Découvrir la richesse de notre culture...

Normandy is a fabulous destination for school trips, and the local excursions cover a broad spectrum of themes. We arrange all of your visits for you, and accompany you to every venue with your dedicated tour guide – all you need to do is let us know where you want to go!

The excursions form an important part of your tour, giving your students the chance to really explore the history and culture of Normandy, talking to our native French speaking staff and the locals. We also provide more structure with our worksheets which will engage and focus your students in the particular environment, be it the local market or the D-Day Landing Beaches. Your dedicated tour manager has local knowledge which will enable you to be more at ease and make the most of your visits.

Le Mont St Michel

Probably the most beautiful place in Normandy. Built in the 11th century, the Abbey is a feat of medieval architecture with outstanding and panoramic views over the bay – and its rooms are as impressive as its exterior. As a centre of Christian pilgrimage, the Abbey has been kept in good condition throughout its life. The nearby Maison de la Baie explains the history of Le Mont St Michel with an audiovisual tour.

The adventurous can approach by crossing on the tidal causeway, but wearing shorts is recommended! One of our expert French native guides will be keeping you on course, whilst noting the local flora and fauna, pointing out some of the many points of interest, and explaining about the famous salted sheep.

 

Local Markets

French markets are always lively and colourful. You will see all kinds of stalls, including fruits and vegetables of the season, fresh fish and sea food, and French livestock such as chickens and rabbits. You can join the bustle, buying all kinds of souvenirs from French fashion, jewellery and sunglasses, to the traditional Camembert or Normandy cider. You’ll certainly find the ‘hot produce’ stalls with their evocative smells of pancakes, saucisses grillées and more, are impossible to walk by without sampling!

 

St Malo

Our region is rich in towns where every stone is steeped in history, with medieval ramparts perched over picturesque valleys. One of the finest is St Malo, with its magnificent cathedral, Wax Museum and the Old Market Hall, shops with local crafts and open markets. It’s also home to a huge aquarium, where you can ride on a submarine or even touch living fish – a real hands on experience!

 

Goats Cheese Farm

Based in a quintessential Normandy farmhouse, come and meet our goat’s cheese expert, who will be delighted to teach you all about his work. In a visit specifically designed for French for schools, the children will learn all about the different steps of goat’s cheese-making as well as get the chance to stroke the goats, feed them, milk them and even try their milk! This is definitely a visit not to miss!! 

 

Dinan

Dinan is one of the most attractive medieval walled cities in France. The old town is full of half-timbered houses, churches, castles and cobbled streets overlooking the river Rance. Its fortifications made Dinan an almost impregnable fortress.

 

Granville

The old town with its narrow cobbled streets of houses built from local granite offers panoramic views towards the islands of Jersey and Guernsey to the north and Mont Saint-Michel to the south. Built on its own little peninsula, once the basis of the town's defences, Granville is compact and a fantastic shopping centre.

 

Arromanches / Landing Beaches

Arromanches is at the heart of the D-Day Landings. There are museums with vivid and emotive displays, including the famous 360° cinema with unreleased footage from war correspondents, filmed on D-Day. There is also the Musée du Débarquement in Arromanches Les Bains, built on the site of the Mulberry Harbour, with working models and film to explain this incredible technical feat.

 

Caen

The town of Caen is mostly known for its historical background. As the city of William the Conqueror, Caen has protected its magnificent heritage including the Caen castle, one of the largest medieval fortress of its time, which now serves as an Art Museum. Caen was also a key site of the Battle of Normandy during the Second World War - a core part of our Normandy Battlefield tours programme. The city has preserved the memory by building a memorial for peace. (see our Modern History page)

 

Local Beaches

If your group would like to unwind and have a little R&R there are many delightful sandy beaches, perfect for an impromptu picnic. One of our French native guides will be happy to organise beach games. Alternatively, your guide can take you on a beautiful coastal walk, and tell you about the wildlife, and the reasons for the rapid transformation of the coastline.

 

Bayeux

This visit takes you to the entrancing and ancient city of Bayeux, with its rich artistic and architectural heritage, including the magnificent medieval cathedral. You can also visit the Bayeux Tapestry, a unique 70m long document, made in the 11th century of woollen embroidery on linen cloth. The tapestry tells the epic story leading up to the Battle of Hastings and the defeat of King Harold by William the Conqueror. (See our Modern History page for more information on Bayeux in WW2)

 

Villedieu-Les-Poêles

15 minutes from the Château, groups can visit the town's Bell Foundry, Copper Workshop and Pewter Museum. It is rich in history and has a great morning market every Tuesday.