French Château School Trips: Château du Molay

If you’re looking for a seamless educational experience, then look no further than a residential school trip to Normandy, with a stay at our very own Château du Molay, exclusive to Travelbound groups!

Why stay at our Château du Molay in Normandy?

Located in the heart of Normandy in France, our 18th-century Travelbound-owned residential property offers a comfortable and well-supported base for UK school groups wanting to explore the fascinating cultural and historical sites this beautiful region has to offer.

Whether you are interested in a cross-curricular school trip that covers multiple subjects, or you are seeking to book a subject-led tour focused on Art or Food Technology, our French Château School Trips to Normandy really have plenty to offer.

View our school trips to Normandy

The Château at a glance

The grounds

38 acres of private parkland
12 on-site activities
42 en-suite bedrooms
Heated swimming pool (May to Sept.)
195 guests

The location

9 miles from Bayeux
45-minute drive to Caen
150 miles from Paris
Less than an hour’s drive to top Normandy sights

Benefits of a Château stay

A gateway to Normandy’s heritage

Nestled in the peaceful Normandy countryside, the Château is also a place where students can experience everyday French life. From practising simple phrases to meeting local people and exploring nearby markets, groups enjoy an authentic introduction to the region’s language, food and traditions.

Explore Normandy excursions

Over 30 years of expertise

With more than three decades of experience running French Château school trips, our team knows what truly matters to teachers and students. Every stay is carefully planned to be calm, enriching and reassuring, so group leaders can focus on learning, not logistics.

Why choose us

Exclusive to Travelbound groups

Purchased by Travelbound in 1993, the Château was created as a safe and welcoming place for school groups. Remaining exclusively for Travelbound guests, it offers a private, secure setting where students can learn and relax with confidence.

See the Château facilities

A Château steeped in history

Built in 1758, the Château du Molay has lived through centuries of change, from its aristocratic beginnings to its role as a German headquarters during the D‑Day landings.

The Château offers school groups the rare chance to stay where history truly unfolded, with easy access to key WW2 landmarks such as Omaha and Gold Beaches, the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches, the Longues‑sur‑Mer battery, and the Bayeux War Cemetery.

It’s a place where stories of strategy, courage and resilience come to life, helping students connect their learning with the landscapes that shaped it.

Discover the full story behind the Château du Molay and uncover the fascinating events that shaped its past.

Meet the Château team

The Château du Molay is run by two experienced managers, Gemma and Lisle, who have over 20 years of experience working with schools and groups. They are supported by a dedicated team, all of whom are passionate about creating a welcoming, safe and well‑organised environment for visiting schools.

From catering and housekeeping to activities and on‑site support, the team works together to ensure every group feels well looked after, allowing teachers to relax and students to make the most of their time at the Château.

Meet Gemma and Lisle, hotel managers at the Chateau du Molay

The complete team at the Chateau du Molay

Safety you can trust

Your students’ wellbeing is our priority. The Château meets the highest safety standards.Travelbound is a full member of the School Travel Forum and holds the LOtC Quality Badge.

Peace of mind

Group outside the Chateau du Molay in Normandy, France

What to expect from our French Château school trips

On-site activities

Your students can enjoy an exciting programme of team-building activities during their free time at the Château.
From sports to problem-solving challenges, these activities are designed to support personal development and teamwork while adding fun to the learning experience.

Explore our activities

Comfortable, safe facilities

The Château du Molay is purpose-designed for school groups, combining comfort with safety for both students and teachers.

Facilities include:

Pleasant bedrooms – All with ensuite bathrooms
A spacious restaurant and teachers’ bar
A games room
A heated swimming pool for summer months

See our facilites

Fresh, French‑inspired dining

All meals at the Château du Molay are prepared fresh on site each day by our own catering team. Nothing is mass‑produced or shipped in; instead, students enjoy a gentle introduction to French flavours and a welcoming end to each day. All dietary needs are catered for thoughtfully.

Highlights include:

Freshly baked croissants and pain au chocolat, warm from the kitchen
Chef‑prepared dishes such as Boeuf Bourguignon, Turkey Milanese and roast chicken
Daily vegetarian and vegan meals prepared on site

What’s on the menu

Local excursions

Normandy offers countless opportunities to bring learning to life. Just a short drive from the Château, your students can explore French culture, visit museums, and discover historic landmarks. We’re less than 30 minutes from Bayeux and the D-Day Landing Beaches, making this the ideal base for a history-rich school trip.

Explore what to do in Normandy

The peaceful American war cemetery near Omaha Beach with a blue sea and sky background

American Cemetery and Memorial, Omaha Beach

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. The memorial, set around a bronze statue, shows maps and narratives of the military operations. Visitors’ centre staff are available to answer students’ questions.

