School Trips to France

Primary schools work best with the Opal Coast and Normandy, but Disneyland Paris and Parc Astérix are our biggest sellers in France, often added on for a fun finish to the trip. An Opal Coast Adventure runs over 3 days from £297pp and packs in boulangerie visits, snail farms, the Nausicaá aquarium, the Bagatelle theme park and La Coupole WW2 bunker. Diverse Normandy at 5 days from £555pp adds Mont Saint-Michel, a biscuit factory and a guided walk across the sands. There are also primary-friendly options for Disneyland Paris, Parc Astérix, the Loire Valley, La Rochelle, Futuroscope and even the Somme.

Day trips by coach. Discover the Opal Coast starts at £117pp for a single day, taking in a boulangerie, a market and either a war memorial visit or some leisure time in Boulogne-sur-Mer or Le Touquet. Diverse Lille starts from £118pp for a day trip with the Wazemmes Market, the Palais des Beaux-Arts and Lille Cathedral.

There's a full range of MFL trips available, depending on the time of year and budget. Diverse Lille starts at £118pp and gives a quick taste in a day. For an immersive MFL experience, French Culture in Provence runs at £630pp over 4 days, giving students the experience of markets, Roman towns and rural French life away from the city. Paris French Language and Loire Valley Castles and Culture are both 4 days from £455pp. Nantes runs at £455pp over 4 days. La Rochelle French Culture and Language is 4 days from £465pp. 

History sits at the heart of several itineraries. Normandy D-Day and Landing Beaches covers the Second World War. The Somme handles the First World War, with options including WW1 Battlefields Somme and English Literature in the Somme (4 days from £410pp), which walks the last steps of Wilfred Owen. Battlefields Ypres and Somme combine French and Belgian sites. Further afield, Angevin History in France runs through the Plantagenet castles of Angers, Chinon, Fontevraud and Château Gaillard (4 days from £590pp), and Toulouse Through the Ages covers 5 days from £760pp.

Our Somme for Primary Schools is built specifically for younger pupils, whereas there are dedicated WW1 Battlefields and combined Ypres and Somme tours for secondary groups.

Catholicism in Lourdes is the definitive French RS tour, lasting 4 days from £735pp. It covers Saint Bernadette's house, the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes, the Massabielle Grotto, the Chemin de Croix and a candle-making tour at the Ciergerie de Lourdes.

Yes! We offer Futuroscope and Poitiers (4 days from £440pp, primary and secondary), which pairs the high-tech theme park with Poitiers' Roman heritage. Paris Science runs over 3 days, and starts from £420pp.

Yes, the trips are mostly Paris-based at the secondary level. Paris Business Studies (4 days from £670pp) covers La Défense, Stade de France and Charles de Gaulle airport. Paris à la Mode is one of our Fashion and Textiles trips (3 days from £570pp). Paris Ville d'Art explores Art and Design. Normandy has a dedicated Music Tour. For Classics, Provence Classics (4 days from £660pp) takes in Roman remains in Nîmes, Orange and Arles.

Strasbourg History and Politics is the one to look at, taking in the seat of the European Parliament and the city's role in Franco-German history.

Yes! Disneyland Paris on its own is 2 days and starts from £348pp by coach. Magical Paris extends it to 3 days from £385pp by adding a Bateaux Mouches cruise on the Seine and a guided walking tour of the major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées.

Diverse Paris covers the major sights over 4 days from £460pp, and is suitable for primary, secondary and international schools. It can be done by coach, Eurostar or air. It's the easiest starting point if you want to build out from there.

Yes, Lille Christmas Market is a popular festive trip, running in the lead-up to Christmas in one of the best market cities in northern France.

Most trips travel by coach with a Dover-Calais channel crossing (by ferry or Eurotunnel), though longer routes use the Portsmouth-Caen ferry. Many Paris itineraries can be switched to Eurostar or air travel. Lourdes, Provence, and Toulouse are flight-based given the distance. 

Diverse Martinique is the standout option, and is an 8-day Caribbean trip from £2490pp for secondary schools. The itinerary covers Fort-de-France, Montagne Pelée, the Balata Garden, Creole cooking workshops, coral reef boat trips and Paul Gauguin heritage sites.

Yes! The published itineraries are samples and every trip is tailor-made. Most groups make at least some adjustments, whether that's changing visits, length, accommodation type or travel method. You'll be assigned a dedicated travel consultant who handles the planning end-to-end.

Yes. All trips are ABTA protected and air trips are also ATOL protected. Diverse School Travel also holds the LOtC Quality Badge and is a member of the School Travel Forum, with a 24-hour emergency support line available throughout each trip. 

More on Diverse School Travel  safety and accreditations.

Prices are 'from' figures based on group size and travel mode. For example, where there is coach travel, the price can vary based on how full the coach is. We offer a fixed and guaranteed price. Make an enquiry to get a tailored price for your group .

We run trips to most destinations all year round. Lille and Alsace are at their best for Christmas Market trips in November and December. The Opal Coast's Bagatelle theme park is open from April throughout the summer, so trips outside that window will have an alternative visit. Provence and the South work best from spring onwards.