School trip excursions - Opal Coast, France

Recommended Excursions

Somme battlefields - guided tour
Tours take in the major sights of the Somme, including La Boiselle Crater, Newfoundland Park and Thiepval Memorial. Each of our suggested excursions let students observe the conditions for soldiers in WWII and find out more about the affects on the local community. There are some fascinating case studies for history students and groups studying citizenship will be able to identify some key areas relating to the national curriculum.

Aqualud
A huge glass pyramid looms over the indoor water complex ensuring that, no matter what the weather, a trip to Aqualud provides your group with a great chance to relax and unwind.  Giant slides, wave machines, Jacuzzis and the black hole tunnel ensure that this will be an exciting and fun form of exercise and recreation.

Le Chatham Nightclub
This is a well supervised local disco in Le Touquet, students will receive a free soft drink upon arrival and dance the evening away to the latest tunes.

Parc Bagatelle
The Bagatelle theme park can be found near La Touquet and is well established with many rides and attractions including: log flumes, rafting, roller-coasters, 360degree cinemas and a small zoo. This is a great place for students to relax and unwind, especially if the weather is nice.

Nausicaa Sealife Centre
This wonderful walk-through centre presents the underwater world of the North Sea and displays the creatures and threats to the environment. There is also a multi-million pound tropical lagoon complete with natural inhabitants. Students can find out more about deep sea fishing, basking sharks and sting rays and there are lots of educational and hands-on exhibits to make for a really memorable excursion.

Les Escargots du Bocage
This snail farm is dedicated to rearing the traditional French delicacy les escargot. Student groups will be invited on a tour of the snails in their farm environment before seeing a slide show and then finally tasting the snails to see if they’re nice or nasty!

Sire de Crequy Cheese Farm
This working dairy farm allows students to find out more about farming techniques and methods of cheese production. The tour last approx 1 hour and can be conducted in French or English depending on students’ ability. A tasting session is an enjoyable way to finish off the excursion.

Naours Caves & Picardy Museum 
These man-made caves are over 30metres deep and extend approximately 2kms underground. The caves were originally made in the 3rd and 4th centuries to provide shelter during the barbarian invasions and inside they are covered with inscriptions and religious symbols. The museum is dedicated to the local people of Picardy and includes examples of basket making, weaving and other traditional craft work. There are also lots of walks and things to see and do while visiting the park.

Moulin de Maintenay
The old mill originated in the 12th century and is situated upon the banks of the River Authie. The demonstration, that is perfect for school groups, explains how the baker grinds the flour on the millstone before making it into bread. There is a café and the whole area is very scenic especially when combined with the smell of fresh French bread.

Boat trip on the Clairmarais Marshes
The Audomarois marshlands are in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and largely off the tourist radar. There are many different elements to this natural area including: a vegetable market, gardens as well as the flora and fauna of the nature reserve. Waterways can be explored with a guided boat tour or individually by rowing boat or canoe.

Marquenterre Bird Sanctuary
Set between estuaries this bird sanctuary is a combination of beautiful landscape and observation huts perfect for watching birds. The actual site has been formed by the erosion of the Normandy coast and the silting of the Somme estuary which may prove of interest to students of geography. This is one of only two sanctuaries in the whole of France and binoculars can be rented if you haven’t brought your own. Species include: ducks, geese, oyster-catchers, terns, egrets, redshanks, greenshanks, spoonbills, herons, storks and godwits.

Les Chocolats de Beussent
This is a chocolate lovers dream and the small factory shop lets you find out some of the production secrets. The cottage workshop is well geared for school parties and the presentations and tasting sessions are really impressive and entertaining. The owners of Chocolats de Beussent have made sweets as welcome gifts for Trump Towers and The White House!

Le Succes Berckois Sweet Shop
This traditional sweet shop explains the process of how sugar becomes a sweet. Students can watch the confectioner pouring, cutting and wrapping the sweet ready to be sold. At the end of the visit each child receives a warm lollipop which they can mould into the shape of their choice.

Boulangerie Maillard
This hands-on French bakery allows students to see how bread and croissants are made and to have a go at the process themselves. The bread can be eaten in or taken away. This is a good chance for students to ask questions in French and to find out more about a traditional local product.

Azincourt Museum
The Azincourt museum gives students detailed information in various formats allowing them to discover more about 1415 in an enjoyable hands-on experience. Medieval armour, scale models, media installations and even mock battles provide a really enjoyable history lesson.

La Couple
This WWII rocket base near St-Omer was created by Russian and Polish prisoners of war on the orders of Nazi German troops. This base was designed for launching V2 rockets against the Allies and the underground tunnels were thought to be bomb proof. Today the site stands as testament to those soldiers who lost their lives building the tunnels at the base. Audio-visual and video presentations allow students to find out more about life at the base and the affect it had on the local French community.

WWII Museum Ambleteuse
The museum in Ambleteuse is a restored 1940’s wartime building that pays homage to all the veterans of WWII. Amongst other displays you’ll find a chronological history from the invasion of Poland in 1939 to the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Educational focus is on the strategies, uniforms and tools of war and there is also a film dedicated to the battle of Normandy.

Vimy Ridge Memorial 
During WWI many Canadian soldiers lost their lives trying to recapture Vimy Ridge, this proved to be a turning point for the Allies. The trenches and tunnels have been restored to tell the soldiers’ tale. In recognition of the Canadian war effort Vimy Ridge was given to Canada so that they could commemorate their dead.  Tours of the tunnels must be booked in advance, max. 25 people per group, any larger groups will be split. 

Blockhaus D'eperlecques
This is the biggest bunker in the north of France and was first opened to the public in 1974. The Germans originally built the base to launch their V2 rockets but thanks to aerial photography taken by the Allies it was eventually bombed 25 times. The museum exhibits explain the history of the bunker and give details of the Allied bombing raids. Students can explore the actual bunker and the surrounding woodland makes a great place to take a packed lunch.