Christmas markets tour to Paris by coach: 3 days, 2 nights
Your Christmas Markets tour to Paris will immerse your students in the traditional French Christmas traditions and is also a wonderful opportunity to practise their French speaking and listening skills. The three day tour gives you plenty of time to discover a variety of the markets that Paris has to offer.
Suggested itinerary
Day one
- Depart from school by coach
- Connect with channel crossing
- Arrive at accommodation
Day two
- Explore the Christmas Markets
- Afternoon food tour around Paris
Day three
- Depart accommodation
- Explore the Christmas markets
- Connect with channel crossing
- Arrive back in the UK
Tour gallery
Excursion Locator Map
Excursion Ideas
Tour Montparnasse
Subject range: Cultural
What you’ll experience: This is Paris’ only skyscraper and the tallest building in France at 210 metres. You can visit the panoramic floor for fabulous views over the city. The tower is open until late, so it’s also possible to take in the beautifully lit night time beauty of Paris.
Select says: This is by far the best place to view of the Eiffel Tower.
Eiffel Tower
Subject range: MFL, Art, Cultural
What you’ll experience: This iconic monument, built in 1889, is the symbol of Paris and France. The Eiffel Tower is one of the best known monuments in the world. In 2014 a new glass floor was completed on level 1 where visitors can walk 57m from the ground and experience the sensation of stepping out into the void.
Select says: View further details via the Eiffle Tower website.
Christmas Markets, Paris
Subject range: MFL, Cultural
What you’ll experience: The wooden chalets of the Christmas Markets of Paris glitter with Christmas decorations and there are stalls filled with festive food, as well as arts and crafts. A wonderful opportunity for students to use their language skills and absorb some traditional French culture. Markets you can visit include: Boulogne – Billancourt, Champs Elysses, Gare de l’Est, Gare Saint-Lazare, La Défense Christmas Arch, Marché de Noël de Montmartre, Montparnasse, Notre-Dame, Place de la Nation, Place des Abbesses, Saint Germain des Pres, St. Sulpice, and Trocadero Gardens.
Select says: The Christmas market on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées is the largest Christmas market in Paris. Along with the stunning illuminations on the world’s most beautiful avenue, 160 authentic chalets line the Champs-Elysées.
Christmas markets trip to Paris by coach: 3 days, 2 nights Accommodation
European Campus Sainte Therese
Location: Paris suburbs
Capacity: 130
Situated at Ozoir-la-Ferrière just 25km SE of Paris and 15 minutes' drive from Disneyland Paris. Set in 84 acres of grounds, this quality, purpose built accommodation is ideal for schools and offers excellent facilities alongside good access to Paris.
Rooms:
Facilities:
Première Classe - Bussy St George
Location: Paris suburbs
Capacity: 354
Located at Bussy St George, just 25 km from Paris and a short 10 minute walk to the nearest RER station.
Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities.
Facilities: Breakfast room, meeting room, free Wi-Fi, enclosed garden.
FUAJ Yves Robert
Location: Paris centre
Capacity:
The FUAJ Yves Robert is a modern youth accommodation located in an eco-district close to Butte Montmartre and the Gare du Nord.
Rooms: Sleep 1-6.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, bar, library, relaxation area, TV room.
Résidence Internationale de Paris
Location: Paris centre
Capacity: 102
A modern and simple youth accommodation situated in the 20th arrondissement of Paris near to the Paris Péripherique to the east of the city centre. Staff at the Résidence are experienced in accommodating youth groups and your group is sure to have an enjoyable stay.
Rooms: Spacious rooms sleeping 3-6, all en-suite.
Facilities: 24 hour reception, free Wi-Fi, packed lunches and hot meals available (on reservation).
Reseda Hotel
Location: Porte de Bagnolet (East of Paris)
Capacity: 239
Located within easy access of a metro station that will quickly take groups into the city centre, the Reseda hotel offers recently renovated, modern, simple accommodation very suited to groups. Students may also enjoy the nearby shopping centre. Park Asterix is also within easy reach of this hotel.
Rooms: Rooms sleep 2-3 people and all have private facilities.
Facilities: Meeting rooms, WI-FI.
Meininger Paris Porte de Vincennes
Location: Porte de Vincennes
Capacity: 946
With metro connections to the city centre and Disneyland (via RER) this hotel offers a good standard of accommodation, perfectly suited to groups.
Rooms: Bedrooms sleep 2-6 people and all offer private facilities.
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, breakfast room.
Links to Learning
Learning areas:
Why not link your tour to your school PSHE planning? Areas covered could include:gaining self-confidence and independence; working together and making new friends; trying new activities; take increasing responsibility for themselves.
For KS3/4 how about linking to the Citizenship curriculum:to enable them to manage their money on a day-to-day basis.
How about linking to the Foreign Language curriculum? KS2:listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding; engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; develop accurate pronunciation and intonation; broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words.
KS3/4 Modern foreign language:develop and use a wide-ranging and deepening vocabulary that goes beyond their immediate needs and interests; listen to a variety of forms of spoken language to obtain information and respond appropriately; initiate and develop conversations, coping with unfamiliar language and unexpected responses, making use of important social conventions such as formal modes of address; speak coherently and confidently, with increasingly accurate pronunciation and intonation.
Select Extras:
For KS2 students to practise their language skills pre-tour try these resources:BBC Primary French – language lab
BBC Primary French – all about me (also includes French sounds video and songs)
KS3/KS4 There are some fantastic video clips available here including situations such as a visit to the market:
KS3 BBC Bitesize – a visit to the market
KS4 BBC Bitesize GCSE resources
Have you thought of selecting a relevant movie for the coach journey? We recommend Ratatouille!
