Below, you’ll find an example of one of our most popular itinerary choices, but we can tailor-make yours from scratch to meet your exact requirements...

French Alps - 6 day inclusive itinerary package from only £389pp*

Travelling May 2013

Our most popular visits in the French Alps for Geography school trips

Here are some of our most popular visits in the French Alps for Geography groups. We can tailor-make an itinerary to your exact needs. Call 0845 688 8988 to create your itinerary from scratch today.

The Emosson Dam

The Emosson Dam provides a stunning example of management of the Alpine landscape for both hazard control and economic advantage. The view from the front of the dam across the Mont Blanc Range is stunning. The dam can be reached by local coach or by taking the ride of a lifetime on Europe’s highest funicular railway (payable locally).

Col des Montets

The Col Des Montets on the Swiss border provides an opportunity for some practical river study measurements. Sediment analysis investigations to examine the possible origin of deposits beside the river can also be carried out. A short drive into Switzerland provides excellent views of farming, settlements and industry in the Rhone Valley.

Aiguille du Midi

An excellent introduction to the Alpine landscape. Take the highest cable car ride in Europe to 3,842m at the top of the Aiguille du Midi* and take in the incredible view. A lift travels through the rock to the topmost balcony where views extend across the glaciers and mountain pass into Italy and Switzerland. There is a summit café and shop to visit before returning to the Chamonix valley for lunch.

Le Brevant

The Brevant is a ski area which occupies a classic ‘Alp’ location, 2,000m above the Chamonix valley. A cable car can be taken to the highest viewpoint before returning to the middle station at Planpraz*. This area is heavily used by walkers, skiers and paragliders. Fieldwork investigations can look at the impact people have on this fragile environment. This provides a fantastic location to introduce students to a variety of fieldwork sampling techniques.

Mer de Glace

Take a rack railway through classic Alpine vegetation, alongside the melt water channel of the glacier. A small cable car travels down to the ice front and a tourist tunnel gives students a unique viewpoint of what happens underneath the glacier. This is an excellent location to look at features and processes directly related to the ice and to consider weathering and erosion; possibly the ultimate location for a case study specific ‘field sketch’. Time is available for some shopping in Chamonix or some leisure pursuits in the ‘Parc de Adventure’.

The Bossons Glacier

The Bossons is the steepest European glacier and as a result has the lowest ice front. It has been used by scientists for decades as a key indicator of climate change. As recently as 1850 it threatened to block the Chamonix valley. A chairlift takes visitors to 1,400m. From its terrace, there is a fabulous view of the glacier’s terminal tongue and the ice-pinnacles of Plateau des Pyramides. An exhibition in the form of an interpretative walk relates the glacier’s fascinating history with panels along the path explaining the life of the glacier, the Little Ice Age and the evolution of the glacier.

The Mont Blanc Tramway

An amazing piece of engineering which travels 12.5km through spectacular scenery to the Nid’ d’ Aigle overlooking the Bionnassay glacier. This location provides a good introduction to the Alpine landscape. The line starts and returns to the attractive village of Saint Gervais which provides a good location for a little rexlation.

Chamonix & Courmayeur via Mont Blanc Tunnel

Chamonix is the winter sports capital of the Alps. More recently it has rebranded itself as a summer adventure destination and the gateway to southern Europe via the Mont Blanc Tunnel. Students can gather information on a number of different topics and present their results. Conduct a settlement comparison between Chamonix and Courmayeur on the south side of the tunnel. The tunnel itself and the surrounding landscape provides good examples of hazards associated with the Alps and their management. (An additional road toll may apply.)

Annecy

FULL DAY VISIT

Annecy is often described as the Venice of France, and is situated next to what is claimed to be the cleanest lake in Europe. Canals lined with cafés and shops run from the lake into the attractive town centre. From the monastery high above the town you can get an overview of the layout of the settlement. The pedestrian centre and compact structure makes Annecy an excellent and safe place to carry out studies looking at land-use zonation and service provision. Later in the day there is time to take a boat cruise around the lake.

