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School Trips to France: Paris, Normandy & Provence

The Eiffel Tower rises against a pink and blue sunset sky, seen across the Seine with tour boats moored along the riverbank.

School trips to France are educational group tours that place students in the museums, memorials, and landscapes of one country, from a working royal palace to the beaches of the Normandy landings.

In 2026, Rustic Pathways programs to France priced between $3,790 and $4,615 per student, excluding international airfare, on itineraries of 7 to 10 days.

No commitment, and no sales call unless you ask for one.

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per student, excluding international airfare
$3,790–$4,615
operating programs in France
Since 2023
three sample itineraries
7–10 days
most school programs; smaller groups assessed case by case
10+ students
emergency number for enrolled families during programs and travel days
24/7
Rustic Pathways · 6082 Pinecone Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 · +1 (440) 975-9691 · groups@rusticpathways.com · rusticpathways.com Student travel programs since 1983.

Choose a France school group travel program.

Every program runs on your school's dates with the same supervision, rooming, and inclusion rules. Pick a program to read it day by day, or compare all three.

Get my France proposal
Compare the three itineraries side by side
ItinerarySchool Trip to France: Paris, Normandy, and ProvenceParis: Art, Food, and the CityProvence: Roman Water, Art, and Mediterranean Life
Length10 days7 days8 days
Starting priceFrom $4,615From $3,790From $3,930
Learning focusHistory · Art · GeographyArt · French · Food systemsGeography · History · Art
RouteParis · Normandy · Avignon · Aix-en-Provence · CassisParis · Montmartre · VersaillesAvignon · Arles · Aix-en-Provence · Marseille · Cassis
Overnight basesIn transit (1) · Paris (4) · Avignon (3) · Airport hotel, CDG (1) · In transit (1)Paris (6) · In transit (1)Avignon (4) · Marseille (3) · In transit (1)
Physical profile3 low · 7 moderate3 low · 4 moderate2 low · 6 moderate
On-program flightsNoneNoneNone
Regions on the route3; the route runs Paris, Normandy, and Provence in one trip1; the whole program stays in and around Paris1; Avignon then Marseille, one region
Best forBest for school groups seeking a broad France itinerary combining Paris, Normandy’s landing beaches, and Provence.Best for art and language groups seeking a Paris-focused itinerary with museums, French culture, creative workshops, and food experiences.Best for geography and history groups seeking Roman heritage, Mediterranean culture, art, and coastal landscapes in southern France.
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  1. Paris · Four nights; the Normandy day trip runs from here
  2. Bayeux · The Normandy day trip: American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Arromanches
  3. Avignon · Four nights; base for Pont du Gard, Nimes, Arles, and Aix-en-Provence
  4. Cassis · The Calanques hike, then the train back to Paris for the flight home
The delivered route: Paris for four nights with a Normandy day trip, then Avignon for four nights covering Pont du Gard, Nimes, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, and Cassis, before the return to Paris and the flight home.
  1. Paris · Six nights; the Louvre, Montmartre, a cooking workshop, and the Eiffel Tower
  2. Versailles · A day trip from Paris
One Paris base for the whole program, with a day trip to Versailles.
  1. Avignon · Three nights; Pont du Gard, Arles, and Les Baux
  2. Aix-en-Provence · A Cezanne-themed walk on the way south
  3. Marseille · Three nights; the Calanques out of Cassis and MuCEM
Avignon for the Roman sites, then Marseille for the coast and the Mediterranean waterfront.
A sightseeing boat cruises down a tree-lined river past a stone bridge and a cluster of historic rooftops. France · Paris · Normandy · Avignon · Aix-en-Provence · Cassis 10 days · From $4,615

School Trip to France: Paris, Normandy, and Provence

Explore three distinct regions of France on a 10-day journey through Paris, Normandy, and Provence. Students experience Parisian landmarks and museums, visit the Normandy landing beaches, and discover the Roman history and Mediterranean landscapes of southern France.

Choose this program
10+ studentsHistory · Art · Geography

The route connects Paris, Normandy, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, and Cassis.

  1. Outbound flight1 night
  2. Paris4 nights
  3. Avignon3 nights
  4. Airport hotel, CDG1 night
  5. Flight home1 night

Your ten-day itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Depart home airport

    The group checks in and boards together for the overnight flight to Paris, counted as a full travel day.

