An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
Discover Normandy with Travelbound and make your school trip a memorable experience. We can tailor your itinerary to meet a wide range of learning objectives, so let us know if you’re looking for something new in between your Normandy favourites. We’re happy to add your suggestions!
The Château du Molay for your primary school trip to Normandy
Owned and run by Travelbound, the 18th-century Château du Molay is the perfect base of operations from which to explore Normandy and beyond. It has everything you need to relax after a long day of sightseeing, and your pupils can let their energy loose across 38 acres of parkland, or take part in a range of organised on-site activities.
Our experienced Château staff are always on hand to help during your stay – and for complete peace of mind off-site, a 24/7 telephone number puts you in touch with a real person should any unexpected issues arise.
Trip Highlights
Explore medieval Bayeux
Learn D-Day history at Arromanches
See the Gothic Benedictine abbey on Mont Saint-Michel
Meet goats at a cheese farm
Recommended excursions
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.
Memorial de Caen
This Memorial helps students study our shared past and introduces emotion and memory, using dynamic and diverse educational activities. It is possible to book a guide (at a supplement) to accompany the group on their coach to see the battlefield. A 360 degree 17 minute film to promote an understanding of our common European History opens on the 6th June 2019 to mark the 75th anniversary of the D Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy.
British Military Cemetery, Bayeux
This is the largest of the 18 Commonwealth military cemeteries in Normandy. It contains 4,868 graves of soldiers from the UK and 10 other countries, including Germany. Many of the soldiers buried here were never identified, and the headstones are simply marked ‘A Soldier Known Unto God’. Students can reflect on the sadness, sacrifice and honour of war.
Juno Beach and Museum
This museum and cultural centre shows the war effort made by Canadians, civilian and military, both at home and on the various fronts during World War II. Students can engage with the exhibits, which draw on documents, photographs, maps, artefacts, audio-visual and audio accounts. The many faces of contemporary Canadian society are also explored.
Pegasus Bridge and Museum
Pegasus Bridge was captured by British forces on the night of 5-6 June 1944 in order to protect the eastern flank of the landing operations at Sword Beach. At the Pegasus Bridge Museum, students can learn about the events of its capture and the forces that carried it out via displays of historic items such as weapons and gliders, documents and photographs.
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.
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.
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.
Normandy Caramels Factory
Tour the newly refurbished traditional Normandy Caramels factory in Isigny. A guide will take you on a tour of the room overlooking the factory floor displaying the process of soft toffee making. There will also be the chance to buy the caramel products from the souvenir shop next door. This is a good opportunity to see how the tourist industry supports the existence of local production businesses.
Bread-Making in Normandy
Learn the art of bread-making from scratch at a farm in Normandy in this interactive activity. Students will create their own bread roll using local ingredients and traditional methods under guidance from a boulanger. While the bread is baking in the traditional wood-fired ovens, your group can explore the farm and meet its animals, and even enjoy a game of farmyard golf or taste some local produce. Students will be able to take away their freshly baked bread at the end of the session.
Odon Snail Farm
A must-do for any visitor to Normandy with a sense of adventure and appetite for local delicacies, a trip to the Odon Snail Farm offers an opportunity to discover the uniquely French tradition of snail farming from field to fork. A guide will walk you through each area of the farm, from the workshop and parks to the laboratory, before offering your group a chance to taste the escargots for yourselves.
Festyland Theme Park
The theme of this amusement park is based around the historical events of 1066 and proves to be hugely popular with visitors. Students can let off steam on the roller coaster, waterborne dodgem cars and water flumes. There are also cinemas, daily live shows and gardens with snail-shaped vehicles on fixed tracks that take visitors on tours. Seasonal opening and excellent for younger students.
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.
La Cité de la Mer, Cherbourg
This must-see sight in Normandy in the former transatlantic liner art deco terminal is devoted to the adventure of man and the sea. Come aboard the nuclear ballistic missile submarine ‘Le Redoutable’, jewel of the French navy, re-live the only crossing of the Titanic and follow the route of 50 million emigrants to the New World, and explore three floors of spectacular multimedia displays and stunning aquariums full of life and colour.
Chèvrerie du Mesnil (Goat’s cheese farm)
This working goat farm allows students to see how dairy products such as milk and cheese are produced. Students can play with the goats and learn about the cheese-making process. It’s a great way to find out more about the traditional produce of the area and also presents a good chance to practice language skills and develop vocabulary. The visit includes a short educational film, a talk and a cheese tasting. Visit can be conducted in French or English.
