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✓✓✓Educational Visits and Attractions in the Opal Coast Your trip so far...

2 Call us on 020 8335 4455 – We’re here to help!

This guide details all the visits and attractions that we currently offer in Opal Coast. All the options featured have been researched by our education and travel experts to ensure your trip meets your learning objectives and provides you and your students with a highly enjoyable trip.

Study Experiences – Best Value As one of the UK’s largest youth travel tour operators, our buying power means we can offer you the best value for your school or college. The visits and attractions options available will be arranged by our experienced education travel experts.

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Study Experiences The Newmarket Group Cantium House, Railway Approach, Wallington SM6 0BP

ContentsLille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Arras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Boulogne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Other Places to Visit . . . . . . . . . . . 5Christmas Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Where to Eat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

How to Personalise your trip1. Please take time to have a good look through this guide. Each option details what it

involves and the price; with some offering other useful information and top tips!

2. Having drawn up a list of all your desired options, contact your Programme Manager who will help create your personalised itinerary.

3. If there is a place of interest or attraction not detailed in this guide, we are more than happy to look into arranging a visit for you.

4. Once we have received your booking form and deposit payment we will then book all your chosen visits and attractions and confirm them to you.

Lille’s Main Square

Your Personal Opal Coast Travel ExpertsYour Study Experiences Team will be available throughout your booking, helping you create the ideal trip for your educational needs. Once your itinerary has been planned and your booking confirmed, your Programme Manager will introduce you to our Customer Service Delivery Team who will be available to help you throughout the build up to the trip itself. Of course, in Opal Coast, our expert Tour Manager will be on hand to assist and support you and your students during the trip.

Call us on 020 8335 4455 or email [email protected] Emanuela Raccuglia

Kerry Heath

Lisa Rudgley

3Email us at [email protected] – We’re here to help!

Lille Here is a city that presents a successful union of modern architecture and 17th century Flemish buildings. The cobbled streets of the old town offer numerous restaurants and cafés that vye with each other for your custom and the cuisine a tempting mix of traditional French and Belgian specialities, particularly moules et frites, for which Lille is renowned. Lille’s elegant centre has however been transformed with designer boutiques lining the streets and with 36% of the population aged under 25, Lille is considered a vibrant, young and dynamic city. The city’s most striking monument is Louis XV’s triumphal arch, Porte de Paris, while the Town Hall Belfry provides the ideal vantage point for admiring the city from above. The old Stock Exchange building – the Vielle Bourse – is a reflection of the city’s historical commercial importance.

Palais des Beaux Arts Price from: FREE general admission (requires student and teacher ID)

The Palais des Beaux Arts is the second largest museum in France after the Louvre, housing collections of European paintings, a Prints and Drawings Room, a collection of Antiquities, a medieval and Renaissance collection, 17th and 18th century ceramics, 19th century French sculptures and 18th century scale models. The collections of the Palais des Beaux Arts are the object of worldwide renown and provide a comprehensive panorama of the great artistic movements of Europe from the 12th to the 20th century, including works by Goya and Rubens. There is a £2 per person charge to view the permanent collections and guided tours can be arranged from £55 per group (maximum 35 students in each group).

Arras Arras, with its fine old centre, is one of the prettiest towns in northern France. Although almost destroyed in World War One, its reconstruction has been careful and stylish, and two grand arcaded squares in the centre – Grand Place and the smaller Place des Heros – preserve their historic, harmonious character.

La Citadelle Price from: FREE

La Citadelle was built on the order of King Louis XIV (1661-1715). The aim of the citadel was to protect the city from the attacks of Spanish troops coming from the Netherlands, but was rapidly nicknamed “the beautiful useless” because of its unstrategic position. The citadel also houses the oldest chapel of the city, the chapel Saint Louis that dates from the XVII century. The firing squad wall is another key site at the citadel. 218 opponents to the war from different nationalities were shot between August 1941 and July 1944. On the wall, the visitors can read the names of the victims, which are inscribed on 218 plaques.

