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School Trips to Normandy

Normandy school trips offer students an eye-opening insight into a wealth of cultural landmarks. Combined with the educational value it offers and the close proximity to the UK, a school trip to Normandy is one of our most popular school trip destinations for students of all ages. 

What are the learning benefits of a Normandy school trip? 

With cross-curricular focuses aplenty, Normandy is a cultural hub with a rich history that is synonymous with one of the most significant events in the 20th century. Whether your focus is history, French Language or primary school learning, we’ll tailor an itinerary to deliver learning experiences that broaden the perspectives of pupils and students alike. 

Normandy school trips for History groups

History groups will explore themes around the Second World War. The region of Normandy offers a host of excursions that are designed to bring learning to life outside the classroom. The Memorial de Caen affords visitors the chance to explore the history of violence and conflict that took place in the area during the war. In addition to the on-site museum and circular Arromanches cinema complex, there’s also the opportunity to visit the D-Day landing beaches. Find out more about a dedicated History school trip to Normandy here.

Primary school trips in Normandy

Normandy also caters to primary school learning, particularly the town of Bayeux – home to the famous tapestry depicting the Norman conquest of England – and the nearby aquarium at St Malo. A visit to the renowned Les Co'pains Boulangerie or Biscuiterie Cormier also gives classes a chance to sample the tastes of an authentic French bakery. Check out our dedicated Primary school trips to Normandy page. 

Normandy French Language Trips

For language groups, a trip to Normandy presents the perfect opportunity for students to put their classroom learning into practice. There is no better way to reinforce speaking and listening skills than by actively using them every day in a practical setting, particularly when combining practice with memorable sites, landmarks and engaging tours. Discover more about our French Language Normandy trips here.

Request a quote and start planning your Normandy school trip today. 

Why choose NST for your Normandy school trip? 

Whether your focus is language, history or a broader learning experience, Normandy school trips provide insight and experience that will bring educational value, excitement and fun. Our extensive regional knowledge means we can provide you with a list of travel and accommodation options at each stage of the journey. We work closely with teachers to plan a watertight itinerary, which is essential to get the maximum possible value out of any school trip. With our support, we’ll put together an itinerary that meets all your learning objectives and supports the needs of your students. 

Our wonderful team of dedicated school trip experts can draw on decades of experience, offering guidance and recommendations for places to visit, must-see attractions and popular accommodation choices. 

We bring learning to life outside the classroom and inspire a greater thirst for knowledge among young people – a brief sojourn across the English Channel certainly does that! If you’re looking to talk through your options regarding a school trip to Normandy, get in touch with us online and send your query. You can also contact one of our travel experts at 0845 293 7970. 

Browse our curriculum-linked school trips in Normandy

French Language

French Language

Normandy offers a wealth of educational and cultural visits, giving pupils the perfect chance to practise their French language skills.

Learn more about our French language trips to Normandy here

 

History - WWII

History - WWII

Your pupils will have the chance to see the D-Day landing beaches in a trip that reflects the WWII themes within many GCSE and A-level courses.

Learn more about our history WWII trips to Normandy here

Primary School Trips & Tours

Primary School Trips & Tours

Take your primary school pupils to the heart of everyday life in Northern France. With various towns available as a base, explore the local area and touch upon a variety of curriculum topics.

Learn more about our primary school trips to Normandy here


Normandy trip highlights - our groups love...

Book a Normandy school trip today and explore the following: 

  • Memorial de Caen
  • Mont St Michel 
  • American National Cemetery and Memorial 
  • Utah Beach Landing Museum
  • Bayeux
  • La Mimarnel Goat Farm 

1944 Museum

1944 Museum

The Utah Beach Landing Museum is set up at the site of the US landing on the 6th of June, 1944. Guided tours are offered to explain German defences and the different stages of the landing on Utah Beach.  

 

Arromanches Invasion Museum

Arromanches Invasion Museum

This museum contains a collection of models, photographs, dioramas, arms and equipment of the WW2 Allied forces.

Mulberry Harbour

Mulberry Harbour

This great engineering feat built for D-Day sped up the unloading process so that allied troops were supplied as they advanced across France. The remains of this enormous structure can clearly be seen lying off the coast of Arromanches.

Mémorial de Caen

Mémorial de Caen

A journey into the heart of 20th century history, passing through WWII, the Cold War and the world today. A school visit can include a 30-minute D-Day and the Battle of Normandy film. Activities based around several themes can be organised, subject to reservation. 

 

Cidrerie of the Manoir d’Apreval, Honfleur

Cidrerie of the Manoir d’Apreval, Honfleur

Your French-speaking guide will show your group the secrets that go into making cider at the estate’s cider mill and orchard. They also provide tasting sessions of cider and apple juice. 

 

Bayeux

Bayeux

This quaint medieval market town is famous as the home of the Bayeux Tapestry, which students can see in the museum. There are a number of shops and cafés in the town, as well as a magnificent cathedral. 

 

La Mimarnel Goat Farm

La Mimarnel Goat Farm

A working farm where students will take a guided tour, in French, that shows each stage of the cheese making process.

Biscuiterie

Biscuiterie

A very popular visit where students get the opportunity to learn about and help bake local specialities. 

Mont St Michel

Mont St Michel

Your students can explore the abbey, museums, and shops located on the many winding streets of this imposing island citadel.

 

American National Cemetery and Memorial 

American National Cemetery and Memorial 

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is located on the site of the temporary American St Laurent Cemetery, established by the US First Army on June 8, 1944 and the first American cemetery on European soil in WWII. The cemetery site covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 American military, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. 

 

Experts in creating the perfect school trip

Each year, hundreds of students visit Normandy with our help. Members of our team regularly visit Normandy to really get to know the ins-and-outs of the area, from logistics and attractions to our range of accommodation. 

Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their knowledge of Normandy to create an itinerary that’s tailor-made, perfectly timed and meets your exact school travel needs. They’ll be able to share their first-hand experience, suggest options you might not have considered and give you insight into the feedback other teachers have given us too.

Planning your first school trip?

If you're planning your first school trip, our essential guide will take you through each step of the process.

 

  • Choosing your destination
  • Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
  • Promoting your tour in school
  • Confirming your booking
  • Tailor-make your tour
  • Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
  • Quick reference timeline
  • Pre-tour checklist

Additional support, resources & information:

Tour planning service

Tour planning service

With NST, you’ll get your own dedicated, knowledgeable Tour Co-ordinator who’ll work with you from start to finish. You’ll benefit from their unrivalled destination knowledge, and their experience gained from working with many other groups too. They’ll tailor-make your itinerary from scratch and take care of everything for you:

  • Pulling together an itinerary that runs smoothly
  • Planning the right balance of visits every day with realistic timings
  • Pre-arranging and pre-booking your visits, entrance tickets, passes and meals


You’ll receive your final itinerary a full 4-weeks before you travel too.

FREE school trip promotion pack

FREE school trip promotion pack

We’ll support you and provide everything you need to advertise your school trip around school and to parents. Our free school trip promotion pack consists of:

  • Parents’ letter & permission slip template for you to complete
  • A3 posters to promote your trip around school
  • PowerPoint presentation templates which you can tailor to your own needs
  • Parents’ leaflets covering how NST manage safety, financial protection and details of our travel insurance
  • Online parents’ video which showcases the benefits of taking a school trip


For selected destinations, we’ll provide a trip launch web page using video footage and imagery. This web page is provided by a weblink and can be shared with pupils and parents in many ways.

Risk assessment support including preview visits

Risk assessment support including preview visits

Risk assessment plays a vitally important part in the planning and organisation on any school tour.

Our risk assessment guide aims to help you understand more about your obligations and how you can more effectively manage group safety on your next educational visit and provide you with risk assessments for your trip.

Planning first school trip

Planning first school trip

Organising your first school trip can appear to be a daunting process.  If you're planning your first school trip, our guide will help to take you through each step of the planning process, answering frequently asked questions and providing tips and support along the way.  Our helpful guide covers the following: 

  • Choosing your destination 
  • Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head 
  • Promoting your tour in school 
  • Confirming your booking
  • Tailor-make your tour
  • Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment) 
  • Quick reference timeline 
  • Pre-tour checklist 


View our essential guide to a successful school trip here

Get live updates on your group's tour location

Get live updates on your group's tour location

Locate My Trip uses GPS technology and is the easy, convenient way for your school to follow your location whilst on tour. Specifically designed to provide reassurance to both parents and teachers, NST will know where your group are 24/7. If your schedule needs to change, we’ll put plans in place to keep your tour on track. 

With Locate My Trip your group can also share photos and videos with the school and parents, via a secure link, to keep them updated on your experience whilst you’re away.

Watch our short Locate My Trip video here.

Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager

Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager

Save time and stay on track with your school trip admin with our online orgnaniser - designed to help busy teachers like you. 

With My Tour Manager, you'll be able to download FREE resources and access trip paperwork online and in one place. Your personalised checklist details what you need to do and by when, plus you'll receive fortnightly reminders too. 

What's more, you can take all your trip documents on the go whilst on your tour with our app, My Tour Manager-On-the-Go. 

Find out more and watch out short My Tour Manager video here

Free classroom resources

Free classroom resources

We've created a range of free resources and educational posters to brighten up your classroom! 

Take a look at our downloadable posters here

Brexit & your school trip

Brexit & your school trip

How will Brexit affect my school trip?

Following the end of the transition period there are several changes that will affect groups travelling with us to the EU.

For more information on these changes, visit our dedicated Brexit page here.

If you're travelling with NST and have any specific questions. please contact your Educational Travel Advisor.

Why choose NST...

Here's why thousands of teachers choose NST each year...

  • Unrivalled knowledge

Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their unrivalled local knowledge and expertise of Normandy to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.

  • Making it easier for you

With our online school trip organiser, travel app, free classroom posters and trip launch resources to support your in-school promotion.

  • Free group leader inspection visits

We offer a free inspection visit to your chosen destination to support your risk assessment planning. 

  • Value for money

We’re committed to bringing you the best possible value trips to help make every penny count.

  • More than 50 years’ experience

With over 50 years’ experience, with NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.

  • Risk assessment guidance

Our risk assessment guidance will help you to manage group safety on your next educational trip.

  • Peace of mind

Your group’s location can be followed with our trip tracking device - Locate My Trip - plus you’ll have 24/7 support from us whilst you’re away.

  • Offsetting carbon emissions

For every trip taken, we'll plant a Maya nut tree in Peru to support reforestation, local communities & biodiversity. Plus, we'll offset an additional tonne of CO2 to guarantee carbon emission reductions. 

 

Looking for protection on your next school trip? 

Booking with a school travel company is the best way for you to protect parents’ money and give yourself peace of mind.  

 

Don’t forget – if your school arranges transport, accommodation and other services directly, you’ll be liable under the Package Travel Regulations – meaning you’ll have all the responsibilities of a travel company, both legal and financial. 

 

Financial protection from the moment you book

NST are fully bonded:

  • ABTA
  • ATOL
  • IATA

Managing safety on school trips

For your protection, NST's independently audited Safety Management System covers:

  • 24-hour emergency cover
  • Audited accommodation & transport
  • Excursions & school visit assessment
  • Group leader preview visits to assist with risk assessment planning

We're LOtC Council’s Quality Badge assured

The Department for Education advises schools to always look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing a school travel provider.