The Opal Coast stretches from the Belgian border to the Somme estuary, offering miles of attractive coastline, a number of historic towns, elegant French seaside resorts and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Inland a traditional way of life can be found with local crafts and industry. The ancient region of Picardy is home to more historic monuments and sites than any other region of France, including six of the country's most important Gothic cathedrals.
The Battlefields and memorials of the Somme provide a vivid impression of the Great War, one of the most significant events of modern history.
Curriculum Focus
Accommodation
As the UK's leading school tour operator, we offer a first rate choice of accommodation to suit all requirements and budgets. Should the accommodation you prefer not be featured in our programme, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Le Touquet
Camiers
Ambleteuse
Berck
Nampont-Saint-Martin
Le Touquet
One of northern France's premier resorts. Apart from its magnificent sandy beach and promenade, the town has a wide range of sports and leisure facilities, including the Aqualud watersports complex, a cinema and the famous Hippodrome race course. There is a fine selection of shops and a twice weekly market, which takes place at the Place du Marchè Couvert.
The Riva Bella, run by the friendly Lemoine family, has become a firm favourite with our groups. Official Rating: Agréé Jeunesse et Sport
Capacity: 56
Location: Situated in an excellent position on a quiet road approximately 100m from the beach and Aqualud centre and close to the town centre.
Facilities: Dining room (available for evening recreation/project work), teacher’s lounge area, sun terrace and large courtyard.
Accommodation: Bedrooms accommodate a maximum of 4 in single/bunk beds and all rooms except two have part or full private facilities.
Meal Basis: Full Board.
Camiers
This small village is located inland from the small seaside resort of St. Cecille and just a short drive to the larger towns of Le Touquet and Hardelot Plage.
This family run hotel is set back from the road with a small private garden. It offers a good standard of accommodation. Official Rating: 2 Star
Capacity: 60 Location: Situated in the small village of Camiers just 7kms from Etaples.
Facilities: The hotel has a cosy bar, large restaurant and additional dining room which is available for group study in the evenings.
Accommodation: Bedrooms are on two floors and are for 2, 3 and 4 persons with some bunk beds. All rooms are en suite, with satellite TV and telephone.
Meal Basis: Full Board.
Ambleteuse
This peaceful village, on the coast between Boulogne and Cap Gris Nez, makes a good base from which to explore the Opal coast. Local places of interest include a fascinating World War II museum and fortress built by Vauban.
Official Rating: Agréé Jeunesse et Sport
Capacity: 304
Location: Set in its own grounds 300m from the village center and 800m from the beach.
Facilities: Spacious restaurant, pleasant bar, meeting hall seating 250 and 4 classrooms. Leisure activities include tennis, volleyball, basketball, indoor swimming pool (unsupervised) with sauna, jacuzzi and gym (teachers only).
Accommodation: Apertmaent style rooms with 2 bedrooms each sleeping 2-3 students sharing private facilities.
Meal Basis: Full Board.
This recently built modern hotel offers groups a friendly welcome and comfortable accommodation Official Rating: 2 Star
Capacity: 100 Location: 4km from the sea and close to Berck town. It is an ideal location for Opal Coast excursions.
Facilities: Open breakfast/reception area. A meeting/study room can be provided in the evening on request.
Accommodation: Students are accommodated in 2 bedded rooms (1 large bed and 1 bunk bed). All rooms have a shower and WC.
Meal Basis: Full Board. Packed lunch and evening meals are provided by a popular restaurant close to the hotel.
Nampont-Saint-Martin
This small village is situated on the Route Nationale 1 inland between Montreuil-Sur-Mer and Abbeville.
This comfortable family run hotel offers a friendly warm welcome to all groups.
Official Rating: 2 Star
Capacity: 80
Location: Situated 10km from the fortified town of Montreuil and inland from the coastal resort of Berck-Sur-Mer (12km). The hotel has a rural location surrounded by poplar trees from which it takes its name.
Facilities: This hotel has a restaurant, a bar and separate meeting room for groups. The hotel is situated in its own grounds with a tennis court.
Accommodation: Students are accommodated in 2-3 bedded rooms in single beds and all rooms have private facilities.
Meal Basis: Full Board.
Sample Itinerary - 4 DAYS TO THE OPAL COAST BY COACH
Day 1 — Depart school. Connect with channel crossing, arriving at your accommodation for evening dinner (depending on location of your school in the UK, there may be time available for sightseeing).
Days 2 - 3 — Excursions of your choice.
Day 4 — Morning at leisure for local visits. Connect with an afternoon channel crossing. Return to school.
Meal Arrangements
Full Board:
First Meal - Evening meal on Day 1.
Final Meal - Packed lunch on the final day.
Tour Variations
Practice your language skills with our Allons-Y Study Breaks!
Learn how to cook the French way with 'Cuisine Course'.