    MorningThe group checks in together and clears security at the home airport.
    AfternoonBoarding for the overnight flight to Paris.
    EveningIn flight overnight.
    Route
    Home airport to the overnight flight; no ground activity in France yet.
    Travel
    International flight, counted as a full travel day.
    Overnight
    None; in transit
    Meals
    None on the ground; in-flight meal service.
    Physical demand
    Low effort; a travel day.
    Customization
    Departure city and flight timing are set with the school.
  2. Day 2

    Arrival in Paris

    Arrival at Charles de Gaulle and a walking tour of Île de la Cité, ending with dinner and the group's first night in Paris.

    MorningArrival at Charles de Gaulle and the transfer into the city, with a hotel luggage drop.
    AfternoonA walking tour of Île de la Cité: the exterior of Notre-Dame and the archaeological crypt beneath the cathedral square, with an optional walk to Île Saint-Louis.
    EveningDinner and the group's first night in Paris.
    Route
    Charles de Gaulle to central Paris, then on foot around Île de la Cité.
    Travel
    Private transfer from the airport.
    Overnight
    Paris
    Meals
    Dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Low to moderate effort; a walking orientation.
    Learning outcome
    Students stand in a cathedral square rebuilt after fire and ask what a city chooses to restore first.
  3. Day 3

    Paris landmarks

    An audio-guide morning at the Louvre, a guided Eiffel Tower visit, and a flexible Seine cruise before dinner.

    MorningAn audio-guide visit to the Louvre.
    AfternoonA guided visit to the Eiffel Tower.
    EveningA flexible Seine cruise, then dinner.
    Route
    The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the Seine, all within central Paris.
    Travel
    On foot and by metro across central Paris.
    Overnight
    Paris
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; a full day of museum and riverside walking.
    Learning outcome
    Students compare a royal collection opened to the public with an engineering landmark built for a World's Fair.
  4. Day 4

    Normandy day trip

    An early coach departure from Paris for the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Arromanches, and Bayeux, back in Paris for a late dinner.

    MorningCoach departure from Paris for Normandy; the American Cemetery and Omaha Beach.
    AfternoonPointe du Hoc, Arromanches, and the old town of Bayeux.
    EveningThe coach ride back to Paris and a late dinner at the hotel.
    Route
    Paris to the Normandy coast and back in one long day: the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Arromanches, and Bayeux.
    Travel
    Coach.
    Overnight
    Paris
    Meals
    Breakfast and a late dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; a long day, most of it seated, with walking at each stop.
    Learning outcome
    Students read the American Cemetery and Omaha Beach against Arromanches' artificial harbor and ask what each site is built to make visitors feel.
  5. Day 5

    Versailles and Montmartre

    A guided visit to the Palace of Versailles, an afternoon back in Paris, and a Montmartre food tour ending at Sacré-Coeur.

    MorningA guided visit to the Palace of Versailles and its gardens.
    AfternoonReturn to Paris with time for shopping.
    EveningA Montmartre food tour, ending at Sacré-Coeur.
    Route
    Versailles, then central Paris and Montmartre in the evening.
    Travel
    Coach to Versailles; on foot in Montmartre.
    Overnight
    Paris
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; palace grounds and hills.
    Learning outcome
    Students link a royal residence built to project power with a hilltop neighborhood that became a home for painters instead.
  6. Day 6

    Paris to Avignon

    A free morning in Paris, then the midday train south to Avignon and a first walk of the walled town before dinner.

    MorningA free morning in Paris ahead of the train south.
    AfternoonThe midday train to Avignon and the hotel transfer.
    EveningA first walk of the walled town, then dinner.
    Route
    Paris to Avignon by rail, then on foot inside the old walls.
    Travel
    High-speed train.
    Overnight
    Avignon
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Low effort; mostly seated in transit.
    Learning outcome
    Students compare the density of central Paris with a smaller walled city in the south.
  7. Day 7

    Pont du Gard and Les Baux

    The Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, then Les Baux castle and town and the Carrières des Lumières light show, before the return to Avignon.

