The Loire châteaux, the stars of school trips!
Many holidaymakers are not visiting Touraine for the first time. This is because it is a popular destination for school trips, leading plenty of classes to the banks of the Loire. This is quite logical. The density of the châteaux brings out the incredible heritage of our beautiful country, while giving access to whole swathes of the history of France.
School trips in the land of châteaux
Naturally the master Leonardo da Vinci makes the “Clos Lucé“ star shine in the galaxy of guided tours. People come to see the great inventor, the brilliant architect, the painter of the Mona Lisa. And unveiling the Renaissance in the process. But Anne of Brittany, Francis I and Catherine de’ Medici are not forgotten, in the Châteaux of Langeais, Amboise and Chenonceau. And if the architecture of the Château of Azay-le-Rideau is impressive, the gardens have made the reputation of Villandry for many years now.
Château du Clos Lucé – Amboise
But depending on the pupils’ age, the curriculum sometimes also focuses on the Middle Ages. Then the Royal Fortress of Chinon (where Charles VII was recognised by Joan of Arc), the fortress of Montbazon and the Royal City of Loches are great places for a visit.
Other buildings, a little less well known, are also ideal for school trips, such as the workshops at the Château of Le Rivau (with a focus on art or fairy tales) and the workshops at the Château of Gizeux (heraldry, baking in a bread oven, etc.).
Children visiting the Royal fortress of Chinon
Château of Gizeux
A wide range of school trips
Apart from the châteaux, plenty of other options are a chance to vary visits during a stay with schoolchildren. The Troglodyte Valley of Goupillières is an opportunity to explore the other side of château life: the daily life of the peasantry. As for the Grand-Pressigny Prehistory Museum, it will take pupils back in time beyond the Renaissance and the Middle Ages. For secondary schools, the Maillé Memorial House provides a striking visit focusing on the Second World War.
Grand-Pressigny Prehistory Museum
For a link with animals and nature, the Aquarium of Touraine and the Cabri au Lait educational farm are a safe bet. But there are also outings with more of a focus on the environment, at the Maison de la Loire, the Domaine de Candé, Touraine Terre d’Histoire and Val de Loire Ecotourism.
For a school trip giving pride of place to the plastic arts, contact the Tours Fine Arts Museum and the Olivier Debré Centre for Contemporary Creation.
Other possibilities:
- The Musée du Compagnonnage, with beautiful displays of arts and crafts skills;
- The Maurice Dufresne Museum, with an incredible collection linked to the industrial revolution, changes to the agricultural world and the Second World War.
- The Atom Museum, hosted by the Chinon nuclear power plant.
- The Véron Museum, to understand the links between human beings and their environment.
CCCOD / Olivier Debré Centre for Contemporary Creation
Musée du Compagnonnage - Tours
Maurice Dufresne Museum - Azay-le-Rideau
Group accommodation
After a busy day, the pupils and teachers will be glad to stay in accommodation adapted to school groups. In fact, the dinners and nights spent with their mates, away from home, almost have as big an impact as the sightseeing! Below you will find some of the accommodation adapted to school groups for one or more nights:
- The People Hostel (the new generation youth hostel in Tours!)
- Maurice Aquilon municipal accommodation centre in Loches.
- La Saulaie Holiday Village, near Loches.
- Véron Accommodation Centre, near Chinon.
- Abbaye de Seuilly, near Chinon.
- Ethic Etapes Ile d’Or in Amboise.
- Domaine de l’Hôtel Noble, between Tours and Amboise.
- Château de Thuisseau, between Tours and Amboise.
- Maison Familiale Rurale du Val de l’Indre, between Chinon and Loches.
The People Hostel – Tours
La Saulaie Holiday Village – Chédigny