School Trips & Tours to Lille

 A fantastic way to reward your class at the end of the year, a day visit to Lille Christmas Market provides students with a great opportunity to hone their French language skills while immersing themselves in a cultural tradition. Only an hour and a quarter away from Calais, the Eurotunnel brings the French city of Lille in easy reach of the English South Coast. Packed with numerous wooden chalets selling a whole host of festive treats, exploring this winter wonderland is sure to be an unforgettable trip. We offer the following school trips to Lille.

• Christmas Markets

It's been a quite a while since I have run European residential visits and had always used the same company before. I used WST this time because at the stage of getting quotations, their service stood out as friendly but not pushy, extremely fast and competitive in terms of price. I'm glad I changed tour operator. Wellfield Community School, Christmas Markets Aachen & Lille 

Top attractions

Market stalls 

The main attraction at any Christmas markets, the wooden chalet market stalls are one of the event’s most iconic traditions. Selling a vast range of treasures, from delicate Christmas decorations and handmade crafts to delicious local delicacies, students will have a brilliant time exploring the festive markets. Also providing plenty of opportunities to practise their French, the markets also offer chances for students to pick up souvenirs or Christmas presents for friends and family.

Local shops

There are around 3,900 shops in the city of Lille, and throughout December, their shop windows will be dressed with beautiful festive decorations and quirky Christmas displays. Competing to exhibit the most original designs during the festive period, keep an eye out for a few spectacular windows as you wander around the city!

Ferris wheel 

Found in Lille’s main square, the city’s Christmas markets are dominated by an impressive 50-metre high Ferris Wheel which offers breath-taking views out over the city. After you’ve marvelled at the bird’s-eye view of all of Lille’s festivities, ensure you snap a picture of the adjacent 18-metre high Christmas tree, one of the focal points of Lille Christmas Market!

Christmas cuisine 

Widely considered one of the best parts of the Christmas markets, many of the market stalls sell a range of festive foods to tempt your taste buds! Famous for their rich, spiced gingerbread, we’d also recommend sampling the fresh chocolate crêpes and roasted chestnuts. Fancy something savoury? Try the delicious soups on offer or the juicy Bratwurst!

Hidden Gems

Grand Place 

If your students have any free time away from the Christmas markets, there are plenty of fascinating attractions to explore in Lille. One of the most beautiful areas of the city, a trip to the Grand Place is high on many tourists’ wish lists.

Officially titled Place du Général de Gaulle, the Christmas markets often sprawls across the main square, so ensure you take the time to appreciate the beautiful surrounding buildings, in particular the Vieille Bourse. Dating back to the 17^th century, the intricate building is one of the most prestigious monuments in the city and was once the old stock exchange.

Lille Cathedral

Otherwise known as the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille, Lille Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral which has been the seat of the Bishop of Lille since 1913. A national monument of France, students can wander through the impressive building, studying the artwork within the vibrant stained glass windows.

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