Flanders Battlefield Tours
Flanders Battlefield Tours
Flanders Battlefield Tours
5
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
Flanders Battlefield Tour is well known for organising both, daily tours of the Ypres Salient and the Somme amongst other Western Front areas. Run by Jacques Ryckebosch and Genevra Charsley both are extremely passionate about the First World War. Prior to Flanders Battlefield Tour Jacques curated for many years at Talbot House (TOC H as it was known by the soldiers/veterans) meeting and becoming good friends with First World War veterans. Genevra Charsley has been a member of the Western Front Association since 1997 and assisting with the Poppy Parade on Armistice in Ieper (Ypres) since 1997, both are associate members of the Guild of Battlefield Guides and both have featured on BBC television and international television. Our guides all come highly recommended and are as equally passionate about the First World War, residing within the Ypres Salient they are always well informed and involved about the latest discoveries and development..
Ieper (Ypres), Belgium
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2023
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,090 reviews
Excellent
1,042
Very good
43
Average
0
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Villan31
San Diego, CA2 contributions
Jun 2021
We booked the Grand Tour with Jacques (Jack) via his wife Genevra. They were great about responding to e-mails and setting up a tour on short notice. Booking the tour and making payment of the tour was very simple. Due to the pandemic, My colleague and I were the only people on the tour, which was an added bonus. We met Jacques at the Menin Gate after a nice walk through Ypres. I recommend a bathroom break before you head out. The tour was extremely informative and Jacques managed to pack a lot of knowledge into the four hours. His passion and respect for the war is truly awe inspiring. Transportation from the sites is in a nice van with air conditioning. The sites visited were absolutely amazing. As nice as it was to see the Commonwealth cemeteries, the German Cemetery we visited on the tour was so peaceful. It was a humble reminder that in war, the people in involved are just people and not necessarily good or bad. I've been to Belgium many times and this was by far one of my favorite memories. Thank you Jacques and Genevra!
Written June 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ah...thank you so much for your comprehensive review. It's been a strange 1.5 years when all is said and done, but we're glad that what visitors have made it here and on our tours that have operated have found them to be informative and something that resonates with you. This is all that we can ask for. Thank you so much again it really is appreciated. Kind regards Genevra & Jacques - Flanders Battlefield Tour
Written October 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lozzatrip
Dublin117 contributions
Sep 2022
I organised a trip to the WW1 battlefields for a group from the Republic of Ireland. Most of the group are supporters of our local historical society. Flanders Battlefield Tours (FBT) was recommednded to me by a third party in the UK. I subsequently approached Genevra of FBT and gave her an outline of the places of most interest to my group. Given we were an Irish group, our interests were in places and memorials where Irish regiments were involved. The itinerary that FBT produced was excellent, it included all the cemeteries, places and memorials we had as priorities but also included some very interesting extras. Jacques was our guide and driver for the day tours. The transport was very comfortable and always on time. Jacques is a walking encyclopedia who really knows his history. He is also a very genial gentleman and a real pleasure to have as a guide. It was clear that Jacques and Genevra had carefully planned travelling times and routes so that there was plenty of time to see everything and to listen to Jacques commentary on each one. For our group the highlights were the Irish Peace Park, The Ulster Tower, Ginchy and Guillemont, the graves of Major Redmond and the poet Francis Ledwidge. I highly recommend FBT if you are planning a visit to the WW1 battlefields, cemeteries and memorials for their helpful and friendly advice, support and service. I also consider their charges to be very reasonable and competitive.
Written October 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jean r
7 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
I first contacted FBT &Geneva about tours in 2020. COVID then changed travel plans. With more time to read about WWI, I noted places important for me to see and learn more about. We are 68 & 71 yrs old. We have traveled Europe on our own since 2009. Having done group tours, we find private tours are well worth the money. We have opportunities to talk with the guide to ask questions, we might otherwise not. Jacques was fabulous as our guide for 4 days touring Ypres salients, Somme, special requested sights and he went out of his way to stop by places he thought would interest us. They even accommodated special dietary needs for my husband with the lunches they packed.
Take time to visit Ypres and WWI battlefields. Learn the history from experts like Jacques and Genevra with FBT. They are the best. Can't say enough good things about our times and trip!!
Take time to visit Ypres and WWI battlefields. Learn the history from experts like Jacques and Genevra with FBT. They are the best. Can't say enough good things about our times and trip!!
