The 5th Grade 2007 Voyage Scolaire to Normandy, France was a memorable and enriching linguistic and cultural experience.  The activities were diverse and stimulating, with opportunities for authentic use of the French language, joint activities with French children, and experiences of local village life.  Students also learnt self-management and organizational skills, social skills, cooperation and team building.

We began the French trip with a visit to Nausicaa, in Boulogne, the French National Sea Experience Centre, where we were impressed by the wonders and remarkable diversity of our oceans as we explored the aquariums and interactive exhibits.  The 3-D presentation depicting the impact of man’s activities on the ocean environment and our planet was an impressive way of making us even more aware of the need for the long-term careful management of our ocean resources. 

A very memorable day was spent at the local primary school in Criel, as we engaged in a variety of activities and experiences with our French pen pals and their dynamic teacher, Mme. Florence de France.  The principal of the school, M. Remy D’Hierre, came to greet us enthusiastically at our Residential Centre and escorted us to the school, in its unique setting overlooking the rural valleys and the sea.  The trees en route, were decorated with posters displaying children’s poetry.  We exchanged gifts with our French pen pals, enjoyed the tour of the school provided by our friends, and sharing our songs and French activities together. Many had the opportunity to participate in the interactive lesson given by the principal.

We returned to the chateau to enjoy a four-course lunch together.  Later, at the beach, we were all given lists in French of naturally-occurring objects that each pen pal team had to search for together, and then played the well-known game of “pétanque” or French bowling with the rounded “galets” (pebbles), that we had found. We walked back together, gazing at the chalky white cliffs, thought to be the highest in Europe and enjoyed a “goûter” (snack) together before saying good-bye to our French comrades. A journalist from the local French newspaper and the mayor’s representative were present, expressing a keen interest in the exchange between our schools, coupled with a wish that our visit to Criel would become an annual event.

Our visit to Rouen, capital of Upper Normandy, set over the banks of the Seine River, and filled with history and treasured architecture, was an eventful day in spite of the inclement weather!  We stood in awe near the site of the trial and execution of Joan of Arc, (1412-1431), national heroine and patron saint of France. We were impressed by Notre Dame Cathedral, in the heart of Medieval Rouen dating back to the 12th century, with evidence of its Romanesque and Gothic architecture; the Gros Horloge, or one-handed clock built in 1529; the half-timbered Renaissance style houses that were built out at each level to provide more space; the ossuary or bone yard, in use during the Black Death, and the variety of typical French shops, crêperies, cafés, and restaurants, where we were able to interact with the local merchants.

France relishes its cuisine and gastronomy and we interacted with local producers to discover the history of well-known local products:

 At the local Boulangerie, the cheerful baker led us through all the stages in the process of baking baguettes and pains-au-chocolat. We appreciated the variety of delicious pastries, which we purchased, en français, at the end of our visit.  As in previous years, one of our native speakers, Alannah, was encouraged to act as interpreter, and her performance was ‘super!’

We also visited a typical working cheese farm at Neufchatel, where the delicious soft cheese, with its velvety white rind was hand-made.  We observed how the curds were put into the cheesecloth pouch, drained, pressed and then kneaded, before being placed into square, cylinder, or heart- shaped moulds.  Many of us brought some cheese back to England to share with our families.

The visit to the Chocolate factory involved all the senses, as we discovered how the different types of chocolate (white, milk, and dark) were made, from the cocoa bean to the finished product, with chocolate to taste!

During the activities at our 17th century Chateau de Chantereine our 5th Graders developed initiative and new skills.  They were responsible risk-takers in every way, independent, respectful, and open-minded, caring and supportive of each other-  a credit their school and their families.