French Language & Cultural Trip to Opal Coast

About this trip

This trip to 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.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Find out more

Arrival day
Times Square

Day 2 Find out more

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
9/11 Memorial Museum
St Paul’s Chapel & Trinity Church

Day 3 Find out more

Reform Temple Emanu-El
St Patrick’s Cathedral
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Day 4 Find out more

The Tenement Museum
Chinatown & Little Italy

Day 5 Find out more

Morning free for sightseeing/shopping
Travel home

Day 6 Find out more

Arrive in the UK
Time Square

Day 7 Find out more

Day 8 Find out more

Excursion Ideas

Educational Treasure Hunt Find out more

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 Find out more

Calais Dragon

Subject Range: Cultural, Languages

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 Find out more

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 Find out more

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 Find out more

Snail Farm – Les Escargots du Bocage

Subject Range: MFL, Cultural

What you’ll experience: 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 Find out more

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.

Select Says: The park suits an age range of 9 – 14 perfectly.

Chocolaterie Artisanale de Beussent Find out more

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.

Select Says: This is one of the only chocolate factories in France that makes its chocolate directly from cocoa beans.

Cite Europe Find out more

Cite Europe

Subject Range: Cultural

What you’ll experience: The Cité Europe shopping centre has its roots in the town’s commercial history. There’s plenty of fun to be had after a little shopping session! At the cité de l’Europe in Calais, you’ll find a cinema, a bowling alley and even a laser game.

Nausicaa Centre National De La Mer Find out more

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.

Select Says: 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 Find out more

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 Find out more

La Chèvrerie de la Planquette

Subject Range: Cultural, MFL, Food Technology

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.

Accommodation Options

Auberge de Jeunesse Boulogne-sur-Mer Find out more

Auberge de Jeunesse Boulogne-sur-Mer

Auberge-de-Jeunesse-Boulogne-sur-Mer-bedroom-1-300x227-3.jpg

Our Rating:

Capacity: 141

Location: Boulogne-sur-Mer

What you’ll experience: Located south of the city centre, near the old town, this is a good base for visiting the attractions of the Opal Coast. Rooms: Bedrooms sleep 2-4 people and all offer private facilities. Facilities: Dining room, pool table, TV room, garden.

Cap d’Opale Ambleteuse Find out more

Cap d’Opale Ambleteuse

Our Rating:

Capacity: 300

Location: Ambleteuse, north of Boulogne sur Mer

What you’ll experience: Ideally situated a 15 minute walk from the beach, this holiday village consists of 94 lodgings spread across 3 buildings. Spacious and safe, this accommodation also offers excellent group facilities. Rooms: Adjoining lodges sleep 2-7 people, some in duplex style, all with private shower and WC. Facilities: Restaurant, bar with terrace, multi-sports grounds, table tennis, table football, indoor swimming pool (no lifeguards).

L’Auberge La Digue Find out more

L’Auberge La Digue

Our Rating:

Capacity: 162

Location: Calais

What you’ll experience: Ideally located next to the beach and a short walk from the town centre, this youth hostel is very suited to welcoming groups to the Opal Coast. Rooms: Rooms sleep 2-3 people with facilities shared between two rooms. Facilities: 5 meeting rooms, dining room, bar, terrace, garden, pool table, table football.

L’Escale Find out more

L’Escale

Our Rating:

Capacity: 199

Location: Dunkerque

What you’ll experience: Situated a 20 minute walk from Dunkerque, very near a beach, this youth hostel is a great base to explore the area. Rooms: Bedrooms sleep 2-6 people and all offer private facilities. Facilities: Restaurant with terrace, tv lounge, meeting rooms.

Accommodation 15 Find out more