Sample itinerary for a 5 night homestay in Le Mans, France.
Day 1 - Journey and settling in :
Depart your home town for one of the Channel ports. Embarkation and Channel crossing. Transfer by coach to Le Mans. Introduction to host families with full board accommodation.
Day 2 - Le Mans and the Motor Museum :
Visit of the old town followed by a local inquiry. In this session the students will be at different points around the town centre to question the local inhabitants about a range of topics previously decided in collaboration with the teachers in charge of the group. Picnic lunch. Transfer by coach to the Le Mans Musée de l'Automobile to see this magnificent collection of cars and other vehicles. Return to host families at the end of the afternoon.
Day 3 - Chenonceau and Tours :
Depart by coach for a tour of the Loire Valley, famous throughout the world for its Renaissance castles and vineyards. Guided visit of the beautiful Renaissance castle of Chenonceau called “Le Château des Dames”. Picnic lunch. Transfer by coach to Tours and free time in the Old Town for shopping. Evening return to Le Mans and host family.
Day 4 - French school visit, orienteering, and French supermarket :
Depart by coach for a local school and meet with the French pupils you have been writing to. Take part in classes with them and discover the French schooling system. Lunch in crêperie. Depart by coach for le Bois de l'Epau, on the outskirts of Le Mans, for an orienteering exercise. Pupils will follow an itinerary and answer the questions dotted around the woods. Depart by coach for the local supermarket for shopping with language questionnaires. Return to host families at the end of the afternoon.
Day 5 - Saumur :
Depart Le Mans by coach for Saumur in the Loire Valley, well known for its castle and its production of wine. Visit of the castle. Picnic lunch. Afternoon visit of one of the local wine cellars, and of the town. Evening return by coach to Le Mans.
Day 6 - Return journey :
Depart Le Mans for the French port. Channel crossing and disembarkation in England. Transfer by coach to your home town.
