School trips to Lille
Lille is the perfect introduction to life across the Channel.
Close to the UK but distinctly French, it gives students the opportunity to experience a different language, culture, and way of life without travelling too far from home.
From bustling markets and local bakeries to cultural visits and seasonal events, students can put their language skills into practice while gaining a taste of everyday life in France.
What to expect on a school trip to Lille
Ordering lunch. Buying souvenirs. Listening to native speakers. It's those everyday interactions that help build confidence and bring classroom learning to life.
For many groups, Lille is their first experience of another culture. Close enough to feel comfortable. Different enough to feel exciting.
What are the highlights of a school trip to Lille?
Lille combines language learning with memorable cultural experiences.
Highlights include:
- Exploring the famous Lille Christmas Market during the festive season.
- Visiting a local boulangerie and learning how traditional French bread and pastries are made.
- Touring the Becasuc Sweet Factory.
- Discovering the art of chocolate making at Les Chocolats de Beussent.
- Practising French in authentic, everyday settings.
Why book your Lille school trip with NST?
School trips are exciting. We believe planning them should be too.
We'll help make the process feel rewarding from the start, combining our expert support with smarter technology that saves time and helps you to keep everything organised.
Add in financial protection, trusted safety standards and a team that's always on hand to help, and you'll have everything you need to plan with confidence.
Browse our most popular Lille school trips
Why choose NST?
Here's why thousands of teachers choose NST each year...
- Unrivalled School trip knowledge
Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their trip planning knowledge and expertise to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.
- Making it easier for you
Your own trip organiser, travel app, free classroom packs and trip promo resources.
- Free group leader inspection visits
Visit your chosen destination free of charge and plan with confidence.
- Value for money, always
We work hard to make every penny count.
- Over 55 years’ experience
With NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.
- Aligned to your learning outcomes
Every trip can be built around your specific goals — from the latest GCSE and A level curriculum requirements to particular themes, interests or visits you want to focus on.
- Risk assessment guidance
Clear, practical support to help you manage group safety including our free guide.
- Offsetting carbon emissions
Through our partnership with Carbon Footprint, we're committed to offset one tonne of CO2 emissions, and plant a tree on school grounds in the UK, for every trip booked.
Lille trip highlights - Our groups love
Local boulangerie visit
There are a number of boulangeries in the region where your pupils will watch and listen to the baker describe, in French, the process of making traditional French bread and croissants, before getting the chance to produce and eat their own.
Becasuc Sweet Factory
Take a tour of the sweet factory located in Boulogne-sur-Mer, where pupils will learn from the French commentary, demonstrations and be able to taste the delicious sweets produced
Les Chocolats de Beussent
Learn about the industry of chocolate making and combine the demonstrations of melting, moulding and coating with worksheets, a guided tour of the workshop (in English or French), and the chance to enjoy tasting samples!
Lille Christmas Market
Lille plays host to the largest Christmas Market of Northern France and has a programme of celebrations throughout the festive period. Take your pupils to experience and enjoy the festivities in this lively setting.
