Vive la France! Year 6 & Seniors Take Learning Abroad

Bon voyage!

After a 4am start and long and tiring day of travel pupils were very glad to settle into their rooms on Monday evening. Everyone was impressed with the beautiful chateau, located in the Picardy region of Northern France, certainly giving the children an archetypal French experience! The children tucked into a lovely dinner before exploring, unpacking and preparing for a good night sleep.

Pâtisseries, Playgrounds & Chocolate Dreams

The children woke up bright and early on Tuesday, full of excitement for the day ahead. After enjoying a traditional French breakfast of freshly baked croissants, we set off for a guided tour of the charming town of Mont Didier. The children had a fantastic time exploring the town, and many made the most of the opportunity to use their French skills to purchase delicious treats from the local pâtisserie.

Afterwards, they enjoyed some well-deserved playtime in the local park, soaking up the sunshine and beautiful French surroundings.

We returned to the château for lunch before heading off again—this time to visit a local chocolate factory. The children were fascinated to learn about the role of a chocolatier and were even treated to some chocolate tasting! Many of them picked up sweet souvenirs to bring home.

Back at the château, the excitement continued into the evening with our much-anticipated campfire—an unforgettable end to a brilliant day!

Paris, je t’aime

After a bright and early start yesterday morning, we made our way to Paris for a fun-filled day of sightseeing and adventure. Our first stop was the Montparnasse Tower, where the children were amazed by the breathtaking panoramic views of the city. They also had the chance to put their French into practice, confidently ordering at the café and picking out souvenirs in the gift shop.

Despite a little rain, spirits remained high as we boarded a river cruise down the Seine. The children enjoyed their packed lunches while soaking up the iconic Parisian scenery and capturing memories with lots of photographs along the way.

On our return journey to the château, the lively song playlist on the coach kept everyone entertained and singing along. Back at the château, we enjoyed a hearty dinner followed by room inspections before settling down for a well-deserved rest.

Delving into history

We had a wonderful and educational experience visiting the Musée Somme 1916 in Albert, where the students explored exhibits detailing life in the trenches during World War I.

We also visited key sites on the Somme battlefields, including the Thiepval Memorial, which commemorates over 73,000 soldiers with no known grave, and the Lochnagar Crater at La Boisselle—a vast and powerful reminder of the scale of the conflict.

In the evening, the students packed their bags, took part in team games, and got a good night’s rest ahead of our early departure the following morning.