School French Culture Trip to Futuroscope & the Loire Valley

A French school trip to Futuroscope and the Loire Valley offers your students the exciting opportunity to explore modern and historic France in a truly spectacular setting!

Exploring the beautiful Loire Valley, your students will love exploring the history of fairy tale châteaux, like the one at Chambord. And make sure you take the time to explore the historic cities of Orléans, liberated by Joan of Arc, and Chartres, with its world-famous cathedral.

Futuroscope is one of Europe's largest educational theme parks and will be sure to amaze your students, playing on their senses and involving them in the action as they escape into new worlds of fun!

However you spend your time on your French school trip to the Loire, your students will have plenty of opportunities to practice their French skills with native speakers on an everyday basis.

Key Stage 3 students will be able to practise and learn vocabulary around topics including hobbies and pastimes, food and drink and likes and dislikes.

GCSE students can work on improving their ability to discuss topics including social media and technology, environmental issues and travel and tourism. Plus, they’ll develop their understanding of French culture and identity.

A-level students will also learn more about French culture, while also developing their ability to discuss online media and artistic culture in French. The Loire also offers A-level students individual research project opportunities.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Morning

Depart from school Channel crossing

Afternoon

Arrive in Calais

Evening

Arrive at Futuroscope and check-in to accommodation in time for evening meal

Day 2

Morning

Full day at Futuroscope

Afternoon

Continue visit to Futuroscope

Evening

After evening meal, group to return to the park for the spectacular evening show

Day 3

Morning

Visit Patisserie Bigot

Afternoon

Visit the Château d’Usse

Evening

Evening meal

Day 4

Morning

Depart accommodation for Calais

Afternoon

Channel crossing

Evening

Arrive back at school

3 nights' half-board accommodation
Detailed information pack
Free staff place ratio 1:8
Itinerary planning service
Motorway tolls and taxes
One-day pass to Futuroscope
Return Channel crossings
Return executive coach travel
Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
VAT at current rates to tour operators

Curriculum

A Level

Aspects of French-speaking cultures
Cyber society and online media
Artistic culture - music, art and cinema
Festivals and traditions
Individual research project opportunities

GCSE

Social media and technology
Environmental issues
Daily life and free time activities
Travel and tourism
Understanding French culture and identity
Food, drink and eating out
Customs, celebrations and festivals

Key Stage 3

Hobbies and pastimes
Food and drink
Eating out
Introducing yourself
Describing others
Likes and dislikes
Plants and animals
Cultural traditions

Accommodation

CIS Saumur

The CIS Saumur is in a five hectare park bordering the Loire, with unequalled views of the Saumur castle. Groups are accommodated in multi-bedded rooms, and group leaders in twins. The majority of the centre's dormitories have communal facilities on the same floor as the room. Bedding is provided, and towels are available for hire. WiFi is available in all rooms. Breakfast is served in the main dining room, and evening meals and packed lunches can be provided on request. Facilities include a games room with arcade machines, table football, pool table, table tennis and a TV. Use of the indoor pool carries a small charge, but the outdoor swimming pool is free. Also available in the grounds are a volleyball court and a Pétanques area.

Hotel du Futuroscope

Hotel du Futuroscope is well located, just a footbridge away from the main theme park. The hotel offers 1300 beds in 290 rooms, all with an en-suite, a TV and a telephone available on request. Students will usually be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms and staff in twins. A continental breakfast will be provided by the hotel (hot drink, croissants, baguette, jam, yoghurt etc) and a three course self service meal is available in the evening.

Educational Activities

Futuroscope

Along with the adrenaline-fuelled rides you expect at a theme park, students will also be immersed in futuristic media technology, including 3D and 4D rides and shows.

Chateau de Chambord

This castle, located in the heart of the Loire Valley, is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in

Chateau de Chenonceau

The Château de Chenonceau is a French castle, built on the River Cher in the Loire Valley in France.

Château d'Ussé

Literature describes this château, overlooking the banks of the river Indre, as the original Sleeping Beauty castle.

Parc des Mini Chateaux de la Loire

This tour gives you a chance to explore the Loire's most prestigious castles in miniature.

Cultural Activities

Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine

The zoo is in an old quarry with much evidence of troglodytic dwellings. This makes it ideal for a hot,

La Vallée des Singes

La Vallée des Singes, or Monkey Valley, is the only site of its kind in France. Home to thirtyspecies of

Patisserie Bigot

The Maison-Bigot is a patisserie, chocolate shop and Tea House in Amboise. Opened in 1913 opposite Amboise castles, for over50

Supporting you every step of the way

Creating your perfect trip

Your quote will be put together by an experienced Tour Adviser who’ll be an expert in the subject area and will know the destination really well too. They’ll work with you to create a trip to suit your group’s needs and meet your learning objectives.

Launching your trip to parents and students

The next step is to get your trip approved and then get students signed up to it. Our ‘Trip Launch Pack’ will help you with this step. This is full of resources (all free to download) designed to make your life easier at this crucial point in the trip planning process.

After you’ve booked

Once you’ve booked, your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will start work on the finer details. They’ll make sure your itinerary makes the most of your time and they’ll take on most of the admin tasks for your trip (freeing you up to do what you do best – teach).

Support while you’re away

From lost property to properly lost, we’ll always be on the end of the phone while you’re out on the trip. You’ll get a final info pack before you go, as well as access to all your trip documents via the Vamoos app.

After your trip

We’ll ask you for feedback, so we can improve our service. Let’s start planning your next trip too, so parents have plenty of time to pay (and so it’s less stressful for you). And don’t forget to head to our resources hub to continue the learning back in the classroom.