This Christmas markets trip to our hotel Moulin aux Draps includes your own French-native animateur making it the perfect short immersion trip for students wanting to practise their language.
As winter draws in, the charming 3-star Hotel du Moulin aux Draps decks its halls and becomes the perfect base for a sparkling Christmas market school trip!
Nestled within 22 acres of picturesque French countryside, our hotel offers trip organisers easy access to four stand-out Christmas markets that are sure to enchant students and teachers alike.
Choose from the winter wonders of Amiens, Arras, Boulogne-sur-Mer or Lille and build the Christmas market trip best suited to your group. Plus, our chef will offer up a hearty menu of winter warmers with seasonal flourishes that are certain to delight the senses.
Expect outdoor ice rinks, fairground rides, amusements, live music & performances, festive food & sweet treats galore! Aside from a stop at the North Pole, there's no better way to get in the Christmas spirit.
Fancy taking to the slopes? Check out our fantastic winter programme at le Moulin aux Draps which includes an instructed skiing session!
This charming 3* hotel, just a short journey from Calais makes it the perfect rural destination for your students to practice French, coupled with on-site staff giving you a relaxing experience to love. It is set in Hauts-de-France near the town of Devres and is one of our most modern and comfortable centres. Its within very easy reach of the stunning Opal Coastline, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Le Touquet and much more so is a great destination for schools looking for an affordable/short French language Christmas market school trip.
The centre is contained within 22 acres of green fields, attractively set by a river and pond, giving students plenty of space to run around and let off steam. The grounds are within view of the main building which makes it easy to supervise your group and during term time the centre is exclusively for the use of school groups meaning there are few other distractions for students.
Amiens Christmas Market is one of the biggest and best Christmas markets in northern France. With over 135 stalls there is a wide variety of produce and gifts from lead crystal glassware to famous Amiens macaroons - definitely worth a try!. Other attractions include an open air ice rink, merry-go-rounds, singers and shows. Finally "Cathedral in Colour" (La Cathédrale en Couleurs) - is a free light show from 1st December to 1st January.
Set in front of the magnificent Grand Place, the Arras Christmas Market is another substantial event easily accessible in Northern France. Around 90 stalls offer a smorgasbord of food, drink and gift ideas and are found in a dedicated market setting in the beautiful town square. other entertainment includes a skating rink, carousel, musical events and workshops.
During the festive season Lille is decked out in lights and colour and the town square is covered in a huge crown of garlards. Explore the market on Place Rihour with 90 wooden chalets selling regional arts and crafts such as traditional nativity scenes and decorations as well as gifts and festive food. Jump on the ferris wheel to take aerial photos of the festive lightshow and giant Christmas tree below. What makes Lille so popular with school groups is the town's proximity to Calais, making it an easy short break.
The historic town of Boulogne-sur-Mer has a Christmas market for only one weekend in December. Nevertheless it's a super event offering all the usual festive treats, plus local delicacies such as smoked herring and Christmas pudding. Ice sculptures, a jazz band, pottery demonstrations and local folklore all combine to make this something worth heading to.
The largest marine life centre in Europe is home to 1,600 species and promotes sustainability and marine management. This is a fun and educational cross-curricular visit for groups.
© Monica Arellano-Ongpin
At a local boulangerie, a baker will perform a baking demonstration for your group in French. Students will walk away with a croissant and a pain au chocolat each!
Visit a local goat's cheese farm to meet the goats, find out how cheese is made and try some for yourself!
Extras to budget for
Options on the school trip
These ready-made trip resources are designed to reduce your admin and help speed up the process of planning, promoting and getting approval for your trip:
Christmas market teacher case study
Read all about Chafyn Grove school's Christmas market trip with Voyager School Travel
Read more
