School Trips to Paris
Paris’ reputation as a global centre of culture is much deserved, and a Paris school trip is a fantastic option for a number of reasons.
As well as being easy and relatively quick to get to from the UK, Paris is a cosmopolitan city with many world-renowned landmarks and monuments dotted around the city centre.
Our school tours to Paris highlights include...
Paris school trips are a great way for your students to explore these world famous city attractions:
- Champs-Élysées
- Eiffel Tower
- Musee de Louvre
- Chateau de Versailles
- Cite des Sciences et de l’industrie
- Tour Montparnasse
- Arc de Triomphe
- Notre Dame Cathedral
If you’re looking to plan an art school tour, few cities boast a better collection of world-class museums and galleries than Paris. Visit the Louvre, or the picturesque hills of Montmartre that have been a home for many great artists, writers and musicians in recent history: Salvador Dali, Vincent van Gogh and Ernest Hemingway, to name a few. Discover more about art school trips to France.
For school trips and tours to Paris with a language focus, there is no better place to immerse students in French culture and captivate their imagination than the country’s capital – get in touch today to find out more.
Browse our curriculum-linked school trips in Paris
Art & Design
Art & Design
Barcelona is the place called home by inimitable art and design maestros such as Gaudí, Picasso, Dalí and plenty more – a wondrous city from an artistic perspective.
Cultural
Cultural
The heart of Catalonia, Barcelona is a vibrant city with a storied history and bilingual population. That’s not to mention the tapas…
Geography
Geography
School trips to Catalonia, and particularly the capital Barcelona, provide magnificent examples of preserved heritage, urban development and geographical diversity.
Music
Music
Our music tours to Barcelona and Catalonia include visits to world renowned concert venues, cathedrals and surrounding coastal towns.
Maths
Maths
A maths trip to Barcelona is a fascinating experience that to decipher the numbers and equations behind the city’s incredible architecture.
Primary Schools Tours
Primary School Tours
Our primary school trips to Barcelona and Catalonia encourage pupils to widen their cultural understanding while exploring the Catalan way of life.
Spanish Language
Spanish Language
Give students an incredible opportunity to practise Spanish in one of Spain’s most iconic cities.
Sports Tours
Sports Tours - football & hockey
On a sports tour to Barclona, your students will enjoy a sporting experience they’ll never forget, from training session with professional coaches, workshops with sports specialists, playing competitive friendlies against local teams and enjoying cultural excursions.
Sports Tours
Sports Tours - rugby
With its rich sporting heritage, championship-winning clubs and world-class national team, France is a real rugby hotbed. On a sports tour, your group will get the chance to train with expert coaches at Stade Français, one of France’s most successful clubs. They’ll also enjoy a special ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the club’s impressive new Stade Jean-Bouin, or at the national team’s famous home at Stade de France.
Experience the excitement of Paris with our video...
Paris trip highlights - our groups love...
A school trip to Paris offers a remarkable selection of iconic global attractions, all at the heart of this wonderful city. Discover lots more about our selection of Paris trip highlights.
Champs-Élysées
Colloquially known as ‘the world’s most beautiful avenue’, this two-kilometre stretch of land that runs through the heart of Paris exudes luxury and culture in equal measure. Bookended by the Place de la Concorde and the architectural masterpiece that is the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées is one of France’s busiest streets. With an estimated 300,000 visitors every day, students will gawp at the sheer magnitude and attraction of this thriving metropolis.
Beyond the grandeur, this historical attraction serves as a gateway to French culture, embodying art, history, cuisines and fashion. It also offers students who study French language an excellent opportunity to learn more about the local dialect, interacting with local Parisians in the diverse hub of shops, attractions and venues that line the avenue.
Eiffel Tower
Arguably the most famous attraction in France, the Eiffel Tower welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every day to witness this incredible piece of architecture. Once the tallest tower in the world, the famous tower is steeped in history, with its origins dating back to the 19th century. Any photography enthusiasts within your group will get the chance to capture stunning panoramic views that stretch over the city.
Art and engineering students will also love learning about the construction and design pioneered by the engineering great Gustave Eiffel. A school trip to Paris simply isn’t complete without a visit to see this vastly impressive monument!
Musee de Louvre
Art and culture typify the allure of Paris, so a visit to the world-famous Louvre Museum is an educational must! Housing some of history’s finest and most treasured artwork, including the Mona Lisa, the Louvre will take students on a journey of sentiment, creativity and cultural significance.
