France School Trip Overview
From the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy that stretch for miles, to the opulent decadence of the Château de Versailles, this cultural tour of the north of France is the perfect way to bring history to life for young travelers. Students will come to understand the myriad forces that have shaped French history and culture over the centuries, starting with the Parisii settlers and culminating in the turbulence of the Twentieth Century. What better way to explain the history that has made Paris one of the world’s most vibrant metropolises? This popular tour, adaptable for all age levels, is the real-world application of everything students have learned in the classroom.
Our mission is to provide an authentic experience rooted in “teaching teens to be travelers, not tourists.” Language students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in French and practice what they have learned in the classroom. Our staff members will help students discover that foreign languages are an exciting tool they can use wherever their travels might take them.
TFT began as Paris For Teens, and our years of experience bringing students to France means that we know exactly how to educate, excite, and inspire. After experiencing everything from the heights of the Eiffel Tower to the classic terraces filled with locals enjoying a café au lait, your students will come away with a new appreciation for French culture. Join us on this one-of-a-kind cultural experience and leave them with memories to last a lifetime!
Did You Know? Teachers travel for free! Enroll just six paying participants and your trip is covered. Learn more about the Benefits for Teachers.
During this trip, you and your students will…
- Have a guided tour of the most important World War II sites in Normandy, including the D-Day Landing Beaches, Arromanches Harbor, Point du Hoc, and the American War Cemetery
- Stroll the cobblestoned streets of Paris’ hip artistic neighborhood Montmartre, the winding lanes of the Latin Quarter, and the chic boutiques of the Champs-Élysées
- Walk in the footsteps of history in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles
- Try traditional French cuisine, such as crêpes, baguettes, omelets, and even escargot!
- Visit the spectacular UNESCO site, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, and explore this castle on the sea
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: Bonjour Paris!
Flight from your preferred airport to Paris.
DAY 2: Exploring the City of Light
Upon your arrival in Paris, you’ll be greeted at the airport by your Travel For Teens guides, who will accompany you for the duration of your journey. After getting settled into the hotel, we’ll have lunch and head down to the impressive Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame, where you can climb the towers for your first view of Paris. Finish off the day with your first taste of authentic French cuisine at one of our favorite bistros.
DAY 4: The Eiffel Tower
No trip to Paris would be complete without going all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and that’s how we’ll start our day! Have lunch at a classic boulangerie before splitting up for the afternoon choices. We understand that student travelers have diverse interests and needs, so our staff does their very best to accommodate everyone’s must-sees. Students can choose to visit the Musée d’Orsay, home to Post-Impressionist masterpieces by van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Cézanne, Signac, and more, or check out the modern art at the Centre Pompidou, where the museum itself is just as much a work of art as what’s within. The group will reconvene in the hip artistic neighborhood of Montmartre, where we’ll see the infamous Moulin Rouge and enjoy the view from the Sacré-Coeur Basilica before a fantastic dinner.
DAY 5: Château de Versailles
Take a short train ride out of Paris to the spectacular Château de Versailles, a hunting lodge-turned-palace. Our staff will teach students about the most important historical moments that have taken place here, including the reign of the Sun King, the French Revolution, the Treaty of Versailles signed in the Hall of Mirrors, and more. Stroll through the gardens and see Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet before picking up fresh lunch ingredients in the Versailles farmers’ market. After returning to Paris, have free time to explore the Latin Quarter before enjoying a traditional dinner of fondue and raclette. Cap off this amazing day with a twilight river cruise down the Seine to see Paris lit up at night.
DAY 6: Parisian street markets
After breakfast, check out a traditional Parisian street market to see where locals do their shopping. Depending on the day of the week, we could visit the markets on Rue de Mouffetard, Rue Cler, Clignancourt, or the “Marché aux Puces” at Saint-Ouen. Climb the impressive Arc de Triomphe before having free time for souvenir shopping on the world-famous Champs-Élysées. Now’s the perfect time to buy macarons from Ladurée! Savor one last dinner in Paris before preparing to head north to Normandy tomorrow.
DAY 7: To the coast of Normandy
This morning, board the train from Paris to Caen, where we’ll visit the 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. 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. In the evening we’ll get settled into our hotel in Caen and have a dinner of galettes, or savory crêpes.
DAY 8: Spectacular Mont Saint-Michel
Today we’ll visit the world-famous UNESCO site, the Abbey at Mont Saint-Michel. This impressive castle perched on top of a tiny island is an internationally recognized symbol of France, and students will be amazed at the beauty and history found here. We’ll return to Caen and have some free time for last-minute souvenir shopping before enjoying an upscale final dinner to celebrate the end of an amazing journey.
DAY 9: Au revoir, France!
Your TFT guides will accompany you to the airport in Paris and assist you with check-in for your flight. Wave goodbye as you head through security and sit back and relax on your flight home.
The TFT Difference
We Never Combine Groups
Your tour should be special and just for you and your students! We will never combine two or more groups on the same bus or tour. We will lead a trip with as few as six people and a teacher. Your Trip Director travels with you for the duration of your program.
Stress-Free Planning and 24/7 Support
We are there for you every step of the way, and our support begins the moment you decide to do a TFT trip! We will provide you with a team member who will help bring your tour to life, along with everything you need to help get students to sign up for the adventure! On the tour you will have 24/7 dedicated staff with you to ensure everything runs smoothly and because we know travel is full of surprises, solve anything that may pop up along the way.
Photos and Email Updates
Your trip is special and you and your students should have those memories captured forever! Expect frequent personal email updates and hundreds of photos from your TFT staff shared with you and your students’ families so everyone can follow along on the journey. We are the only teen travel program to offer this in-depth trip communication and it truly makes all the difference!
Central Accommodation and Local Meals
Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. We stay at locally owned accommodation in the city center so you don’t waste your valuable time commuting. We dine at charming authentic restaurants to get a real flavor (literally!) for the local culture. The best way to travel is like a local. So ditch the tour bus and have a real traveler’s experience with us!
Photo Gallery
Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.
Check out what past travelers have to say about TFT and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.
