a tour of Tours, specifically in its old town and town centre, where we visited a number of attractions, including the Basilica of Saint Martin (where he was buried) and the magnificent Tours Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours). Its architecture, which we learnt was built by two different groups of people, was intricate and beautiful from the interior to the exterior, evidently demonstrating the hours of meticulous work during its construction.

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We also had the chance to explore a French supermarket, Carrefour, along with browsing the mall next to it.

Afterwards, we had an hour-long journey from the centre of Tours to the Château de Chenonceau, one of many châteaux in the Loire Valley region but unique in the way that it was built across the river, with its iconic arches. For the rest of the afternoon, we explored the enormous estate, with its magnificent gardens and rich history.

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at Language School, we headed out of Tours to the town of Amboise.

Here, we visited the Château du Clos Lucé, which was initially a mediaeval fortress that was transformed into a royal residence by Charles VIII in the late 15th century. Its famous owners included King Francis I and Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last few years there.

There were many fascinating models of Da Vinci’s work throughout the château, alongside stunning gardens where even more of his works can be found as life-size models. After having completed the tour of Clos Lucé, we had an opportunity to spend some time shopping in Amboise.

but surprisingly, the time flew by! We immersed ourselves in useful French vocabulary, grammar tips and learnt more about French culture all through fun, engaging games that made learning really enjoyable. The teachers were incredibly kind and supportive – they even treated us to ice cream to help beat the afternoon heat! We received certificates to mark our time at the language school, and we’re truly grateful for this experience.

​Afterwards, we had the chance to explore the beautiful town centre of Tours, trying more delicious French cuisine and buying souvenirs for our families.

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at Futuroscope, a fun-filled science-based theme park, packed with 4D simulations and thrilling rides. While some rides had long queues, the wait was totally worth it! The park is cleverly designed with interactive features in place to keep one occupied during the waiting time as well. We spent around seven hours there, though time seemed to whizz by as we tried to squeeze in as many rides as possible. Danse Avec Les Robots (“Dancing with Robots”) and Objectif Mars (“Objective Mars”) remain the shared favourites.

to our host families, who made our stay so special – from board game nights to crêpe parties. Although it was hard to leave, we expressed our appreciation by writing letters to them once we returned to school.

It was a truly unforgettable trip. It not only improved our French-speaking skills by immersing us in everyday conversations, but it also gave us the chance to connect with warm, welcoming people. We experienced the richness of French culture, explored beautiful places, shared countless laughs with our friends, and grew in confidence and independence.