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Strasbourg History and Politics

Overview

A history and politics trip to the Alsace region always starts off in Strasbourg, the heart of so many Pan-European developments.  Extend your students' understanding of the workings of the EU with an opportunity to visit the European Parliament and The Council of Europe.

Strasbourg’s city centre, the “Grande Île”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a beautiful and fascinating place to visit at any time of the year.  The exceptional heritage of the area is very well preserved.  Along with numerous Romanesque and Gothic churches, the Cathedral, built between 1176 and 1439, is undoubtedly one of the major highlights.

The history of the region is fascinating, dating back to Roman times.  The region has changed hands between France and Germany several times over the centuries.  The German influences are still very strong and can be seen in the architecture, with a number of extremely attractive timbered buildings.

Our Suggested Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Depart school in the evening for an overnight trip to France. 

  2. Day 2

    Arrive at your accommodation in Strasbourg.  Take a guided tour of this beautiful historical city, exploring the Grande Île neighbourhood, canals, Notre-Dame cathedral, its astronomical clock and more.

    Visit the official seat of the European Parliament.  The group program consists of a guided tour of the European Parliament, including the plenary chamber, a short film and a general presentation by a member of staff about Parliament.

  3. Day 3

    Spend the morning in the charming town of Colmar!  Stroll through the Old Town and visit the Eglise Saint-Martin, the largest church in Colmar.  One of the most beautiful and interesting communes in France, Colmar showcases both French and German architecture.

    Visit Eguisheim, officially classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.  This medieval village has narrow streets lined with many preserved half-timbered houses.  In the centre of the town sits Château Saint-Léon, a centuries-old castle.

  4. Day 4

    A guided tour of the Council of Europe, where your students can get a glimpse of the life of parliamentary officials, diplomats and other representatives who work towards solving contemporary issues in the Palais de L’Europe.

    Head to the town of Verdun for a guided tour of the Verdun Battlefield: You will visit the Fort Vaux, a symbol of French heroism, Douaumont Ossuary, home to the remains of 130,000 unidentified soldiers and the chilling “Trench of Bayonets”.

    Overnight journey home.

Accommodation

We use a wide selection of accommodation throughout Alsace - most of our schools choose to stay at the Auberge de Jeunesse HI Strasbourg.  All accommodation we use is specially suited to schools and audited, and our auditing regime is verified by independent experts.