Program Overview
From the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy that stretch for miles, to the City of Lights, this cultural tour of the north of France is the perfect way to bring the beauty of this country to life! France is the very first country to which Travel For Teens began running programs and, thanks to our local knowledge and insider connections, there is no better way to discover this European gem than with us!
Organized by The Gow School and Travel For Teens, we start our journey in Normandy. While based in the town of Bayeux, we will be sure to check out the incredible art at the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, and then head out for our day tour of the coast. We’ll visit Caen Peace Memorial and learn the history of the crucial WWII battles that were fought in France. After lunch, take a guided tour of the D-Day Landing Beaches.
Then we’re off to the City of Light, Paris, where you’ll explore this city from the heights of the Eiffel Tower to the depths of the Catacombs. This legendary city is home to artists and emperors, writers and composers, and the site of some of the most important events in history. Come to know it like a local with us by biking through its historical neighborhoods, taking a sunset cruise down the Seine, learning to cook with a French chef, and eating your way through the 20 arrondissements. Stroll through Marie Antoinette’s gardens at the spectacular Chateau de Versailles and shop ’til you drop on the Champs-Élysées, Paris’ version of 5th Avenue. While in Paris, visit Sainte Madeleine Sophie Barat’s resting place at the Church of Saint Xavier!
During this program, you will…
- Go to the most visited museum in the world, the Louvre, and see works like the Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa, and so many more
- Visit the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy
- See Paris from the heights of the Eiffel Tower to the depths of the Catacombs
- Explore the Royal Palace of Versailles, learn about the Sun King’s lavish parties, and stroll through the stunning gardens
- Go on a bike tour with a local guide to explore off-the-beaten-path Paris
- Try your hand at becoming a professional French pastry chef in our favorite cooking class
- See where Van Gogh and Picasso frequented in the hip artistic neighborhood of Montmartre
- Enjoy fondue in the Latin Quarter, escargot at a classic bistro, and crêpes along the Seine
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM THE USA
Group flight departs for Paris
DAYS 2-3: NORMANDY > BAYEUX
After meeting in Paris, the group will depart by private coach for Normandy. Our first stop will be the Caen Peace Memorial, where you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the crucial WWII battles that were fought in France.
After lunch, we’ll head to our three-star hotel in Bayeux and check in, and participants can visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum before our welcome dinner!
The next day, we’ll have a full day out at the Normandy Coast. We’ll have a private guided tour of the D-Day Landing Beaches. Led by an expert from the Memorial, we will have a guided tour of Omaha Beach, Arromanches Harbor, Point du Hoc, and the American War Cemetery. End your day with a free evening to try your own French cuisine at a local bistro, discover the town of Bayeux, and relax
DAYS 4-8: PARIS
Then we’re off to the City of Lights – In Paris we’ll experience the best of French culture as we marvel at priceless masterpieces and stunning architecture, stroll along the quintessential Parisian boulevards, and eat our way through the different arrondissements, or neighborhoods. You’ll see Quasimodo’s home at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, where all of the famous artists hung out in Montmartre, and shop on the Champs-Elysées. Bike through some of Paris’ “hidden” neighborhoods, explore the Luxembourg Gardens, and take a sunset cruise down the Seine. Try some of your favorite recipes at authentic restaurants, such as crêpes, fondue, and omelettes, or maybe taste something new–escargot anyone? Visit Sainte Madeleine Sophie Barat’s Tomb at the Church of Saint Xavier before we head to the top of the Eiffel Tower for the experience of a lifetime!
DAY 7: VERSAILLES
From Paris, we take the day to head to the city of Versailles. Versailles is home to 40,000 permanent residents as well as one of the most famous royal palaces in the world! We will tour the Chateau de Versailles to learn how this humble hunting lodge was transformed across different monarchies into what we now think of as the lavish Palace of Versailles. The wealth spend on the construction and opulent lifestyle (or squandered depending on how you look at it) was part of the rise and fall of the French Monarchy and ultimately the fuel for the French Revolution! The visit will also include a stroll through Marie Antoinette’s gorgeous gardens.
DAY 8: PARIS
On our final day in France, we’ll head out to the Musee d’Orsay and take in some of the most incredible works of impressionist art that Paris has, and then hit the streets for some last-minute souvenir shopping. We have to wrap up a trip of a lifetime in one afternoon, and after packing at the hotel, we will gather for a final dinner to celebrate our time in France!
