And yes, as both a working city and one of the world’s top tourist destinations, the hustle and bustle of Paris can make a school trip here seem a little daunting. But with a well-planned itinerary designed with your group in mind, your school trip could very well become one of your students’ most treasured memories of their school days.
Example 5-Day Itinerary for a School Group Visiting Paris
Day 1
Day 1 is all about the journey.
- Make your way to Dover for your Channel crossing.
- Arrive in Calais and continue your journey to Paris.
- Check into your accommodation and relax over your evening meal.
Most school groups visiting Paris will choose to travel by coach. Not only is this the more environmentally friendly option, it’s generally just easier with a group (because it’s a door-to-door service).
So, depending on where you are in the UK, your coach will probably pick you up in the morning and you’ll make your way down to your Channel crossing (for most groups, this is a ferry from Dover to Calais).
From Calais, you’ll continue your journey on to Paris (which usually takes about 4 and a half hours).
On a school trip, you can really make the journey an unforgettable part of the experience (for all the right reasons). Just check out our top tips for your coach journey.
Once you’ve arrived and checked into your accommodation, you’ll be more than ready to tuck into your evening meal. For sport and music groups, there may even be time to squeeze in a self-led training session or rehearsal (but do make sure you let us know you’d like this, so we can make sure we book you into suitable accommodation).
Day 2
Your first full day in Paris will be spent exploring one of the most beautiful cities on Earth.
- 'Race for Time' activity trail.
- Time for pictures by the Eiffel Tower.
- Stroll along the Champs-Elysées and visit the Arc de Triomphe.
You’ll start the day with a continental-style breakfast at your hotel before venturing out to explore Paris.
One of the best ways to do this is through the Race for Time self-led activity trail. This 2–3-hour activity trail will see students take part in several team challenges in key sites across the French capital, helping them to really engage with their surroundings. You’ll be sent a teacher pack around 6 weeks before you travel with all the solutions, as well as some top tips to make sure everyone has plenty of fun and stays safe.
You’ll end up at the Champs de Mars, beneath the Eiffel Tower, so (after a photo opp with the city’s most iconic sight) you’ll still be right in the heart of the city. This means you can enjoy a packed lunch in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, or you can pop into one of the nearby food outlets to grab some lunch before some more sightseeing adventures in the afternoon.
Named after the Campus Martius in Rome, ‘Champs de Mars’ means ‘the field of Mars’ (Roman god of war) and this gives a hint of its fascinating history. In the late 18th Century, the École Militaire was built here, and the park grounds were used as drilling and marching grounds (important for French pageantry and military might). They also hosted important festivals (and clashes) during the French Revolution (so, there’s a great history angle for your lunch spot).
After your break, you could take a stroll along the Champs-Elysées (literally, the most famous street in France - it’s also been called ‘the most beautiful avenue in the world’). Lined with luxury shops, your wide-eyed students will want to take loads of pics of all the cool window displays.
The annual Bastille Day military parade takes place on this wide avenue. It runs from the Place de la Concorde to the iconic Arc de Triomphe.
When you reach the Arc de Triomphe, you can venture inside. However, most school groups prefer to explore the outside (and grab a few pics for the ‘gram).
Musicians could perform an afternoon concert in the gorgeous Jardin du Luxembourg, instead.
And if you’re in Paris for sports, you might substitute these afternoon activities for your first friendly fixture against local opposition. Or, if you’re here on an Outdoor Adventure trip, you could spend the morning tackling the high ropes course and an outdoor escape room, before having a go at laser tag, bungee duel, tug of war and sumo in the afternoon.
Day 3
Day 3 is about seeing Paris from a different perspective.
- After breakfast, take a Seine River cruise.
- Head up the Montparnasse Tower for epic views across the city.
