Marvel at the magic of Christmas in Paris with your French learners next winter! Traditional Christmas markets in France are part of its history and Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the wooden chalets, local produce and festive gifts – it’s truly an experience not to be missed!
See the Eiffel Tower lit up like a Christmas tree and follow your day’s activities with an evening in Paris. After all that excitement, it’s good to know you can rely on being able to relax in our comfortable Château de Grande Romaine and enjoy a warm welcome from our centre team.
Paris Christmas Markets programme overview
- 3 day residential excursion (option to increase to 4 days and include a full day at Disneyland Paris)
- Travel by executive coach (ferry or Eurotunnel)
- Stay in at PGL Château de Grande Romaine, our centre just 20 miles from Paris
- Includes a full day excursion to Paris
- Optional evening in Paris to see the lights and dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe (supplement applies)
- Evening activity programme such as Santa’s Scavenger Hunt and Talent Show
- All-inclusive – transport, accommodation, excursions and meals included
- Supported by a French-speaking PGL Tour leader to accompany excursions
- 1:8 FREE place ratio for accompanying adults
- 24 hour support line
- Fully insured
- The perfect trip for Primary Schools, Secondary Schools or Group Trips to experience the best of Paris.
Select your group type
Learning Outcomes
A Typical Day at PGL
Wake up, get dressed and enjoy a delicious breakfast before jumping on the coach to Paris! Spend the morning exploring landmarks and sights of the city.
Time to rest and refuel with a tasty packed lunch, before further exploration and sightseeing in the city.
Soak up the shimmering lights of Paris in the evening, and enjoy dinner together at the Hard Rock Café (supplement applies). Rather come back to the centre? We can throw a Talent Show to entertain your group.
Wake up, get dressed and enjoy a delicious breakfast before jumping on the coach to Paris! Spend the morning exploring landmarks and sights of the city.
Time to rest and refuel with a tasty packed lunch, before further exploration and sightseeing in the city.
Soak up the shimmering lights of Paris in the evening, and enjoy dinner together at the Hard Rock Café (supplement applies). Rather come back to the centre? We can throw a Talent Show to entertain your group.
Excursions & Activities
Arc de Triomphe
At the western end of the Champs Elysées the famous Arc is decorated with a huge frieze, commissioned by Napoleon as a tribute to his own military victories, including the famous ‘Le Départ des Volontaires’ (also known as ‘Le Marseillaise’). In 1920 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was laid at the arch’s base, and an eternal flame burns to commemorate the dead of World War I and World War II. There is a spiral staircase to the top of the arch for fantastic views across Paris.
Bateaux Parisiens
Take this sightseeing boat trip along the Seine and enjoy a new perspective on many of Paris’s best-known landmarks including a detailed and informative commentary. Departing from near the Eiffel Tower your trip takes you past sites including Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay – and much more!
Brie Market and Town Trail
Discover a picturesque, traditional town, with its Gothic church and its twelfth century castle; Brie Comte-Robert is the historic capital of the Brie region. PGL’s exclusive town trails are available in English and French, and will help your group make the most of exploring the streets of the town; or visit the vibrant market with its many artisan traders for plentiful opportunities to practise making transactions and negotiations in French!
Château de Fontainebleau
The opulent and impressive apartments of both Marie Antoinette and Napoleon are among unmissable sights at the Château de Fontainebleau, the former residence of the French royal family until the French Revolution of 1789. The gardens are also magnificent and PGL has produced a visit trail to help you explore and appreciate the 130 acres of palace grounds.
Château Vaux-le-Vicomte
Château Vaux-le-Vicomte makes an impressive addition to your itinerary; the architect that designed it was the same architect who went on to build the Palace at Versailles. The Château was created for Nicholas Fouquet who famously embezzled state funds and was sentenced to solitary confinement for the rest of his life wearing an iron mask. This is the where the story of "The Man in the Iron Mask" originates. The Château is set in large enclosed gardens which means the group can enjoy some freedom to explore.
Cité des Sciences
The Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie is the biggest science museum in Europe and specialises in promoting science. Its goal is to spread scientific and technical knowledge – particularly among young people. Five million visitors a year come to see attractions that include a planetarium, a submarine and an IMAX theatre (La Géode) as well as special areas for children and teenagers where there is a wide range of interactive exhibits. Supporting information is provided in both English and French.
Disneyland® Paris
Add some extra sparkle and wow-factor to your school trip with a visit to Disneyland® Paris! If you’ve not been before you’ll be amazed at the range of more than 50 unforgettable rides and experiences. Divided into two connecting parks, Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studios Park - you can choose a single park ticket, or Hopper, allowing you access to both. There are shows, parades and seasonal spectaculars – even educational packs and activities if that’s what you are looking for. It’s really so much more than a theme park. And if you have been before, no doubt you are already planning your return visit!
