French language school trips to Loire Valley
£479 - £795
A typical school trip to the Loire Valley cost is £479 - £795 per person depending on time of travel, transport, accommodation and inclusions.
Widely considered to possess the purest form of the French language, there's no better place to improve your students' language skills than with a trip to the stunning Loire Valley. There’s plenty to do in the area that will encourage your students to use their language skills in everyday settings; local markets and the many chateaux and food-related visits in the region cannot fail to encourage a love of French history and culture.
Beyond the region's evident history, students can explore cutting-edge technology with an excursion to Futuroscope, an interactive multimedia theme park. There are also several unique excursions to discover in this beautiful region, such as fairytale-like troglodyte villages, where homes are carved into cliffsides, and the fascinating natural wonder of the Savonnieres 'Petrifying Caves', which are known for their unique process of turning objects into stone through the slow accumulation of minerals from dripping water.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
- Depart the UK and travel by coach to the Loire Valley
- Possible stop in Honfleur, Rouen or Le Mans
- Lunch own arrangements
- Evening meal at accommodation
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Chateau Chenonceau
- Packed lunch / lunch at accommodation
- Visit Amboise
- Clos Lucé
- Evening meal at accommodation
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Goat Farm Visit
- Packed lunch
- Petrifying Caves Savonnieres
- Troglodyte Museum
- Evening meal at accommodation
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Futuroscope
- Packed lunch
- Evening meal at Futuroscope
- Depart the Loire Valley for return to the UK
- Possible stop en route
- Return to school
Famous for its magnificent châteaux, vibrant markets, traditional food producers and rich cultural heritage, the Loire Valley provides an immersive environment where students can develop both their language skills and their understanding of French culture.
Student Development
During their visit, students can develop:
- Speaking and listening skills
- Confidence communicating in French
- Cultural awareness and understanding
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Independence and resilience
- Problem-solving and adaptability
- Confidence interacting with native speakers
- Global awareness and cultural appreciation
GCSE French
The Loire Valley provides opportunities for students to:
- Practise spoken French in authentic situations
- Develop listening and comprehension skills
- Build confidence communicating with native speakers
- Apply classroom vocabulary in real-world contexts
- Explore French customs, traditions and daily life
- Develop cultural understanding through immersion
A Level French
Students can explore:
- Contemporary French society and culture
- Regional identity within France
- Authentic language use and communication
- French history and heritage
- The relationship between tradition and innovation
- Independent language-learning opportunities
Cultural Understanding
Students can gain insight into:
- Daily life in regional France
- French food and farming traditions
- French market culture
- Historic châteaux and their role in French history
- The importance of language within local communities
- The cultural heritage of the Loire Valley
Cross-Curricular Learning
The Loire Valley also supports learning in:
- History through château visits and Renaissance heritage
- Geography through river landscapes and regional studies
- Food Technology through farm visits and local food production
- Science and Technology through Futuroscope
- Citizenship through cultural awareness and international understanding
Features
ACCOMMODATION
The purpose-built hostel is located a short walk from Tours station in the Grammont district. It is a comfortable and convenient central base from which to explore the wider Loire Valley. The property has a good chill out outdoor space that groups can enjoy.
- Renovated old factory with unique cycle themed decor
- Central base from which to explore the Loire
- Outdoor garden/terrace
This simple hotel is ideal for schools wanting a budget base, and the hotel has a direct footbridge to the Futuroscope Park.
- Direct access to Futuroscope
- Convenient base from which to explore the Western Loire
- Unique futuristic styling
The purpose-built hostel is located a short walk from Tours station in the Grammont district. It is a comfortable and convenient central base from which to explore the wider Loire Valley. The property has a good chill out outdoor space that groups can enjoy.
- Renovated old factory with unique cycle themed decor
- Central base from which to explore the Loire
- Outdoor garden/terrace
This simple hotel is ideal for schools wanting a budget base, and the hotel has a direct footbridge to the Futuroscope Park.
- Direct access to Futuroscope
- Convenient base from which to explore the Western Loire
- Unique futuristic styling
Excursions
Clos Luce
With its illustrious list of owners from the French king Charles VIII to Leonardo da Vinci, the Château du Clos Lucé makes for a fascinating visit within the Loire Valley for student groups. Located in the centre of Amboise, the chateau was built in 1471 and holds just as much grandeur today as it did then. The house has been a museum about da Vinci’s life since 1855.
Futuroscope
Known as the European Park of the Moving Image, this fantastic educational theme park is an extraordinary place where the real and the imaginary meet, through a wide range of multimedia, cinematography and audio-visual techniques. Providing lots of fun and educational experiences, we think Futuroscope is the perfect excursion for students interested in science or technology.
Troglodyte Museum
The intriguing museum of the Rochemenier troglodyte village transports visitors back in time to two underground farms, where students will learn about the daily lives of people and animals dwelling in rock cavities. From the Middle Ages to the 1960s, troglodytes lived in this unique way, and students can gain valuable knowledge about the distinctive aspects of life in such settlements.
