Things to do in Ieper (Ypres), Flanders: The Best Sightseeing Tours

May 12, 2022 Fernanda Pittenger

An ancient city in the Flemish province of West Flanders, Ieper (as it’s known in the Flemish tongue) has enjoyed financial and cultural status since the 12th century. Today, visitors can check out remnants of its impressive past, including ramparts that date back to 1385 and an historic moat, which now is a haven for wildlife. Ieper found itself in the middle of World War I and suffered tremendous damage to all of its buildings, but has been both reconstructed in its medieval style and built up with modern structures.
Restaurants in Ieper (Ypres)

1. Australian Battlefields Private Tour in Flanders from Bruges

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5.0 based on 3 reviews

You will stand in the footsteps of the Australian soldiers in Fromelles, Ploegsteert and Messines. You will see some of the mine craters laid by the 1st Australian Tunneling Cie. Polygoon Wood, and Passendale will be visited. You will finish your day at the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres

Inclusions: Local taxes, Lunch, Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Bottled water, Private transportation

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Reviewed By TheNewWorldExplorer

My wife and I did this tour with Claude. Two points to put peoples minds at ease. First, is that he was on time and his vehicle was very safe, comfortable and reliable. He went through great lengths to keep us on time to what was a very full-day schedule. Second, is his knowledge about the region and the war itself. He knows the full-background and history of the great war and his knowledge of the military regiments is outstanding (Canadian, British, German, Australian, French, etc). In particular, I was interested in the history of the PPCLI in the region and was not disappointed. His family has lived in the region for generations and this brings a personal touch to the the tour. We were not disappointed.

2. Vimy and Flanders Fields Canadian Battlefield Tour from Lille

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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Explore Canadian World War I history in Vimy and Belgium on this battlefield tour from Lille or Arras. Follow a guide through Vimy’s WW1 trenches and discover sites of interest including Hill 145, the Canadian Passchendaele Memorial, the St. Julien Memorial, and the Tyne Cot Military Cemetery. See where John McRae wrote his famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. Then, finish your tour at the Last Post ceremony in Ypres. This tour of Canada’s WW1 sites includes round-trip travel from Lille or Arras.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lille or Arras, Guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Lunch, Bottled water, Private transportation

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Reviewed By greyfatman

Claude was prompt in picking us up from our hotel in Lille and then took us to see the final resting places of two of our family members, who were both killed in 1918. He was very flexible and worked in with our plans to visit these two graves at two different war cemeteries. He then took us around numerous battlefield sites and war cemeteries, involving New Zealanders, and his knowledge was first class. For that special day in connecting with those special soldiers, contact Claude and he will make it happen.

3. Private New Zealand Battlefield Tour in Flanders from Bruges

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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Stand on Messines ridge where the New Zealand Corps launched the attack after the explosion of the 19 mines. You will visit Passendale, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Gravenstafel and many other places in which the ANZAC Corps was involved.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Lunch, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Reviewed By TheNewWorldExplorer

My wife and I did this tour with Claude. Two points to put peoples minds at ease. First, is that he was on time and his vehicle was very safe, comfortable and reliable. He went through great lengths to keep us on time to what was a very full-day schedule. Second, is his knowledge about the region and the war itself. He knows the full-background and history of the great war and his knowledge of the military regiments is outstanding (Canadian, British, German, Australian, French, etc). In particular, I was interested in the history of the PPCLI in the region and was not disappointed. His family has lived in the region for generations and this brings a personal touch to the the tour. We were not disappointed.

4. Australian Battlefields Private Tour in Flanders from Brussels

Stationsplein, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium Battlefield Experience
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

You will stand in the footsteps of the Australian soldiers in Fromelles, Ploegsteert and Messines. You will see some of the mine craters laid by the 1st Australian Tunneling Cie. Polygoon Wood, and Passendale will be visited. You will finish your day at the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres

Inclusions: Local taxes, Lunch, Driver/guide, Hotel drop-off, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Bottled water, Private transportation

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Reviewed By TheNewWorldExplorer

My wife and I did this tour with Claude. Two points to put peoples minds at ease. First, is that he was on time and his vehicle was very safe, comfortable and reliable. He went through great lengths to keep us on time to what was a very full-day schedule. Second, is his knowledge about the region and the war itself. He knows the full-background and history of the great war and his knowledge of the military regiments is outstanding (Canadian, British, German, Australian, French, etc). In particular, I was interested in the history of the PPCLI in the region and was not disappointed. His family has lived in the region for generations and this brings a personal touch to the the tour. We were not disappointed.

5. Private Vimy and Belgium Canadian Battlefield Tour from Brussels

Stationsplein, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium Battlefield Experience
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Stand in the tunnels in Vimy, walk in the trenches where Canadian troops stood in April 1917. See the CWGC's largest cemetery in Europe, come to see the Brooding Soldier where the first gas attack took place. Attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres. See the dressing station where John McRae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields".

Inclusions: Lunch, Professional guide, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Local taxes, Driver/guide, Hotel drop-off

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Hotel pickup

Reviewed By TheNewWorldExplorer

My wife and I did this tour with Claude. Two points to put peoples minds at ease. First, is that he was on time and his vehicle was very safe, comfortable and reliable. He went through great lengths to keep us on time to what was a very full-day schedule. Second, is his knowledge about the region and the war itself. He knows the full-background and history of the great war and his knowledge of the military regiments is outstanding (Canadian, British, German, Australian, French, etc). In particular, I was interested in the history of the PPCLI in the region and was not disappointed. His family has lived in the region for generations and this brings a personal touch to the the tour. We were not disappointed.

