School Trips to Picardy – Amiens

CURRICULUM FOCUS - French, History, Geography, Business Studies, Science, Religious Studies - KS2, 3 & 4

What better base for giving students a taste of rural France and chance to improve their spoken French? Our brand new School Hotel (see pictures under the Picture tab) is within walking distance of the pretty town of Albert. Students can visit the local shops and markets and practise using their French. There are lots of possible day excursions – Amiens, with its towering Gothic cathedral, is just half an hour’s drive away and was the home to the writer Jules Verne. To the south is Compiègne with its vast forest and famous Château. Abbeville and the coast are just over an hour to the north. Paris, Parc Asterix and Disneyland Paris are popular day excursions.

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Amiens Cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Amiens is a pretty town in the Somme.

3 Day School Trip to Amiens from £185

Day 1: Travel via Calais with optional visit to Nausicaã* (France’s National Sealife Centre) in Boulogne. We arrive in Albert in time for dinner.
Day 2: Morning in Albert. Travel to Amiens to visit the impressive Cathedral, which is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the main square. Visit to the Zoo* and the Parc St Pierre. Enjoy a boat trip through the famous floating gardens*. Return to Albert for dinner.
Day 3: Return to Calais with optional visit to chocolate factory* in Le Touquet.

4 Day School Trip to Amiens from £249

Day 1: Travel via Calais with optional visit to Nausicaã* (France’s National Sealife Centre) in Boulogne. We arrive in Albert in time for dinner.
Day 2: Morning in Albert. Travel to Amiens to visit the impressive Cathedral, which is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the main square. Visit to the Zoo* and the Parc St Pierre. Enjoy a boat trip through the famous floating gardens*. Return to Albert for dinner.
Day 3: There are a number of options. Visit Albert and spend time in local shops. Day trip to Paris with cruise on the river Seine* and visit to Montmartre or the Louvre Palace. Day out to Compiègne to visit the Chateau* or a day trip to Lille.
Day 4: Return to Calais with optional visit to chocolate factory* in Le Touquet.

* Extra charge.

Amiens Cathedral

Amiens Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral. The cathedral is the tallest completed cathedral in France, with the largest interior space. Notre-Dame d'Amiens is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Groups can have a guided tour of the cathedral (extra).

www.cathedrale-amiens.fr

Amiens Zoo

Amiens Zoo is set in green parkland next to the Parc St Pierre close to the city centre. Although it is a small zoo, there are nearly 300 animals representing approximately 60 species from every continent. There is a lot of focus on the animals' well-being. Feeding sessions are held daily in spring and summer.

www.amiens.fr

Jules Verne's House

Jules Verne is one of France's most famous authors. His stories such as 'Around the World in 80 days' and 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' have captivated adults and children throughout the world. In 1871 he moved to Amiens and stayed for the rest of his life in Picardy. His house has been preserved and you can visit all the rooms and see where he lived and worked.

www.amiens.fr

The Underground City, Naours

The 'Underground City of Naours' has 28 galleries, 300 rooms, 6 chimneys and even public squares. At the entrance is a museum of local farming plus outside there is a park of 10 acres with two Windmills (a steep staircase gives access to one). There is a watermill, and farm animals including goats, deer, goat, ponies and donkeys.

www.grottesdenaours.com

Chocolaterie - Chocolate Factory

A visit to a 'artisanal' chocolate factory is always popular with students (and staff). Students get the chance to see the process of producing hand-made chocolates. The history of chocolate consumption is explained and most importantly there is a chance to taste and buy the finished product!

Hortillonnages - the Floating Gardens

Amiens' floating gardens are known as the Hortillonnages and are famous for their wildlife. The marshland to the east of Amiens is crisscrossed by a network of canals. The 'floating gardens' of Amiens are believed to have been cultivated since Roman times. You can visit the area on foot. We do not recommend the boast trip for schools.

Accommodation - Poppies International School Hotel, Albert.

This new hotel in Albert has been purpose built and is designed exclusively for school and youth groups and opened in early 2009. The hotel can accommodate 3 coaches on 3 separate floors, each with its own entrance. Albert is a quiet town about 20 miles east of Amiens.

Each floor has 10 x 5 bedded ensuite rooms for students and 6 x twin rooms for staff (max 62 beds). There is a lounge for students with pool table and internet. There is also a staff lounge on each floor with internet access and kitchen with kettle and fridge.

The breakfast area is shared and can also be used for group meetings.

Full Board basis - breakfast, packed lunch and dinner (taken in a local restaurant).