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The Loire Valley: Castles and Culture!

Overview

Our language and culture tours to The Loire Valley offer a great variety of historical, cultural and interactive visits for both primary and secondary schools!  No trip to this region would be complete without visiting one of the many extravagent châteaux.

In addition to the historical sites, The Loire Valley also offers a whole host of engaging visits - from learning about Leonardo da Vinci at the Clos Lucé to discoving the wide range of species at the ZooParc Beauval - there really is something for everyone! 

With hands-on activities including a guided tour of a chocolaterie, morning at a local market and a visit to a local goat's cheese farm, students will be fully immersed in the French culture and have plenty of opportunities to practise their language skills!

Our Suggested Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Travel to Calais for ferry crossing and onward journey to the Loire Valley.

    Arrive at your accommodation and settle in.

    Visit the Maison de la Magie in Blois for an interactive experience filled with optical illusions and entertainment.  Be sure to check out the exterior of the building to see the six-headed dragon!

  2. Day 2

    Head to the nearby town of Amboise for a visit to the Château Royal d’Amboise, a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering panoramic views over the Loire Valley.

    Learn how chocolate is produced with a guided tour and tasting session at a local chocolaterie.

    Stop for lunch and enjoy some free time exploring the charming town of Amboise.

    Pay a visit to the Parc Mini-Châteaux.  If there’s one thing that the Loire Valley is famous for, it’s the many impressive castles – here you’ll be able to see them all in miniature!

  3. Day 3

    Spend the morning at the ZooParc de Beauval – one of the largest zoos in France!  We recommend that you pay a visit to the Giant Pandas.

    Guided visit of a local fromagerie, where you will have the opportunity to taste some of the local cheese products!

    Enjoy a self-guided tour of Blois’ stunning medieval old town.

    Next, head to Château du Clos Lucé where you can learn about Leonardo da Vinci in the house where he lived (and died!). 

    Optional evening activity: a game of 10-pin bowling!

  4. Day 4

    Spend the morning in Tours. Visit a traditional French market and practise your French!

    Enjoy some free time in Tours and pick up something for lunch in the charming Place Plumereau.

    See the Loire from a different perspective with a relaxing boat cruise along the river.

    Afternoon visit to the Château Royal de Blois – constructed over several centuries in different architectural styles.

    Return to the château in the evening for the exciting sound and light show!

  5. Day 5

    Visit the largest castle in the Loire Valley, the iconic Château de Chambord – a prime example of French Renaissance architecture.

    Transfer to Calais for return ferry crossing to the UK and journey home. 

School Trip Accommodation

Accommodation

We use safe and secure accommodation especially suited to schools.  Our accommodation is usually 2* or youth hostel standard and provides a perfect base for enjoying your tour.  All accommodation we use is audited, and our auditing regime is verified by independent experts.