One of the best ways to see Paris is from the Seine, which runs through its historic centre. Its banks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Left Bank (Rive Gauche) has long been associated with artists, writers and Parisian café culture. This is where Picasso, Hemingway and the rest of the Lost Generation tended to hang out, in cafés like Les Deux Magots. This is also where you’ll find the cobbled streets of the oldest part of the city, the Latin Quarter.
The Right Bank (Rive Droite) was always more about commerce and trade, and it used to be the wealthier side of the river (although that’s not really the case nowadays). You’ll find most of the city’s headline attractions here.
Cruising along the Seine will allow you to see all the iconic landmarks on both sides of the river, including Notre Dame (on the Ile de la Cité in the middle of the Seine), the Louvre (on the Right Bank) and the Eiffel Tower (on the left bank). And all at a gentle enough pace that you’ll be able to get plenty of photos. Cruises usually last 60-75 minutes and depart from next to the Eiffel Tower.
As well as the landmarks, you’ll also see all of Paris’ most famous bridges. There’s Pont Neuf (‘New Bridge’, which is ironic because it’s actually the oldest bridge across the Seine in Paris). Its sturdy stone arches connect the Ile de la Cité (where you’ll find Notre Dame) to the Left and Right Banks.
Then there’s Pont Alexandre III. This Beaux-Arts-style bridge was built in 1900 to celebrate Franco-Russian relations and is so gorgeous it’s been featured in countless TV series, films and music videos.
While you’re admiring all the man-made wonders across and along the Seine, make sure you take some time to marvel at the river itself. After all, without it, there’d be no Paris to enjoy. That’s because the first people to settle here (a Celtic tribe called the Parisii) did so more than 2,000 years ago, because the river was such an important trade route from the English Channel into the continent. By the 14th Century, Paris had grown from a small riverside village to the largest city in Western Europe.
After lunch, it’s time for one of our top Paris hacks. Now, most people who visit Paris head to the Eiffel Tower for views across the city. And that is a great experience (apart from the queuing beforehand because it’s so difficult to pre-book for school groups). But the view you get from the Eiffel Tower is missing one of the most iconic parts of the Paris skyline – the Eiffel Tower itself.
So, in our opinion, the view from the Montparnasse Tower trumps the one from the Eiffel Tower for one key reason – it includes the Eiffel Tower. The lift will whizz you up to the 56th floor in just 38 seconds. This is the Observation Deck, where you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views up to 40km in all directions and new virtual reality stations offering glimpses into the city’s past.
There are also maths workbooks and a French language quiz (both suitable for KS2 and KS3 students) available for your visit to the Montparnasse Tower.
You can also head a further three floors up to the rooftop terrace for uninterrupted, 360° views.
If you’re visiting Paris on a music tour, you could skip the Montparnasse Tower and head to the Champ de Mars for an afternoon concert beneath the Eiffel Tower.
And if you’re visiting Paris for sport, you could choose to skip the river cruise and instead spend the morning in a self-led training session, followed by a tour of the impressive Stade de France (the country’s national stadium, so just bear in mind that this visit is dependent on availability). In the afternoon, you’ll take on local opposition of a similar standard to your team(s) in a friendly fixture.
Day 4
Day 4 is what you've all been waiting for - theme park day.
- Enjoy a full day in Disneyland Paris or Parc Astérix.
Disneyland Paris is 20 miles east of the centre of Paris. Usually, if you’re visiting both Paris and Disneyland, we’ll find you accommodation in between the two to minimise journey times.
Disneyland Paris is Europe’s most-visited theme park and actually consists of two parks – Disneyland Park (which opened in 1992 and is where you’ll find the Sleeping Beauty Castle) and Walt Disney Studios Park (which opened ten years later, in 2002, and is where you’ll find the Earffel Tower).
There are loads of rides (and there’s definitely something for everyone). To end a magical day, make sure you stay to see the spectacular parade and fireworks. This is where the fairy tale is really brought to life, and you’re able to see all your favourite Disney characters.
