School Trips to the Loire Valley
A true taste of France
The Loire Valley is France at its most iconic.
Grand châteaux. Historic towns. Local markets. Beautiful countryside. Students can immerse themselves in the language, experience French culture first-hand, and discover a region that's proud of its heritage.
Whether they're ordering lunch in a café, exploring the streets of Amboise or visiting world-famous attractions like Futuroscope, every day offers new opportunities to build confidence and put learning into practice.
What to expect on a school trip to the Loire Valley
This is a region that encourages students to slow down and engage.
Whether they're exploring a local market, ordering lunch or spending time in one of Loire Valley's historic towns, students are constantly interacting with the language and culture around them.
That's often where the biggest learning breakthroughs happen.
What are the highlights of a school trip to the Loire Valley?
The Loire Valley combines language learning with some of France's most memorable experiences.
Highlights include:
- Exploring the famous Châteaux of the Loire Valley.
- Discovering Leonardo da Vinci's final home at Château du Clos Lucé.
- Experiencing the interactive attractions at Futuroscope.
- Visiting historic towns such as Amboise, Loches and Saumur.
- Sampling local specialities and experiencing French culture first-hand.
Why book your Loire Valley school trip with NST?
The most valuable moments on a school trip are often the ones you can't timetable.
A conversation in a market. Ordering lunch in French. Exploring a town with friends.
We'll help you create an experience that turns subject learning into real-world confidence, with the right balance of language practice, cultural immersion, and free time.
Browse our most popular Loire Valley 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.
Loire Valley trip highlights – our groups love
Futuroscope
A theme park that’s been designed with fun and education in mind - and it’s one of France’s most visited attractions. Packed with content, the park offers a wealth of ideas so you can develop your educational projects around your visit.
Aquarium du Val de Loire
Study the diversity of the Loire’s aquatic life and touch the fish in the 15 metre tactile pool!
Châteaux of the Loire Valley
There are a wide number of châteaux along the Loire Valley each providing an insight into French history and tradition, whilst also providing spectacular scenery and architecture. The most popular ones are: Château de Chenonceau, Château de Blois, Château Montrichard and Château d’Amboise.
Patisserie Chocolaterie Bigot
Tour of the chocolaterie including hot chocolate tasting.
Puy du Fou Theme Park
Puy du Fou offers a multitude of great shows and adventures to entertain and excite students. The park doesn't have rides, however, offers spectacular history extravaganza shows where actors and animals recreate high drama, from Roman gladiators to King Arthur, with mind-blowing special effects. In 50 hectares of forest and gardens, there are reconstructed historic villages, including a medieval settlement and an 18th-century farm, where you can go into houses and watch artisans at work.
Loches
Situated on the banks of the Indre, this small town is a gem of historical and architectural interest. Dominated by the medieval city enclosed within impressive ramparts it is also home to a number of visits where students can practise their language skills, including: Vignemont Cave Dwellers Quarry, Château Loche and Confiserie Hallard Sweet Factory.
Amboise
Groups can spend a day exploring this fascinating town. The Château du Clos Lucé is a must-see; it was Leonardo da Vinci’s last home and is now a museum dedicated to him. Le Petit Train is an ideal way to see the town and the Aquarium du Val de Loire and Bigot Patisserie Chocolaterie are other highlights.
Saumur
This small town has a number of exciting attractions for groups, many of them based around the town’s wine and food industries. Highlights include: Musée du Champignon, Gratien & Meyer Sparkling Wine Caves and the National Riding School.
