For the Nov 4 commeration of the Le Quesnoy liberation, the team at Te Arawhata - NZ Liberation Museum has invited the New Zealand Community in France for a very special long-weekend visit! 🇳🇿 🇼🇸 🇹🇴 🇫🇯 🇨🇰
2025 event under planning with @TeArawhata
Here is the 2024 programme to give an idea:
3 Day LE QUESNOY & ARRAS INVITATION VISIT
Day 1️⃣ Nov 2 Arrival, explore Valenciennes & group dinner
Day 2️⃣ Nov 3 Day trip to Arras incl visit to Carriere Wellington tunnels, group lunch & explore Arras town, Kids <12 €25, everyone else €35*.
Day 3️⃣ (the big one) Nov 4 VIP visit to Te Arawhata NZ Liberation Museum & Le Quesnoy Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery; Le Quesnoy battlefield & ramparts guided tour; group lunch; participation as representatives of New Zealand in the commemoration of the liberation & farewell dinner with members of the Le Quesnoy-New Zealand Association, Kids <12 €55, everyone else €75*.
*Day 3 includes a generous 25% discount from the Museum.
🪖🌿🔶On 4 November 1918, the New Zealand Division liberated Le Quesnoy, a town of some 3000 people in north east France. It had endured four hard years of occupation since the German advance in August 1914. Cheering crowds greeted the New Zealand Division and the events of the day made such an impact that they have been commemorated each year since 1919. In turn this has forged strong bonds between New Zealand and France.
Read more here:
https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/france/new-zealand-embassy/anzac-day-commemorations/le-quesnoy
WANT TO JOIN?
RSVP and book your own transport and accommodation 🏨. Our group will be based in:
📍Valenciennes, 59300 (not Le Quesnoy)
** Reminder: No refunds offered. Swaps OK. **
HOW TO ARRIVE
Drive
45mins from Lille; 2hr25 from Paris, Rouen & Reims; 4hrs from Caen, Orleans & Nancy; 5hrs from Tours, Dijon & Strasbourg; 6hrs from Rennes & Nantes.
Train
40mins from Lille; 1hr45 direct from Paris (from €18)
WHERE TO STAY
📍Valenciennes, 59300 (not Le Quesnoy)
Buses will depart from there.
Aim for majority of group at one of:
- Le Grand Hotel, Valenciennes (from €64/ night on Booking.com)
- Residhome du Théâtre, Valenciennes (from €77/ night on Booking.com)
AirBnB, other hotels and hostels also available.
Also check out other Kids events & activities in Dour, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Dour, Arts events in Dour.