    MorningThe Pont du Gard museum and the Roman aqueduct bridge.
    AfternoonLes Baux castle, the hilltop town, and the Carrières des Lumières light show.
    EveningReturn to Avignon for dinner.
    Route
    Avignon out to Pont du Gard and Les Baux and back, all in the surrounding Provence countryside.
    Travel
    Coach.
    Overnight
    Avignon
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; uneven ground at the aqueduct and hillside walking at Les Baux.
    Learning outcome
    Students trace nearly two thousand years of water engineering from the Roman aqueduct to a fortress built on the same stone.
  8. Day 8

    Nimes, Arles, and Aix

    A guided visit to the Nimes amphitheatre and the Maison Carree, a guided walk of Arles on the Van Gogh sites, and a Cezanne-themed visit to Aix-en-Provence.

    MorningThe Nimes amphitheatre and the Maison Carree, guided.
    AfternoonA guided walk of Arles on the sites Van Gogh painted.
    EveningA Cezanne-themed visit to Aix-en-Provence before the return to Avignon.
    Route
    Nimes, Arles, and Aix-en-Provence in one day, radiating out from Avignon.
    Travel
    Coach between the three towns.
    Overnight
    Avignon
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; a full day on foot across three towns.
    Learning outcome
    Students compare a Roman amphitheatre still in use with the streets two painters chose to paint sixteen centuries later.
  9. Day 9

    Cassis, the Calanques and back to the airport

    A drive to Cassis for the Calanques hike, lunch, and free time, then a transfer toward Marseille and a late-afternoon train to CDG with a packed dinner.

    MorningA drive to Cassis and a guided coastal walk into the Calanques, with a shorter alternative route available.
    AfternoonLunch and free time at the Cassis harbor.
    EveningA transfer toward Marseille and a late-afternoon train to CDG, with a packed dinner and an overnight near the airport.
    Route
    Avignon to Cassis for the coastal hike, then Marseille and the train back to the Paris airport.
    Travel
    Coach to Cassis; evening train to CDG.
    Overnight
    Airport hotel, CDG
    Meals
    Breakfast and a packed dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; uneven rocky coastal walking.
    Learning outcome
    Students read a limestone coastline shaped by both geology and visitor pressure.
    Customization
    The Calanques route is subject to park access rules; a closure moves the group to a Marseille museum or harbor walk instead.
  10. Day 10

    Airport hotel to Charles de Gaulle

    An early hotel departure for the morning flight home from Charles de Gaulle.

    MorningBreakfast and the airport transfer to CDG.
    AfternoonDeparture.
    EveningIn transit.
    Route
    Airport hotel to Charles de Gaulle for the flight home.
    Travel
    Airport transfer.
    Overnight
    None; in transit
    Meals
    Breakfast included.
    Physical demand
    Low effort; a travel day.
Rows of golden croissants and pastries fill the woven baskets of a bakery display window, each labeled with a small price tag. France · Paris · Montmartre · Versailles 7 days · From $3,790

Paris: Art, Food, and the City

Spend seven days exploring Paris through its art, food, history, and everyday culture. The itinerary combines landmarks such as the Louvre and Versailles with hands-on experiences including watercolor painting and sustainable cooking.

Choose this program
10+ studentsArt · French · Food systems

The route connects Paris, Montmartre, and Versailles.

  1. Paris6 nights
  2. Flight home1 night

Your seven-day itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrival in Paris and recovery

    CDG arrival, a private transfer into Paris, and a short neighborhood orientation before dinner.

    MorningCDG arrival and private transfer.
    AfternoonLunch as timing requires, check-in and rest.
    EveningA short neighborhood orientation walk, then dinner.
    Route
    Charles de Gaulle to the Paris hotel.
    Travel
    Private transfer.
    Overnight
    Paris
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Low effort; a travel day.
    Customization
    No timed attraction on the arrival day.
  2. Day 2

    Historic Paris and the Louvre

    A ninety-minute island and Latin Quarter walk, then a reserved Louvre visit.

    MorningAn island and Latin Quarter walk, limited to ninety minutes.
    AfternoonA reserved Louvre visit, then rest.
    EveningDinner.
    Route
    Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter, then the Louvre.
    Travel
    On foot across central Paris.
    Overnight
    Paris
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Low to moderate effort; a full day on foot.
    Learning outcome
    Students trace how a royal palace became a public collection and what that shift says about who a museum is for.
  3. Day 3

    Versailles

    A timed palace visit, lunch, and the gardens before returning to Paris.

