School trips to Paris - Rhapsody Tours

CURRICULUM FOCUS - French, History, Art, Religious Studies, Science, Geography - KS 2, 3 & 4

Paris is renowned for its vibrant cafés and bars, its graceful public buildings and stunning modern architecture. For students, the educational school trip is rich and varied. There are some obvious sights to see – the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Sacré Coeur. The Cite de Sciences is a popular school visit with its popular IMAX cinema in the Geode. The excellent art galleries at the Louvre and the Quai d’Orsay provide a wonderful introduction to art appreciation with their incredible collections of paintings and sculpture. For keen sports’ enthusiasts a visit to the impressive Stade de France (Paris’s Wembley Stadium) should not be missed.

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Notre Dame Cathedral

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Notre Dame Cathedral is situated on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris. It is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and in Europe. It was among the first buildings in the world to use flying buttresses. You can enter the Cathedral free but there is a small charge to ascend the towers.

 
 

www.notredamedeparis.fr

 

The Musee d'Orsay

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The Musée d'Orsay is an art museum in Paris, France, on the left bank of the Seine, housed in the former railway station, the Gare d'Orsay, an impressive Beaux-Arts building. It holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1915, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography, and is probably best known for its extensive collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces.

 

www.musee-orsay.fr

The Louvre Palace

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The Musée du Louvre is one of the world's largest museums, the most visited museum in the world, and a historic monument. The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace (Palais du Louvre) which began as a fortress built in the late 12th century under Philip II. The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous exhibits.

www.louvre.fr

 

The Eiffel Tower

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The Eiffel Tower is the tallest building in Paris and the single most visited monument in the world. The tower has three levels for visitors. Tickets can be purchased online to ascend by lift to the second level and summit. The walk to the first level is over 300 steps. We recommend you visit the second level by lift. The lift to the summit has long queues. You can book your group visit in advance and pay online. See "Resouces" and "FAQS" for step by step advice.

 

www.tour-eiffel.fr

 

Cite des Sciences

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France's Science Museum - the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie is the biggest science museum in Europe. It is located in Parc de la Villette in the north east of Paris, France. About five million people visit the Cité each year. The Cité has a planetarium, a nuclear submarine (the Argonaute, an IMAX theatre (La Géode) and special exhibitions for children and students.

 

www.cite-sciences.fr

 

Stade de France tour

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The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated in Saint-Denis, north east Paris. It has an all-seater capacity of 81,338, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team. Guided tours include a chance to run onto the pitch to the roar of the crowds!

www.stadedefrance.com

 

Sacre Coeur Cathedral

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The Sacre-Coeur Cathedral was built at the end of the 19th century at the top of Montmartre hill in Paris. Its famous white architecture dominates the city, and offers a wonderful view across Paris. The nearby streets of Montmartre are full of artists and street musicians.

www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com

 

Montmartre

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Montmartre is a former village a few streets away from the Sacré Cœur Cathedral. The Place du Tertre is a square at the heart of the quarter. With its many artists setting up their easels each day for the tourists, the Place du Tertre is a reminder of the time when Montmartre was the mecca for the Impressionist artists including Picasso.

 

Montparnasse Tower

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The Tour Montparnasse is a 690ft tall skyscraper. Constructed from 1969 to 1972, it is the tallest skyscraper in France and the ninth tallest building in the EU. You can visit the viewing gallery at the top (and the open roof) by the fastest lifts in Europe. The view of the nearby Eiffel Tower is excellent. Much cheaper than the Eiffel Tower and no booking needed. Open until 2300h.

www.tourmontparnasse56.com

 

Arc de Triomphe

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The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It stands in the centre of the Place de l'Étoile at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. The triumphal arch honors those who fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. On the inside and the top of the arc there are all of the names of generals and wars fought. There is a large viewing gallery at the top.

www.arc-de-triomphe.fr

 

Air & Space Museum

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The Musee de l'air et espace is set in the 1930s Le Bouget airport terminal and charts the development of flight from the early pioneering days to jet engines and rockets. The exhibition halls are full of aircraft and entry is free for school groups. For a small extra charge you can visit the Concorde exhibit and see inside a Boeing 747.

www.museeairespace.fr

 

Palace of Versailles

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The Palace of Versailles is a royal château known as the Château de Versailles. Louis XIV had a great interest in Versailles. He settled on the royal hunting lodge at Versailles and over the following decades had it expanded into one of the largest palaces in the world. The famous Hall of Mirrors and the formal gardens with their many fountains are world renowned.

www.chateauversailles.fr

Rodin Museum - Hotel Biron

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The Musée Rodin was opened in 1919 in the Hôtel Biron and surrounding grounds. It displays works by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. He lived and worked in the house and the museum has most of his significant creations, including The Thinker, The Kiss and The Gates of Hell. Many of his sculptures are displayed in the museum's extensive garden.

www.musee-rodin.fr

3 Day School Trip to Paris from £149

This is a popular itinerary but you can add or change the visits as you wish. We will be happy to provide a price for your own tailor-made school trip.

