School Trips To Opal Coast

Less intimidating than the classroom and more fun in real life interacting with locals and visitors alike means your GCSE and A level French language students will constantly be practising their French language skills in the local seaside towns and regular markets. A visit to the Opal Coast will allow your students to improve their listening and language skills, giving them the practice they need in relaxed real-life situations.

Our school groups always have a brilliant time in the Opal Coast. Read all about Caterham Prep School’s Opal Coast experience here.

Itinerary

3 day trip

Tour Day 1

Morning
Depart school to arrive Calais early afternoon
Afternoon
En route visit to a boulangerie for a bread making demonstration and tasting session. Transfer on to your accommodation
Evening
Evening meal followed by free time in the evening

Tour Day 2

Morning
Visit to Nausicaä in Boulogne. If it's market day spend some time around the market stalls
Evening
Evening meal

Tour Day 3

Morning
Visit to Chocolats de Beussent then on to Calais for your return journey home. Time permitting free time in Calais or at Cite Europe
Afternoon
Depart Calais
Evening
Late return back to school

4 day trip

Tour Day 1

Morning
Depart school to arrive at your accommodation late afternoon
Afternoon
Check in at your accommodation followed by an evening meal
Evening
Free time in the evening

Tour Day 2

Morning
Free time in Le Touquet to practise French, including your WST Le Touquet Quiz
Afternoon
Visit to a cheese farm to practice food and drink vocabulary
Evening
Return to centre for an evening meal and outdoor activities

Tour Day 3

Morning
Visit to Nausicaä in Boulogne. If it's market day spend some time around the market stalls
Afternoon
Language and food afternoon with a Boulangerie visit followed by Chocolats du Beussent
Evening
Evening meal

Tour Day 4

Morning
Depart your hotel for your journey back to school

Day trip

Tour Day 1

Morning
Depart school early morning. Arrive in Calais late morning
Afternoon
Visit a local Boulangerie followed by a trip to a local Chocolaterie. Spend an hour in Boulogne for sightseeing at leisure
Evening
Depart Calais for return journey back to school

2 day Trip

Tour Day 1

Morning
Early departure for late morning/lunch time arrival in the Opal Coast
Afternoon
Visit to Chocolats de Beussent followed by a Snail Farm for some traditional French food production and tasting.
Evening
Check in to accommodation. Possible free time on the beach, weather and free time permitting

Tour Day 2

Morning
Free time in the busy town of Boulogne to complete the WST Boulogne Quiz. Time around the market if market day.
Afternoon
Visit to a traditional boulangerie for bread making demonstrations. Take your croissant and pan au chocolat sample on board your coach for your journey home.
Evening
Late arrival in the UK

Accommodation

We have a great range of accommodation from family run seaside hotels to purpose built accommodation centres tailored to suit the requirements of school groups. Whatever your budget, age or size of group please call us to discuss which accommodation would be best suited for your needs.

Les Sables D’Or

This is a family run hotel in a residential seaside town located a 10 minute walk from the beach. The owners English is limited so you will be guaranteed a  French experience.

Hippotel

The Hippotel is in a quiet, scenic location set in its own grounds. It’s on the outskirts of le Touquet and very experienced with school groups. This is an ideal base if you prefer to be away from a busy town centre.

AJ Calais

This is a modern youth hostel, purpose built for students. It has good meeting room and indoor recreational facilities. It is located across from the beach and is a 10 – 15 minute walk from  the centre of Calais.

Centre Stella Maris

Ideal for groups looking for youth accommodation with good facilities in a quiet location. It’s located in the town of Stella Plage, approx. 2 km from the beach.

Parc D’Olhain

This is an entirely French speaking youth centre set in its own extensive grounds inland from the Opal Coast. This is highly recommended for a French Immersion experience.

Study Visits

Lille University Language Workshop

Students will take part in listening and speaking sessions based around your key topics. They are ideal for preparation and practise in the morning before going out and about in the afternoon to try out their new range of vocabulary. We recommend this for KS4 students.

Town Trails

We have a range of town trails and quizzes to help them practise their language whilst out and about, or to keep them entertained whilst on board the coach or whilst relaxing at the hotel. These include Boulogne, Calais and Le Touquet.

Nausicaä Sea Centre

This modern and interactive sea centre in Boulogne offers exhibits and worksheets designed to encourage your students to use their French vocabulary, whilst getting up close to a variety of sea life species and marine habitats, including the shark tank.

Boulogne 

This busy port town offers a wide range of visits which means many groups choose to spend a half day or a whole day here. At the heart of Boulogne is the Roman old town, ideal for sightseeing and shopping. Other popular visits include Becasuc sweet factory and Nausicaä Sea Centre. Visit on a market day to pick up some bargains.

Le Touquet

A stylish seaside resort, Le Touquet is perfect for free time for games on the beach. A safe environment to try out some French in a local café or by souvenir shopping. 

Boulangeries

Many boulangeries in the area offer demonstrations on how traditional French breads are made, followed by hands on bread making sessions. For students of French Language we can arrange for the demonstration to be delivered in French.

Les Chocolats de Beussent

A well known local chocolate producer. Here you can see a demonstration of melting and moulding the chocolate with chance to sample the chocolates at the end.

Cheese Farms

The Opal Coast is an area known for its production of cheese and students can visit cheese farms to see how the animals are reared and how the cheese and other dairy produce is made. Tasting sessions and lunch can be arranged. 

L’Escargotiére du Choquel – Snail Farm

Let the students see it’s true, the French really do eat this delicacy! This visit will fascinate them showing how snails are farmed and give them a chance to find out what they really taste like. And if they don’t want to try one it will still provide a great photo opportunity to take home. 

Cultural Visits

Boulogne Superbowl

Book a bowling session and keep them entertained all evening.

Helicea Leisure Centre, Boulogne

Choose from the state of the art swimming pool with its artificial river and bubbling spas or take to the ice on the skating rink. 

Aqualud Swimming

Over 5000m2 of wave pools, water slides and play areas. 

Parc Bagatelle

Located on the coast this theme park has a combination of animation and rides which are ideal for younger students. 

Bellewaerde Theme park

If you are looking for more white knuckle rides then spend the day in Belgium at Bellewaerde where you find a great mix of roller coasters, water rides, shows and an animal park.  

Mareis Sea Fishing Discovery Centre

Discover the life of a French fisherman and learn how to navigate the boat and catch fish. Finish off your visit with a fun trip round the huge aquarium where there’s 140,000 litres of water full of around 500 different species. Guided tours are free.

Musée de l’Abeille - Bee Museum

A small traditional family run bee museum that offers an insight into the life of a beekeeper. Guided tours include a visit to 3 apiaries to learn about the life of bees, their activity in the hive and how they look for honey. Snacks can be arranged for at the end of the tour. Tours can also be complemented with a workshop including; a candle workshop or a taste of honey workshop.

La Gaufre du Pays Flamand – Waffle Factory

This mouth-watering tour around a waffle museum is both educational and delicious. Groups will discover how the art of making waffles has developed through history to the modern day. The educational tour ends with a yummy tasting session. Tours can be delivered in English and last around 45 minutes.