    MorningA timed visit to the Palace of Versailles.
    AfternoonLunch and the gardens.
    EveningReturn to Paris with time to rest before dinner.
    Route
    Versailles, out from and back to the Paris hotel.
    Travel
    Coach.
    Overnight
    Paris
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; palace grounds.
    Learning outcome
    Students read power expressed in architecture and landscape design.
    Customization
    The palace is closed Mondays; the program's arrival day sets which day of the week this falls on.
  4. Day 4

    Make art in Montmartre

    A neighborhood walk and a funded watercolor class in two groups of twelve.

    MorningA neighborhood walk through Montmartre.
    AfternoonA funded watercolor class, run in two groups of twelve students, then lunch.
    EveningA free supervised break, then dinner.
    Route
    Montmartre's hilltop streets and squares.
    Travel
    On foot; hills throughout the neighborhood.
    Overnight
    Paris
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; hills on foot.
    Learning outcome
    Students connect the choices they make with a brush to the place in front of them.
    Customization
    An indoor hired studio replaces the outdoor session in rain.
  5. Day 5

    Food and environmental choices

    A sustainable cooking workshop in two reserved cohorts, then park and exhibition time.

    MorningA sustainable cooking workshop in the first of two reserved cohorts.
    AfternoonThe second cohort's workshop, then park and exhibition rotations and lunch.
    EveningReturn to the hotel to rest before dinner.
    Route
    A reserved teaching kitchen, then a nearby park.
    Travel
    Short local transit between the kitchen and the park.
    Overnight
    Paris
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Low effort; mostly seated or standing.
    Learning outcome
    Students investigate seasonality and food waste through a menu they cook themselves.
    Customization
    Workshop capacity is confirmed before the proposal is finalized; a licensed private alternative is budgeted if needed.
  6. Day 6

    Eiffel Tower and city life

    A reserved Eiffel Tower lift visit, lunch, and a relaxed Seine cruise to close the week.

    MorningA reserved visit to the Eiffel Tower's second floor by lift.
    AfternoonLunch and a relaxed Seine cruise.
    EveningA farewell dinner.
    Route
    The Eiffel Tower and the Seine, in central Paris.
    Travel
    On foot and by boat, all within the city.
    Overnight
    Paris
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Low to moderate effort; queuing and a boat ride.
    Learning outcome
    Students explain how one structure built for a fair became the city's own symbol.
    Customization
    The summit is not included; where lift slots are unavailable, a priced alternative viewpoint is confirmed before the trip.
  7. Day 7

    Departure from Paris

    Breakfast and the airport transfer to CDG for the flight home.

    MorningBreakfast at the hotel.
    AfternoonAirport transfer to CDG.
    EveningIn transit.
    Route
    The Paris hotel to Charles de Gaulle.
    Travel
    Private transfer.
    Overnight
    None; in transit
    Meals
    Breakfast included.
    Physical demand
    Low effort; a travel day.
Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica crowns a hilltop above Marseille's terracotta rooftops, with the city spreading toward the sea. France · Avignon · Arles · Aix-en-Provence · Marseille · Cassis 8 days · From $3,930

Provence: Roman Water, Art, and Mediterranean Life

Roman heritage, art, and Mediterranean landscapes shape this eight-day journey through Provence. Students travel from Avignon to Marseille while exploring Roman engineering, participating in a painting workshop, and experiencing the Calanques coastline and southern French culture.

Choose this program
10+ studentsGeography · History · Art

The route connects Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, and Cassis.

  1. Avignon4 nights
  2. Marseille3 nights
  3. Flight home1 night

Your eight-day itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrival in Avignon and recovery

    MRS arrival, a private transfer into Avignon, and a short orientation walk before dinner.

    MorningMRS arrival and private transfer.
    AfternoonLunch as timing requires, check-in and rest.
    EveningA short neighborhood orientation walk, then dinner.
    Route
    Marseille airport to Avignon.
    Travel
    Private transfer.
    Overnight
    Avignon
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Low effort; a travel day.
    Customization
    No timed attraction on the arrival day.
  2. Day 2

    Roman engineering, unhurried

    The Pont du Gard museum and a reserved canal-level guided visit, then riverbank interpretation.

    MorningThe Pont du Gard museum and a reserved canal-level guided visit.
    AfternoonLunch and riverbank interpretation of the aqueduct.
    EveningReturn to Avignon to rest before dinner.
    Route
    The Pont du Gard, out from and back to Avignon.
    Travel
    Coach.
    Overnight
    Avignon
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; uneven ground along the river.
    Learning outcome
    Students connect the aqueduct's gradient to the water demand of a Roman city.
    Customization
    No river swimming; a ground-level route replaces the upper-level walk where access is closed.
  3. Day 3

    Arles: Romans and painters

    The Arles arena and historic center, then a paid painting workshop with a local educator.