The magic of Disney means this is often a real highlight of the trip for all groups. And if you’re here for a music tour, you might even get the truly unforgettable opportunity to perform at the heart of Disneyland Paris on the Videopolis Stage (just bear in mind that you will need to audition for this in advance).
If you want a similarly fun experience with a little more ‘Frenchness’, then you could consider Parc Astérix as an alternative. Of course, this theme park is based on the bande dessinée Astérix by Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny, about a tribe of indomitable Gauls who put up incredible resistance against the Romans.
It’s the second-most visited theme park in France after Disneyland Paris and is a similar distance from Paris (it’s 22 miles north of the city). It’s well known for the number of rollercoasters and areas themed around different historic cultures, including the Gauls and Romans (obviously), as well as Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.
And if you want to make sure there is definitely some learning going on (as well as all the fun), Parc Astérix have created worksheets for secondary school groups.
Day 5
Day 5 means bidding a fond 'au revoir' to Paris, as it's time to head home.
- Check out of your accommodation.
- Depart Paris and enjoy lunch en route.
- Arrive at Calais and take the ferry to Dover.
- Arrive back at school.
After breakfast, you’ll check out of your accommodation and start your return journey back to school. Depending on your crossing time, there may be an opportunity to stop somewhere along the way, but most groups will be ready to get back home.
You’ll have a bit of a journey ahead though, so why not plan some activities to keep everyone entertained on the coach? This is a great opportunity for filling in trip diaries, quizzes on what they’ve seen, heard or eaten during their time in Paris, or going round and reflecting on personal trip highlights. All of this will reinforce the memories made, so that you can continue the learning once you’re back in the classroom (and if you want some more tips on how to do that, make sure you check out our guide).
Halsbury Team Tips
When should we visit Paris on our school trip?
Paris is a year-round destination, so whenever you want is the simple answer. The slightly more complicated answer is that Paris is one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations, and so, while it is busy all the time, there are periods when it’s even busier than normal (so, accommodation will be much more limited).
Obviously, this includes school holidays, but June and September are also (perhaps surprisingly) busy periods because the city hosts so many trade shows during these months.
What's the best duration for a school trip to Paris?
The most popular duration for a school trip to Paris is 4 days (3 nights). We’ve given you a 5-day itinerary here because that would allow you to fit pretty much everything in. But remember, we don’t do ‘off-the-shelf’ school trips, so we can pretty much create a trip to fit the time you have available (and if you’re fairly flexible and don’t know how long to go for, we can help you work that out).
How should we travel to Paris?
You can fly or go by coach (with Channel crossings). Most UK-based groups opt for the coach, because it’s usually more affordable and journey times really aren’t too bad to Paris (it’s about 4.5 hours from Calais to Paris). It’s also the better choice for the environment.
How will we get around Paris?
If you fly, you’ll probably use public transport to get around, which is fairly easy in Paris. If you travel by coach, you’ll be able to get around by coach (as long as driver’s hours allow, but don’t worry, we’ll plan your itinerary with this in mind). It is pretty rare that your coach will be able to drop you immediately outside your visits though, so please just be aware that you will usually need to walk a little bit from the drop-off point to the visit itself.
Are there any free visits available in Paris?
There are quite a few free visits for school groups in Paris (some of which may surprise you). For example, if you request the visit directly with the Louvre, your school group can visit for free (just remember it’s closed on Tuesdays).
You can visit Montmartre for free. This area is really charming and has a strong association with artists. It also boasts spectacular views of the city from outside the Sacré Cœur Basilica.
And you can stroll around some of the famous city parks for free too (which is a great way to relax in between visits). For example, both the Jardin du Luxembourg (the gardens of the Luxembourg Palace, where the French Senate meets) and Jardin des Tuileries (which connects the Louvre with the Place de la Concorde) are free to visit.
Is Paris a good option for a school trip?
Paris is probably our most popular destination for school trips, so it’s a massive yes from us. There are a few reasons it’s such a good choice.