Watch as your students are awe-inspired by a host of exquisite paintings. It engages students to think critically across a diverse range of artistic techniques, styles and themes, connecting art, sociology and history, offering a unique cross-collaborative learning experience.
Chateau du Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a symbolic architectural cathedral that embodies French royalty. Used as the principal residence by a series of historic French monarchs, the sprawling grounds and parks of this prestigious site are recognised under the Historic Monuments by UNESCO.
Open for nearly two centuries as a museum, following the infamous French Revolution, the museum now serves as a hotbed of historical indulgence for visitors and students alike. Students will learn about the history of the château, and the signing of treaties, and discover the historical significance of the many monarchs that walked this infinitely splendid attraction.
Cite des Sciences et de l’industrie
Science enthusiasts won’t miss out during your Paris school trip, with a trip to the largest Science museum in Europe! Cité des Sciences boasts a wide range of amazing interactive exhibitions where students can learn just about everything aspect of science there is.
Explore exhibitions dedicated to how the human brain works and the conception of the universe, to modern learnings that focus on the challenges facing the human race, such as the urgent need to address Earth’s climate emergency and the Man & Genes exhibition, which delves deeper into the dangers of genetic manipulation.
Tour Montparnasse
The city of Paris isn’t short of viewing platforms that allow you to capture the sheer size and beauty. Paris Montparnasse is situated in the heart of the capital, with a viewing experience that is simply breathtaking. The Eiffel Tower is right in front of you, offering a view like nowhere else in the city.
You can travel further up to the roof terrace and enjoy the panoramic vistas of the whole city from over 200 metres above the ground. Learning is central to the experience at Montparnasse, with a range of virtual reality kiosks offering insight for students about each of the iconic monuments they’ll see.
Arc de Triomphe
Perched at the top of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe is a national symbol of French history that represents a tribute to fallen soldiers who fought in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Inscribed on the interior and exterior of this marvellous piece of architecture are the names of French victories and generals.
Inaugurated in 1836 under the commission of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Arc de Triomphe provides students with an opportunity to think critically, analysing the symbolism of the design and the cultural and historical significance of this attraction.
Notre Dame Cathedral
This Gothic structure is admired the world over for its stature, beauty and architectural symbolism. Students will be captivated by the aura and mystique of this amazing cathedral, with a step back in time to discover the art, historical and religious themes that resonate throughout the visiting experience. A visit to Notre Dame allows students to explore new perspectives and enhance their cultural enrichment.
Viewing the national art collections
Viewing the national art collections
Appreciate art in all its forms at the Musée d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou and the Musée National Picasso
Disneyland® Paris
Disneyland® Paris
Enjoy thrills, spills and a sprinkling of performance at Disneyland® Paris with Disney Performing Arts OnStage and Disney Performing Arts Workshops
Experiencing Parisian culture
Experiencing Parisian culture
Take in the Parisian culture on a Seine river boat cruise and a visit to Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur
Climbing the Eiffel Tower
Exploring the Parisian history
Enjoy stunning city views from the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck
Exploring the Parisian history
Exploring the Parisian history
Explore history on a Sites of the Revolution Tour, a walk through the Paris of the Ancien Regime and at Les Invalides
Uncovering the maths behind the city
Uncovering the maths behind the city
Uncover maths around every corner at the Cité des Sciences, Palais de la Découverte and Marie Curie Museum
Immersing in the film industry
Immersing in the film industry
Journey behind the scenes of film at Les Etoiles du Rex or on a film location walking tour
Practising French language skills
Practising French language skills
Practise your language skills on a Seine river boat cruise with commentary, as well as at the city's cafés, markets and shops
Jumping in to Paris' science industry
Jumping in to Paris' science industry
Jump in to science at the Cité des Sciences, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle and Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace
On the ground support...
There’s a lot to contend with when travelling abroad, and many teachers find the service of NST’s Paris City Representatives invaluable. We can arrange for your representative to meet you on arrival, assist you with hotel check-in, advise on points of interest and public transport and provide your group with 24 hour emergency assistance. With NST, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’ll never be on your own on your school tour.
Our on-the-ground team will also be happy to discuss your programme of visits, offer an insight into your destination and suggest popular evening activities 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
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 geography 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...
- Unrivalled knowledge
Your dedicated tour co-ordinator will use their unrivalled local knowledge and expertise of Paris 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.