    MorningThe Arles arena and historic center, guided.
    AfternoonA paid painting workshop with a local educator in a booked room.
    EveningReturn to Avignon for dinner.
    Route
    Arles, out from and back to Avignon.
    Travel
    Coach.
    Overnight
    Avignon
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; a full day on foot in the old town.
    Learning outcome
    Students compare the surviving archaeological fabric of Arles with the streets painters chose to paint centuries later.
    Customization
    The workshop's provider and date are confirmed before the proposal is finalized.
  4. Day 4

    Les Baux and Provencal cooking

    The Les Baux village and fortress, then a cooking lesson and lunch in a reserved venue.

    MorningThe Les Baux village and hilltop fortress.
    AfternoonA cooking lesson and lunch in a reserved venue.
    EveningA relaxed return to Avignon for dinner.
    Route
    Les Baux, out from and back to Avignon.
    Travel
    Coach.
    Overnight
    Avignon
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; hillside walking at the fortress.
    Learning outcome
    Students compare regional agricultural products with the dishes built from them.
    Customization
    Cooking runs in two reserved groups; an indoor alternative applies in wet weather.
  5. Day 5

    Aix without the cross-region rush

    A transfer through Aix-en-Provence for a Cezanne-themed landscape walk, then on to Marseille to settle in.

    MorningA transfer via Aix-en-Provence and a Cezanne-themed public-landscape walk.
    AfternoonLunch and time in Aix-en-Provence town.
    EveningContinue to Marseille and settle in before dinner.
    Route
    Avignon to Aix-en-Provence to Marseille, in one directional move south.
    Travel
    Coach.
    Overnight
    Marseille
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; a full day, mostly on foot in Aix.
    Learning outcome
    Students connect a painted landscape to the actual countryside it depicts.
    Customization
    No private atelier visit is promised without a confirmed booking.
  6. Day 6

    Calanques day

    A drive to Cassis for a guided coastal walk of four to five kilometers, then a harbor lunch.

    MorningA drive to Cassis and a guided coastal walk toward the Calanques, four to five kilometers.
    AfternoonA harbor lunch and rest at Cassis.
    EveningReturn to Marseille for dinner.
    Route
    Cassis and the Calanques, out from and back to Marseille.
    Travel
    Coach.
    Overnight
    Marseille
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; uneven rocky coastal walking.
    Learning outcome
    Students read a limestone coastline shaped by both geology and visitor pressure.
    Customization
    The route is subject to park fire and access rules; a closure moves the group to a Marseille indoor maritime or cultural visit instead.
  7. Day 7

    Mediterranean crossroads

    A guided MuCEM museum visit, then the Old Port and Le Panier.

    MorningA guided visit to the MuCEM museum of Mediterranean civilizations.
    AfternoonThe Old Port and the Le Panier neighborhood on foot.
    EveningA relaxed farewell dinner.
    Route
    Marseille's Old Port and Le Panier, with the MuCEM at the harbor entrance.
    Travel
    On foot across central Marseille.
    Overnight
    Marseille
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
    Physical demand
    Moderate effort; a day walking the Old Port and Le Panier.
    Learning outcome
    Students compare how a Mediterranean port city represents migration and trade in a national museum and in its own streets.
  8. Day 8

    Departure from Marseille

    Breakfast and the airport transfer to Marseille for the flight home.

    MorningBreakfast at the hotel.
    AfternoonAirport transfer to MRS.
    EveningIn transit.
    Route
    The Marseille hotel to the airport.
    Travel
    Private transfer.
    Overnight
    None; in transit
    Meals
    Breakfast included.
    Physical demand
    Low effort; a travel day.
What applies across every itinerary
Groups and teachers
Groups start at ten students; smaller groups are considered on a case-by-case basis. One teacher's Program Tuition is free for every eight paying students.
Rooming
Students share gender-separated rooms, each with their own bed. Teachers get private rooms.
Price
Program Tuition doesn't cover flights to and from the program, travel insurance, medical insurance, or personal spending money.
Flights and documents
Schools book international flights or ask Rustic Pathways to arrange them. Families handle passports and visas with Rustic Pathways guidance.
Supervision
Program Leaders lead scheduled activities, stay on site, and are available overnight. The approved itinerary specifies any free time, and Program Leaders are present during it.
Effort
Low is limited walking, moderate is a full day on foot on city streets, museum floors, or uneven coastal paths, and high is a full day of sustained physical activity.
Getting around
The group moves by coach, high-speed rail, and on foot. The longest single leg is the Paris to Avignon train, built into the day it falls on.
Decision documents

How much does a school trip to France cost?

