School Trips to France

Few city landmarks are as instantly recognisable as the Eiffel Tower. Completed in 1889 for the World’s Fair it was originally intended to stand for only twenty years, but it remained beyond that thanks largely to the advent of radio, for which the Tower was the perfect transmitter site. It is now the universal symbol not only of Paris but of all France. It was for a time the tallest building in the World until it was surpassed in 1930 by New York’s Chrysler Building. Around 7 million people go up the Tower every year, making it the most visited paid attraction in the World. Consequently, tickets are often difficult or even impossible to obtain during the main tourist season. Of the three stages, the more spacious first and second are the easiest to access. The third stage, known as the Summit, often gets exceptionally crowded at which point the lifts stop running until people come down. We will always try to obtain tickets for your group if you wish to go up the Tower, but it can never be guaranteed.

The Palace of Versailles is one of the largest and most opulent palaces in the world and a fine example of 18th century French architecture and art. Its origins date to the 11th century but the palace you see today is largely the product of Louis XIV—the Sun King—who moved the Royal Court here in the seventeenth century and where it remained until the French Revolution of 1789. Don’t miss the famous Hall of Mirrors and the elaborate formal gardens.

The iconic Pompidou Centre is home to the National Museum of Modern Art. The building is a work of art in its own right and the public square outside is a popular site for street artists and musicians to perform. The Museum houses the second largest collection of modern and contemporary art in the world after the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The Louvre is perhaps the most famous art museum in the world where you can discover the tremendous array of art and sculpture including, of course, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Other works not to be missed include the Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix, and the Great Sphinx of Tanis in the Egyptian collection. There are also works by great English artists including Turner and Gainsborough.

The Louis Vuitton Foundation is located in a striking contemporary building designed by Frank Gehry located on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne and which features cutting edge modern art. Exhibitions are regularly updated so check the website for the latest details. The tour includes the building as well as the collections, and you must take time to see the water steps fountain.

This beautiful Provençal village nestles in the hills above Nice. Many artists have drawn inspiration from its charming streets and stunning vistas including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, who spent the later part of his life living here.

The Monaco Royal Palace, which dates to 1191, is the ancestral home of the Grimaldi Family who have ruled this small principality for many centuries. The most famous member of the Royal Family was the actress Grace Kelly who married Prince Rainier in 1956. The Palace Tour covers the public rooms and delves into the history of the ruling family.

Èze is another gorgeous and charming hilltop village on the Côte d'Azur with stunning views. You can explore its medieval cobblestone streets and the world-famous exotic gardens where cactuses and vibrantly colourful plants contrast with the shimmering deep blue of Mediterranean and the terra cotta roof tiles of its houses.