Primary school trips to Normandy and Bayeux

Each Saturday morning in La Place Saint Patrice, Bayeux’s largest market offers groups the chance to familiarise themselves with the flavours of Normandy. From local cheese producers and organic farmers to fresh seafood trucks, the market has something for everyone, and is an excellent place for your students to practice their language skills. In the centre of the square, souvenirs can be purchased to commemorate your trip.

Wander Bayeux’s cobbled streets and half-timbered houses and spark your students’ imagination of medieval life in this historic town. The spot of two defining moments in Western history, Bayeux tells the dramatic story of the Norman invasion of England in 1066 through 58 vivid scenes in its world-famous tapestry; Bayeux made history again almost 900 years later when it became the first French town to be liberated in the Second World War.

Designated a ‘monument historique’ since 1997, Caen Castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1060 – six years before he conquered England. Despite sustaining heavy damage in the Second World War during its use as a barracks, the castle today houses the Museum of Fine Arts of Caen and the Museum of Normandy – both excellent stops on your school trip.

Set atop its rocky crag, the Château de Falaise is a spectacle to behold, the impressive medieval fortress dating back over 1,000 years when it was built by the first Dukes of Normandy. On your group’s tour of the château, you’ll be guided by virtual reconstructions, which will immerse your students in life in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries.

An excursion we know your students will love. On this guided tour of a traditional French chocolatier, your group can explore one of the true delights of France whilst learning new vocabulary and experiencing true French culture. Of course, there’ll also be the opportunity to then taste some chocolate for themselves. Yum!

This working farm provides the perfect backdrop to develop your students’ understanding of the end-to-end process of food production, while they learn about the importance of French farming in terms of the country’s culture. From visiting the goats, to watching cheese manufacturing and production – then, of course, some tasting – this is a unique excursion not to be missed.

Transport your student group back to the Middle Ages with a visit to this iconic tidal island, which rises dramatically from the sea at high tide to the majestic Mont St-Michel Abbey. Here, students can view Europe’s highest tidal variations as they walk the fortifications, wander around the isle’s narrow alleyways, and take a break in the local creperies, before purchasing a souvenir in one of its many shops to remember their journey to the Mont.

Capital of the northern French region of Normandy, Rouen is a picturesque port city which straddles the River Seine. An important city in the Roman era and Middle Ages, it has several sites for your group to study its history, from its seemingly countless Gothic churches and museums to the half-timbered houses that line its stunning cobblestoned streets.

There’s nothing quite like a fresh French baguette or pastry, which is why we always recommend a boulangerie visit on our trips to Normandy. The French are famed for their baked goods, which your group can enjoy in abundance when they visit a local bakery. From baguettes and beignets to croissants and canelés, your students are bound to find their favourite.