Le Musée des Beaux Arts Price from: £3 per person (requires student and teacher ID)

Created during the French Revolution, the Musée des Beaux Arts d’Arras presents a diverse collection, spanning a wide period of time and several areas of interest. The building itself is of great importance and has housed the collection for nearly two centuries. It was the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Vaast, completely rebuilt in 1754 under the orders of Armand Gaston de Rohan. Its vast surface circles a courtyard and two elegant cloisters. It serves as a remarkable home to the pieces presented within it.

Cité Nature Price from: £3 per student / £7 per teacher / One FREE teacher place per 10 students

Cité Nature is an interactive multimedia science centre that has been created in one of Arras’ many industrial Art Deco structures. Permanent and temporary exhibitions provide a fascinating insight into food, agriculture, nature and health. It has 2500m² of permanent exhibitions on the environment, food, agriculture and technology and 1600m ² of temporary exhibitions.

Kerry Heath


BoulogneThe largest fishing port in France, Boulogne is naturally a great place to go for seafood restaurants. Better preserved and historically more interesting than Calais, Boulogne’s old walled medieval town contains churches, museums, palaces and, of course, great restaurants. You will find the best food stores and boutiques in Grande Rue, while wandering down Rue Thiers, Rue Victor Hugo and Place Dalton, where there are markets on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, also offer true French lifestyle experiences.

Cathedral of Notre DamePrice from: £4 per student / £8 per teacher

The cathedral of Notre Dame, though located at the top of the town, has a presence that is felt practically everywhere in Boulogne. It features a huge dome that dominates the skyline. Located on top of a 12th century maze of crypts, the massive structure rises to a height of 101m. The cathedral crypt, Crypt of Notre Dame has the accolade of being the second largest in France. Its fourteen chambers contain vestiges of a 3rd century Roman temple and was also used to house the mortal remains of the Libertador. Price includes entrance to the museum (permanent exhibition) and the crypt.

Nausicaa Sealife Centre Allow: 2-3 Hours Price from: £9 per student / £15 per teacher / One FREE teacher place per 10 students

With 4.5 million litres of water, Nausicaa is the French ‘seaworld’ experience – the place where you can get a true sense of marine exploration. All the seas on earth are here. The large aquariums and terrariums, together with the centre’s ultra-modern presentation technology, give visitors a unique insights of the riches in the seas and the threats facing them. Teaching aids are available to help you prepare or add more depth to your visit. Guided tours (suitable for any age) or themed workshop activities (suitable for Key Stage 3 students through to A Level students) can be arranged for during your visit – prices on request.

Top Tip: For a small charge The Picnic Room at Nausicaa can be reserved for lunchtime.

Cathedral of Notre Dame, Boulogne


Boulogne Adventure Trail Allow: 3 Hours Price from: £6 per student / FREE for teachers Route length: Approx 2kms

This trail is an engaging language and cultural experience for groups visiting this thriving and popular town featuring activities in a total of eight zones available in separate French and English language versions. It focusses on two areas – the historic Old Town, taking in part of the walls as well as the centre, and the port area close to the renowned Nausicaa centre on the waterfront. Central to the trail is a sense of engagement with key places of interest in the town, turning a standard sight-seeing expedition into a three-dimensional multi-faceted experience. Team-based and competitive, the trail produces winners who demonstrate team-work and strategy as well as aptitude and attention to detail. Your students will love the Conga Collusion Maze and the Creative Photo Challenge in the Old Town setting, the Sand Sculpture and Letter Race on the riverside, plus four other exciting events which make up the whole experience. They will leave the town with a positive impression of French life, language and culture, as well as a desire to return.

Other Places to VisitAll within easy reach of Calais the smaller towns in the region are home to a variety of places to visit, attractions and museums.

