Primary language & cultural trip: 3 days, 2 nights
A key stage 2 tour the Opal Coast provides numerous opportunities for students to boost their French skills in real-life situations such as in a traditional French market or with a town trail, alongside immersing themselves in the French culture.
Similar tours
Suggested itinerary
Day one
- Travel day – Calais Dragon
Day two
- Le Touquet (potentially visit markets)
- Nausicaa
Day three
- Escargots de Bocage
- Goats Cheese Farm and Bread making
Day four
- Travel home via hypermarket
Tour gallery
Excursion locator map
Excursion Ideas
Educational Treasure Hunt
Subject range: Cultural, History, Language
What you’ll experience: You will get instructions, clues, tasks, a map to allow your group to explore the town with a mission in mind!
More Information: More suited to independent groups who can manage some complicated challenges. Available in Le Touquet, Boulogne sur Mer and St Omer.
Calais Dragon
Subject range: Cultural, Language
What you’ll experience: Enjoy views of the newly renovated seafront on the back of a 12 metre high moving dragon made of steel and sculpted wood. Students will love being part of the local legend of the dragon protecting Calais! The tour takes about 20 minutes and the dragon can take 48 people maximum.
More Information: Suitable for all ages
Opal Coast Markets
Subject range: Cultural, Language
What you’ll experience: The markets in the Opal Coast are fabulous places for students to see and sample the diversity of local produce and traditions, and to experience a colourful, lively French atmosphere. It’s a great chance to try out their language skills!
More Information: Possibilities include Arras, Berck sur Mer and Boulogne sur Mer.
Saint Joseph Village
Subject range: Cultural, History, Language
What you’ll experience: Saint Jospeh Village is a reconstruction of a traditional 1900 traditional French village. A great opportunity for pupils to experience some historic French culture.
More Information: The village includes a school, a blacksmith and a windmill. This activity is more suited to primary school age students.
Snail Farm - Les Escargots du Bocage
Subject range: MFL, Cultural
What you’ll experience: What you’ll see: From mid-April to October, Fabienne and Sylvain welcome you to share their passion and make you discover the life of the snail from birth to plate. The visit includes: a tour of the farm park, snails, a slideshow and tasting. Find out more here.
More Information: A great way for students to be adventurous in trying the delicacies of another culture. The farm visits take place by appointment from 20 to 45 people.
Bagatelle Theme Park
Subject range: MFL, Cultural
What you’ll experience: Amusement and animal park set in 30 hectares of beautiful parkland between Berck and Le Touquet. The 43 attractions at this well-established traditional family park (first opened 1955) includes many white knuckle rides and breath-taking experiences, with new additions each year.
More Information: The park suits an age range of 9 – 14 perfectly.
Chocolaterie Artisanale de Beussent
Subject range: MFL, Cultural
What you’ll experience: Down the stairs by the side of the garage, tempting smells welcome you to a world of chocolate. You walk through a small chocolate shop into a basement chocolate factory. After the demonstration and tasting, you go back through the shop so that students can buy some more to take home if they choose.
More Information: This is one of the only chocolate factories in France that makes its chocolate directly from cocoa beans.
Cité Europe
Subject range: MFL, Cultural
What you’ll experience: A cosmopolitan choice of shops from around Europe in one huge space (59,000 square metres). The complex is also home to Carrefour hypermarket, ideal for general shopping and to see French produce.
More Information: A really good opportunity for students to put their language skills into place.
Nausicaa Centre National De La Mer
Subject range: Cultural, MFL, Science
What you’ll experience: Visit the spectacular national sea centre, one of the largest aquariums in the world. Different tours introduce groups to the wonders of the underwater world and highlights the importance of conservation of this marine biodiversity.
More Information: Don’t miss the ‘In the Eye of the Climate’ tour that explains the impact of climate change on our oceans
La Halte d’Autrefois Goat cheese farm – Hesmond
Subject range: Cultural, MFL, food technology, Primary Schools
What you’ll experience: Visit the goats, see the goats being milked then make some bread. Valerie the owner speaks some English.
More Information: Goat Farm and Bread Making (near Le Touquet)
La Chèvrerie de la Planquette
Subject range: Cultural, MFL, Food Tech
What you’ll experience: Meet the animals and learn about the process of making goat’s cheese. Have a taste of the cheese and home-made apple juice!
More Information: This visit is conducted in French so is especially good for groups wishing to practise their language skills. Suitable for primary age students.
Primary language & cultural trip: 3 days, 2 nights Accommodation
Riva Bella Le Touquet
Location: Le Touquet
Capacity: 50
Situated in an excellent location in Le Touquet on a quiet road and close to the town centre. Approximately 100m from the beach and Aqualud centre.
Rooms: Mostly en-suite rooms, some shared facilities.
Facilities: Dining room, meeting room, teachers' lounge, large courtyard.
Hippotel
Location: Le Touquet
Capacity: 180
The recently renovated Hippotel in Le Touquet is set in the forest near the estuary of the Canche, and offers easy access to the beach and town centre.
Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities.
Facilities: Restaurant, games room, pool table, table football.
Les Sables d'Or
Location: Stella Plage
Capacity: 92
Les Sables d'Or is well located in Stella Plage, a short drive from Le Touquet and close to the beach! This is a popular accommodation with our groups.
Rooms: Mostly en-suite rooms, some shared facilities.
Facilities: Free Wi-Fi, garden terrace.
Links to Learning
Learning areas:
KS2
PSHE
- Building self-confidence
- Working with others
- Promoting understanding of different cultures
- Preparing pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life
Foreign Language
- 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
Design and technology – cooking and nutrition
- Understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet
- Know where and how a variety of ingrediants are grown, reared, caught and processed
