School trips to Lyon are an incredible alternative to Paris. Lyon is a spectacular city packed full of history and culture and a fantastic option for a French school trip!

Whatever your reason for visiting, we’ll tailor-make your school trip to Lyon to ensure that it meets your curriculum requirements and specific learning objectives.

Read more  about our school trips to Lyon

Why visit Lyon?

Discover the world capital of gastronomy

You don’t need to worry about your students going hungry on your school trip to Lyon – this is said to be the gastronomic capital of the world!

Lyon has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per capita in France, including the uniquely Lyonnais bouchons. In these cosy, traditional local restaurants, you can enjoy typical Lyonnais dishes at very modest prices, as well as a friendly welcome from the owner. This is one of the best ways to experience Lyon and the local culture!

Explore an historic city

France’s third-largest city, Lyon was founded by the Romans and was once home to a thriving silk industry. There’s a huge amount of history and culture to discover here, making it an inspired choice for a French school trip.

Lyon is dominated by two hills – Croix-Rousse and Fourvière. Croix-Rousse is known as the ‘hill that works’ (‘la colline qui travail’), as it was once home to many of the city’s silk workers, known as canuts.

In Croix-Rousse and neighbouring Vieux Lyon, you’ll find one of the city’s most famous attractions, the traboules. Traboules are covered passageways that were once used by the silk workers and merchants to transport goods without them being damaged by the rain. These were later used by the French Resistance to escape Gestapo raids during the Second World War.

Fourvière is known as the ‘hill that prays’ (‘la colline qui prie’) because of the spectacular basilica at its summit. There are also a number of convents, monasteries and chapels here, confirming its status as the religious heart of Lyon. For the most spectacular views across the city, it’s well worth taking the funicular to the top of Fourvière.

Get your students talking

Most groups who visit Lyon choose to do so on a French language study school trip. This combines French lessons at our partner language school in the city with sightseeing opportunities and cultural activities and is particularly popular among GCSE and A-level groups preparing for their exams.

Lessons are taught by fully-qualified native French speakers. Lessons are in closed groups and so can be tailored to suit your curriculum and specific learning objectives.

To complete the total immersion experience, we can arrange carefully selected host family accommodation, although other accommodation options are also available.

Book with Halsbury

Take a look at our range of Lyon school trips below, and then get in touch with one of our tour advisers to discuss your requirements.

Prices from £600 pp

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Frequently Asked Questions

To make the most out of everything that Lyon has to offer, we would recommend spending around 5 days in Lyon on your school trip, especially if your students will be having French lessons at our partner language school in the city.

Lyon is a fantastic destination to visit at any time of the year. It looks beautiful in the autumn and the spring, it's not too hot during the summer and, in the winter, the city celebrates the incredible Fete des Lumieres, when many of the city's buildings are lit up with amazing illuminations.

Lyon is quite a big city, so the best way to get around quickly and easily is the city's excellent metro system.

For a real taste of the history of Lyon, we would highly recommend a visit to the Maison des Canuts, where you'll learn about the city's famous silkworkers. You can then enjoy a guided tour of the traboules, Lyon's hidden gems! We would also recommend a visit to Les Halles Paul Bocuse, to find out why Lyon is considered the gastronomic capital of France. And for spectacular views across the city, the chance to explore a magnificent cathedral and the opportunity to sit in a Roman amphitheatre, don't miss the chance to take the funicular up the hill of Fourviere.

There are lots of free things to do in Lyon. Explore the atmospheric old town, relax in the spectacular Parc de la Tete d'Or and enjoy a self-guided street art tour. You can also visit Montluc Prison, and the Basilica de Notre Dame and the Roman amphitheatre at Fourviere. And don't miss out on a stroll along the banks of the Rhone or Saone. All of free activities will give you a better idea of Lyonnais life and the diversity of the city.

Most groups do travel to Lyon for French, but there are also opportunities for history groups studying WW2 here, especially for those interested in the French Resistance.

Why choose Halsbury?

Here are just a few reasons why teachers choose Halsbury for educational school trips that inspire.

School trips designed by teachers for teachers

Originally founded by teachers in 1986, we understand the pressures on you as Group Leader and are here to make the process of running your school trip as easy as possible.

Learn more about Halsbury Travel

School trips tailored to your curriculum

We'll design your trip around your specific learning objectives and curriculum, to ensure your school trip is a truly educational experience.

Discover how we’ll tailor your school trip

Health & safety prioritised

As a proud Assured Member of the School Travel Forum, the health and safety of your group is always our priority.

Find out how we ensure your health and safety

Support every step of the way

We'll be with you every step of the way, from your very first enquiry until the moment you return home, including 24-hour support while you’re on your school trip.

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Financially secure school trips

We're ABTA bonded and all our air tours are ATOL protected, so you can be sure that your school trip is financially secure.

Find out more about our accreditations

Rewarding loyalty scheme

You'll earn loyalty points from your very first school trip with Halsbury. These can be used towards a discount on your school trip or a free gift for your school.

Explore our loyalty scheme

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The Halsbury Difference

School trips designed by teachers for teachers

Originally founded by teachers in 1986 and with several former teachers in our team, we understand the pressures on you as Group Leader and work hard to relieve them.

Trips tailored to your curriculum and learning objectives

We’ll design your trip around your specific learning objectives and curriculum, to ensure it meets your particular requirements.

Rewarding loyalty scheme

Work together with other teachers in your school to save thousands of pounds on future school trips with our multi-trip loyalty scheme!