French Language School Trip to the Loire Valley

We have two main accommodation bases offering good standard of accommodation well accustomed to school group guests. Hotels on site at Futuroscope theme park are very popular and are perfectly located. So you'll be able to enjoy this educational park, as well as explore the surrounding region. Alternatively, we can provide accommodation in the town of Tours, from which a wide selection of cultural and educational visit can be easily reached including Futuroscope theme park.

Most popular accommodations include;

• Hotel du Futuroscope
• Hotel du Parc
• Hotel Campanile Nouvelle
• Hotel Ibis Choices

Futuroscope

A truly educational park and the only one of its kind in Europe with its unusual experiences that combine fun and learning.  Awaken your pupils’ inquisitive minds and help them unleash their imaginations and express their creative talents.  

Absorb the fantastic, fun and fairy-tale Futuroscope atmosphere with over 25 original experiences waiting for you in our stunning attraction theatres, as heart-thumping adventures, outrageous thrills, mind-blowing journeys, the fairy-tale evening show and fascinating attractions deliver delights to suit all tastes and ages! 

The shows, signs, commentaries are in French which language groups may enjoy. However if required, translation headsets are available at the main entrance which can be used for many of the shows and attractions. There are also ‘Discovery Packs’ available online related to various subjects UK curriculum related to Space, Robots, D Day, Image and film, Nature and Science in general.

Many groups chose to stay on site or close to Futuroscope and explore the region from here.

Loches

Nestled at the heart of the Loire Valley overlooking the Indre River Valley, Loches is a City of Art and History, blessed with a stunningly rich cultural heritage.  Only 45 minutes from Tours and just over an hour from Futuroscope this pleasant medieval town is a great option for groups. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings students can practise language skills at the bustling market place with its mixed stalls of foods, flowers and much more.  

Other popular visits include a tour at the impressive Château de Loche, built some 500 metres above the Indre River, and the Carriere de Vignemont – a limestone quarry and  cave dwellings where you can enjoy an underground tour in French or English  (April to November only) .

Château de Chenonceau

This is the most popular Château for school groups to visit, located around 30 minutes from Tours and 90 minutes from Futuroscope. As well as being a truly spectacular building, the gardens and grounds are equally stunning.  An audio tour can be enjoyed in French or English where students will learn about its rich history. There is also a café on site.

Other Châteaux in the Loire Valley

There are a wide number of other châteaux along the Loire Valley each providing an insight into French history and tradition, whilst also providing spectacular scenery and architecture. The most popular ones are: Château de Blois, Château Montrichard (12th Century tower) and Château d’Amboise (UNESCO site) all offering guided or audio tours in French or English and all within 30-40 minutes from the town of Tours and 90 minutes from Futuroscope.

Amboise

Students will appreciate the popular shopping areas as well as the scenic esplanades located along the riverbanks of the Loire. The Rue Nationale, which passes under the 15th century Clock Tower is lined with small shops and patisseries, with many temptations.  A must-do attraction in the area is a tour in French of excellent Château du Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent his 3 years and is now a museum dedicated to him.  

On Fridays and Sundays, put student’s language skills to the test and enjoy the wonderful Amboise Market where you'll find everything from cheese to sausages to flowers to clothes and plenty more!  There are lots of delicious food stalls for lunch.

For the sweet toothed in your group, take a tour of the Patisserie Chocolaterie Bigot. Your visit begins with the video presentation "In Search of Cocoa", followed by a demonstration of the techniques used to produce our special delicacies and the visit ends with a tasting session. 

Don’t forget the commanding Château d’Amboise (UNESCO site) which offers a guided tour for groups, and also the Pagode de Chanteloup and 18th Century monument which is 44m high. From the top, enjoy a glorious panoramic view of the forest of Amboise and the Loire Valley.

Saumur

Saumur dates back to the fourth century BC - it was created as a small village in ancient times  called simply ‘Mur’ with people who lived in caves (known as troglodytes’), dug along the sides of steep mountain ranges to the east of Saumur. Best known for the Chateau de Saumur which can be visited, this attractively located town has other attractions. The well-known riding school will welcome for a guided tours to discover the history of the school, the stables, main arena, prestige stable and tack room. 

The Musée du Champignon offers a fascinating 90 minute guided tour of the caves where mushrooms are grown commercially. 

You can also take your group to the Gratien & Meyer Wine caves where you’ll be immersed  in an underground world and experience the work of the ‘perreyeurs’ who carved out the tuffeau tunnels 800 years ago then converted into cellars in the 19th century. Samur is situated 1 hour from Tours and 90 minutes from Futuroscope.

Caves at Savonnières

These caves were used as former limestone quarries in the Middle Ages. The Romans were present in the caves, as evidenced by the discovery of pottery, manual mills, and a graveyard, with seven gravestones remaining. Centuries later, the caves were flooded with water; slowly creating new passages and the resulting features makes for a popular tourist attraction. Objects are put under the grottoes' springs for six months to a year, which covers them in limestone, creating a "petrified" look. The caves are situated on the outskirts of Tours and an hour from Futuroscope.

Rochemenier Troglodyte Village 

One of the most complete remaining examples of underground or cave living! Part of the troglodyte village has been retained as a museum to a way of life that was still in existence in the 1930s. You are presented with a plan which leads you through the twenty rooms of the village consisting of two ancient farms with out-buildings and houses plus a spectacular underground chapel carved out of the rock.

The visit offers a 30 min free guided presentation in French or English plus about an hour more to explore the caves which are open late February to November.  It can get cold so bring a jumper!