DAY 9: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
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Informational Meeting Details
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Trip Specific FAQs
Who is Travel For Teens?
We are in our 21st year in the teen travel business and have emerged as the industry leader for teen travel in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. We operate over 100 programs in 47 countries on 6 continents.
Our philosophy: We offer genuine and authentic trips for travelers, not tourists.
Our goal is to engender a passion for learning about other cultures and places through living like a local in that place.
How much is tuition & what does tuition include?
Tuition for the trip is $3,395 which INCLUDES all breakfasts and dinners, accommodations, transportation, airfare, premium trip insurance, entrance to museums/events, and taxes.
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE international airfare, lunches and meals not listed in the itinerary, beverages other than filtered water at meals, COVID testing before, during, or after the trip, laundry, souvenirs, tips, shopping, visas and visa application fees, personal and medical expenses, activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary, excess baggage fees, damage to hotels, expenses related to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. transportation delays or natural disasters).
If I cannot afford the payment schedule listed above, does Travel For Teens provide flexible payment plans?
Yes, Travel For Teens is willing to customize a payment plan for any participant who needs a little flexibility in the payment schedule. Please email help@travelforteens.com for details on payment plans.
Who can go on this trip?
The trip is open to all 6-12th grade students at The Gow School and their families. Space is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
After I register, what happens next?
Once you have completed your registration and paid your deposit, you will receive an email that contains your USERNAME and PASSWORD to MyTFT. All forms to be completed by parents and physician as well as packing lists, travel tips, travel insurance information, and other important information can be found on the MyTFT portal (hard copies of the essential legal/medical forms can be mailed to participants upon request). Our contract and release must be signed by all custodial parents (or guardians) and the participant.
Where do we stay?
We will be staying in three-star hotels throughout the program. The names of the accommodations are available to all families once they have signed up.
Single rooms can be requested and will cost $600 additional per person per single.
Note: singles must be requested at the time of registration to be guaranteed.
Trip Emails & Photographs
PHOTOGRAPHS
We will take dozens, if not hundreds, of photos each day. The best photos will be posted as regularly as possible (ideally every day) to a private photo-sharing platform (Waldo Photos) where you can follow along with the trip. We will send you an email to alert you when we post new photos. Low-resolution photos can be viewed for free during and after the trip. All of your High-Resolution matched photos can be purchased and downloaded in real-time during the trip or after the trip for $50.
EMAILS
The Trip Director will be in regular email contact every 24-48 hours, internet willing, with our families. Emails will include fun detailed updates about the day’s activities and are a great way for families to follow along with the journey. Email will be the best way to communicate messages to the Trip Director.
What is the Payment Timeline?
Deadline to register: September 15, 2022
$750 trip deposit due within three business days of registration
Deadline to commit to group flight or purchase your own airfare: October 1, 2022
Balance in three installments: October 15, November 15, and December 15, 2022
Safety, Sickness & Communication
SAFETY AND SICKNESS
The safety of our participants is our #1 concern, which is why we have only experienced trip leaders running the show. We offer 24/7 communication throughout our programs and have detailed risk management and safety policies in place. Please review our policies here.
For information regarding our specific policies with Covid-19 please review our Covid-19 protocols page here.
What are the safety qualifications for our staff?
Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid. We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.
What is the food like on a TFT program? Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food should be an integral part of the travel experience and always make an effort to eat at authentic establishments when we can. What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of a place than by sampling the local delicacies, and we encourage students to do so whenever possible! Just as we stay away from Americanized hotel chains, we try to avoid restaurants with menus that cater only to tourists because every good traveler knows the best food is found wherever the locals are eating!
We also love to have picnics al fresco and do this whenever possible, which is a great way to taste some local food while sitting out in the fresh air taking in the sights and sounds of our surroundings.
As always, we are willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
Do I need to speak the language?
No, our skilled staff members will help you get around and even teach you a few fun phrases!
Are participants allowed to have their cell phones on the program?
We do allow participants to bring their phones, but we ask that they use it solely as a camera when we are out and about during the day. We want everyone to focus on living in the moment and fully experience each new destination we are visiting without being absorbed in their phones. We ask that participants look at their journey with us as a way to disconnect. When we have downtime at our hotels in the evenings it is okay for participants to use their devices to connect with friends and family back home.