Louvre-Lens Museum – LensAllow: 2-3 Hours Price from: FREE general admission (requires student and teacher ID)

The Louvre Museum has ventured outside its Parisian home to bring a new cultural landmark to this area of northern France. Its aim is to give the local residents and the many foreign visitors to the area access to the best art in the world in a spectacular new building. Equally as important is the aim of helping revive the former mining town of Lens and the surrounding area. Within a hugely impressive modern glass building, the museum displays objects from the collections of the Louvre in Paris that are lent to the gallery on a medium or long term basis. Entrance to temporary exhibitions, guided tours and workshops can be arranged for your group - prices on request.

La Coupole – nr Saint-OmerAllow: 1-2 Hours Price from: £9 per person (History Centre Visit & 3D Planetarium Session) / One FREE teacher place per 10 students

This former V2 rocket site, built by the Germans with the intention of launching the deadly unmanned flying bombs at London during World War Two, houses a fascinating exhibition that highlights how the course of history could have been altered had the Nazi’s plans been successful. The museum houses V1 and V2 bombs, as well as photographs, artefacts and films that showcase the chilling reality of wartime Europe. The new 3D Planetarium offers an unforgettable journey into space. Entrance includes a free infrared audioguide headset. A covered picnic room or uncovered picnic area are available to pre-book for your group, and packed lunches can be arranged from £7 per person.

Top Tip: Ideal for ages 9-13, and as this is a walking tour, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes!

Top Tip: Teaching notes are available to download prior to your visit and an onsite education room for up to 50 can be reserved for your group if required..

Nausicaa Sealife Centre


Cathedral of Notre Dame – Amiens Price from: FREE for students (arranged in groups of 26 students) / £5 per teacher / One FREE teacher place per 15 students

Amiens was devastated in each of the two world wars, yet is still the location of France’s largest cathedral. The gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame was erected in the 13th Century and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its 42m-high nave is also a national record. The cathedral is also renowned for its ornate doorways, beautiful stained-glass windows and stunning 16th century choir stalls.

Le Blockhouse d’Éperlecques Price from: £5 per student / £10 per teacher / One FREE teacher place per 12 students

The vast bunker of d’Eperlecques is one of a kind, being the only French location with both V1 and V2 rocket bases. Full of World War Two memorabilia, you will even see an authentic launch pad with its V1 ready for take-off. The site was chosen to build the first completely autonomous V2 rockets launch site.

Fortress de Mimoyecques – Landrethun - le – Nord Price from: £3 per student / £4.50 per teacher

The Mimoyecques fortress is one of the most impressive buildings dreamt up by Hitler. This base, situated completely underground, in a place referred to as Mimoyecques, was the planned location for setting up the V3 supergun. Like all the weapons of retaliation (Vergelstungwaffen), the V3 was designed to bomb England and turn the tide of the Second World War. The site was hit by the Royal Air Force on 6 July 1944, with giant Tallboy bombs in particular, ending a major threat to London and the Allies. Redeveloped under La Coupole’s supervision, the Mimoyecques site is open from April to October.

Memorial du Souvenir – Dunkirk Price from: £3.50 per student / £4 per teacher / One FREE teacher place per 10 pupils (Primary), per 12 students (Secondary)

The museum is dedicated to the Battle of Dunkirk, 28th May to 4th June 1940, where allied troops were caught between the German troops and the sea and death at the hands of the Germans seemed certain. Housed in what was the headquarters of the French army in 1939, this museum focuses on this small period of time during World War II, documenting The Battle of Dunkirk and the lead up to Operation Dynamo, both recounting the sequence of events and offering an analysis of them.

Bagatelle Theme Park – MerlimontAllow: 3-5 Hours Price from: £12.50 per person (aged 6-15 years) / £15.50 per person (aged 16+) / One FREE teacher place for every 8 (aged 6-15 years)

Bagatelle is a fun theme park with imaginative rides set in the attractive woods, hills and the former acres of flat marshland near Berck seaside resort. The 43 attractions at this well-established theme park include many white knuckle rides and breath-taking experiences, with recent additions including a zoo, water rides and a Grand Prix circuit.

