French language school trips to Normandy

Engage students’ minds with a visit to this incredible historic tapestry, which tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England across 70 metres of embroidery. Dating back over 950 years, the tapestry is a must-see for students visiting Normandy, and includes models, maps, photos, text and a film that explain the historical context of the tapestry and its scenes.

Created for the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings, the Arromanches 360 circular cinema sits atop the Arromanches clifftops, dominating the remnants of one of the Allied harbours. Here, students can watch the universal memory of the liberation of Western Europe projected on nine screens, and gain an in depth understanding of what happened and why.

Transport your student group back to the Middle Ages with a visit to this iconic tidal island, which rises dramatically from the sea at high tide to the majestic Mont St-Michel Abbey. Here, students can view Europe’s highest tidal variations as they walk the fortifications, wander around the isle’s narrow alleyways, and take a break in the local creperies, before purchasing a souvenir in one of its many shops to remember their journey to the Mont.

There’s no better place to encourage your students to learn about D-Day than on one of the event’s several landing beaches, where Allied forces came by air to fight against German soldiers. From the remains of the coastal defences to shrapnel which is regularly found in the sand, remnants from the war remain at Omaha to give your group an idea of what the former battlefield may have looked like almost 80 years ago.

An attractive market town, Bayeux is proud of its ancient religious heritage, which is immediately evident as you wander its Norman-Romanesque cathedral. A national monument, and the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry, the cathedral offers a great learning opportunity for your school group to learn all about the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings.

Once destroyed by the Normans in 866 and damaged again during bombings in the Second World War, Coutances is a pretty commune set amid beautiful countryside and close to the coast. Don’t miss its stunning cathedral, which is one of the best examples of Norman architecture, botanical garden, art museum, and food market, which comes to the town every Thursday morning.

Each Saturday morning in La Place Saint Patrice, Bayeux’s largest market offers groups the chance to familiarise themselves with the flavours of Normandy. From local cheese producers and organic farmers to fresh seafood trucks, the market has something for everyone, and is an excellent place for your students to practice their language skills. In the centre of the square, souvenirs can be purchased to commemorate your trip.

An excursion we know your students will love. On this guided tour of a traditional French chocolatier, your group can explore one of the true delights of France whilst learning new vocabulary and experiencing true French culture. Of course, there’ll also be the opportunity to then taste some chocolate for themselves. Yum!

A focal point in the Normandy landings, Sainte-Mere-Eglise was one of the first French towns liberated in the invasion, and is therefore an excellent stop on any history school trip. Nearby, you’ll find several smaller museums and gift shops commemorating the Second World War. Don’t miss the dummy paratrooper hanging from the church spire – a reference to the story of WWII paratrooper John Steele.

Set atop its rocky crag, the Château de Falaise is a spectacle to behold, the impressive medieval fortress dating back over 1,000 years when it was built by the first Dukes of Normandy. On your group’s tour of the château, you’ll be guided by virtual reconstructions, which will immerse your students in life in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries.

Expect endless beaches and beautiful half-timbered buildings in Deauville, a picturesque and upscale town that’s known as one of France’s most prestigious seaside resorts. Deauville’s wide, sandy beach is lined by Les Planches, a 1920s boardwalk complete with bathing cabins engraved with the names of American actors and directors who take part in the annual film festival.

This working farm provides the perfect backdrop to develop your students’ understanding of the end-to-end process of food production, while they learn about the importance of French farming in terms of the country’s culture. From visiting the goats, to watching cheese manufacturing and production – then, of course, some tasting – this is a unique excursion not to be missed.

Boasting a stunning and picturesque port where artists flock to paint and photograph, Honfleur offers an idyllic day trip where groups can explore and sample traditional cuisine. Within Honfleur, you can also find Naturospace – a stunning tropical butterfly house that’s home to around a hundred species from South America, South-East Asia and Africa.

A key communications centre throughout the Second World War, Saint-Lo was a martyr city that was completely devastated by American bombing in the Battle of Normandy, earning it the name of the “capital of ruins”. Since then, the city has been reconstructed, however the town’s medieval Église Notre-Dame still displays the aftermath and was never restored.

Enjoy learning about the makings of a French favourite at Les Sablés d’Asnelles, an artisanal biscuit factory featuring a tea room and shop. On a tour of the factory, students can discover the ingredients used in these much-loved shortbreads, how to bake the biscuits, and even cut their own shapes. The shop also features regional products from Normandy, offering excellent gifts for friends and family back home.

Head to this culinary-based museum and give your students a taste of the great history and background of the food industry in the Isigny region of Normandy. Here, they’ll find out all about the cultural significance of calvados, dairy products and seafood in the region and, of course, enjoy the mouthwatering scent of the caramel factory, where they’ll watch the production line take place.

There’s nothing quite like a fresh French baguette or pastry, which is why we always recommend a boulangerie visit on our trips to Normandy. The French are famed for their baked goods, which your group can enjoy in abundance when they visit a local bakery. From baguettes and beignets to croissants and canelés, your students are bound to find their favourite.