In 2026, Rustic Pathways programs to France priced between $3,790 and $4,615 per student, excluding international airfare.

The price covers accommodation, meals, in-country transport, rail tickets, activities, guides, and entrance fees, with one complimentary Program Tuition place per eight paying students. Every program is quoted for your group rather than sold at a published departure date.

$3,790 to $4,615

per student across the sample itineraries, excluding international airfare.

7 to 10 days

program length across the three itineraries.

Group quote

every school receives its own, built on dates, group size, and route.

What the price includes
IncludedWhat it covers
TravelAccommodation for every program night, all meals and drinking water, airport transfers, in-country coach and rail transport, scheduled activities, guides, and entrance fees.
Staff and supportAt least two trained Program Leaders, including both a male and a female leader, pre-departure planning, and school documentation. Enrolled families receive a 24/7 emergency number for use during programs and travel days.
Community donationsRequired by a service project, paid by Rustic Pathways and never collected from students.
ChaperonesOne complimentary Program Tuition place per eight paying students. Chaperone airfare and insurance are separate.

Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, medical insurance, personal spending, passport or visa fees, and vaccinations.

What changes the price?
EffectFactor
raisesPeak and holiday weeks
lowersShoulder-season dates in April, May, or late September to October
raisesUpgraded lodging, such as Airelles Chateau de la Messardiere, Saint-Tropez, in place of the standard three-star option
raisesExtra chaperones beyond the complimentary place
lowersMore students in the group means fixed costs split more ways.
raisesShorter trips cost more per day, since fixed costs spread across fewer days. France itineraries run 7 to 10 days.

Payment and cancellation

Installment plans are available. Review the current enrollment terms.

Families can enroll directly and use monthly installments, or the school can pay as a group.
Request France pricing

What to plan around on a school trip to France

Plan a school trip to France around seasonal closures, restaurant hours, and meal service. April to May and late September to October avoid August closures at many independent restaurants and shops.

French restaurants typically serve lunch around midday and dinner from about 7pm, with kitchens closing between services.

Program Leaders schedule meals around these hours, handle group payments, and request the bill. Table service is included in the bill.

Three students laugh and share pastries and coffee at an outdoor café table in France.

What do students learn on a France school trip?

Students on a France school trip learn about French history, art, language, geography, and environmental science through historic sites, museums, markets, workshops, and coastal landscapes.

  • History and memory

    Students examine how sites including Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, the Nîmes amphitheatre, and Pont du Gard preserve and communicate history.

  • Art and French

    Students develop creative and language skills through art workshops in Montmartre and Arles and by using French in markets and museums.

  • Geography and environmental science

    Students explore Roman water engineering at Pont du Gard and examine the environmental effects of tourism along the Calanques coastline.

Two students smile on a stone bridge over the Seine, with Notre-Dame's twin towers rising behind them.

What makes Rustic Pathways educational trips different?

A Rustic Pathways school trip is one private group on your school's own dates, one bed per student, and an itinerary built to your curriculum.

  • 01No mixed groups. Just your school
  • 02One student, one bed
  • 03Your school picks the dates
  • 04Monthly payment plans available
  • 05No tipping; Rustic Pathways Program Tuition includes community donations
  • 06Aligned to your curriculum

How is safety managed on a school trip to France?

Program Leaders manage local operations and safety procedures alongside school chaperones. Across 13 years of published incident data from every Rustic Pathways program worldwide, 87% of reports were GREEN, the minor tier where the group stays intact.