Amiens Cathedral


ARC International Industrial Tour – Arques Price from: £4 per student / FREE for teachers

Prepare to be amazed as alchemy meets the power of fire to create delicate, translucent glass. Formed at a temperature of 1500°C, drops of molten glass are transformed before your very eyes into finished pieces, packaged and ready for sale. Arc International invites you to share the secrets of the world’s leading tableware company. The 90 minute guided tour includes a presentation of the company, a film explaining the various stages and processes in glassmaking and a tour of production facility. From a bridge overlooking the entire production site, you can follow the whole transformation process and watch drops of molten glass crafted into finished articles. TV screens dotted along the way provide a closer look at key glassmaking operations, interspersed with information panels and photos of employees in action. You will leave with both a broad understanding and detailed insight into the production process.

Enerlya, Renewable Energy Centre – FauquemberguesAllow: 1½ Hours Price from: £3 per person (aged 13 and under) / £4 per person (aged 14+) / One FREE teacher place for every 10 (aged 13 and under)

Enerlya, the Renewable Energy Centre located near to the Haute Lys wind farm near St Omer, aims to raise public awareness of renewable energy. The interactive tour allows visitors of all ages to learn about natural energy sources such as wind, sun, water and biomass, with demonstrations of energy producing systems, such as domestic wind turbines, photovoltaic solar panels and micro- power generators. After the 1½ hour tour, you can follow a trail around the wind farm.

La Chocolaterie de Beussent Lachelle – Beussent Allow: 1½ Hours Price from: £3 per person / Two FREE teacher places per group (minimum 25 in a group)

Enjoy a guided chocolate factory visit, lasting approximately 45 minutes, covering different chocolate making techniques, as well as providing a history of chocolate cultivation and production. Tours end with a tasting opportunity and the chance to buy chocolates direct from the factory outlet.

BECASUC – Confiserie - nr Boulogne Allow: 1½ Hours Price from: £4 per person

This traditional sweet making manufacturer is located just 5 minutes from the centre of Boulogne. Your group will learn about the different steps involved in the process of sweet making followed by a tasting of the finished products.

L’Escargotière du Choquel – St-Martin-Choquel Allow: 1½ Hours Price from: £4 per student / FREE for teachers

This ‘hélicicolé’ farm raises grey large snails and offers visitors the opportunity to discover the art and science behind snail farming. Lasting approximately 1½ hours the tour includes a tasting! Open mid March to late October.

Boulangerie “Le Fournil” - Wierre-Effroy Allow: 1½ Hours Price from: £4 per student / FREE for teachers (arranged in groups of 25)

Ideal for school groups this traditional bakery is family-owned and demonstrates baking in the old and new part of the bakery. Each student will learn how to make a croissant and bread. Lasting approximately 1 hour 15 minutes there is time to enjoy a tasting to complete the experience. The price includes a croissant and a pain au chocolat.

Bellewaerde Theme Park – Ypres Allow: 3-5 Hours Price from: £15.50 per pupil or teacher (Primary) / £16.50 per student or teacher (Secondary) / One FREE teacher place per 15 pupils/students

Named after the old castle, which to this day stands near the main entrance of the park, Bellewaerde is the oldest operating theme park located just over the French border in Belgium. Spread over an area of 54 acres, you will find thrilling rides, over 300 exotic animals, natural beauty and much more, catering towards teens and families.

Top Tip: Explained in French this is an ideal opportunity for students develop their language skills.


Christmas Markets The Opal Coast is also a region that fully embraces the Christmas spirit and from late November, the region’s Christmas Markets welcome and delight both local and international visitors. Within just an hour’s travel from Calais it is possible to enjoy the Christmas markets plus a wide range of other visits and activities.

Lille’s Christmas Market is traditionally held at Place Rihour, which is adorned with decorations, colourful lights and market stalls. In the main square, a huge Ferris wheel is erected, which offers a great view of the city and its Christmas illuminations.

Arras, which is renowned as one of the prettiest towns in northern France, holds its spectacular Christmas Market in the Grand Place. Around 60 exhibitors offer a wide selection of arts and crafts, as well as local delicacies.

In Amiens, the Christmas market is staged in the heart of the city, and is one of the biggest and best Christmas markets in northern France. The fresh alpine setting plays host to over 120 chalets and stalls which include a wide range of produce, from seafood, pâtés and cheeses to sweet treats such as the famous Amiens macaroons. There is also an open air ice rink, merry-go-rounds, singers and shows, the most mesmerising of which is La Cathédrale en Couleurs – a free light show held during December on the striking Gothic cathedral.

Where to Eat

Eating out in France is an experience in itself and traditional eateries compete with the modern fast-food style outlets that can be found in any European country. For those wishing to enjoy an affordable, value-for-money meal, Study Experiences has selected a number of restaurants that offer good service and decent portions of quality food to suit students on a budget. All meals arranged by us must be pre-booked in advance of your trip.

We work with Flunch and La Pataterie restaurants throughout the region, enabling us to arrange meals to suit your budget and tour itinerary. Please note that the choice in each course has to be the same for the whole group.

Fast FlunchLocations: Arras, Boulogne, Amiens, Calais, Lens, Lille, Saint-Omer Price from: Two-courses £9 per person

Meal Includes: For the main course - Roast Chicken, Beef Burger, Chicken Nuggets or Breaded Fish, plus; an all-you-can-eat vegetable buffet, bread. Dessert - pastry, dairy dessert or cheese, plus a soft drink.

Flunch ClassicLocations: Arras, Boulogne, Amiens, Calais, Lens, Lille, Saint-Omer Price from: Three-courses £11 per person

Meal Includes: Starter - a plate of crudités, plate of deli meat, deviled egg or avocado and mixed vegetables. Same main course and dessert options as Fast Flunch, plus a soft drink

Flunch Take AwayLocations: Arras, Boulogne, Amiens, Boulogne, Calais, Lens, Lille, Saint-Omer Price from: £7 per person

Packed lunch: Filled baguette (ham, chicken or mixed salad); packet of crisps; a cookie, doughnut or fruit; plus a soft drink

La Pataterie RestaurantsLocations: Dunkirk, Arras, Calais, near Lille, Saint Omer Price from: Two-courses £10.50 per person / Three-courses £13 per person

Starter: A mixed salad made with potatoes, tomatoes, sausages, gherkins and lettuce or Farmhouse paté, served with a mixed salad made with tuna and chorizo, with toast

Main course: gratin made with potatoes, lardons, crème and raclette cheese served with a side salad or chicken leg served with salad, potatoes and a herb sauce

Dessert: ice cream or chocolate profiteroles


NotesTo help plan your trip please use this section to jot down all the choices you are interested in discussing with us.

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Call: 020 8335 4455Visit: www.studyexperiences.co.ukStudy Experiences, The Newmarket Group, Cantium House, Railway Approach, Wallington, Surrey SM6 0BP

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Study Experiences’ Safety Management SystemAt Study Experiences, the safety and wellbeing of you and your students is our absolute priority. We operate a detailed Safety Management System, with all suppliers chosen for the quality of their services, compliance with our safety management standards and experience in working with schools and colleges. Furthermore, 24-hour office support is also provided throughout the duration of your time away with us.

Financial SecurityStudy Experiences is part of the student travel division of the Newmarket Group, and all customers’ monies are therefore protected by our company’s ABTA bond and ATOL licence.

Speak to our Opal Coast Travel Expert Team

Lisa RudgleyEmail: [email protected]

Kerry HeathEmail: [email protected]

Emanuela Raccuglia Email: [email protected]

For the best advice on your trip and to book up your great value tailored trip speak to our team today

pick your ideal trip check availability receive your …...presentation technology, give visitors a...

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