6. 2day Australian WW1 battlefield tour in Flanders the Somme from Lille and Arras

Battlefield Experience
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

The first day you will stand in Fromelles, visit the museum and the Pheasant Wood cemetery, go to VC Corner Cemetery and the Australian Memorial Park. You will see one of the mine craters of Messines, Hill 60, Polygoon Wood and Tyne Cot Cy. in Passendale. That night you will attend the Last Post at the Menin Gate in Ypres. The second day will put the focus on the Somme, Villers Bretonneux, the Memorial, Le Hamel where General Monash will use new tactics and Pozières and its Windmill and Moo Cow Farm.

Inclusions: Local taxes, Bottled water, Lunch, Driver/guide, Hotel drop-off, Hotel pickup, Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks, Hotel

Reviewed By greyfatman

Claude was prompt in picking us up from our hotel in Lille and then took us to see the final resting places of two of our family members, who were both killed in 1918. He was very flexible and worked in with our plans to visit these two graves at two different war cemeteries. He then took us around numerous battlefield sites and war cemeteries, involving New Zealanders, and his knowledge was first class. For that special day in connecting with those special soldiers, contact Claude and he will make it happen.

7. Flanders Fields WW I

Mike Eyns Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

In the 13C., along with Bruges and Ghent, Ypres was one of the great Cities of Flanders though it later entered a long decline. In the First World War it was the fulcrum of the Ypres Salient, a bitterly fought-over enclave protruding into the German lines, and the town was almost completely destroyed. After the war, it was rebuilt in traditional style. Today, it is a focal point of commemoration of the terrible slaughter that took place between 1914-1918, while the countryside around is a vast necropolis with around 170 military cemetery and many other reminders of war. Beside visiting the town, we will discover: The Menin Gate; Saint George Church; Flander Field Museum; Tyne Cot Cemetery; The Memorial Museum Passchendaele; Mont Kemmel and Bayernwald Trenches; The American W.W.I. Cemetery; Diksmuide. The delightful countryside surrounding the city of Ypres offers many picturesque routes for walking and bicycling, and welcomes visitors to a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

Inclusions: Tour Guide

Exclusions:

Reviewed By jimsZ2896HZ

Thankfully, the battlefield is largely as it appeared in 1815. Rolling hills, farm fields, the wooded and walled Hougoumont (well-restored) and la Haye Saint (not so much). Still, the vibe and the atmosphere is evocative of the crucial Napoleonic struggle that took place here. The museum is excellent. Creative displays, lots of artifacts. The great Lions mound is a bit of a distraction. But it does afford spectacular views of the entire battlefield. Two downsides: the busy road that runs right through the field, north to south, is a little offputting. And Napoleon’s command position was overgrown with shrubs when I was there.

8. Australian Battlefields Private Tour in Fromelles and Flanders from Lille

Battlefield Experience
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4.8 based on 6 reviews

Explore Flanders and Fromelles, and delve into Australia’s World War I history on this 9-hour small-group battlefield tour from Lille. Travel through Flanders and Fromelles with a guide, and discover key sites of interest including the Cobbers’ Memorial, the Tyne Cot Cemetery in Passchendaele, and the VC Corner Cemetery — France’s only exclusively Australian WWI cemetery. Learn of the thousands of Australian soldiers who laid down their lives, and see the many ways in which the Commonwealth War Graves Commission mark their sacrifice. This tour includes round-trip travel from your Lille hotel.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Lunch, Bottled water, Private transportation

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Reviewed By greyfatman

Claude was prompt in picking us up from our hotel in Lille and then took us to see the final resting places of two of our family members, who were both killed in 1918. He was very flexible and worked in with our plans to visit these two graves at two different war cemeteries. He then took us around numerous battlefield sites and war cemeteries, involving New Zealanders, and his knowledge was first class. For that special day in connecting with those special soldiers, contact Claude and he will make it happen.

9. WWI Private Day Trip with Ypres Salient Battlefield in Flanders from Paris

Paris Trip
Excellent
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4.6 based on 17 reviews

Spend a day discovering the fascinating history of the Ypres Salient, a battlefield in the Belgium Flanders region that saw many battles during World War 1. Visit several memorials and cemeteries including the St Julien Memorial and the Tyne Cot Cemetery, where you can pay your respects to the thousands of soldiers who defended this corner of Belgium from the German Army. Walk up to the famous battlefield of Hill 60; see the Menin Gate Memorial; and enjoy free time to explore the town of Ypres at your leisure.

Inclusions: Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks

Reviewed By davidsTrz

Our driver was Arnaud. He cared to show and explain us everything while driving through the city. Very well educated man and very nice to talk to. I can recommend this enterprise highly and especially would like to thank Arnaud for this brilliant trip!

10. Private Vimy and Belgium Canadian Battlefield Tour from Bruges

Battlefield Experience
Excellent
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Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 2 reviews

Stand in the tunnels in Vimy, walk in the trenches where Canadian troops stood in April 1917. See the CWGC's largest cemetery in Europe, come to see the Brooding Soldier where the first gas attack took place. Attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres. See the dressing station where John McRae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields".

Inclusions: Lunch, Professional guide, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Local taxes, Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Reviewed By TheNewWorldExplorer

My wife and I did this tour with Claude. Two points to put peoples minds at ease. First, is that he was on time and his vehicle was very safe, comfortable and reliable. He went through great lengths to keep us on time to what was a very full-day schedule. Second, is his knowledge about the region and the war itself. He knows the full-background and history of the great war and his knowledge of the military regiments is outstanding (Canadian, British, German, Australian, French, etc). In particular, I was interested in the history of the PPCLI in the region and was not disappointed. His family has lived in the region for generations and this brings a personal touch to the the tour. We were not disappointed.

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