. We plan the day so you arrive in time. **What is your cancellation policy?** The booking fee is non-refundable. For one-day tours cancelled more than one month ahead, it can be used for a future tour; for multi-day tours, more than three months ahead. If we cancel for safety reasons, such as severe weather, we refund it in full. [Read the full terms](https://www.privatetrip.fr/terms/). **Is the tour really private?** Yes. It is for your group only, from 1 to 7 guests, with pickup at your Paris hotel, and the itinerary can be changed on the day. ## What guests say Page updated 5 November 2026. Prices and times are checked at every update. **Winter offer** For tours from 1 November 2026 to 28 February 2027 €880€1,100 instead of €1,100 per group of 1–7 guests about €126€157 per person for 7 Deborah applies it when she confirms your booking. [Offer terms](https://www.privatetrip.fr/winter-tours-from-paris/#terms) - Full day, 8 am to about 7 pm - Pickup at your Paris hotel - Reply within 24 hours [Rated 5.0 from 124 TripAdvisor reviews](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187145-d7040140-Reviews-Private_Trip-Fontainebleau_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html) ## You may also like ### [The Somme & Vimy Ridge: WWI in a day](https://www.privatetrip.fr/battlefield-tours-from-paris/somme-vimy-ridge-ww1-tour/) Full day, 6:30 am to about 8 pm · drive 2 h each way The preserved trenches of Beaumont-Hamel, the Lochnagar crater, the Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge and Amiens cathedral. - Beaumont-Hamel trenches - Lochnagar crater - Le Hamel memorial - Vimy Ridge - Amiens cathedral - Compiègne Armistice site ### [Bastogne & the Battle of the Bulge](https://www.privatetrip.fr/battlefield-tours-from-paris/bastogne-battle-of-the-bulge-tour/) Full day, 6:30 am to about 8 pm · drive 3 h 45 each way The siege of Bastogne, December 1944, with the Easy Company foxholes from Band of Brothers, Foy and the Mardasson Memorial. - Easy Company foxholes in Jack’s Woods - Foy - Bizory chapel - McAuliffe Square - Mardasson Memorial - Bastogne War Museum ### [Champagne: Reims, Épernay & small producers](https://www.privatetrip.fr/wine-tours-from-paris/champagne-tour/) Full day, 7 am to about 7 pm · drive 1 h 45 each way A famous house and two independent growers, Reims cathedral, the Avenue de Champagne and Dom Pérignon’s abbey at Hautvillers, with a WSET-certified guide. - Reims cathedral - Taittinger cellars - Two small producers - Avenue de Champagne in Épernay - Hautvillers & Dom Pérignon