Select School Tours

French Language & Cultural Trip to Opal Coast

Key Highlights

Location

Opal Coast

Subject

Activities Week, Cultural / Cross-Curricular, Languages

Duration

3 days, 2 nights

Transport

Coach

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
  • Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
  • 9/11 Memorial Museum
  • St Paul’s Chapel & Trinity Church
  • Reform Temple Emanu-El
  • St Patrick’s Cathedral
  • SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
  • The Tenement Museum
  • Chinatown & Little Italy
  • Morning free for sightseeing/shopping
  • Travel home
  • Arrive in the UK
  • Time Square

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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.

Enquire

Other ways
to contact us:

Call Us:

01444 870100

Specialist Advisors
across the UK

Why choose Select