Many schools choose the Opal Coast to give pupils their first taste of France.  It’s close to home, travel is quick and straightforward and there’s plenty to do.  You can chose from our suggestions or make your own.  WST offers a variety of venues and programmes to suit everyone.

Boulogne

Your pupils will love this friendly town, compact and easy to explore.  Visit the market on Wednesday or Saturday, shop for a picnic lunch and choose cheese or chocolates at popular local producers.  The city walls and the old town are impressive and fun to explore before you stroll along the promenade to enjoy the bustling marina and sandy beach.  Nausicäa sea life centre will delight everyone with its tropical beach and penguin pool.

 

Berck-Plage

This traditional seaside resort, only an hour’s drive from Calais, is always popular with school groups.  You can stay at Cottage des Dunes youth centre, spacious and so handy for promenade and town.  Berck’s long sandy beach, outdoor market and friendly shops make it a pleasant touring base.  Your group will enjoy a visit to a luxury chocolate-maker and can explore the ancient hilltop town of Montreuil.

Le Touquet

Famous for generations and still a popular all-season resort.  The town sits between a long sandy beach and pine-covered sand dunes, with a smart feel and plenty of cafés and little shops.  Market day is Thursday and Saturday. You can choose hostel accommodation or a comfortable hotel, and after a busy day’s sightseeing let your group relax with mini-golf or swim at Aqualud.

Calais

This town is so handy as a holiday base, with its long beach, busy shops and central location for your excursions.  Your pupils will love shopping at Cité Europe, have fun bowling and enjoy choosing souvenirs at the traditional market.  Calais is great for a two-centre visit or as a stop-over, too - Lille is just a couple of hours away, Somme is a memorable trip and you can break your journey en route to Paris, Futuroscope or Cologne.

Accommodation

Hippotel

This two-star hotel welcomes school parties and the friendly staff will be glad to advise and assist you.  The apartment bedrooms are en-suite and sleep three-plus-two, with staff in twins.  Your party will benefit from a quiet location on the edge of town, a secure garden and pleasant wooded aspect.  There’s even a park nearby.  You can book a crêpes evening, play table football and use the evening activity room for study or group activities.

Calais Youth Hostel

This hostel accommodation remains popular with school groups, so book early!  Each twin bedroom shares en-suite shower and WC with one adjoining room.  Your party can relax in the pleasant dining room, large foyer and small staff bar.  Calais’s shops, sandy beach and market are only a few minutes’ walk away. 

Etap Hotel Boulogne

This comfortable one-star hotel is a great centre for exploring and is well placed for Boulogne’s beach and shops.  All rooms are en-suite, pupils sleep 2 – 3 per room and you will enjoy your evening meals in a friendly local restaurant. 

Cottage des Dunes

This excellent youth centre in Berck-Plage continues to be a firm favourite!  Larger parties are welcome yet it retains a friendly seaside atmosphere.  Student rooms are four-bedded, and the centre has a good range of meeting and leisure rooms.  Centrally positioned in a quiet location, Cottage des Dunes is within easy walking distance of town and beach.

Typical Itinerary

Day One

Daytime coach travel from School, with ferry or Eurotunnel crossing to France.  Or choose an overnight journey for more time in resort.  Spend the afternoon sightseeing then settle into your hotel and have dinner.

 

 

Day Two

Excursion along the Opal Coast to Le Touquet for shopping and language work, then visit the chocolate-maker or La Coupole V2 Rocket Base.  Evening activities on the beach or enjoy an indoor bowling competition.

Day Three

Language studies with worksheets, based on a traditional market visit, followed by a picnic lunch.  Afternoon free time for souvenir shopping in Boulogne’s cobbled Old Town and a stroll round the ancient Ramparts.  You can also visit a traditional bakery to see croissants being made and sample local pastries.

 

Day Four

Full day excursion, for example to the Somme, Ypres or Lille.  You can also develop a cross-curricular programme with a special study programme or with local guides to give historic background and colourful stories.  Or choose a theme park visit to Bellewaerde in Belgium for a relaxing group activity.

Day Five

Hotel check-out then spend an hour in last-minute shopping in your resort or local hypermarket.  Afternoon Channel crossing and onward journey to School, to arrive during the evening.

Planning a shorter tour

You can arrange a “taster” tour of one or two nights with a packed programme of memorable activities and group work.  WST will develop your plans into a special day to suit every budget.  Just ask for a quotation.

Typical Itinerary for a shorter Boulogne visit

Day One

Travel to France by coach and ferry or Eurotunnel for an afternoon of sightseeing and language work in Boulogne’s cobbled Old Town.  Check into your hotel and have dinner.  You can enjoy evening beach games or plan group activities in your hotel.

Day Two

Visit a traditional market with worksheets, then take your picnic lunch to a park or beach.  In the afternoon, visit a traditional wood-burning bakery or tour a specialist chocolate maker to discover how luxury chocolate is made.  You can relax on your return journey to School, to arrive during the evening.

Day trips

Your younger pupils will really benefit from a day visit to Boulogne.  In just a few hours they can use the skills learnt in your classroom.  They can shop for their picnic lunch at a busy outdoor market, see a traditional baker at work and enjoy his fresh pastries.  Explore the quaint Vieille Ville and view Boulogne from its Ramparts, then shop at a hypermarket or play football on the beach.  At a budget to suit everyone, a day visit is a great introduction to France. 

Food and fellowship

It’s fun to show pupils a real French café or restaurant, and a WST tour is a great opportunity for pupils to read a menu and order a meal or snack.  Book a breakfast or lunch from our choice of friendly venues, or encourage your pupils to explore the many typical cafés. 

Chocolate Day

Why not choose Chocolate as your theme for the visit?  Pupils will love a whole day based on such a popular food!  Start with a breakfast of pain au chocolat and cocoa, then visit a chocolate factory.  Continue with local or hypermarket shopping activities using worksheets about French produce and buy souvenirs to take home.  It’s a very suitable programme for younger children and also useful to encourage doubting pupils to sign up for a “fun” (and educational) day in France.

 

“Looking forward to another brilliant collaboration!!” 
Mrs S. P.  Westlands School

Your itinerary is tailor-made to suit your group.  Get the most out of your visit with carefully-planned visits and excursions.
For more information regarding this excursion please contact us by clicking here.