Château de Chenonceau
A major attraction and one of the best known chateaux of the Loire Valley, the Château de Chenonceau mesmerises every student we bring here. Groups can study the chateau’s unique blend of late Gothic and early Renaissance architecture at play, while observing the beauty of the chateau’s gardens. Beautifully constructed on stilts atop the River Cher, the chateau also makes for a fantastic group photo opportunity!
Petrifying Caves Savonnieres
Dating back to at least the Roman period, these two grottoes in the Loire Valley hold a wide selection of treasures to uncover, and are a great location for school groups to learn about rock formations. Students can point out stalactites, visit an underground lake, and even find a Gallo-Roman cemetery in the caves, where the stone has also been harvested to create the local châteaux.
Musée du Champignon
Dedicated to mushrooms, this fascinating museum – the largest mycological exhibition in Europe – showcases more than 250 species of fungi, and their significance in nature and culture. Students can explore the ecological roles of mushrooms and their cultural importance, aligning with learning objectives related to environmental science and cultural studies.
Cabri au Lait Goats Cheese Farm
A visit to a goat’s cheese farm offers a unique insight into French agriculture, where school groups will have the opportunity to visit the farm, feed the goats and taste fresh dairy produce as soon as it’s created. A laid-back excursion we know they’ll enjoy.
Amboise
One of the quintessential riverside towns of the Loire Valley, Amboise is a beautiful medieval commune filled with half-timbered buildings and a fairytale château. The Château d'Amboise is its most famous landmark, the grand 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII featuring Leonardo da Vinci's tomb, as well as royal chambers, gardens and underground passageways.
Clos Luce
With its illustrious list of owners from the French king Charles VIII to Leonardo da Vinci, the Château du Clos Lucé makes for a fascinating visit within the Loire Valley for student groups. Located in the centre of Amboise, the chateau was built in 1471 and holds just as much grandeur today as it did then. The house has been a museum about da Vinci’s life since 1855.
Futuroscope
Known as the European Park of the Moving Image, this fantastic educational theme park is an extraordinary place where the real and the imaginary meet, through a wide range of multimedia, cinematography and audio-visual techniques. Providing lots of fun and educational experiences, we think Futuroscope is the perfect excursion for students interested in science or technology.
Troglodyte Museum
The intriguing museum of the Rochemenier troglodyte village transports visitors back in time to two underground farms, where students will learn about the daily lives of people and animals dwelling in rock cavities. From the Middle Ages to the 1960s, troglodytes lived in this unique way, and students can gain valuable knowledge about the distinctive aspects of life in such settlements.
Château de Chenonceau
A major attraction and one of the best known chateaux of the Loire Valley, the Château de Chenonceau mesmerises every student we bring here. Groups can study the chateau’s unique blend of late Gothic and early Renaissance architecture at play, while observing the beauty of the chateau’s gardens. Beautifully constructed on stilts atop the River Cher, the chateau also makes for a fantastic group photo opportunity!
Petrifying Caves Savonnieres
Dating back to at least the Roman period, these two grottoes in the Loire Valley hold a wide selection of treasures to uncover, and are a great location for school groups to learn about rock formations. Students can point out stalactites, visit an underground lake, and even find a Gallo-Roman cemetery in the caves, where the stone has also been harvested to create the local châteaux.
Musée du Champignon
Dedicated to mushrooms, this fascinating museum – the largest mycological exhibition in Europe – showcases more than 250 species of fungi, and their significance in nature and culture. Students can explore the ecological roles of mushrooms and their cultural importance, aligning with learning objectives related to environmental science and cultural studies.
Cabri au Lait Goats Cheese Farm
A visit to a goat’s cheese farm offers a unique insight into French agriculture, where school groups will have the opportunity to visit the farm, feed the goats and taste fresh dairy produce as soon as it’s created. A laid-back excursion we know they’ll enjoy.
Amboise
One of the quintessential riverside towns of the Loire Valley, Amboise is a beautiful medieval commune filled with half-timbered buildings and a fairytale château. The Château d'Amboise is its most famous landmark, the grand 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII featuring Leonardo da Vinci's tomb, as well as royal chambers, gardens and underground passageways.
Trip details
All Equity packages are tailor-made to suit the needs of our groups. Here are our standard package inclusions:
- Return travel by coach
- 1 free staff place for every 8 full paying passengers by coach
- Half-board accommodation
- Excursions
- Full use of your coach during your trip (this applies to coach groups only and is subject to EU drivers hours regulations)
- 24-hour emergency service support
- All travel documentation, luggage labels and resort information
- Lunches
- Meals en-route. While travelling to and from your destination you need to consider meals. These are not included in the package prices
- Air passenger duty. Any paying passengers over the age of 16 at time of travel will be charged a small tax fee
- Tourist tax
- Damage deposit
Prices are subject to change based on intended dates of travel and final numbers, the Equity team are here to offer you advice and guidance from start to finish, ensuring your school trip runs smoothly and is a great success.
Travel by: Coach
Best times to travel: Apr-Jul, Sep-Oct
Suggested tour length: 5 days, 4 nights. If travelling by coach, please allow additional time for travel.
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