trips
Second Year Sport and Culture Trip to Provence Last October the French Department ran its third trip to Gréouxles-Bains in Provence, France. In the latest edition of this successful, memorable and wholesome experience for Hampton boys, we enjoyed the same action-packed programme of cultural, sporting and linguistic activities in beautiful sunshine and remarkable scenery. The trip ran smoothly and all of the activities went according to plan, from zip-wiring to canoeing, sailing to stargazing. After an early start at Heathrow Airport on Sunday 15 October 2017, we flew to Marseille and began our voyage of discovery with a cultural visit of Aix-en-Provence, home to Paul Cézanne and the views that inspired him such as the impressive Sainte-Victoire. The next day allowed the boys to practise their French in an authentic Provençal market in the perched village of Forcalquier, before grappling with some challenging treetop activities and zip-wires under the supervision of their less buoyant, but surprisingly flexible, accompanying staff who followed them into the treetops. We spent Tuesday canoeing and sailing on the scenic Gorges du Verdon, where we had the lakes to ourselves, before visiting the iconic Calanques of Cassis and enjoying views of Marseille from the top of Notre Dame de la Garde on Wednesday.
spent interacting with the boys in authentic French surroundings; it is an opportunity for both teacher and student to share and learn a mutual appreciation of what might be termed ‘real’ France. As ever, I am particularly grateful to the outstanding accompanying staff for their sustained patience and willing contribution throughout this school trip: Mr Chaveneau, Mr Thomas and Mr Turner. MB
As ever, we allowed the boys plenty of free time at our accommodation, Le Pavillon d’Aurabelle, where they could play football, table tennis, volleyball and of course, pétanque, before enjoying delicious and authentic Provençal food, diligently prepared by our resident chef, Philippe. The last day saw us make further use of the facilities on site before visiting one of the most famous French zoological parks and returning to Heathrow on the last flight of the day. In the trip’s third year, it was reassuring to be welcomed by the same staff and tour guides who have become accustomed to our needs and expectations and who accommodate us with open arms and typical enthusiasm. The charm of this trip is the amount of time
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