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jet782506
1 contribution
Apr 2022
We had a personalised day with Flanders Battlefield Tour at the end of April 22 and would heartily recommend them. Jacques collected us from Courtrai/Kortrijk railway station (we were based at Lille) and guided us round specific sites on the Ypres salient where a grandfather had fought. Jacques was patient with our naïve questions, engaged with our stories and added his memories of WWI veterans who made return visits the Ypres salient. Our experience was enhanced by the research that Genevra undertook into grandfather’s records and this filled in many of the gaps in our knowledge. We returned feeling that we had learned a great deal from new friends.
Written May 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy&Mike
1 contribution
Mar 2021
We had a fantastic battlefield tour with Jacques. The tour was informative, engaging and for covid times, completed in a totally safe environment outside and socially distanced. Jacques didn’t just bring history alive but brought home a real sense of how the First World War really still lives on through the land today! It was a throughly enjoyable day out, something that we would whole-heartedly recommend!!
Written April 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to complete a review it is sincerely appreciated especially in these strange times that we are finding ourselves in globally. We are pleased that you enjoyed your tour with Jacques and thank you for your recommendations. Please do take care and stay safe. Kind regards Genevra and Jacques - Flanders Battlefield Tours
Written April 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julia S
2 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
We had a great guide Jack and we were on the grand tour. We asked the guide to make the history relatable and alive so that our 14 years old son would find it interesting. And Jack really did it! Many stories from the participants of these events, personal experiences from leaving in this area where the WWI is still on the agenda every day. Very professional and engaged.
The sites varied enough to see the scale of these terrible battles.
I would definitely recommend this company to everybody!
We went to the museum In Flanders fields afterwords and got much better understanding of the exhibition because of the guided tour. Great day in Ipres and our teenager appreciated it a lot as well!
The sites varied enough to see the scale of these terrible battles.
I would definitely recommend this company to everybody!
We went to the museum In Flanders fields afterwords and got much better understanding of the exhibition because of the guided tour. Great day in Ipres and our teenager appreciated it a lot as well!
Written September 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review, Jacques is heartened to hear that your son found it interesting, that's important for us as it's the next generation that will carry forward in the act of remembrance. The In Flanders Fields museum is definitely worth the visit and pleased that this supplemented your understanding further of the tour areas. Many thanks! Kind regards Genevra & Jacques - Flanders Battlefield Tour
Written October 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maria TS
Hove, UK1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Family
We made the trip over to Bruges for a two day stay as a family of four with two boys aged 12 and 14. My husband unfortunately is not very mobile, having suffered poor health since last year and so I was looking up a shorter but no less meaningful tour of some of the WW1 battlefields. I searched in Trip Advisor and was blown away by all the positive comments about Genevra and Jacques and emailed Genevra to make an enquiry especially in relation to whether my husband would be able to take part due to his poor health.
Genevra was so lovely and emailed and reassured me that he could be accommodated for and I felt no reason not to go ahead. Our journey (we made our way to Ieper by train and taxi) was a a bit tricky and the connecting trains were cancelled for a couple of hours due to an incident. Worrying that we may end up being late, I contacted Genevra and said we would take a taxi so as not to miss it. Genevra kindly emailed to say for us to relax and that Jacques would meet us at the station, taking away some of the stress.
We were not disappointed! I cannot begin to tell you just how amazing the tour was.
My great grandfather fought and thankfully returned from the Great War and then my grandfather, also on my father’s side, fought in WW2. My father then joined the army when he turned 15. We felt it very important that our children receive a true understanding of what these, often very young men, went through and how it effected and still has an effect on so many.
Jacques was just brilliant. He began by telling us how personal this is to him and his family and to everyone living In Ieper and so many that visit. He explained that the tour is one to be taken respectfully and that so many people are trying to trace the events that their relatives took.
We came away with a real understanding of what life must have been like for so many people. It was wonderful all the real life stories of real people that he could relay to us and often with great humour. It is no surprise that through all his work and research, he has made many, many friends from the wars and he keeps all their memories and anecdotes alive in the re-telling.
We are so grateful also for how beautifully the Belgian people care for all the cemeteries and monuments and all the work that goes into researching and preserving and respecting those important memories. We have so enjoyed our visit to Belgium and this has definitely been the highlight.
I would highly recommend this tour and I wish you all the success for the future and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the work you are doing.
Genevra was so lovely and emailed and reassured me that he could be accommodated for and I felt no reason not to go ahead. Our journey (we made our way to Ieper by train and taxi) was a a bit tricky and the connecting trains were cancelled for a couple of hours due to an incident. Worrying that we may end up being late, I contacted Genevra and said we would take a taxi so as not to miss it. Genevra kindly emailed to say for us to relax and that Jacques would meet us at the station, taking away some of the stress.