Battlefields of World War I. Combine the Ypres area in Belgium with the Somme.
STS Guide to the Opal Coast and Picardy Region and a map.
Project Books
'Battlefields of World War I project books available at £3.75 each including P&P.
Excursion Selection
Towns & Cities Boulogne - visit the fortified Old Town and harbour, the Nausicaa Sealife Centre or the picturesque local market (Wednesday and Saturday morning).
Le Touquet - an elegant and fashionable seaside resort with wide sandy beach, promenade and Aqualud watersports complex.
Berck-sur-Mer - a typical French seaside resort with plenty of shops, cafès, and a fortified bell tower are worth a visit as are 'Succès Berckois', the hand-made sweet manufacturer, the Agora Sports Centre and the local markets in Berck-Plage (Wed and Sat mornings).
Montreuil - a picturesque walled town with cobbled streets. Walk around the citadel and ramparts for excellent views over the countryside.
St Valèry-sur-Somme - an attractive fortified town and fishing port.
Amiens - capital of Picardy and home to France's largest Gothic cathedral. Visit the Museum of Picardy, the floating flower market or the municipal market.
Arras - capital of the Artois province known for the fine Flemish architecture of its town squares. Of particular interest are the underground covered passages.
Arras has a Christmas Market.
History & Landmarks Somme Battlefields - a chance to visit some of the tragic WWI battlefields and memorials.
Pèronne 'Historical' Museum - an information centre on the Somme battlefields.
La Coupole - this former secret launch site of V1 and V2 missiles has been converted into World War II history centre. Exhibitions include life under german occupation, deportation and genocide.
Agincourt - A medieval centre which explores the events of the famous battle of 1415 with life size figures, multimedia models plus interactive weapons and armour.
Natural History & The Environment Nausicaa Sea Life Centre, Boulogne - Aquariums, quizzes and touch tanks provide an insight into the world beneath the waves and man's relationship wih the sea.
Marèis - at Etaples is a themed attraction dedicated to the fishing industry of this busy port. Attractions include an interactive trawler with navigation simulator, aquariums, 3D film and numerous video presentations.
Special Interests & Crafts La Boulangerie Maillard - discover the secret of baking delicious French bread and croissants in the village of Hardelot.
Le Succès Berckois Sweet Shop - a demonstration of the traditional methods used to produce sugar-based confectionery at a family-run sweet shop in Berck-sur-Mer.
Chocolaterie Artisanale de Beussent - a demonstration of chocolate production.
Cheese Farm - explanation of cheese production. Visit storage cellars - tastings.
Snail Farm - breeding farm for gastronomic products (open March-Oct)
Flour Mill - 12th Century watermill with tour and slide show (N.B. Entrance charges apply for visits which are usually conducted in French).
Christmas Market - Lille has a Christmas market in December (further details on request).
Shopping - Many interesting local markets. Calais and Boulogne both have hypermarkets.
Citè Europe - extensive covered ultra modern shopping centre, situated just outside the channel tunnel (Calais).
Leisure Agora Sports Centre - at Berck-sur-Mer with an Olympic size swimming pool and bowling alley. Opening details on request.
Aqualud Watersports Complex - tropically themed seafront leisure centre in Le Touquet, with indoor and outdoor pools, water slides and wave pool. Opening details on request.
Aquaclub Côte Picarde - indoor/outdoor water leisure centre (seasonal opening).
HELICEA - an indoor water leisure centre and ice rink north of Boulogne. Opening details on request.
Somme Miniature Railway - a narrow gauge railway which runs from St Valèry-sur-Somme to Le Crotoy (seasonal opening).
St Joseph's Village - Guines. Reconstruction of a traditional 1900's French Village complete with school, blacksmith, windmills and pub.
Bagatelle - near Berck-sur-Mer is the biggest Amusement and Animal park on the Côte d'Opale between Berck and Le Touquet. Set amongst 30 hectares of beautiful parkland, there are over 20 attractions, including the The Raft, The River Splash, the Mine Train, Grand Prix, a children's farm and mini zoo.
Departing from your school and returning to school by standard touring coach, arriving at your centre on Day 1 and departing from the centre on the final day. Minimum group size: Coach tour price is based on 35 paying passengers. Supplements apply for smaller groups.
Standard Channel Crossing
Ferry: Dover to Calais: 1½ hours
Other channel crossings: Available at a supplementary charge.
Eurotunnel: Folkestone to Calais: 35 minutes platform to platform.
Tour Length
3 or 4 days. Request extra day(s) at a supplement.
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Contact our head office
STS Travel Service One Jubilee Street,
Brighton, BN1 1GE T: +44(0)870 240 6828
F: +44(0)1273 693 116
E: sales@ststravel.co.uk
The Battlefields and memorials of the Somme provide a vivid impression of the Great War, one of the most significant events of modern history.
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