Château activities
You can choose from a range of fun and educational activities, and experienced chateau staff are on hand to ensure that the students are having fun all day and night. Available activities include: a blind trail walk, survival skills, initiative exercises, using various sports facilities for sporting games (such as the seasonal outdoor swimming pool), planting a tree and circus frenzy to name a few.
The British Normandy Memorial
The British Normandy Memorial officially opened on 6th June 2021 as a place for remembrance and reflection. Overlooking Gold Beach, just outside Ver-sur-Mer, the memorial records the names of 22,442 servicemen and women, under British command, who fell on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy. There is an option to add on a short introduction talk from staff at the memorial and an educational booklet to complete during your visit.
D-Day Museum, Arromanches
In the heart of the D-Day beaches, Arromanches is renowned for its ‘Mulberry’ artificial harbour. Its remains speak of the remarkable technical feat of taking 600,000 tonnes of concrete and equipment across the Channel in wartime to serve as a base for Allied troops. The museum uses models, videos and a diorama that movingly bring life to the displays.
Falaise Castle
William the Conqueror was born at this castle in about 1028 and grew up here. Students can visit the ruins and follow the prosperous times and disasters the castle has seen – intermittent fighting in the Hundred Years War from 1337-1453, and again in 1944 bombing raids.
Tip: There are educational tools available to complement the visit.
Batterie of Longues-sur-Mer
The German artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer was destroyed by Allied forces on 6th June 1944. Made up of 4 block houses and an observation post looking out to the sea, this is the only battery with its guns still intact. Longues-sur-Mer is one of the most important parts of the Historical Route of the Battle of Normandy at the heart of the allied assault sector between Omaha and Gold Landing Beaches.
Bayeux Aventure
This outdoor adventure park, located in Cussy, close to Bayeux offers a wide range of activities for students. The Activity Pass includes high ropes courses, mini-golf, tubing, permanent wooden maze and maize maze (seasonal), fixed track zorbing (over 12’s), peddle karting, bubble football and more! There is an on-site café and picnic area. Open April to Sep/October (on request for school groups outside of public opening times).
Typical accommodation
Château du Molay, Normandy
Our exclusive 18th century Château du Molay can accommodate 195 guests in 42 en-suite bedrooms and is set amongst 38 acres of beautiful private parkland.
Located only 14kms from Bayeux, within easy reach of the world famous Calvados coast and just a 45 minute journey from Caen, the Château is in an ideal location for easy school trips from the UK.
See more about our exclusive Château du Molay
Itinerary suggestion
1 Depart school in your coach
2 Channel Crossing to Calais. Journey time from Calais 5 hours, without excursion stop
3 Optional short stop in Honfleur. Arrive at the Château du Molay.
4 Evening meal included. Château entertainment included.
1 Breakfast and packed lunch included
2 Visit medieval Bayeux. Market days are Wednesday and Saturday. Bayeux town trail.
3 Visit a goat’s cheese farm. Optional Château activity eg Circus Skills frenzy.
4 Evening meal included. Optional snails and mussels. Château entertainment included
1 Breakfast and Packed Lunch included
2 Visit the British Normandy Memorial and the Arromanches 360 Degree cinema
3 Afternoon at Cite de la Mer in Cherbourg
4 Evening Meal included or Chateau BBQ in the summer. Farewell disco included
1 Breakfast and packed lunch included
2 Return to the Calais with a stop at a French hypermarket
3 Channel Crossing
4 Arrive School
Learning outcomes
Subject focus
Students can:
- Experience learning outside the classroom in another country – the language, culture, history and geography
- Practise speaking a foreign language
- Build confidence and learn to value the skills and techniques needed for personal and team success
- Broaden the mind through the study of another culture
- Discover, explore and have fun with fellow students and teachers
Student outcomes
Students will have had an opportunity to:
- Visit a foreign country and experience another language and culture
- Gain independence and self-confidence
- Strengthen existing friendships and make new friends
- Understand more about history (World War II and the Norman Conquest)
- Learn about the countryside and local produce
- Try new activities and have fun
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A unique experience that our students will never forget! Travelbound was instrumental to the success of our Normandy visit. The Chateau du Molay is such a lovely place!
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
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