Outstanding Secondary School Tours to Pas de Calais

To help you plan your tour we offer you the following:

• Day 1: Travel via the short sea crossing at Dover/Folkestone and visit Ambleteuse museum en-route.
• Day 2: Cultural visits in the morning, such as a visit to a goat farm, snail farm, cheese making, sweet making or bread making, followed by an afternoon at the waterpark.
• Day 3: Morning visit to La Coupole followed by afternoon visits to Vimy Ridge Memorial, trenches, and Wellington Quarry.
• Day 4: If timing is right, a visit to a typical French market before heading home.

Suggestions And Ideas for Visits and Excursions

Each group will have its own special interests and curricular needs. That is why every visit can be completely tailored to you. You will find some suggestions below, but you can always call us to discuss more options.

Rondo recommends the following curriculum attractions in Pas de Calais

A – Art & Architecture | C – Culture | G – Geography | H – History | L – Leisure | P – Performing Arts | Sc – Science, Tech & Engineering | G – General Tourist Attraction

• Vimy[H]: Six miles north of Arras is the town of Vimy. History students will find it valuable to visit Vimy Ridge, where the battle took place during the First World War and see the memorial which is dedicated to the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives there.
• La Coupole [H Sc G]: This massive World War II bunker was where the first V2 rockets were launched. Students can learn all about the relationship between science and war, as well as about the universe in the state-of-the-art planetarium.
• Arras [A C H G]: Prominent in both the First and Second World Wars, Arras has many top attractions dedicated to the history of both wars, such as La Carriere Wellington and the Wellington Quarry Memorial.

Other Visits and Excursions

Le Succès Berckois

[Leisure Activity | General Tourist Attraction]

This is a fantastic opportunity in Berck Plage to take part in the making of traditional sweets.

Farms And Food Producers

[Leisure Activity | General Tourist Attraction]

There are many food producers in the region that offer great hands-on activities and

demonstrations. Some of our favourites include the Goats cheese farm in Le Chevremarie and the Boulangeri-Patisserie near Hardelot, but there are many more opportunities to learn more about French food firsthand. For more ideas about great foodie excursions, just give us a call or visit the guide to Calais.

Boulangerie Maillard

My favourite school bakery visits for many years.

Aqualud

[Leisure Activity | General Tourist Attraction]

This is the water park on the seafront in Le Touquet.

Wellington Quarry

[Art and Architecture | Culture | History | General Tourist Attraction]

Part of a network of tunnels learns how the troops tunnelled their way behind enemy lines before having to finally come out and face the enemy.

Ambleteuse Museum

[History | General Tourist Attraction]

Located just south of Calais, this museum has a collection of World War II uniforms, weapons, and other military equipment.

• Berck Plage – (Click for more information): Berck is a medium sized seaside resort that has safe beaches, with sand dunes and sand yachting. The centre of the town is compact and has a broad selection of small shops that can encourage your students to go in and use their French. The supermarkets are on the outskirts and there is a market on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On the seafront there is a sports centre that offers swimming, bowling, and skating.
• Boulogne – (Click for more information): Boulogne is one of the most important fishing ports in France and has an historic heart in the Old City. The popular market takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in the commercial heart of the town, which is now largely pedestrianised. The Old Town is a walled citadel and dominates the modern town from its commanding position around the cathedral. As well as the interesting port and popular beach, Boulogne is also blessed by being the home of the French National Sea Life Centre NAUSICAA, which is situated by the beach, next to the indoor swimming pool. Not far to the north along the coast is the small town of Ambleteuse with its 1939 -1945 War Museum. This well-run museum offers prizes to the young visitors who complete their quiz successfully.
• Calais – (Click for more information): For most people from Britain, Calais is just a gateway to France, but it is worth a proper visit. It has its own character, history, and architecture, and is where the famous lace is produced. Calais has its own market, beach, and the bustle of a busy port. With excellent transport links, getting to and from other destinations is quite easy.
• Le Touquet – (Click for more information): Also known as Paris Plage because of its popularity in former times as the playground of Parisians. The wide promenade leads to a beach, which is wide and safe enough for sand yachting, but also offers dunes for playing in. On the promenade is the popular water park of Aqualud. The shopping area set back from the promenade has a variety of small, typically French shops. Inland, the town is surrounded by forests and as you enter the town you pass the elegant Casino and Palais des Congrès.
• Merlimont – (Click for more information): This is a small seaside town between Berck Plage and Le Touquet. There is a selection of small shops along the road that leads to the large expanse of beach.
• Stella Plage – (Click for more information): Stella Plage is a small seaside resort only three kilometres from Le Touquet and noted for its beach and dunes as well as its surrounding forests.
• Boulogne Swimming – (Click for more information): A traditional indoor pool by the beach in Boulogne.
• Boulogne Ice Skating – (Click for more information): A recent opening on the edge of the town. The centre also has a swimming pool for those who do not want to skate.
• Opalaventure – (Click for more information): This is an adventure park with zip wires, tree walks and other fun activities. There are strict safety standards.

Agincourt

[History]

Your group can visit the battlefield itself and visit the Centre Historique Médiéval of

Agincourt which will give your group more insight into the battle.

Bagatelle

[Leisure Activity | General Tourist Attraction]

This is a well-established theme park with rides suitable for all ages.

Accommodation

• Calais: The CES youth centre is well placed close to the beach and within easy walking distance of the town centre. It offers en suite facilities shared between two rooms with electronic locking from either side.
• Ambleteuse – (Click for more information): This is a village of bungalows with a central dining room and activities area. It is set in its own grounds on the inland side of this coastal town between Boulogne and Calais. All units have en suite facilities.
• Boulogne Sur Mer – (Click for more information): The youth hostel in this popular town was built as a Climat de France hotel and retains that configuration with en suite facilities, a lift, a bar, and a recreation room. It is conveniently located within walking distance of the town centre.
• Le Touquet – (Click for more information): Set on the edge of the forest is the ever-popular Hippotel, which offers stylish accommodation with en suite facilities and lots of leisure opportunities. Hurry with this one, as it is extremely popular, and book up early.
• Merlimont Plage: Les Argouisers is a well-run youth centre offering good facilities and easy access to the dunes and the beach. There is also plenty of room to play, both inside and out.
• Stella Plage: The Stella Maris Centre has long been popular with groups who can enjoy the closeness of the nearby sands. There is a large dining hall which can be used for other gatherings too.
• Berck Plage: Cottage des Dunes is the most southerly of our accommodation, it is very traditional and well located within the town, giving easy walking access to the shops, the beach and leisure facilities. It has been popular with returning groups for many years.

Other variations on numbers and duration available plus day trips available on Request.