French Language School Trip to Normandy

Normandy is an ideal school trip destination for GCSE and A level French language students to practice speaking French. Traditional seaside resorts and famous historical cities provide plenty of opportunities to speak to locals and visitors alike, whilst learning about the region's past. Take a look below at what is included in a French Language School Trip to Normandy with WST.

Itinerary

Tour Day 1

Morning
Depart school to arrive in Normandy in the afternoon.
Afternoon
Check in at your accommodation followed by an evening meal
Evening
Free time in the evening for local orientation

Tour Day 2

Morning
Time in Caen to cover the WST Caen Challenge town trail and visit the Caen Memorial Museum
Afternoon
Visit the Biscuiterie in Asnelles
Evening
Evening meal at your hotel. Evening quiz

Tour Day 3

Morning
Visit Bayeux to see the world famous tapestry. If it is market day spend some time around the market stalls
Afternoon
Cidrerie visit with guided tour and demonstration
Evening
Evening meal at your hotel

Tour Day 4

Morning
Depart your hotel for your journey back to school

Accommodation

Maison Familiale Bon Sejour

This purpose built youth centre in Merville-Franceville has direct access to the beach. With an abundance of facilities for school groups its recommended to book early as it is very popular with school groups.

Les Tourelles

Youth accommodation built around a manor house in Asnelles-sur-Mer, just 3km from Arromanches. You can also access the beach directly here.

Eisenhower Hotel

A traditional French hotel located pretty fishing port of Port-en-Bessin, close to all the major tourist sights of the Normandy coastline. 

Study Visits

French Markets

There are numerous markets in the towns and villages along the coast. The market place is a great way for French Language Students to pick up and try out new vocabulary. Ask us for details of days and locations. 

Food Visits

Normandy has an excellent range of food related visits which give a great insight into the culture of this this region and gives students the chance to enter food producing environments to see how local produce is made and in many cases have a go at making it themselves, not forgetting a chance to taste it at the end.

Co-Pains Boulangerie, Cambremer

Here your group will have a guided tour and demonstration on how traditional French breads are made. For students of French Language we can arrange for the demonstration to be delivered in French.

Ciderie Manoir d’Apreval, Honfleur

Take a tour around this estate where you will see the orchard and the cider mill and witness the process of cider making from start to finish. Cider and apple juice tastings can be arranged at the end of the tour.

Musée du Chocolat – Chocolaterie du Drakkar, Bayeux

This museum tells the story of chocolate making through the ages and the children’s’ area lets younger visitors test their sense of smell as they try to identify the flavours added to cocoa. After the museum you can see the famous ‘drakkar’ chocolate being made today, followed by a tasting session.

Calvadosienne Oyster Farm, Asnelles

Your visit here will start with a quick lesson on what oysters are followed by a tour around the workshop. You will then have the chance to visit the oyster beds, provided its low tide.

Biscuiterie Cormier, Asnelles

You will see a demonstration of biscuit making and then get a chance to have a go yourselves.

Mimarnel Cheese Farm

Here you can take a guided tour in French and see the cheese making process followed by a tasting session.

Normandy Caramels

Find out how caramels are made with a tour that covers the whole process, finished off with a tasting session.

Cultural Visits

Arromanches Invasion Museum

This includes a sound and light display of the landings, animated models and videos recreating the British construction of Mulberry Harbour. 

Arromanches 360 Cinema

The film mixes archival footage filmed in June 1944 by war correspondents, with current shots on the same site, now restored to peace. A dramatic recreation of recreates the experience of landing in Normandy during the invasion.  Arromanches 360 is the only circular cinema open in France today.

Bayeux Tapestry

A unique opportunity to see the world famous embroidery documenting William the Conqueror’s invasion of England. Whilst in Bayeux spend some time around this pretty town to visit the Cathedral or market.

Caen Memorial Museum

This outstanding museum takes students on a historical journey from 1918 through to 1944 and beyond. Exhibitions focus on the Failure of Peace, Life in Occupied France, Total War, the D-day Landings and the Cold War.

D-Day Landing Beaches

Guided tours covering the key landing beaches Omaha, Utah, Gold,  Sword and Juno can be arranged and are highly recommended. The guides are experienced historians from Caen Memorial Museum.

Cite de la Mer Aquarium, Dieppe

Discover the maritime activity of the fishing ports of Normandy at this museum in Dieppe. You can visit the museum which takes you through the history of shipbuilding via a series of interactive visits and then discover marine habitats in the aquarium.  

Mont St Michel

An iconic image of Normandy, this island is part of the UNESCO world heritage sites list. A visit here allows you to drive over the causeway to the tiny island to wander around the tiny streets to visit trinket shops and cafés. You can walk to the top to take a look around the famous abbey and take in the spectacular views.

Honfleur

This old, picturesque port retains its authentic  Norman charm, characterised by houses with slate covered frontages painted by well known artists of the Impressionist movement. A visit Eglise Sainte Catherine is a must; it’s the largest church made out of wood in France. 

Caen

One of the main cities in Normandy, Caen is approx.  60 minutes  drive from the coast. After a visit to the well known Caen Memorial Museum, Caen has a great range of shops and cafes. 

Nici's Expert Tip

A visit to one of the many busy markets along the Normandy coast can encourage your students to learn and practice new French vocabulary.

Top tip from Nici, our Modern Foreign Languages Expert