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An immersive language experience
Our modern, ecological centre not only offers students an immersive language experience but also raises awareness of Sustainability. Local teachers engage students in language learning which can be complemented by enriching activities in the centre’s grounds. The centre is situated just outside of the city of Laon in the quintessentially French village of Merlieux-et-Fouquerolles. It has its own farm, solar panels, lake and aquarium.
A highlight of their educational tour for students is meeting Laon’s mayor at the Hôtel de Ville and engaging with local students at a school.
The landscape surrounding the hill-top city of Laon bears the scars of WW1 and WW2 history, making it an unforgettable destination for all. Laon is easy access from Calais, Paris and Reims.
Sample itinerary
If you are a different ensemble type, please ask us for a sample itinerary.
Day 1
Transfer to our centre. Relax and enjoy dinner at centre.
Day 2
The owner of the centre presents a brief history and introduction of the site, followed by a French language session with a local teacher.
Spend the afternoon in Laon - enjoy lunch, a tour navigating the city’s underground passages and a visit to the mayor at the Hôtel de Ville; the perfect opportunity to put your French language skills to use in a real-life scenario
Day 3
Morning visit to the WW1 trenches of Caverne du Dragon on the Chemin des Dames. Explore the sobering, local history further and climb an observation tower. Let off steam at a tree-top activity trail before an afternoon language session complementing this morning’s excursion.
Day 4
Morning visit to a school for a quiz and language exchange with local students, followed by lunch. Enjoy a bread production workshop. Bowling and dinner in the evening, perhaps enjoy a game against local students.
Day 5
Departure and stop off at a hypermarché en route home.
What our language course offers
- Daily language sessions.
- Daily activities to support your language learning, including a Q&A with Laon’s mayor and a bread production workshop.
- Language ability tests on arrival and final test at the end of the course.
- All course materials, including pads, pens, and tourist information documents.
- Knowledge and expertise of a local guide accompanying the group.
Visits
Browse a selection of our favourite activities and visits.
- Caverne de Dragon
- Souterrains de Laon, secrets sous la ville
- Tree-top activity trail
- Bread production workshop
- Le Familistère de Guise
- Complexe-apicole
A fascinating and poignant insight into soldiers’ life underground with walls bearing witness to names and dates. History is still being here uncovered every day and the museum displays evidence of this with helmets, candle holders and hand grenades.
Explore an underground world of limestone passages beneath Laon with traces of life dating back to 40 million years ago.
Akin to the UK’s GoApe.
Make your own French bread.
A former social palace created by Jean-Baptiste André Godin for his factory workers, now a museum.
A bee workshop, see how bees are cared for and how honey is produced.
Where to stay
Popular places to stay.
Our ecological centre is in the quintessentially French village of Merlieux-et-Fouquerolles, a 20-minute drive just outside of Laon. There is plenty of space indoors and outdoors for students to relax during free time, whether it be a disco, French film evening or exploring the 17 hectares of surrounding land. There are four classrooms. The centre provides full-board catering - delicious, locally sourced cuisine. In addition, the centre can inspire and teach others about its sustainable practises - solar panels, wool production and its own lake.
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Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about planning a school educational tour.
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FAQs
Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Yes. We include a comprehensive insurance package in every tour unless instructed otherwise. We can provide you with the details.
You should book your tour between 8-18 months in advance. This will give us time to secure the best possible accommodation and excursion programme for your tour and you will have ample time for fundraising should you need to do so.
The most pleasant time of year to come to Europe is between May and September; you may wish to consider this when planning your tour. Summer temperatures across Europe range from 18-35 degrees Celsius. European cities in winter can also offer many interesting cultural experiences that you may enjoy.