Spotlight on Paris: Illuminating key curricular subjects in the City of Light
With its abundance of world-class art galleries, museums, landmarks and stories, the French capital of Paris presents itself as a destination that's brimming with opportunities to inspire and educate students across a broad spectrum of subjects. Whether it's exploring the masterpieces of the Louvre, understanding the intricacies of global marketing at the Fragonard Perfumery, or practising French in an authentic cultural setting, Paris stands as an unparalleled destination for educational travel.
At Equity, we know that planning a school trip can at first appear as a daunting task – especially for a destination as vast as Paris. With our spotlight blog, we’ll uncover the myriad ways the city can enhance your curricular goals, set out free activities to fill your itinerary with, and outline a few day-to-day budget considerations – all contributing towards helping you create an unforgettable memory for your students.
Learning objectives covered by a Paris school trip
Art & design
With some of the most extensive art collections in the world and unparalleled architectural masterpieces, Paris is an excellent choice for an art and design trip that’s bound to inspire your students’ creativity. Whether their focus is architecture, art, sculpture or fashion, Paris is bursting at the seams with excursions, starting from the world-famous Louvre Museum all the way to the Musée D’Orsay. When you've tired out your students walking the museums, get cameras and sketchbooks out to capture the street culture of this wonderfully cosmopolitan capital.
Business studies
Uncover the unique workings and development of this beautiful global city on our business studies school trip to Paris. Here, students can take a tour of the Stade de France for an insight into the football industry, and appreciate the marketing techniques adopted to turn a brand into an internationally recognised label at the Fragonard Perfumery Museum. What’s more, you can also add a little fun to this trip with a Disneyland® Paris add-on, where your group can step behind the scenes and learn what makes this theme park one of the world’s greatest and most recognised.
Disneyland
The iconic backdrop of Disneyland® Paris offers students an excellent break from their studies with an experience that will stay with them forever. With rides and attractions aplenty, plus just a short travel time from the UK, the promise of visiting this magical destination will keep your students excited all year round.
Enrichment
Rich with culture and attractions from world-class museums and architecture to glorious cuisine, Paris an ideal school trip destination to supplement almost any subject. Whether you’re walking along the River Seine and its attractions with a delicious hot crêpe, viewing the Eiffel Tower for the first time, or exploring the city’s abundance of food markets, there are plenty of reasons for your group to get excited about an enrichment trip to Paris.
Film & media
The backdrop for seemingly countless films and series, Paris makes for an excellent choice for a film and media school trip. Your students can delve into the earliest years of cinema in the fascinating Cinémathèque Française, which holds one of the largest archives of films and film memorabilia in the world, and even submit their own work to the ECU Independent Film Festival – an experience they’ll never forget.
French language
With a list of attractions longer than the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, it is no wonder Paris is one of our most popular destinations for a French language and culture trip. Exploring the city’s famous landmarks offers a great setting for practising language skills, while uncovering Paris’ unique culture will add an element of context to their vocabulary. From the Eiffel Tower to the Cite des Sciences, you can’t go wrong with an MFL trip to Paris.
History
One of the world’s most iconic cities, Paris offers opportunities to enhance learning for history students from Key Stage 3 through to A-Level. Discover the Palace of Versailles which was once home to Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette then visit La Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette was later detained during the French Revolution. Encourage your group to learn about events during World War I and the resistance showed while fending off the German assault, as well as the four-year siege the city suffered at the hands of the Nazi Party during World War II. With our bespoke History school trip to Paris, your students will be able to discover elements of this city's history in a new and exciting setting away from the classroom.
Performing arts
With its long, historic affinity towards music, dance and drama, Paris is the perfect choice for schools who want to plan a performing arts trip that covers multiple bases. On our subject-specific field trips to Paris, your group will have the opportunity to experience French performances at both the Centre Pompidou and in the city’s iconic Opera Quarter – something that’s guaranteed to inspire young dancers, musicians, and theatre performers. A day excursion to Disneyland Paris is also on the table, as well as the chance to observe the city’s many street performers during a tour of the City of Love’s best attractions. Ooh la la!
STEM
Paris, a city teeming with vitality and numerous mathematical opportunities, makes for an excellent destination for a school STEM tour. Explore the intricate relationship between nature and geometry within the city's Modernist architecture, delving into Gaudi's innovative transformations, geometric shapes, and the advantages of his distinctive parabolic arch design. Engaging excursions tailored to mathematics enthusiasts involve visits to the Olympic Park, where your group can analyse mathematical curves and their functions while gaining insights into the seating capacity during a behind-the-scenes tour of Camp Nou stadium.
Free things to do in Paris for schools
Known as the ‘City of Light’, Paris offers numerous free attractions and activities for school groups. Here are some suggestions:
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
While access to this magnificent basilica’s dome and crypt incurs a fee, the Sacré-Cœur offers an iconic facade, stunning interiors, and incredible views across Montmartre and surrounding arrondissements.
Jardin des Tuileries
A free excursion the whole year round, the Jardin des Tuileries is a beautiful public garden located between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde. As a thoroughfare for tourists and locals alike, it’s an ideal spot for people-watching or a lunchtime picnic spot.
Île de la Cité
At the historic Île de la Cité, school groups can enjoy views of several iconic Parisian landmarks, such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle. Walking along the Seine River and enjoying the surrounding views of its numerous picturesque bridges also offers a taste of Paris, and is a delightful free activity.
Luxembourg Gardens
A serene green space with fountains, sculptures, and manicured lawns, Luxembourg Gardens are an ideal place for a leisurely walk or a picnic.
Promenade Plantée
An elevated park built on an old railway viaduct, Promenade Plantée offers a unique perspective of the city and is a pleasant escape from the urban bustle of central Paris.
Street performers and souvenir shopping in Montmartre
On the streets that surround the Sacre-Coeur, school groups can experience the artistic ambiance of Montmartre, a lively area where street performers often showcase their talents. With many shops located in the immediate vicinity, this is also an excellent area for souvenir shopping.
Free museums (first Sunday of the month)
Many of Paris’ museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of the month. Be sure to check which museums and galleries participate, and plan your visit accordingly.
Remember to check the opening hours and any specific guidelines for these attractions, as policies may change. Paris, with its iconic landmarks and cultural richness, provides school groups with a wealth of free experiences to enhance their educational journey.
How much do every day items cost in Paris (2024)?
- Single metro ticket: €2.10
- Coffee: €4.05
- Burger and fries in a fast food restaurant: €12
- French baguette at a local bakery: €1.10
- Croissant from a local bakery: €1
Ready to book your school trip to Paris?
A school trip to Paris promises a wealth of educational experiences that cater to a variety of subjects, ensuring that every student gains something valuable from the journey. From the artistic inspiration found in its galleries to the history lessons embedded in its streets, Paris provides incredible context to classroom teaching, and a magical setting we know your students will love.
To find out more about our school trips to Paris, or enquire about booking a school trip, please call us on 01273 648248. You can also fill out our webform, and our school trip experts will get back to you as soon as we can.