Bex Salt Mines & The Rhone Valley

FULL DAY MODULE

Bex is in the heart of the Rhone Valley, 30 minutes drive from Sion. An audiovisual presentation and exhibition relates the fascinating story of salt mining over three centuries and is shown in an old reservoir that was dug in 1826. A narrow-gauge train takes visitors on a journey 400m below the earth. A guided walk through caverns allows visitors to discover the effort that went into searching for salt sources and into breaking up the rock to extract the salt. This option provides a good industry case study and can be used to introduce some basic geology.

The Trient Glacier

The Trient is one of the fastest retreating glaciers in the Alps. It is located just across the border in Switzerland. There is an easy to walk route on a good path with a gentle gradient to the outwash plain of the glacier. Fieldwork related to vegetation succession and sediment changes can be carried out. The surrounding landscape provides excellent examples of Alpine farming.

Evening Activities

Evening excursions such as cinema, bowling and swimming can be arranged by your on-site advisor. Accommodation-based quizzes, disco and mystery trails are also possible.

Below, you'll find some of our most popular accommodation options for school groups.

This is just a sample of our full range, so for full details of all properties available, please call 0845 688 8988 to speak to one of our Educational Travel Advisors today.

Hotel Les Soldanelles

This typical chalet style hotel offers comfortable, spacious accommodation and a warm welcome.

Hotel Les Soldanelles

The Hotel Les Soldanelles is situated 700 metres from St Gervais affording stunning views towards Mont Blanc.

Address Rue du Mont Joly 1, Impasse des Coquelicots 74170 St Gervais les Bains View map of location	Local Rating 2-star hotel
	Capacity Up to 68 guests in 19 rooms

Location Information

This accommodation is located just 800 metres from the St Gervais Bettex cable car/lift station and from here groups can take the cable car up to Le Bettex. The hotel lies just 700 metres from the centre of the historic and prestigious spa town of St Gervais too. It is within easy reach of a wide range of shops, cafes and bars and swimming pool. The hotel is in a quiet location on the edge of the town and is ideally placed for welcoming groups.

View map

Download PDF datasheet

Accommodation Facilities

• Reception
• Restaurant
• Salon with open fireplace and soft seating
• Bar
• Panoramic terrace

Student Rooms

• Multi-bedded sleeping 3-4, some with bunks
• En-suite facilities
• Hairdryer
• TV
• Some rooms have balconies

 Staff Rooms

• Twins/Triples
• En-suite facilities
• Hairdryer
• TV
• Some rooms have balconies

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Accompanying Educational Advisors

NST Field Studies Advisors

Prior to your trip you will be in contact with a Field Studies Advisor who will customise your itinerary to meet your exact objectives. They will travel out with you or meet you at your hotel and assist you with all aspects of your tour, from teaching fieldwork, to liaising with your coach drivers, hotelier and evening entertainment venues.

International Mountain Leaders - Explore even more adventurous locations with an International Mountain Leader

Most of our locations involve popular tourist sites. If groups wish to experience more remote and rugged places, by law in the Alps they must be accompanied by an International Mountain Guide. Half day options available are listed below:
• A walk onto the Outwash Plain of the Bossons Glacier and associated field studies.
• A high Alpine walk from the Aiguille de Midi to Mer de Glace via the Grand Balcon Nord.
• A high Alpine walk from Plan Praz to Flegere in the Aiguiile Rouge.

*Additional Costs
These services can all be taken for a single price representing excellent value using the ‘Mont Blanc Multi Card’ for one, two, or three days. Please ask for up-to-date details. Visits to the Emosson Dam using the funicular, Bex Salt Mines and suggested leisure activities have additional admission charges (payable locally), an up-to-date price is available on request.

FREE Educational Resource Pack

Suitable for GCSE & A-Level

We understand that you want a study visit that delivers the curriculum. To help you achieve this, our FREE French Alps Educational Resource Pack - developed by experienced Geography teachers - contains a wealth of highly relevant information for you to use before, during and after your tour.

You will be able to use its contents as a pre-visit planning aid, print off full-colour student activity sheets for your group to use at each site whilst away, or even refer to its contents post-visit to assist with case study completion.