Arrive at Auckland Airport with plenty of breathing room: for a school trip, the sweet spot is about 3 hours before departure, even if the group is all sorted. Use the first chunk of time for check-in and departure formalities at the airline desks in the international terminal, then do a quick headcount and make sure everyone has passports, any required school paperwork, and travel insurance details. If bags are being checked, keep a small day bag with chargers, water, and anything needed on the flight. Budget-wise, this part is mostly just practical time, but it helps avoid last-minute stress.
Once everyone’s through, head to Mojo Coffee in the airport precinct for a simple pre-flight pause. It’s an easy place to sit down, reset, and let the group settle before boarding; expect around NZ$15–20 per person for a basic coffee/snack stop. Since this is the start of a long haul, keep it low-key and use the time to double-check SIM/eSIM setup, French phrases, and meeting points for the arrival day in Paris. If you’ve got a bit of spare time after that, just stay near the gates and keep the group together rather than wandering too far — international departures can move quickly once boarding starts.
Once you land at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, keep this part simple and slow: collect bags, count heads, and give everyone a few minutes to reset before you head into the city. For a school group, CDG can take a while to clear, so allow about 1.5 hours for baggage, regrouping, and finding the right exit without rushing. If anyone needs a quick essentials stop, the airport has the basics, but don’t linger — the goal is just to get everyone together and ready for the first Paris check-in feeling. Expect airport cafés and convenience items to be expensive, so keep purchases minimal here.
After you’ve made it into town, do a gentle first walk around Hôtel de Ville in the 4th arrondissement and keep it light: this is the perfect “wake up in Paris” moment without over-scheduling. The area around Rue de Rivoli, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, and the edges of Le Marais is flat, easy to navigate, and very good for a first look at the city’s rhythm. You’ll get wide boulevards, classic stone buildings, and plenty of people-watching without needing to commit to a big activity. If the group is a bit tired, stay near the square and nearby streets rather than pushing farther.
A nice local-feeling route is to drift from Hôtel de Ville toward the quieter lanes of Le Marais, where the pace is calmer and the streets feel more Parisian than touristy. This is a good time to let the students hear and use a little French in a low-pressure setting — simple greetings, ordering directions, or asking basic questions all work well here. Keep the walk to about an hour, then head back and settle in early. In this part of the city, there’s no need to force a full sightseeing day on arrival; the best move is to arrive, orient, and let Paris come to you.
Start with Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior and Île de la Cité early, while the center of Paris still feels calm and the crowds are lighter. Even with the cathedral’s interior access limited at times, the outside loop is still a very strong first French-language moment: walk the square, look at the stonework from different angles, and let the group notice the signage and the rhythm of the 4th arrondissement around Place Jean-Paul II. From Cité station, it’s an easy walk, and the whole stop should take about 1.5 hours. There’s no big cost here unless you go into nearby paid attractions, so this is a good budget-friendly orientation day.
Cross over to Café Saint-Régis on Île Saint-Louis for a simple pause by the Seine. This is a very Parisian stop without being too formal, and it works well for a school group because it’s straightforward, central, and easy to manage. Expect around €15–20 per person for something basic, and about an hour is enough. If the weather is nice, the walk between Notre-Dame and Île Saint-Louis is one of the nicest parts of the day — quiet streets, river views, and lots of everyday French around you. Keep it unhurried and let the students practice a few easy phrases with the staff.
Then head to Shakespeare and Company in the Latin Quarter. It’s a classic stop for a language trip because it blends French literary culture with an English-language bookshop that has real Paris history, so it feels familiar but still very much Paris. Give this around an hour, mostly for browsing and taking in the atmosphere rather than rushing. From Île Saint-Louis, it’s a short walk over the river, and the area around Rue de la Bûcherie is easy to navigate on foot. If the shop is busy, that’s normal; just keep the group tight and allow a little extra time for the queue and a slow wander afterward.
Start at Musée d’Orsay in the 7th arrondissement for a very manageable French culture stop that feels ideal for a school trip: big-name art, but not so huge that it becomes exhausting. Aim to arrive around opening time, roughly 9:30am, so you can move through the impressionist rooms before it gets crowded. The museum usually takes about 2 hours, and the entrance line is much smoother if you pre-book timed tickets. Budget roughly €16–€18 per person for admission; for a group of about 10, it’s worth checking whether your coordinator can book together so everyone stays on the same schedule. Getting here is straightforward by Métro 12 to Solférino or a short walk from the Seine if you’re already central.