2 hours View on map

Bayeux Tapestry

This long embroidered scroll is the most important relic to have survived from the 11th century. Students can see the epic story of William of Normandy’s conquest of England in 1066, and consider the French and British interpretations of events. Please note: The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is currently closed for a complete renovation and is due to re-open in Autumn 2027.

1 hour View on map

Château snails and mussels tasting

On the list of things to do in France, trying new foods is near the top. After a long day, the students and staff can opt for a tasting session of snails (escargots) and mussels (moules) before the evening meal. This gives the adventurous students a chance to taste traditional French delicacies.

2 hours View on map

French market assignment

Students visit a local French market, bursting with delicious produce. Teams complete an assignment to buy a variety of food items using their French language skills. The items will be used for a food-based activity on their return to the Château.

Half day View on map

Arromanches 360 degree cinema

The 19 minute film ‘100 days of the Battle of Normandy’ is projected in High Definition on 9 screens. The film tells the story of the military planning, preparation and execution of the Battle of Normandy thanks to archive images gathered from English, Canadian, German, American and French archives. The Battle started with the landing of the paratroopers the night of the 5th to the 6th of June 1944, followed by the landings of troops on the Normandy beaches and lasted for three months. The end came with the liberation of Paris and the bombing of Le Havre.

18 mins View on map

Honfleur

A picturesque harbour town with cobbled streets and timbered houses. Once a departure point for maritime expeditions, Honfleur inspired Impressionist painters with its 17th-century harbour.

1 – 2 hours View on map

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel, a gothic Benedictine abbey, is perched on a rocky islet amid vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides. Over the years the island’s abbey has served as a prison, a fortress against the English and a monastery. As well as the abbey, your group can explore the medieval buildings of the village that grew up beneath its walls, along with stunning views.

Half day View on map

Bayeux

Explore this medieval town with its half-timbered houses and gentle pace of life. Visit the magnificent cathedral, built during William the Conqueror’s reign, and browse the bustling market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

2-3 hours View on map

“

We hope that next year’s trip to the chateau will be as good as this year’s. The refurbishments have really made a difference and the swimming pool is always a firm favourite!

Newport High School

“

Very good stay at Le Château with great facilities, activities and staff. Lots for young people to do on site and on excursions, and teachers feel pampered there, which is such a lovely touch. Thank you for having us.

St Michael’s Catholic School

“

A brilliant location allowing students to immerse themselves in the history of the war.

Greenhalgh

Suggested itineraries

Whether your focus is World War II history, French language and culture, or simply enjoying the tranquillity of Normandy’s countryside, we can create an itinerary to suit your group.

Want to add a city experience? Paris is only a few hours away, making it easy to combine your Normandy stay with a visit to the French capital and Disneyland Paris. Browse our suggested itineraries below or contact us to tailor your trip.

Day 1

Channel crossing to Calais
Optional stop in Honfleur
Arrive at the Château
Evening meal and entertainment at the Château

Students buying bracelets at the Caen market

Day 2

Breakfast and packed lunch
Explore Bayeux and see the iconic Bayeux Tapestry
Visit Caen and the Caen Memorial
Evening meal and entertainment at the Château

Day 3

Breakfast and packed lunch
Visit the Arromanches 360 degree cinema and D-Day Landing Museum
Continue to the American Military Cemetery at Omaha Beach, Maisy Battery and other military cemeteries
Evening meal or optional BBQ at the Château, plus farewell disco

Day 4

Breakfast and packed lunch
Return to Calais with a stop at Pegasus
Channel crossing back to the UK

View our history trips

Entrance to the Chateau du Molay in Normandy

Day 1

Channel crossing to Calais
Optional stop in Honfleur
Arrive at the Château
Evening meal and entertainment at the Château

Day 2

Breakfast and packed lunch
Explore a market and practice your French with local traders
Visit Bayeux and see the iconic Bayeux Tapestry
Complete the Bayeux town trail walk
Evening meal with optional snails and mussels, followed by Château entertainment

Day 3

Breakfast and packed lunch
Visit a traditional goats’ cheese farm and a sweet factory run by local traders
Afternoon at Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg, with work material
Evening meal at the Château with optional crêpes and cider or apple juice, plus farewell disco

Day 4

Breakfast and packed lunch
Return to Calais with a stop at a French hypermarket en route
Channel crossing back to the UK

View our language trips

Day 1

Channel crossing to Calais
Optional stop in Honfleur
Arrive at the Château
Evening meal and entertainment at the Château

Students meeting a goat at a goat farm in Normandy

Day 2

Breakfast and packed lunch
Explore Bayeux and see the iconic Bayeux Tapestry
Spend time in Caen or visit a goat’s cheese farm
Evening meal with optional snails and mussels, followed by Château entertainment

Day 3

Breakfast and packed lunch
Afternoon at la Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg to learn about maritime history, or visit the iconic Mont Saint Michel
Evening meal or optional BBQ at the Château, plus farewell disco