Cultural Exploration and Authentic Language Immersion – French Study Trip 2026
A study trip to France offers far more than the opportunity to experience another culture. Its primary aim is to immerse students fully in the French language, helping them develop confidence and fluency through daily use.
On their recent trip to Nice, students from Years 10 and 12 enjoyed staying with host families as well as taking French lessons each morning throughout their stay; putting their language skills into practice through a range of cultural visits and activities.
Alongside guided tours of Nice, visits to Antibes and the Picasso Museum, students also visited Monaco, the Oceanographic Aquarium, Cannes, and the Matisse Museum in Cimiez. This combination of classroom learning, cultural exploration and authentic language immersion really brings their studies to life.
Thank you to everyone who made the trip possible, our wonderful family hosts, teachers and of course our students who really made the most of the trip and were a credit to themselves and the School.
Sharing their thoughts from the trip, hear more from Year 11’s Phoebe and Year 10’s Sophie.
Year 11’s Phoebe
“I found the trip to Nice to be an enriching experience as well as lots of fun. I learnt so many new things, not just about the French language but also about the French culture that will help me, most importantly, in my GCSEs and also whilst travelling if I visit France. I now have the confidence to speak French to others as this trip really encouraged us to step out of our comfort zone when it comes to speaking foreign languages.
During the stay, we explored all around the coast, travelling from Monaco one day, to Antibes another, as well as many other beautiful places, and the weather was glorious. Staying with a host family really helped create a comfortable environment in which we could make mistakes and not be ashamed, plus the host families taught us about their lives, which we enjoyed.
I would recommend this trip to anyone looking to improve their confidence in French – it’s not only great for exams but also for general use!”
Year 10’s Sophie
“The week prior to October half term, we visited the beautiful city of Nice in the South of France. We stayed with several different host families, all of whom had lovely accommodation, delicious meals, and helped us feel at home in France.
During the mornings we had French lessons with one of two teachers at a local linguistics school, where we received fantastic teaching about the French language, as well as France itself.
After a quick lunch at the nearby bakery, we went on different trips to various parts of the south of France, including Monaco, Cannes and Antibes. During our visits to these cities, we had fascinating guided tours of the local area, museums, and history. Once we returned to Nice near our accommodation, we were able to spend time with our friends exploring nearby Nice. Me and my friends’ favourite thing to do was to sit by the beach and watch the waves!
The Nice trip was a wonderful week of French language, culture and exploration, and is a trip I will enjoy looking back to for many years to come!”
