Global School Exchanges
16–22 MAY 2027 · NORMANDY & PARIS
A week in France.
A world of possibility.
French school friendships. Everyday discoveries.
And a day in Paris to remember.
FRENCH SCHOOL IMMERSION PROGRAMME
6 NIGHTS
Private accommodation
4 DAYS
French school immersion
1 DAY
Exploring Paris
16–22 MAY
2027 departure
LEARN · EXPERIENCE · DISCOVER
More than a visit.
A place in a French classroom.
Spend four days alongside French students in historic Normandy, sharing their school day and discovering life beyond the classroom. Then head to Paris for a day of landmarks, riverside walks and cultural discovery.
LEARN
Alongside French buddies
Join lessons at a local partner school and put language learning into practice through everyday conversation.
EXPERIENCE
Life in Normandy
Discover Le Havre and local culture through activities chosen with your school.
DISCOVER
A day in Paris
See the city’s famous sights, cross the Seine and make time for photographs at Trocadéro.
MONDAY–THURSDAY
Your French buddy.
Your school day.
Each visiting student is paired with a French school exchange buddy and follows their timetable, joining lessons, activities and lunch in the school cafeteria.
Accompanying teachers can contribute to classroom activities and exchange ideas with their French counterparts.
An opening celebration welcomes the group. A closing celebration brings students together for performances, certificates and photographs.
Students and staff from a GSE school exchange.
A TYPICAL DAY IN NORMANDY
School life, then local life.
Indicative Monday–Thursday schedule. Final timings will be agreed with the partner school.
Before school
Breakfast at the accommodation, then walk to school
08:25
Arrive at the partner school
08:30
Lessons with French buddies
10:45
Morning break
11:00
Lessons with French buddies
12:00
Lunch in the school cafeteria
13:30
Afternoon lessons with French buddies
16:35
School day ends
16:35–18:30
After-school activities and local exploration
18:30
Dinner, followed by an overnight stay at the accommodation
After school: possible activities include a cinema visit, a walking tour of Le Havre, a boat ride, a museum visit and time for shopping. Activities are organised around the visiting school’s preferences.
A taste of French café life. Sunshine and lively café terraces in Honfleur, Normandy. Regional inspiration; excursions are agreed with your school.
Photograph: Clement Couturier / Pexels.
FRIDAY · PARIS
Finish the week
in the heart of Paris.
A full day to discover the city together, with a planned route combining famous landmarks, neighbourhoods and time to enjoy the atmosphere.
Morning
Travel to Paris, pause for a croissant and refreshments, then begin a walking tour taking in Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre courtyard and bridges across the Seine.
Midday & afternoon
Enjoy a picnic in the Tuileries Gardens. Continue to Trocadéro for Eiffel Tower photographs, with a museum visit and time to explore the Latin Quarter and the Marais, including its historic Jewish quarter.
Evening
Dinner in a local restaurant before the onward arrangements agreed for your group.
The route and museum will be confirmed around travel times, opening hours and bookings. Eiffel Tower entry is not listed as part of this programme.
Your week, coordinated by GSE.
Programme inclusions
• Four days of French school immersion and a buddy programme
• After-school activities and cultural exploration
• One Paris day trip
• Six nights in private accommodation
• Full board, including school cafeteria lunches on immersion days
• Transport within France
• A dedicated bilingual GSE Programme Coordinator
• A 24/7 emergency contact number
A comfortable base in Normandy
Students and teachers stay in private accommodation. Breakfast and dinner are provided at the accommodation or a nearby restaurant. The final accommodation and rooming arrangements will be confirmed for the group.
Travel arrangements
GSE organises and coordinates travel to, from and within France. Your confirmed quotation will state the departure point, travel method and whether return travel between the UK and France is included in the advertised price.
Friendships begin before departure.
Before the visit
Online discussions give students the chance to introduce themselves, ask questions and begin friendships. GSE works with both schools on preparation, bookings and the programme itinerary.
During the stay
Your bilingual Programme Coordinator acts as the liaison between schools, manages day-to-day logistics and supports the group. An emergency contact number is available around the clock.
After the exchange
The relationship can continue through online contact and opportunities for reciprocal visits, helping schools develop a lasting sister-school partnership.
Discover the character of Normandy. Honfleur’s historic harbour offers a glimpse of the region beyond the classroom. Locations shown are illustrative.
Photograph: Mark Lawson / Unsplash.
HOST & TRAVEL
Make France more affordable.
Families can earn travel credit by hosting international students in the UK. The draft offer is £40 per student, per night. Hosting two students for six nights earns £480 towards a participating school trip.
TRIP PRICE
£960
Draft price per student
Or £240 per month × 4 months
HOST ONCE
£480
Remaining trip balance after £480 credit
Or £120 per month × 4 months
HOST TWICE
£0
Remaining trip balance after £960 credit
No remaining trip balance to pay
Each hosting stay shown is two students for six nights. Stays may be months apart. Hosting is optional and subject to available placements and agreed arrangements. £0 refers to the balance against the stated trip price, not personal spending or any additional costs. Prices and transport inclusions require confirmation.
How can you earn travel credits?
Host visiting international students and earn credits towards your child’s trip abroad. Our Host & Travel page explains how hosting works and how credits can reduce the cost of your trip.
Find out how to earn creditsGive your students
a week to remember.
Enquire about the France School Immersion Programme, 16–22 May 2027. Tell us your school, approximate group size and whether you would like to explore hosting opportunities.
Enquire about the France tripGlobal School Exchanges · More student trips
Paris banner: AI-generated illustration.
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