Residing just a short distance across the English Channel, France’s beautiful northern region is in easy reach of England’s south coast. Playing a pivotal role in the Second World War, as well as boasting a diverse and blood-thirsty history, Normandy offers students a fantastic opportunity to discover the region’s thrilling past. On top of Normandy’s historical ties, the area is also a hub of traditional French culture, showcasing some of France’s most stunning architecture, delicious delicacies and spectacular scenery. We offer the following unforgettable school trips to Normandy.
Providing the setting for one of the most famous military operations in history, the D-Day landings were the start of the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6th June 1944. Marking the beginning of the end for the Nazi reign, the decisive D-Day landings operation is still the largest seaborne invasion ever to be carried out. Students can take a fascinating guided tour around the key landing beaches, including Omaha, Utah, Gold, Sword and Juno, learning about D-Day’s pulse-racing events from experienced historians.
Displayed at Bayeux Museum, the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of the Battle of Hastings; depicting William the Conqueror’s defeat of Harold, Earl of Wessex, as the Norman and Saxon armies clashed back in 1066. One of the best preserved tapestries, surviving over nine centuries, students can observe the famous embroidery, as well as exploring the pretty town of Bayeux.
Tucked away just off the Normandy-Brittany coast, Mont Saint-Michel is a fascinating fortified island that’s definitely worth exploring. With a small community set up in the shadows of the island’s magnificent monastery, students can wind their way up to the top, practising their French language skills as they stop in the numerous shops on the way.
We have carefully selected our accommodation in Normandy, opting for traditional family-run hotels and purpose built youth centres. Your students will benefit from a true French experience, interacting with French staff and taking advantage of the fantastic facilities. All accommodation options are superbly located in popular coastal resorts and within close proximity to key locations.
Normandy is well known for its range of cuisines and delicacies. You can choose to include a wide selection of food related visits during your trip which will really help your students understand the history and culture of this region. Options include a boulangerie and chocolate museum, as well as a biscuiterie and cheese farms. They all allow you to see the production process first hand and offer great tasting experiences.
While you explore this beautiful region, be sure to sample some of the delicious local produce on offer. The area is famous for its oysters, however if seafood isn’t to your taste, why not try some of Normandy’s famous cheeses such as Camembert or Neufchâtel.
A great way to get a grasp of Normandy’s cultural traditions and diverse local produce, there are plenty of fantastic markets in the region’s coastal towns and villages that students can get stuck into. A brilliant opportunity for pupils to practise their French, they might even find a few souvenirs to bring back home.
Built to commemorate the D-Day landings on June 6th 1944, the museum overlooks the spot where one of the Mulberry Harbours was constructed, a site that can still be seen today. The fascinating museum features a brilliant sound and light display of the landings and videos recreating the British construction of Mulberry Harbour.
Promising to be a highlight of any school trip, the Musée du Chocolat teaches visitors about chocolate’s 4,000-year history, enlightens them on the chocolate making process and even tests their sense of smell by encouraging visitors to identify which flavours have been added to cocoa. The best part however, comes at the end – when the students get to taste test the famous chocolate being made there!