Firstly, there is so much to see and do, whether you’re going to soak up the culture or you really want to focus on a subject like science or business studies. So, loads of options for educational and cultural visits? Tick.
It’s also fairly close to the UK. So, short journey times and affordable travel options. That’s another massive tick.
Finally, it’s just one of those destinations everyone should have the chance to visit. The culture is so rich, the architecture is so beautiful, and the food…incroyable. So, a must-see? Tick.
It is a busy city, but with a well-planned itinerary and the support of a tour operator that knows Paris incredibly well, school trips here are nothing to stress about. The Parisians have a bit of a rep for being a little bit impatient (or, dare we say it, rude?), but this isn’t our experience (at least, no more so than in any other busy working city around the world). But we have put together a guide on travel etiquette in France for you to share with your students to make sure they stay on the right side of the locals (top tip – trying to use French as much as possible goes down very well in Paris).
What subjects is Paris suitable for?
French language students will relish the opportunity to flex their skills in what really is the beating heart of the Francophone world – there are people here from all over the French-speaking world with whom they can practise speaking. And the opportunity to immerse themselves in not only the language but also the culture is one your students will never forget.
As one of Europe’s major centres of finance and commerce, it makes for an interesting destination for business studies school trips too. Your students will have the opportunity to visit a range of businesses, from artisan chocolatiers to Disneyland Paris, to learn more about their infrastructure and how they’re run.
For artists, Paris is a bit of a treasure trove, thanks to its long history of attracting artists in need of inspiration. As well as the Louvre (the world’s most-visited art museum), there’s the Centre Pompidou, the Musée d’Orsay, the Picasso Museum, the Rodin Museum, Monet’s Gardens…the list goes on and on.
Historians will be spoilt for choice in Paris, especially those studying the French Revolution. Head out to nearby Versailles to see Europe’s most ostentatious palace, and the symbol of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. Then head to the Carnavalet Museum in the Marais, where your students can see artistic depictions of the turmoil of the revolution, as well as see personal effects of Marie-Antoinette and the half-written signature of Robespierre that was interrupted as he was arrested by soldiers of the National Convention.
Is Paris a good choice for a school music tour?
Paris offers a diverse range of venues for music ensembles, from Square Jean XXIII, Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin du Temple and Champs de Mars bandstands for bands, secular choirs and orchestras, to more prestigious churches such as La Madeleine (which is very popular with choirs), Notre Dame de Paris and St. Roch for sacred choirs and orchestras.
Summer is an ideal time to perform in Paris, as we can pretty much guarantee that you’ll perform in front of a decent audience (because Paris is always busy in summer, especially in July).
Is Paris a good choice for a school sports tour?
Paris is a city that’s big on sports. And (unlike most) the French capital is both a rugby and football town. This, plus the short journey times from the UK, makes it a great choice for a school sports tour.
School football and rugby teams can look forward to taking on local opposition of a similar standard, to gain experience of different styles of play and techniques.
If you’re a rugby group, you can choose to upgrade to a pro-training option that will see your group train with Racing 92’s youth coaches. You’ll also enjoy a guided tour of the facilities, and (depending on their schedules) you could even enjoy a Q&A session with the club’s English-speaking players. We can also arrange match tickets to see Racing 92 or local rivals Stade Français in action.
Of course, whether you’re in Paris for the football or the rugby, you’ll want to enjoy a guided tour of the Stade de France, used by both national teams (this was the site of the French football team’s first World Cup win back in 1998).
You can also head to Paris for an Outdoor Adventure tour. This exciting option combines adventurous activities like high ropes, bungee duelling and an outdoor escape room with a full-day excursion to Disneyland Paris.
Ready to start planning?
We hope you’re feeling inspired. Remember, this is just one idea for an itinerary. But we’ll design your trip to suit your group (reflecting your own must-haves, learning objectives and group needs).
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started. Ask us for a no-obligation quote today, or get in touch if you’ve got any questions.