Head to Le Procope in Saint-Germain-des-Prés for the lunch stop and a little old-Paris atmosphere without needing to over-plan the day. This place is one of the oldest cafés in Paris, right near Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, and it works well for a group because it feels special but still practical. Set aside about 1 hour 15 minutes, and expect around €25–€35 per person depending on what’s ordered; for budgeting, that’s an easy one to flag early. From Musée d’Orsay, it’s a simple walk across the river or a short Métro ride, and the whole area around Boulevard Saint-Germain is one of the easiest parts of Paris to move around on foot.
Finish with a slow wander through Jardin du Luxembourg, which is exactly the kind of low-pressure Paris stop that works well after a museum and café. It’s about a 10–15 minute walk from Le Procope, so you do not need to overthink transport at all. Give yourselves about 1 hour here to sit, stroll, and let people split into small groups if they want. The gardens are generally open from early morning until evening in spring, and entry is free, so this is a very budget-friendly part of the day. If the weather is good, this is also the easiest place to just pause, practice a bit of French, and enjoy a proper Paris neighborhood feel before heading back for the evening.
Start with the Louvre Museum while everyone still has energy, and keep it tight and focused rather than trying to “do the whole Louvre” — that place can swallow a whole day if you let it. Aim to arrive around opening time, usually 9:00am, and plan on about 2.5 hours for a highlights visit. For a school trip, the smart route is the Denon Wing for the big-name works like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace; that gives the group a real Paris moment without getting lost in endless galleries. Tickets are usually around €17–22 per person if booked ahead, and the easiest entry is often via the Pyramid or the Carrousel du Louvre entrance when it’s busy. Keep phones charged, stay together, and leave a little time to regroup before heading out onto the street.
From the museum, do the simple and very walkable Rue de Rivoli stretch toward Place de la Concorde. This is an easy way to let the group decompress after the museum: it’s mostly a straight, classic Paris walk with arcades, big façades, and plenty to look at without needing to stop every minute. If you want a practical route, stay on the Louvre side of Rue de Rivoli and keep moving west through the 1st and into the 8th arrondissement; it’s about an hour at a slow school-trip pace. Place de la Concorde is worth the finish because it opens up beautifully onto the Tuileries side and the Champs-Élysées direction, and it’s one of those places where Paris suddenly feels very grand and very real.
Finish with Angelina Paris on Rue de Rivoli, which is basically the classic reward stop after a museum day. It’s famous for its hot chocolate, and the room itself feels old-school Paris in the best way — polished, elegant, and very “school trip in Paris” without being too formal. Expect around €15–25 pp if people order a drink and something sweet, and it’s usually worth going a bit earlier in the afternoon if you can, because lines can build. If the group is large, keep it simple: get everyone seated, give them time to enjoy the experience, and then let the rest of the day stay open for a gentle wander back through the 1st arrondissement rather than stacking on more stops.
Start at Gare de Lyon in the 12th arrondissement, which is actually one of the easiest places in Paris for a school group to meet because it’s clear, busy, and well connected. Give yourselves about an hour here to regroup, sort tickets, and make sure everyone has what they need before boarding. If there’s a bit of time, the station itself has a very Paris feel, and the surrounding area near Rue de Bercy is straightforward and safe for a quick pre-departure wait. For a group budget, this is also a good moment to do one last headcount and keep everything simple before the trip south.
Treat the train to Lyon Part-Dieu as the main event of the day and keep the whole transfer calm and organized. A direct TGV INOUI is the right call here: it’s fast, comfortable, and much easier on a school group than a long coach ride. On a practical level, tickets usually sit somewhere around €25–90 per person depending on how early you book, and the earlier you lock them in on SNCF Connect or Trainline, the better. Because the ride is short, the real goal is just to arrive with enough energy to still enjoy Lyon rather than feeling like you’ve lost the day to transit.
