The beautiful South of France is the heartland of French rugby, making it a great choice of destination for a school rugby tour. You’ll be surrounded by beaches and mountains, so when you’re not playing rugby, you can have your pick of water and adventure sports too!
School Rugby Tour to the South of France
You’ll play rugby on a pitch that sits in the ruins of a fortress and have the opportunity to watch a professional match, thanks to the two great local teams – Biarritz Olympique or Aviron Bayonnais. These unique sporting experiences will make your school rugby tour truly unforgettable!
Your team will relish the opportunity to take on local opposition that is as passionate about rugby as they are. Your opposition will be of a similar standard, offering you a good challenge and a memorable rugby experience.
School Rugby Tour to the South of France
From
£520PP
7 days, 4 nights
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Morning
Afternoon
Board coach and depart school
Ferry from Dover to Calais
Evening
Travel overnight through France
Day 2
Morning
Afternoon
Check in to accommodation
Free time to use accommodation facilities and enjoy the beach
Evening
Self-led training session to stretch legs after journey
Day 3
Morning
Transfer to Biarritz Olympique or Aviron Bayonnais for pro-coaching session with academy coaches
Afternoon
First friendly fixture against local team
Evening
Watch live rugby action at Biarritz Olympique or Aviron Bayonnais (subject to ticket availability and schedules)
Day 4
Morning
Full-day excursion to Bordeaux
Stop at the famous Dune Pilat on way back to accommodation
Afternoon
Second friendly fixture against local team
Evening
Second friendly fixture against local team
Day 5
Morning
Second self-led training session
Afternoon
Surfing lesson on the Basque coast
Evening
Evening meal at accommodation
Day 6
Morning
Check out of accommodation
Board coach for return journey to Calais
Afternoon
Evening
Ferry from Calais to Dover
Day 7
Morning
Arrive back at school
Afternoon
Evening
- 4 nights' half-board accommodation in the Domaine du Pignada
- 7 days' exective coach hire (at your disposal throughout tour, subject to legal driver's hours)
- Return Channel crossing
- x2 friendly fixtures against local opposition of a similar standard
- x2 self-led training sessions at a local pitch
- x1 training session with Biarritz Olympique or Aviron Bayonnais official youth academy coaches
- Free staff place ratio 1:10
- Detailed information pack
- Travel and medical insurance I.P.T.
- Itinerary planning service
- VAT
Accommodation
Domaine du Pignada
Domaine du Pignada Anglet offers 106 rooms including doubles, triples, family and dorm rooms. Some of the rooms are ensuite, whilst others have shared facilities. Groups will normally be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms, with group leaders in twins or singles. Rooms are spacious and cater well for groups of all ages. The centre has an on-site restaurant which can provide breakfast, lunch and dinner and caters well to specific dietary requirements. Set in a 4 hectare park,Domaine du Pignada has a 25m pool, a junior football court and can arrange a variety of other activities locally, including surfing, mountain-biking and rafting.
Le Grand Large
Le Grand Large is an excellent aparthotel overlooking the famous 'Cote des Basques' surfers beach in central Biarritz. In addition to the spectacular panoramic views out over the Atlantic, you can enjoy the heated outdoor swimming pool (Easter to September), the boules pitch, meeting rooms, bar and restaurant or the relaxing library room. Apartments are all en-suite with kitchenette, seating area and balcony. Juniors will sleep 4 per room with staying 2 per room.
Excursions
Watch a Professional Rugby Fixture - Biarritz
With Biarritz Olympique playing at the Parc des Sports Aguiléra just outside of central Biarritz and Aviron Bayonnais in Bayonne less than 30 mins away by coach, this region offers great opportunities to watch a professional rugby fixture. Bayonne will be competing within the top 14, whilst Biarritz will be looking to bounce back up out of the Pro D2 and into a top 14 spot in the 14/15 season.
Surfing Lessons
This is a great destination for sporty types, nestled as it is between the sea and the mountains. Whilst you’re here, make the most of the opportunity to learn to surf in one of France’s best-known surf spots!
Banzai Paintball
Who doesn’t love paintballing? A great team-building exercise, paintballing may not be a relaxing activity, but it’s great fun, especially for active, sporty groups!
White Water Rafting
Team full of adrenaline junkies? Why not try your hand at white water rafting?
Via Ferrata
Try your hand at a via ferrata – the original high ropes adventure. You’ll be safely attached to the course via a harness and ropes. Your group will enjoy an active half day filled with the spectacular views that used to be reserved for the birds!
Downhill Scooters
Already been mountain biking? Why not try downhill scooters? These scooters have been specially designed for riding down mountains and are great fun.
Planète Chocolat
Chocolate tends to be a universal passion, so adding a visit to the Chocolate Museum in Biarritz is likely to make you very popular with your team! You’ll be welcomed with a chocolate and will enjoy a traditional hot chocolate before leaving.
City of the Ocean
Whilst on France’s beautiful Atlantic coast, why not stop by Biarritz’s City of the Ocean, to find out everything you ever wanted to know about the sea?
Canyoning
Canyoning is an exciting and adventurous sport. Dressed in wetsuits your students will follow the course of a canyon or gorge downstream; swimming, wading, sliding and jumping.
Supporting you every step of the way
Creating your perfect sports tour
Your quote will be put together by an experienced Tour Adviser who’ll be an expert in school sports tours and will know the destination really well too. They’ll work with you to create a tour to suit your group’s needs and meet your tour objectives.
Launching your tour to parents and students
The next step is to get your tour approved and then get students signed up to it. Our ‘Trip Launch Pack’ will help you with this step. Here you’ll find loads of resources (all free to download) designed to make your life easier at this crucial point in the planning process.
After you’ve booked
Once you’ve booked, your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will start working on the finer details. They’ll make sure your itinerary makes the most of your time and they’ll take on most of the admin tasks for your tour (making the whole process a lot less stressful for you).
Support while you’re away
While you’re out on tour, we’ll be at the end of the phone 24 hours a day to provide support should you need it. We’ll also send you a final info pack before you go and you’ll be able to access all your tour documents via the free Vamoos app.
After your trip
When you return from your sports tour, we’ll ask you to complete a detailed feedback survey, which helps us continue to improve the service we offer. And we can start planning your next tour too, so you can give parents plenty of time to pay for it (and so it’s less stressful for you).
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Your trip will be fully financially protected
Your group's safety will be prioritised
Your trip will be a quality educational experience
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