Bring your students to the Chateau between November and February for a facilitated Anglo-French student exchange. All the benefits of a cross-cultural interaction without the additional planning associated with a homestay.
We’re thrilled to introduce an exciting new Anglo-French exchange programme at Château de la Baudonnière—designed to bring UK and French students together for a truly immersive cultural experience.
You may already know about our French-language residentials, but did you know we also host a parallel English programme for French schools? This unique setup allows us to pair UK students with their French counterparts for an authentic cultural exchange—without the complexities of a homestay.
Alongside your own packed programme of French language activities and cultural excursions, our animateurs will run a full day of joint activities with your partner school, using team building, games and mealtimes to get your students interacting with their French counterparts. The on-site activities at the Chateau will provide the perfect environment for French and English students to learn about each other’s lives, and gain a genuine glimpse of a new culture and customs. We'll even introduce you to your buddy school in advance so you students can connect before their stay.
When 1 in 2 traditional schools exchanges are cancelled due to workloads and safeguarding, this programme provides all the benefits of a cross-cultural interaction without the additional planning associated with a homestay.
Availability is limited to school groups staying at the Château between November and February. Don’t miss out on the chance to be one of the first to take part in this exciting new programme!
Get in touch to apply for this fantastic cultural exchange opportunity.
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Château de la Baudonnière
Just an hour and a half coach trip from the Port of Caen, our Château is set in 100 acres of its own grounds which incorporate a lake, mini farm, assault course, climbing wall and activity facilities. You can read more about our Normandy Château school centre here. |
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:
The students will be taught map reading in French using orienteering games and courses in the centre grounds. As well as using French language for features, directions and map symbols the team orienteering challenges will involve other French language quizzes along with finding the control markers.
There are many cemeteries in France which serve as poignant memorials to the fallen of WWII. Visits to these sites complement History tours and allow students to gain a greater understanding of the loss of life and the human effects of the war.
A chance for students to be immersed in local culture and produce and to pick up some souvenirs, a visit to the market is a great opportunity for learners to interact in French with the welcoming stall owners.
The port city of Caen features a castle built by William the Conquerer but is of most interest to our groups for the Caen Memorial Museum, which is an essential stop for students studying WWII and the Battle for Caen. There is also a section on the Cold War.
The seaside resort of Granville is a historic fishing port with views towards Jersey and Guernsey. Students of fashion and design will be particularly interested in visiting Musée Christian Dior to tour the exhibition housed in the fashion designer's childhood home.
Visiting Dinan is like taking your students back in time. This medieval walled town is full of charm thanks to its 13th-century castle, river, narrow streets and magnificently preserved timber clad buildings.
© David Joyce
Just 15 minutes from Château de la Baudonnière, groups can visit the town's Bell Foundry, Copper Workshop and Pewter Museum. It is rich in history and has a bustling morning market every Tuesday.
Famous as the home of the 70 metre-long Bayeux Tapestry, the medieval town is also home to the largest British military cemetery in France, making it a key destination for groups studying the history of conflict.
Saint-Malo is a historic walled city with a surrounding beach. Central to the cobblestoned old town is the Roman Catholic Saint-Malo Cathedral. Popular visits also include the town museum and the Great Aquarium, home to 11,000 marine animals.
This island and its surrounding bay are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Scale the cobblestoned streets to reach the churches and the famous gothic-style abbey. Groups with an Animateur will experience a guided barefoot walk across the bay, which is a highlight for students.
© Barry Skeates
Arromanches is at the heart of the D-Day Landings. There are museums with vivid and emotive displays, including the famous 360° cinema with unreleased footage from war correspondents, filmed on D-Day. There is also the Musée du Débarquement in Arromanches Les Bains, built on the site of the Mulberry Harbour, with working models and film to explain this incredible technical feat.
Climbing sessions take place at the centre's own climbing wall which is suitable for students of any age. After issuing equipment and explaining the safety procedures, the students will climb various paths on the wall. They will use commands in French to each other and will learn French words for movements and parts of the body.
Fencing takes place on-site and is an excellent opportunity for students of all ages to learn French in a safe and fun environment, as well as learning about the safety and the equipment. This activity also encourages the students to practise new phrases in French as well as enjoying the fencing itself.
Enables pupils to discover the art of circus on an artistic as well as technical level. Students are introduced to juggling, diabolo and other circus equipment in a fun and educational manner. The French spoken during this activity is very varied and is based on using the names of the equipment (stick, balls, diabolo...), action verbs (to walk, to move...), directions (left, right, up, down...), colours (orange, red, green...), numbers (one, two, three...).
Suitable for all ages bread making is not just a case of making bread, it’s also a golden opportunity to practise your singing talents, as we sing French songs. Students will be guided from the very beginning with simple French instructions. From the measuring of the flour to the kneading of the bread, this activity will keep their enthusiasm going throughout. They will even get to taste the fruits of their hard work as their bread will be baked in time for the evening meal.
Your students will be split into teams to play volleyball on the centre's own court. The game is a great way to practise numbers, instructions and directions in the target language.
Aeroball is a fun, totally unique sport! The trampoline-basketball-volleyball game is suitable for all ages and is played by two teams of 2. Simple instructions are given in French and the students will have the chance to learn/practise the vocabulary for the body parts. It’s also a great opportunity to practise the numbers (scoring and counting down the end of the match). Aeroball is quickly becoming a favourite activity for students and teachers alike!
This activity is designed to enhance the students’ knowledge of French while capturing an image from their activity, be it a leaf or a flower or their very own design. Using our dark room we can develop the image onto paper for the students to take away with them.
Students get the chance to be a Robin Hood. After the obligatory safety talk and explanation of the equipment, the students shoot the arrows onto targets, an excellent opportunity to practise numbers and directions in the target language.
Kayaking sessions are conducted on the beautiful on-site lake. Simple instructions are given in French and the students will master various skills in a very safe and fun environment. Students should be confident in water, but do not need to be excellent swimmers for this activity.
This popular session is held on our purpose-built obstacle course in the Château grounds. Explanations are done in French and pupils repeat action statements before being allowed to do each obstacle. Ideal for practising popular verbs and the use of prepositions. Usually rather wet and muddy, the students enjoy finishing off the session with a run against the clock and a dip in the river!
Our Anglo-French exchange programme includes:
Extras to budget for:
When are meet ups available?
Anglo-French student meet ups are available to groups visiting the Château on set dates between November and February. Due to staff availability and French term dates, meet ups are not usually possible outside of this period.
What age are the partner school groups?
We will let you know when a good match for your group is staying (and vice versa) to try to pair you up with a suitable group. As a rule of thumb, visiting French groups have an average age of 12 years, but they range from 9 to 14 years old.
Is an exchange guaranteed?
The meet-ups are subject to a suitable French school group visiting at the same time. We will do our best to pair you up with a French school group visiting at the same time as you but some flexibility will be required on both sides. However, if we cannot find a partner school for your chosen dates, you have the choice to visit anyway or cancel the trip and have your deposit back.
What are the benefits to students?
What are the benefits to teachers?
How do we apply?
If you are interested in a partnering with a French school staying at the Château, get in touch and we'll start the ball rolling.
