History School Trip to Paris: Ancien Regime to Revolution

The armed mob which stormed the Bastille in July 1789 not only unleashed one of the bloodiest periods in modern history, it brought an end to the Ancien Regime which had governed France for 500 years. This tour can cover learning objectives for the following exam boards:

  • Pearson Edexcel A Level History Paper 2, Option 2C.1: France in revolution, 1774–99
  • AQA A Level History Depth Study Option 2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815
  • OCR A level History, Non-British Depth Study The French Revolution and the rule of Napoleon 1774–1815
  • WJEC A Level History UNIT 3 - Option 5 France: Ancién Regime to Napoleon c. 1715-1815

 

Itinerary

4 day sample itinerary

Tour Day 1

Morning
Depart school to arrive in Paris mid afternoon
Afternoon
Self guided sightseeing to include Pont Neuf, Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre. You may choose to do this as a guided tour - ask us for details.
Evening
Check in to accommodation and evening meal

Tour Day 2

Morning
Full day coach excursion to Versailles where you can learn more about the events of the Revolution
Evening
Return to central Paris for evening meal

Tour Day 3

Morning
Free time in Paris to include Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame, Palais du Justice, Sainte Chapelle, Pont Alexandre III, Les Invalides. External only - entrance fees not included
Afternoon
Visit to the foot of the Eiffel Tower for a photo opportunity, followed by Basilica Cathedral of Saint Denis, Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. Entrance fees are not included - please ask us if you wish book visits inside.
Evening
Evening meal

Tour Day 4

Morning
Depart Paris for your return journey to school

3 day sample itinerary

Tour Day 1

Morning
Early morning departure
Afternoon
Arrive Paris early afternoon to begin a Guided Walking Tour of key sites of the French Revolution to include Place de la Bastille, Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Gardens and the site of the Palace, the Louvre Palace . Your tour will finish at the Conciergerie for a self guided visit.
Evening
Restaurant evening meal then transfer to your accommodation for check in.

Tour Day 2

Morning
Morning visit to the Louvre
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon at Chateau Versailles for a self guided visit of the palace
Evening
Return to accommodation for evening meal

Tour Day 3

Morning
Guided tour of the sights of the Ancien Regime around Le Marias district. Then take a visit to Les Invalides.
Afternoon
Depart Paris
Evening
Late return back to school

Accommodation

With hotels in the buzzing city centre, or more quietly located on the outskirts, and with choices to suit all budgets and needs we can offer you exactly the right accommodation for your visit to Paris.

Fiap Jean Monnet

This is a purpose built youth centre with excellent facilities, centrally located in the 14th arrondissement. Accommodation is all in multi bedded en-suite rooms.

European Campus Sainte Thérèse

We highly recommend this superb youth centre for school groups. Originally built as a boarding school it has an excellent range of classroom and recreational facilities. It is located approx. 1 hours drive from central Paris and 15 minutes from Disney. 

Residence International de Paris

Located in the Bagnolet area of Paris this is also a purpose built youth centre with good standard accommodation all in en-suite rooms.  

Campanile Bagnolet

This 2 star popular chain hotel is located just within the peripherique at Porte de Bagnolet. Its an ideal alternative for older groups on a budget. 

Central Paris Ibis Hotels

For those who prefer a hotel to a youth centre, we work with Ibis 2 star hotels in a range of locations around the city. Ibis hotels offer comfortable B&B accommodation at an affordable price.

Kyriad Hotel at Disneyland Paris

A 3* hotel is located on the Disney site, 1 km from the parks and Disney village.

 

Study Visits

Le Marais Guided Tour 

This is an opportunity to walk through the historic district of Le Marais to gain an understanding of what Paris looked like during the Ancién Regime before the French Revolution. A guided tour will take you through narrow medieval streets to see Hotel de Ville, Hotel de Sens and Place des Vosges.

Guided Tour of Sites of the Revolution

A guided tour around the key sites of the Revolution is an ideal way to gain a picture of the key events. A guided tour will usually include Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Gardens and the site of the Tuileries Palace, The Louvre Palace, the exterior of the Conciergerie, Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Bastille, but can be tailored to suit your requirements.

The Palace of Versailles

A visit to the home of a succession of French kings until the Revolution, this is a must see visit to learn more about the origins of the Revolution and the transition from Monarchy to Republic. 

The Conciergerie

During the Revolution this gothic palace became one of the principal places of detention when the Revolutionary Court was installed. Some of its most famous prisoners were Marie-Antionette, Robespierre and Georges Danton.

Place de la Concorde

Well known for being an execution site during the French Revolution, this is where Louis XVI and Marie Antionette were guillotined. 

Les Invalides

As well as being home to the tomb of Napoleon, you will find the Musée de l'Armée  - the French Military Museum here where galleries display tell the stories of the the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

 

Cultural Visits

Montparnasse Tower

Offering superb panoramic views of Paris, this is less busy than the Eiffel Tower so queues are shorter. It also has good audio and visual interactive facilities to help improve language skills.

Eiffel Tower

One of Paris’ best known monuments, a trip to the top offers superb views of the city. Paris school tours can choose go to the 2nd floor or the top. 

Seine River Cruise

A one hour cruise from the Eiffel Tower, up to Notre Dame and back. A lovely relaxing way to see the sights with commentary in French or English. School groups can do the tour in the evening and see Paris by night. 

Montmartre and Sacré Coeur

An artistic area of Paris filled with street artists and stalls. A visit here is a wonderful way to soak up the culture and being high up, affords great views of the city.

Notre Dame Cathedral

The famous Gothic cathedral at the heart of Paris. No trip to Paris is complete without a visit here.

FlyView Paris

A unique experience which allows your group to explore the exceptional places and monuments Paris has to offer, such as the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower and  world as you have never seen them. where, with a virtual reality headset, in 360 ° immersion with or without a simulator, you will be immersed in incredible places as if you were really there.

Stade de France

Student groups can take a behind the scenes tour of the national stadium of France. The 90 minute tour will take you into the players’ changing rooms, through the tunnel and out on to the famous pitch. 

The Louvre

One of the most famous museums in the world. The Louvre is free for self guided visits although school groups and tours must pre-book in advance.

Disneyland® Paris

As a preferred partner, WST are able to give your school group access to the very best group tickets and eating options! School trips to Disneyland® Paris are a unique experience, with two magical Disney Parks bursting with more than 50 attractions, shows and parades! 

Disneyland® Park

Fairytales take flight across 5 incredible lands filled with classic attractions, shows and street parades. Enrichment school trips can rub shoulders with swashbuckling pirates, zoom through time and space and look on in awe at the unforgettable firework and light displays over Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Walt Disney Studios® Park

Discover the secrets behind the most magical scenes of Disney film and television at Walt Disney Studios Park. From legendary moments in motion at Toon Studio to the mind-boggling effects of the Backlot, 5 production zones bursting with thrills drop you and your little stars smack bang in the limelight.

Parc Astérix

Only 30km north of Paris, a school trip to Parc Astérix is a fantastic place for student groups to spend a day. Based on the famous characters from the Astérix comics it offers a wonderful range of white knuckle rides and themed shows.

Restaurants

Paris dining

We can arrange evening meals in restaurants in the city with options to suit all tastes ranging from traditional French food to more well known chain restaurants.