Eiffel Tower
See it and see from it! Enjoy the panoramic views of the city and include the tower itself as the backdrop to your own photographs, because you cannot visit Paris and not visit the iconic Eiffel Tower. It’s the defining symbol of Paris – indeed of France. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 to commemorate 100 years since the French Revolution, and for more than four decades it held the record as the tallest structure in the world. It has welcomed more than 250 million visitors, and in 2009 celebrated its 120th birthday – no mean feat for a structure that was originally designed to stand for only 20 years!
Parc Astérix
Choose Parc Astérix for a theme park experience with a very French feel as you share your day’s adventures with the much-loved French cartoon characters, Astérix and Obélix. Known in particular for its wide range of roller coasters and the fantastic aquatic theatre, it is a good alternative to Disneyland Paris for an exciting and action-packed day out.
Paris Montparnasse tower
With quizzes in French or English, maths challenges and various other activities designed for school groups, the 689ft Paris Montparnasse tower offers a good alternative to the Eiffel Tower – and of course offers the opportunity to include the Eiffel Tower as part of your Paris panorama! It takes 38 seconds to travel from the ground floor to the 56th floor, 640 feet above ground level, in one of the fastest lifts in Europe. From the panoramic windows of the deck that circles the floor there are stunning 360o views over the city. And don’t miss the climb to the 59th floor to enjoy the open air roof terrace too.
Sacré Cœur & Montmartre
Walk around Montmartre to share the experiences of some of the most famous and influential artists who lived here - Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh to name but a few. Then eat your packed lunch sitting on the steps of the familiar sight of the basilica of the Sacré Cœur which can be seen from all over Paris and enjoy breathtaking views over the city. Montmartre is so distinctive - a hub of activity with a bohemian atmosphere which endures to the present day. Street artists will produce your portrait in any style you can think of, and busy bars, cafés and restaurants celebrate the varied and colourful history of the district.
Snail Farm
What could be more French than a visit to a snail farm? The owner offers an interesting guided tour of his farm in French, full of information about snails and how the farm works; children have the chance to handle the snails – and even to taste them! See the snails at their liveliest with an evening visit by torchlight – though daytime visits are also popular and the farm also has a range of other animals to visit.
Stade de France
The home of French football and rugby international teams was originally opened in 1998 and hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1998 in which France beat Brazil 3-0 in the final. The Brazilian team were based in the same place as you that year! They stayed at the Château de Grande Romaine which PGL acquired just 2 years later in 2000. France’s iconic stadium is a visit that need not be limited to those with sporting interests. The guided tour provides insights into everything from its construction to the running of the stadium and the events held in it.
The Louvre
Home to possibly the most famous and controversial painting in the world, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Louvre is one of the world’s greatest art museums. A visit is a must – whether or not your group has a specific interest in art. With so much to see you can schedule as much time as you like – or a short visit to focus just on the highlights. Entrance to the permanent exhibition is free of charge and guided tours (usually taking 1.5 hours) are available in French or English to suit the needs of your group – or self-guide for ultimate flexibility.
Ambush
If you love hide and seek, you’ll adore Ambush which takes this popular group game and ramps it up an extra notch! After sundown your group will split into small teams, with one team hiding within the centre grounds, leaving a trail for their competitors to follow. Great for developing strategic and team building skills. Ambush is usually run in the dark, and torches are advised. Available September to March
Balloon Splash
Each team completes a series of challenges or games to earn coins that will allow them to purchase items from a mystery box! Teams will then work closely together to create the best contraption to protect their water balloon from destruction.
Campfire
The ultimate way to enjoy the great outdoors as a group! Enjoy a campfire tailored to your requirements. Get hands-on constructing your campfire during the day, and it will be lit ready for you to enjoy in the evening. If your group loves to sing or simply relax with some games around the campfire, our team can cater for all ages in the idyllic settings of our campfires.
Crêpe Making
A relaxing evening of board games and music while guests take it in turn to create their very own pancake. Mix and cook your own pancakes and choose from a selection of tasty toppings available to build your own topping tower!
Disco
A popular last night choice, guests learn the moves to popular hits with “follow-the-leader” sessions, plus lots of unique PGL dances! A fun and sociable evening.
PGL Tournament
At PGL Tournament guests will play a series of exciting team games and complete a selection of individual challenges to determine which team is the best! Challenges include: Basketball Shoot, Human Skittle and Ultimate Frisbee
Quiz
In teams, guests are set Q&A-style challenges with lots of interaction and plenty of variety to keep them motivated and to maximise their participation. As well as general knowledge, rounds may include dressing up, dancing and miming.
Silent Disco
Party the night away without the noise of a disco. Every guest has their own set of headphones, where guests can select music from a number of channels to find the tunes they enjoy. Then spend the evening dancing away with friends or trying to guess what song your friends are listening to.
Programme Available at
Paris – Château de Grande Romaine
This pretty French château is perfectly placed to explore the delights of Paris and Northern France. Nestled in scenic countryside and woodland, this centre boasts an outdoor heated swimming pool and fantastic facilities.
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Why book with PGL?
#1 in outdoor educational trips
Industry experts in care & safety
Options for all budgets
All activities & instruction included
Age-relevant Programmes
Dedicated PGL ‘Groupie’ to support you