We were not disappointed! I cannot begin to tell you just how amazing the tour was.
My great grandfather fought and thankfully returned from the Great War and then my grandfather, also on my father’s side, fought in WW2. My father then joined the army when he turned 15. We felt it very important that our children receive a true understanding of what these, often very young men, went through and how it effected and still has an effect on so many.
Jacques was just brilliant. He began by telling us how personal this is to him and his family and to everyone living In Ieper and so many that visit. He explained that the tour is one to be taken respectfully and that so many people are trying to trace the events that their relatives took.
We came away with a real understanding of what life must have been like for so many people. It was wonderful all the real life stories of real people that he could relay to us and often with great humour. It is no surprise that through all his work and research, he has made many, many friends from the wars and he keeps all their memories and anecdotes alive in the re-telling.
We are so grateful also for how beautifully the Belgian people care for all the cemeteries and monuments and all the work that goes into researching and preserving and respecting those important memories. We have so enjoyed our visit to Belgium and this has definitely been the highlight.
I would highly recommend this tour and I wish you all the success for the future and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the work you are doing.
Written April 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pubdog99
Windsor, UK7 contributions
Mar 2020
My wife and I had wanted to do a battlefield tour for some time, and on a recent visit to Belgium we spent a sunny afternoon with Jacques on a tour of the Ypres Salient.
Honestly, it was brilliant. Over the 4 plus hours we visited several Commonwealth cemeteries, a German cemetery (very different feel), memorials and trenches. His knowledge was encyclopaedic and his passion for the topic obvious. I don't recall any questions from the group that he couldn't answer, and he had many photos and maps with him to explain what had happened and where.
I would absolutely recommend Flanders Battlefield Tours to anyone wanting to learn more about WW1.
Honestly, it was brilliant. Over the 4 plus hours we visited several Commonwealth cemeteries, a German cemetery (very different feel), memorials and trenches. His knowledge was encyclopaedic and his passion for the topic obvious. I don't recall any questions from the group that he couldn't answer, and he had many photos and maps with him to explain what had happened and where.
I would absolutely recommend Flanders Battlefield Tours to anyone wanting to learn more about WW1.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Your recommendation is very much welcomed along with your positive feedback, both Jacques and I are thrilled to read that you found the afternoon and the tour to be "brilliant." We are extremely passionate about what we do, this is something that will never leave us and gives us joy to share with our customers.
Thank you again for taking the time to place a review.
Kind regards
Genevra & Jacques - Flanders Battlefield Tour
Written October 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Randy M
Calgary, Canada12 contributions
Aug 2019
I was very grateful for having chosen your company, for our tours of the North and South Salient. My son (13yo) and I enjoyed learning so much about the battles of Ypres over the 2 afternoons. The pace of the tours neither left you rushed to see pertinent sites, nor time wasted. Both of us remarked the skillful, informed dialog Genevra delivered on both tours. Thank you for providing such a wonderful experience for us.
Written March 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ah...thank you so much for completing a review, and especially during the height of COVID19, you've no idea how much this means to us after the past 1.5 years that has seen so much turmoil and upheaval. We are so pleased that you joined us on both tours and that you felt it was paced adequately through the afternoons.
We hope that you and your family are keeping well, and thank you again for taking the time to make this review.
Kind regards
Genevra & Jacques - Flanders Battlefield Tour
Written October 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Helen H
Wales, UK3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
I would highly recommend this tour we did it on the 4/6/2022 our tour guide was amazing with his knowledge of the 1st ww he made a special trip for us to the Welsh monument which wasn't on the itinerary.
We had the most enjoyable day full of interesting tales from the battlefields. Sad , thought provoking, and heroic tales. We will be back to do the somme.
We had the most enjoyable day full of interesting tales from the battlefields. Sad , thought provoking, and heroic tales. We will be back to do the somme.
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janine N
3 contributions
Hi how can we contact you directly to arrange a tour tomorrow please ?
GenevraYpres_Belgium
Ieper (Ypres), Belgium24 contributions
If you email us directly via our website and let us know how many people are accompanying you. We have availability in the morning from 9am until 12pm, or on Thursday the whole day. Kind regards Flanders Battlefield Tour
Gracie42
County Durham, England122 contributions
Hi,
Visited Ypres 4 times and been to all the larger/well known sites and cemeteries. Would love to visit some of the smaller,more out of the way sites,open to suggestions anybody. Looking at 2020 btw
Kate W
Heswall, UK48 contributions
Hi, we did a ‘standard tour’ of the larger cemeteries, however our guide was extremely knowledgeable and I know they do more niche/bespoke tours including ones individually tailored for relatives of the fallen. Recommend getting in touch with Gen to see if she can arrange what you’re looking for.
Jean R
2 contributions
Hi, I am really interested in the battlefields and bunkers/trenches of Flanders area. We are staying in Ypres. My spouse has some difficulty w/ walking, using a cane. Who did you use as the tour? We have been doing private tours lately in Europe & very satisfied with the slower pace & ability to converse w/ guide.
thanks, jean
Julia G
Norwich, UK59 contributions
So sorry that I didn't answer before, I only just saw the question! I have been with Flanders Battlefield Tours quite a few times. This answer box won't let me put the website address, so google Flanders Battlefield tour and you can email them.
I can't recommend them highly enough. They will take you anywhere, and are very considerate of people with limited mobility. And they will talk to you at great length.
DebraB_SoCal
Long Beach, CA6 contributions
So I feel pretty dumb asking this... but I cannot FIND a link to your website on this TripAdvisor page... I want to ask about booking, cost, etc. but have no idea how to contact you other than posting here. Thank you.
GenevraYpres_Belgium
Ieper (Ypres), Belgium24 contributions
Thank you for your enquiry, and thank you mjharris3 (Worcestershire) for posting a reply, we've been busy yesterday with the 90th Anniversary of the Last Post Association. Yes Debra, unfortunately T/A will not allow links of websites and email addresses to be posted. If you follow the above instructions you should locate our website. Kind regards Flanders Battlefield Tour - Genevra Charsley
We are from Australia and are arriving in Lille via London at 11.30 am Wed 25/7 and returning to London at 9.30am from a Lille on Sat 28/7. We planned to hire a car. We want to do Victoria School, Franco/ Australian Museum and John Monash Centre at Ville-Bretonneux and then Ypres inc cemeteries, Meningate ceremony , Cloth Hall museum etc then visit Mons where first battle of WW 1was fought ( Grandfather involved!). We are wondering how we could use Flanders Battlefields Tours for this and just stick to train travel and forget the hire car. Any ideas how wh can combine all? Want to stay at Ypres at least 1 or maybe 2 nights. Kind Regards,
Alison Lumsden
GenevraYpres_Belgium
Ieper (Ypres), Belgium24 contributions
Hello Alison, Thank you for your enquiry with Flanders Battlefield Tour we do have availability for a two day tour commencing and concluding from Ieper. Would it be possible for you to email us direct via our website so that I can provide more information? Kind regards Genevra Charsley - Flanders Battlefield Tour
I am very interested in a tour for July 27, 2018. Do you have any options for this date?
Evan Price 214-686-4313
charlenem649
Ottawa, Canada12 contributions
You need to contact the tour company directly. I did all my correspondence by email and they were very prompt in their replies.
Do you do trips to pozier cemetry
GenevraYpres_Belgium
Ieper (Ypres), Belgium24 contributions
Thank you for your enquiry, yes we do cover Pozieres, however it’s best that you email us direct so that we know the number of people accompanying you and the date that you’re looking to do the tour. Kind regards Flanders Battlefield Tour
Martin M
Shoreview, MN6 contributions
Do you have tours going out on June 25th 2018, and how much does it cost?
GenevraYpres_Belgium
Ieper (Ypres), Belgium24 contributions
Hello Martin, We have the Grand Tour North Salient going out from Ieper at 13.00pm until 17.00hrs, priced 38,00 euros per person. Should you wish to confirm a seat please book online via the relevant tour page within our website, upon receipt final confirmation will then be sent. I trust that this is of some assistance. Kind regards Flanders Battlefield Tour
restofan2018
Barcelona, Spain
Hola, visitaré Ypres en julio y me gustaria saber si hay excursiones del Flanders Battlefield Tours con guia de habla hispana. Muchas gracias.
GenevraYpres_Belgium
Ieper (Ypres), Belgium24 contributions
Gracias por su consulta con Flanders Battlefield Tour, desafortunadamente nuestros tours son en inglés u holandés. Perdón por no poder ayudarlo en esta ocasión.
TonyD7777
Bunbury, Australia507 contributions
We would like a personlized full day tour of the battlefields and the highlights pick up and drop off in Brugge. What sort of price would we be looking at? We shall be there early May. Thanks Tony
GenevraYpres_Belgium
Ieper (Ypres), Belgium24 contributions
Hello Tony, I have responded directly to your email that we received earlier this morning, unfortunately we are completely fully booked over the dates mentioned in your email. Kind regards Flanders Battlefield Tour