French Language & Culture Trip To Opal Coast

About this trip

Your cultural tour to the Opal Coast will provide wonderful opportunities for students to experience French culture, such as in the French bakery or at the snail farm, alongside extending their knowledge and experience of the French language. The 5 day tour gives you the opportunity for a day out at Bagatelle Theme Park.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Find out more

Travel day – Calais Dragon

Day 2 Find out more

Boulangerie Visit
Nausicaa

Day 3 Find out more

Day trip to Bagatelle

Day 4 Find out more

Travel home via hypermarket

Day 5 Find out more

Day 6 Find out more

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.

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.

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

Biscuit Factory Find out more

Biscuit Factory

Subject Range: Food Technology

What you’ll experience: Learn about the process of biscuit making at a local family business. A great opportunity to buy some delicious take home presents.

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.

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.

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.

Azincourt 1415 Find out more

Azincourt 1415

Subject Range: Cultural, History, MFL

What you’ll experience: Learn about the battle of Agincourt and the 100 years war that tore down the Kingdom of France in an unexpected English victory. An insight into life in the middle ages.

Bowling Calais Find out more

Bowling Calais

Subject Range: Cultural

What you’ll experience: Always a popular choice, groups can enjoy a game of bowling or lazer tag with their friends. Groups can also enjoy a pizza at the bowling.

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.

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.

Histoire d’Abeille (Bee Farm) Find out more

Histoire d’Abeille (Bee Farm)

Subject Range: Cultural, MFL, Food Technology

What you’ll experience: Learn about bee keeping, the hive and making honey. Have a tasting and take home a pot of honey at the end! Groups have the option of adding a candle making workshop to their visit.

Boulangerie Le Fournil Wierre Find out more

Boulangerie Le Fournil Wierre

Subject Range: Cultural, History

What you’ll experience: Visit a traditional bakery to see a baker at work and learn about this French art! An interactive experience where the group can practise their french with the friendly baker and have a taste of a freshly baked croissant.

La Coupole Museum and Planetarium

Subject Range: Cultural, History, Science

What you’ll experience: Visit this bunker complex that was designed to be a launch base for V2 rockets during WW2 and is now a military museum and also houses a newly renovated 3D planetarium. Students will love wearing the 3D glasses in the world’s first 10k planetarium.

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