Lyon is a great alternative to Paris for a French school trip and we can arrange language lessons and host family accommodation!
School trips to Lyon are an incredible alternative to Paris. Lyon is a spectacular city packed full of history and culture and a fantastic option for a French school trip!
Whatever your reason for visiting, we’ll tailor-make your school trip to Lyon to ensure that it meets your curriculum requirements and specific learning objectives.
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Why visit Lyon?
Discover the world capital of gastronomy
Lyon has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per capita in France, including the uniquely Lyonnais bouchons. In these cosy, traditional local restaurants, you can enjoy typical Lyonnais dishes at very modest prices, as well as a friendly welcome from the owner. This is one of the best ways to experience Lyon and the local culture!
Explore an historic city
France’s third-largest city, Lyon was founded by the Romans and was once home to a thriving silk industry. There’s a huge amount of history and culture to discover here, making it an inspired choice for a French school trip.
Lyon is dominated by two hills – Croix-Rousse and Fourvière. Croix-Rousse is known as the ‘hill that works’ (‘la colline qui travail’), as it was once home to many of the city’s silk workers, known as canuts.
In Croix-Rousse and neighbouring Vieux Lyon, you’ll find one of the city’s most famous attractions, the traboules. Traboules are covered passageways that were once used by silk workers and merchants to transport goods without them being damaged by the rain. These were later used by the French Resistance to escape Gestapo raids during the Second World War.
Fourvière is known as the ‘hill that prays’ (‘la colline qui prie’) because of the spectacular basilica at its summit. There are also a number of convents, monasteries and chapels here, confirming its status as the religious heart of Lyon. For the most spectacular views across the city, it’s well worth taking the funicular to the top of Fourvière.
Get your students talking
Most groups who visit Lyon choose to do so on a French language study school trip. This combines French lessons at our partner language school in the city with sightseeing opportunities and cultural activities and is particularly popular among GCSE and A-level groups preparing for their exams.
Lessons are taught by fully-qualified native French speakers. Lessons are in closed groups and so can be tailored to suit your curriculum and specific learning objectives.
To complete the total immersion experience, we can arrange carefully selected host family accommodation, although other accommodation options are also available.
Discover spectacular landscapes
Not far from Lyon is the beautiful Auvergne region, which is famous for its volcanic landscape. Here, you’ll be able to explore how powerful volcanoes and rivers have been in shaping the landscape.
Plus, you’ll travel by coach, reducing the carbon footprint of your trip and helping to protect this precious environment.
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Why choose Halsbury?
We build your trip around you
Tell us your learning objectives, curriculum and budget and we’ll do the rest.
Contact usWe’re trusted for a reason
We’re members of ABTA, ABTOT and the School Travel Forum. We also hold an ATOL and the LOtC Quality Badge.
Read moreOur Education specialists
Laura Lucas
Tour Consultant
Paul Hudson
Tour Consultant
Laura Martin
Language Sales & Product Manager
Emma Gray da Silva
Tour Consultant
Meet our education specialists and get to know more about the people committed to making your school trip the best it can be.
FAQs
How long should we spend in Lyon on a school trip?
To make the most out of everything that Lyon has to offer, we would recommend spending around 5 days in Lyon on your school trip, especially if your students will be having French lessons at our partner language school in the city.
What's the best time of year to visit Lyon on a school trip?
Lyon is a fantastic destination to visit at any time of the year. It looks beautiful in the autumn and the spring, it's not too hot during the summer and, in the winter, the city celebrates the incredible Fete des Lumieres, when many of the city's buildings are lit up with amazing illuminations.
What's the best way to get around Lyon?
Lyon is quite a big city, so the best way to get around quickly and easily is the city's excellent metro system.
Which visits are a must on a school trip to Lyon?
For a real taste of the history of Lyon, we would highly recommend a visit to the Maison des Canuts, where you'll learn about the city's famous silkworkers. You can then enjoy a guided tour of the traboules, Lyon's hidden gems! We would also recommend a visit to Les Halles Paul Bocuse, to find out why Lyon is considered the gastronomic capital of France. And for spectacular views across the city, the chance to explore a magnificent cathedral and the opportunity to sit in a Roman amphitheatre, don't miss the chance to take the funicular up the hill of Fourviere.
Are there any free things to do on a school trip to Lyon?
There are lots of free things to do in Lyon. Explore the atmospheric old town, relax in the spectacular Parc de la Tete d'Or and enjoy a self-guided street art tour. You can also visit Montluc Prison, and the Basilica de Notre Dame and the Roman amphitheatre at Fourviere. And don't miss out on a stroll along the banks of the Rhone or Saone. All of free activities will give you a better idea of Lyonnais life and the diversity of the city.
Can I arrange a cross-curricular school trip to Lyon?
Most groups do travel to Lyon for French, but there are also opportunities for history groups studying WW2 here, especially for those interested in the French Resistance.
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