What the team plans for

  • Paris streets and museums

    Group movement in crowded museum queues, Metro platforms, and busy tourist streets around the Louvre, Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower

  • The Normandy day trip

    A single long coach day to the landing beaches and back, with walking on grass and gravel at outdoor memorial sites

  • Rail travel

    Station transfers and the Paris to Avignon high-speed train, with luggage and group movement between platforms

  • The Calanques coastal hike

    Uneven rocky terrain out of Cassis, with fire-season and access rules set by the national park

  • Workshop and kitchen days

    Supervised watercolor, painting, and cooking sessions in booked rooms with an outside instructor present

Controls built into every trip

  • Written risk plan. A score above 5 requires new controls, reassessment, or cancellation.

  • Two-Deep Leadership. A single staff member is never alone with students, and at least two trained Program Leaders, including both a male and a female leader, support each School Group Travel trip.

  • Assessed activity vendors. Workshop hosts, cooking partners, and transport operators are reviewed before use, every one to two years, and on site when high risk.

  • Medical readiness. WFR coverage when a program runs more than an hour from definitive care, and a dedicated Medical Director since 2015.

What is the best time for school travel to France?

April to May and late September to October are the best travel windows for all three France school trip itineraries, offering school groups favorable timing outside the peak summer season.

The recommended planning window for all three itineraries.
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Recommended window · April to May and late September to October, outside French school holidays and August closures

Outside the recommended windowRecommended: April to MayOutside the recommended window; peak summer and August closuresRecommended: late September to OctoberOutside the recommended window

Is Rustic Pathways the right partner for your school trip to France?

Take a private Rustic Pathways school trip to France on dates your school chooses. Rustic Pathways builds the trip around your curriculum.

Students travel only with their teachers and classmates and never join another school's group. Individual students can join fixed-departure France programs instead.

A strong fit

  • You want one private group with your dates and teachers.
  • You can travel for 7 to 10 days.
  • You have 10 or more students.
  • You want the full day-by-day itinerary before you commit, including a route Rustic Pathways has run before.

Talk with us first

  • A student has significant mobility, medical, sensory, mental-health, dietary, or religious support needs.
  • You have fewer than 10 students.
  • You want the ten-day Paris, Normandy, and Provence route. It includes a long Normandy day trip followed by the Paris-to-Avignon travel day.
  • You want to travel in July or August. Programs are designed for April to May or late September to October, avoiding peak summer closures.

Probably not a fit

  • You are an individual student or parent looking for open-enrollment teen travel to France.
  • You want your group merged with another school.

Support planning starts early

Raise individual needs before booking so Rustic Pathways can assess possible route and support adaptations.

Questions about school trips to France

The questions schools ask most before requesting a France proposal, answered from the itineraries and prices shown here.

How much is a school trip to France?

In 2026, a Rustic Pathways school trip to France costs $3,790 to $4,615 per student for a 7- to 10-day itinerary, excluding international airfare. Final costs vary by season, trip length, and group size. Groups require at least 10 students and receive one free teacher place for every eight paying students.

When is the best time to take a school trip to France?

The best time to take a school trip to France is April to May or late September to October. These periods avoid French school holidays and August, when many independent restaurants and shops close for weeks. Rustic Pathways builds each trip around your school calendar.

Matija Paunovski, Director, School Partnerships at Rustic Pathways.
Matija Paunovski develops custom group travel programs for European and Asian schools, partnering with educators from initial concept through final itinerary. Matija joined Rustic Pathways in 2012.

Have a question before you ask for a proposal?

Matija Paunovski answers France school-trip questions with the school travel team.

Send your group size, dates, trip length, and what you want students to learn. I’ll reply within 1 business day and send you options within 48 hours, and no sales call unless you ask for one.

Start with your travel window

Start your France trip proposal with your travel dates, group size, and learning goals. Receive a reply within 1 business day and customized trip options within 48 hours.

Or reach a person directly: +1 440-975-9691 or groups@rusticpathways.com

Need approval or funding first?

Certificate of insurance, risk management plans, and fundraising templates for families, on request.

Step 1 of 2 · Your contact details

We reply within 1 business day and send options within 48 hours.

Submitting this form starts a conversation with the Rustic Pathways school travel team. Read the Rustic Pathways privacy policy.

A group of students gathers outside a pink corner cafe on a cobblestone Montmartre street, framed by ivy-covered buildings.A group of students smiles on a rooftop terrace with the Eiffel Tower rising in the distance behind them.A student glances back at the camera with the Eiffel Tower's iron latticework and a crowd of visitors behind her.Two students in berets and sunglasses smile on the steps below the white-domed Sacre-Coeur basilica.