Food technology school trips to the Opal Coast

Discover the science that goes into bread-making at this incredible boulangerie, where school groups will watch the traditional making and baking of baguettes, brioches and pastries by Mr. Berquier himself. During their visit, students can also put their French language skills to the test by ordering fresh croissants and pains au chocolat to take away.

School groups will love discovering the chemistry of chocolate at this amazing chocolatier on the Opal Coast. Here, students can watch as the delicacy is heated, stirred, moulded and decorated into a fabulous display of novelty shapes. We recommend sampling the dark, rich chocolate of at least 70% cocoa – a contrast from the familiar milk chocolate we find on UK shelves.

With its foray of watersports, artistic heritage and picturesque setting, Le Touquet is a long-time favourite of Equity staff, and we can’t wait to share its charm with you and your students. With far-reaching views of the sea and countryside, the lighthouse of Phare Le Touquet is a particular highlight, as well as the Musée du Touquet and art deco Covered Market.

Enter the tiny world of the snail with a visit to a snail farm, where school groups can watch the gastropods’ antennae see, taste and explore. Students will investigate the molluscs’ adaptations and life cycle, from egg-hatching in the spring to winter hibernation, and learn about the importance of snail production in traditional French cuisine.

A major Roman port for trade and communication, Boulogne-sur-Mer is a popular coastal city in Northern France you’ll be at no loss for things to discover. The city has changed hands several times across its millennia of history, and even today reflects its rule under England and Germany. Don’t miss the city’s 12th-century belfry, which is UNESCO-listed, and the marine conservation centre Nausicaa – an excursion we know students will love.

See demonstrations of traditional batch manufacture of sweets at this amazing factory tour, which any sweet-toothed student will love. Here, school groups will learn about the history and heritage of sweets in the Nord/Pas-de-Calais region, and even have the opportunity to make their own sweets and jellies. Delicious!

Students will love the interactive elements of this brilliant aquarium, where they can feel the rough texture of a ray’s back and watch penguins gulping down their dinner – all within the space of an hour! With 1,600 different species, Europe’s largest aquarium is a fantastic resource for developing an understanding of marine ecology and conservation issues.

A seaside haven for school groups, Berck sur Mer has a wide variety of activities to provide the perfect beach visit. From its charming old-fashioned carousel and a mini electric car track to Mambo Mini Golf and a go-kart track, Berck has something for students of any age; we know they’ll love some down-time here.

Step back in time and let your students discover the legendary battles of the Hundred Years War at the Agincourt Medieval History Centre. One of the last remaining battlefields of the war, Agincourt tells the tale of the eponymous battle of 1415, in which the English army (led by King Henry V) defeated the French forces.