Suggested itinerary for a 4 night homestay in Laval, France.
Day 1 - Journey and settling in :
Depart your home town for the Channel port of your choice. Embarkation and Channel crossing. Transfer by coach to Laval. Introduction to host families. Full board accommodation.
Day 2 - Secondary school visit and dairy factory :
Depart your home stay centre by coach to a local secondary school. During this visit the pupils will be able to exchange with their French counterparts, and gain an insight into the French education system. Picnic lunch. Depart by coach in the afternoon to La cité du Lait. Visit of the dairy museum to see the history of one of Laval's main industries, dairy products. Return to host families at the end of the afternoon.
Day 3 - Chocolate factory and Angers Castle :
Depart by coach for the little town of Château Gontier in the south of the département to visit the local chocolate factory. Video presentation of the company and the chocolate making process, followed by a visit to the chocolate decorating department, a tasting session, and a visit to the shop. Picnic lunch. Depart by coach for Angers for guided visit of Angers Castle, a medieval fortress in the heart of the town. As part of the visit you will discover the famous ‘Tapisserie de l’Apocalypse’. Free time in the town centre and return by coach to your home stay centre at the end of the afternoon.
Day 4 - Le Mont Saint Michel and Saint Malo :
Depart by coach for Le Mont Saint-Michel : one of the most famous monuments in France. Free time to discover ‘Le Mont Saint-Michel’, its abbey and cobbled streets. Picnic lunch. Depart by coach to Saint Malo. Discover the Old Town of Saint Malo by solving the clues to a treasure hunt. The teams will need to find the keys to the treasure chest to enjoy the loot ! Free time to stroll along the town's famous ramparts. Return by coach to your homestay centre at the end of the afternoon.
Day 5 - Return journey :
Depart by coach for the French port. Channel crossing and disembarkation in the U.K. Transfer by coach to your home town.
Other possible visits : Laval market with questionnaire, Le Mans Motor Museum and 24 hour circuit, Le refuge de l'Arche (animal sanctuary), The Caves at Saulges, Roman ruins in Jubelains, Medieval castle in Fougères, Tours and Chenonceau Castle, Paris, Normandy Beaches, Local farm and local snail farm, Renazé Slate Museum, All types of technical visits for students on professional training courses.