Day 1
Travel via Calais to the Paris area and your hotel. A stop will be taken en route for an evening meal* before arriving at the hotel.
Day 2
Short tour of the major sights ending at the Eiffel Tower*. We could then enjoy a Seine river cruise (included). After lunch, drop off at Place de la Concorde, walk through the Tuileries Gardens to the Louvre. Dinner* near Arc de Triomphe. Optional visit to the top of the Arc*. Stroll down Champs Elysées, followed by short tour of Paris by coach.
Day 3
Visit Montmartre, including the Sacré Coeur Basilica and the famous artists’ square (Place du Tertre) before setting off back to Calais and home.

4 Day School Trip to Paris from £189

Why not extend your school trip to two full days in central Paris or one day in Paris and one day visiting the Ile de France region.

Day 1
Travel via Calais to the Paris area and your hotel. A stop will be taken en route for an evening meal* before arriving at the hotel.
Day 2
Short tour of the major sights ending at the Eiffel Tower*. We could then enjoy a Seine river cruise (included). After lunch, drop off at Place de la Concorde, walk through the Tuileries Gardens to the Louvre. Dinner* near Arc de Triomphe. Optional visit to the top of the Arc*. Stroll down Champs Elysées, followed by short tour of Paris by coach.
Day 3
You have a number of options. See more of the central Paris area eg. Notre Dame Cathedral; visit Montmartre, including the Sacré Coeur Basilica and the famous artists’ square (Place du Tertre); we could visit the Stade de France or one of Paris’ many art galleries eg. the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay (for the French Impressionist paintings) or Les Halles and the Pompidou Centre. Alternatively travel out to Versailles or visit Monet's house and garden at Giverny. Return to Paris for evening meal*.
Day 4
Leave our hotel for the return journey. Time permitting we could visit a hypermarket or a chocolate factory* en-route to Calais before catching the ferry home.

Paris Accommodation - 2 and 3 star hotels

We offer 2 or 3 star hotels with en-suite shower and wc. Students normally share twin or triple rooms on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Meal options on Paris Tours

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FLUNCH Meal Vouchers - £9 per student

We can provide meal vouchers for Flunch self-service restaurants - a national chain of self-service restaurants across France. Excellent choice of meals which mean most students find something they will like to eat! Vegetarian options. Lots of salads. Pure fruit juices as well as fizzy drinks. Wine and beer available for adults. Usually next to hypermarkets so handy for buying more bottled water at a reasonable price. see www.flunch.fr for sample menus.

Central Paris Restaurant - £11 per student

We can prebook meals for your group at a restaurant near the Arc de Trionphe. Two course menu designed for UK students' tastes - choice of hot main course (roast chicken, gammon etc) and patisserie for dessert. 1 drink included. Water free. Wine included for staff (on request).

Other Restaurants in Paris

We can also book tables at other well known international chain restaurants such as the Hard Rock Café, or Pizza Hut near L'Opéra on the Champs-Elysées. Please ask for a quote.

3 Course Dinner in Montmartre
We can arrange a meal in a traditional French restaurant overlooking the Artists' Square in Montmartre for £20 per student, staff free of charge - waiter-served 3 course meal with choice and drink included.

Dinner at hotel
Dinner can be arranged at your hotel - from £13 per student (staff free). Limited menu choice in 2* hotels so we would recommend eating in restaurants if possible.

Packed Lunches
We can arrange for packed lunches delivered to your hotel in the morning: £6.50 per students, staff free of charge.
Choice of sandwiches - cheese, ham, tuna and salad for vegetarians plus a drink. Gluten free available.

 

We use modern, purpose built hotels

We use modern, purpose built hotels

IBIS hotel bar/reception

IBIS hotel bar/reception

IBIS hotel bar

IBIS hotel bar

IBIS hotel breakfast buffet

IBIS hotel breakfast buffet

IBIS twin room

IBIS twin room

IBIS hotel ensuite bathroom

IBIS hotel ensuite bathroom

IBIS hotel restaurant

IBIS hotel restaurant

Versailles

Versailles

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum

Louvre

Louvre

Montmartre

Montmartre

Sacre Coeur

Sacre Coeur

Hotel Biron - Rodin Museum

Hotel Biron - Rodin Museum

The Thinker by Rodin

The Thinker by Rodin

Musee de l'air et espace

Musee de l'air et espace

Musee de l'air et espace

Musee de l'air et espace

Stade de France

Stade de France

Musee d'Orsay

Musee d'Orsay

Seine river cruise with Bateaux Parisiens

Seine river cruise with Bateaux Parisiens

Central Paris

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Home Page > Discover Paris

How to Book

Call us on 0845 130 4611 to discuss your requirements or click on 'Get a Quote' and send us your request. We will then send you an itinerary and price. Click here for more.

Sustainable Tourism

We have useful information on our Sustainable Tourism page regarding carbon offsetting and calculating carbon emissions.

FAQs

If this is the first time you have organised a school trip you may like to read our Frequently Asked Questions in our Resources section.

Testimonial

"Rhapsody is an outstanding organisation – supportive and well organised."

RD, Thomas Deacon Academy, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire