Explore this gem in the South of France to immerse yourself in the language and culture. With French classes in Avignon, Provençale cuisine in Gourdes and Roman architecture in Nîmes, a French language school trip to Avignon has so much to offer.
Avignon
- 5 days
- +1
- France
- Approx. 1hrs
- Palais des Papes
- Gordes guided tour
- Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque
- Pont du Gard
- Nimes
- Uzès / Haribo Museum
For the latest travel advice, including passport and visa information, visit the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website
Sample itinerary
This sample itinerary is offered as a guideline. The trip focus, length and itinerary/activities can be tailored to meet your learning objectives.
- Day
Day 1 - Arrive in Avignon and Palais des Papes
Arrive at Marseille Provence Airport and travel by coach to Avignon, approx 90 minutes away. Check into your hotel before heading out on a guided walking tour of the heart of Avignon's centre, learning about the region’s history and culture.
Highlights include the Palais des Papes, the city’s medieval fortified walls and Place de l’Horloge where you can learn the secret of its painted windows. Take a ride on Le Petit Train to see the sights of the fantastic city from a fun angle. It moves through intricate streets with a plexi-glass window to allow you to see all the incredible architecture above. You can listen to a tour commentary in multiple languages on a headset which is interesting and informative.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 2 - French language lesson, Gordes guided tour, Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque
On y va! Head bright and early to the first of your three tailored French language lessons. Learn French in Avignon with students divided into groups to improve their skills at a perfectly pitched level, c’est fantastique!
Take a leisurely lunch in Avignon and sample French cuisine. Stretch your legs and use that new vocabulary to order food and drink independently.
This afternoon, board the coach for a trip to the picture-perfect Gordes, nestled in the Provençal countryside. With your expert local guide, students explore the ‘village perché,’ 340 metres above the valley floor with stunning views of the Luberon. ‘Gordiens, as the residents are known here, live in one of the officially listed ‘les plus beaux villages de France’ (The Most Beautiful Villages of France). Stop at Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque en route, a monastère founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century. Still inhabited by the Cistercian community, the monastery is open to the public at specific hours.
After dinner in the hotel, try your hand at bowling in Avignon.
Day 3 - French language lesson and Treasure Hunt
C’est reparti! This morning it's back to school for your second language immersion in Provence. Students have two hours this morning to develop their knowledge before once again heading out into Avignon for independent practice while they grab lunch.
This afternoon it’s time for a fun treasure hunt in French. Play Intrigue dans la ville Avignon and see students grow in confidence using their language skills in this entertaining and interactive mystery.
Have dinner at the hotel before heading out for a French movie night at a local cinema.
Day 4 - Pont du Gard, Nimes Guided tour, Haribo Sweets Museum
This morning jump directly onto the coach and head off with your TCBC guide to see some incredible local sites. First up is Pont du Gard, the Roman Aqueduct built across the Gard river in Nîmes. This three-tiered bridge is an architectural and artistic masterpiece.
From the Roman to the modern, the next stop is the Haribo Sweets Museum in Uzès. This museum features antique advertising posters and vintage machinery and offers independent explorations, guided tours, and creative workshops by reservation. Its centrepiece is the biggest Haribo shop in the world, supporting Uzès' claim to be a confectionery centre. Time permitting, walk off the sugar high by exploring Uzès itself. Your guide will show students around this well preserved and very attractive town with medieval stone houses, a Duke’s castle and two medieval towers. Students can have some free time here for lunch.
From here, board the coach and travel to Nîmes for a guided tour of this beautiful Roman city. Students can see the Arènes de Nîmes, a contemporary of the Colosseum in Rome, and the Jardins de la Fontaine, both of which were awarded top attractions designation by Tripadvisor in 2023. Described as “the Rome of France”, your TCBC guide will show you the incredible collection of Roman buildings.
After dinner enjoy an ultimate quiz night experience at the hotel.
Day 5 - French language lesson and fly home
Check out this morning and walk to school for your final language lesson.
After lunch take the opportunity to grab that last souvenir before boarding the coach to head to Marseille airport for your flight home. You will be sure to have enjoyed this French study trip to Avignon.
Bon voyage!
What’s included
Full TCBC support from the moment you book until you return home
Full itinerary flexibility to ensure the perfect tour for your students
We'll source the best available flights based on your school's location
You'll have all our necessary contact details to hand should the need arise
Knowledgeable TCBC guide ready to bring your walking tours to life
Detailed itinerary, with all entrance fees included, no hidden costs
Return flights, 1 piece of hold luggage per person, airport taxes and security charges and ATOL Protection Contribution
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure. We can also arrange your UK airport transfers if you wish
Experienced local TCBC guide for your included walking tours
Coach for your journey to Gordes, Uzès and Nîmes
4 nights' accommodation, with multi rooms for students and single rooms for teachers
Breakfasts and dinners at hotel or local restaurants. Lunches can be included too
Avignon guided sightseeing tour, Gordes guided tour, Nîmes guided tour, entrance to the museums of your choice
There will be no hidden costs on tour, everything will be clearly explained before departure
24 hour emergency contact details of TCBC's office and your local guide's mobile number
The normal free staff place ratio is 1:10 but this is flexible and we'll work to whichever ratio you require
Cover with a bespoke travel insurance policy, provided by Endsleigh Insurance, is included in all our tours. If the cover does not meet your needs or if you prefer to use your school’s existing travel insurance, you may opt out of the Endsleigh policy.
We generally don't include lunches unless requested. We prefer to let the students explore the local options and choose for themselves
If you feel you have received excellent service, then our local guides and drivers will appreciate being tipped. Guidelines will be outlined in your quote
Event availability isn't usually known at the time of booking. We will inform you of options and ticket prices closer to departure
Accommodation
A sample of the type of accommodation we use for our school groups in Avignon. If you have a preference or special request, just let us know.
Kyriad Avignon Palais des Papes
Located in the lively Place de l'Horloge and just steps from the iconic Palais des Papes, the accommodation offers comfort and convenience, with air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, and modern amenities ensuring a restful stay. Its central location and stunning views of the palace, along with a hearty breakfast buffet, make it an outstanding choice for educational trips.
Ibis Budget Avignon Centre
Positioned within walking distance of Avignon's central attractions, including the Palais des Papes just 1.3 km away, a 30-minute drive from the hotel will also take you to the Pont du Gard. With its simple, clean, and modern rooms, the hotel is well-equipped to accommodate groups of various sizes, ensuring a safe and convenient stay. The hotel's amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast options, make it an ideal choice for budget-conscious school trips seeking both value and prime location.
Hotel Danieli, Avignon
Hotel Danieli Avignon stands as an ideal accommodation option for school groups visiting the historical city of Avignon. Conveniently located near key educational sites such as the Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon, the hotel offers easy access to the city's rich cultural and historical wonders. With spacious, well-appointed rooms, Hotel Danieli can comfortably accommodate groups, providing a safe and welcoming environment for students and educators alike. The hotel’s staff are experienced in hosting school groups, ensuring a stay that is both educational and enjoyable.
Reasons to travel with us
We honestly believe we are the best in what we do. We'd love the opportunity to show you.
Safety & reliability
The safety of all our travellers is our number 1 priority. We have a robust Safety Management System in place to ensure that our tours are run to the high levels you expect.
Experience & expertise
We have years of experience in planning school tours. Our expertise lies in our organisational skills, attention to detail and an understanding of what you need to make your trip a success.
TCBC local guides
Our guides are our greatest assets and consistently lauded. Highly experienced, knowledgeable and trustworthy, most are hand-picked and have worked with us for years.
Complete peace of mind
Our accreditations (ATOL, ABTA, STF, LOtC) provide you with the reliability, assurance and financial security expected from a specialist tour operator.
Customer
service
Our dedicated team is on hand to offer help and advice at every stage. We are positive you will be impressed with the high level of service you receive from us.
Flexibility & customisation
We customise every trip to suit your needs and offer maximum flexibility in planning your itinerary. We won’t rest until we get it right!
The personal touch
Getting to know our clients is very important to us. It’s very likely therefore that you’ll meet one or several of us at some point, either at school before departure or on the tour itself.
Total transparency
We include as much as possible in our quotes and are very transparent about what is and what is not included. There will be no hidden or surprise costs.
Pre-departure support
We understand how much work goes into planning a school trip. You will be dealing with the same people throughout the pre-departure process allowing us to respond quickly and accurately.
Repeat business
99.9% of teachers are so happy with our tours and our service that there is no need to travel with anyone else. We are confident you will feel the same way.
The staff at TCBC are notably friendly and helpful, showing a remarkable attention to detail that stands out. I'm very satisfied with the service received from TCBC and would confidently recommend them to fellow teachers.