Once you’re in Lyon, head straight to Place Bellecour in the Presqu’île area for a simple first look at the city. This is the kind of place that works well for a language trip because it’s central, easy to understand, and gives everyone a clear “we’re in Lyon now” moment without overdoing it. It’s a good spot to spread out a bit, get oriented, and let the group breathe after the transfer. If there’s time left, wandering just a little around the nearby Rue de la République is easy and keeps you in the middle of the city without needing extra planning.
Keep the rest of the day low-key and flexible so the group can settle into Lyon properly. This is a good evening to stay around the Bellecour / Presqu’île area, since it’s walkable and convenient for the next day, and it avoids adding unnecessary transport after a travel-heavy day. For a school trip on a 10,000 NZD overall budget, this day is all about staying efficient: one solid transfer, one central arrival stop, and plenty of room to reset before the Lyon immersion days start.
Start in Vieux Lyon early, before the streets get too crowded, because this is the easiest place in Lyon to feel like you’ve stepped into a very old French city that still actually functions day to day. Wander the narrow lanes around Rue Saint-Jean and Rue du Bœuf, and let the group hear real French in shops, cafés, and tiny passageways — it’s a good low-pressure immersion spot. Plan about 1.5 hours, and if you’re moving as a school group, it’s best to stay together here because the little side streets can get confusing fast.
After that, head to Bouchon Les Lyonnais in Vieux Lyon for your lunch stop. This is one of those very Lyon things that makes the city feel different from Paris: hearty local food, small tables, and a proper old-school atmosphere. It’s a good place to practise simple French like bonjour, l’addition, s’il vous plaît, and merci beaucoup without feeling too formal. Budget around €20–30 per person, and allow about 1 hour 15 minutes so the group can sit, relax, and not feel rushed before the next stop.
In the afternoon, go up to Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière on Fourvière hill for the big panoramic view over Lyon. If the group is keen on a simple route, the funicular from Vieux Lyon is the easiest way up and usually the least tiring for a school trip; otherwise, the walk is steep and takes more energy than people expect. Give yourselves about 1.5 hours here, including time to look inside and take in the view from the terrace. It’s a strong, calm final stop for the day — not too packed, but memorable, and a really good way to see how Lyon spreads out between the rivers and the old hills.
Start at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse in the Part-Dieu area around 9:00am if you can — that’s the best time to see it before it gets busier and before the lunch rush starts building. For a school trip, it works really well because everyone can move through together without needing a full sit-down plan, and it gives a good feel for everyday French food culture in Lyon. Let the group wander a bit through the covered market lanes, but keep it simple and focused: this is more about the atmosphere, the French vocabulary, and seeing the city’s food identity up close than trying to rush around. Budget-wise, just browsing is free, and if you want to allow a small allowance for snacks or tasting items, €5–10 per person is enough without blowing the day out.
From there, head to Parc de la Tête d’Or in the 6th arrondissement, which is one of the easiest places in Lyon to relax after an indoor stop. It’s a good reset for a school group because it’s open, calm, and big enough that no one feels cramped — perfect for a gentle walk, a bit of French conversation practice, or just letting everyone breathe after the market. Plan on about 1.5 hours here, and if the weather is good, this is the kind of place where you can slow the pace without losing the day. Getting there is straightforward by TCL bus or tram plus a short walk, or a 20–25 minute walk if your group is feeling energetic; in Lyon, local transit is usually around €2–3 per person for a basic single ticket.
Finish with Café du Parc near Parc de la Tête d’Or for a very low-stress lunch stop or hot drink break. Keep it unhurried and basic — about 1 hour is enough — and this is a good chance to let the group sit down, regroup, and keep the day from feeling too full. Expect roughly €15–20 per person for something simple, and for a group of around 10, it’s smart to arrive a little early or split into smaller tables if needed. After that, the rest of the day can stay open for wandering back toward the hotel or just a quiet evening in Lyon.
Keep this one very straightforward at Lyon Part-Dieu station: for a school group, the best move is to arrive with a full buffer so nobody is rushing bags, tickets, or bathroom breaks. Part-Dieu is busy and practical rather than pretty, so treat it like a logistics stop — get everyone together, double-check platforms, and stay close to the main concourse. A good rule here is to be at the station about 45–60 minutes before departure, especially with about 10 people moving together.
Board the TGV to Avignon TGV and keep the group settled for the short ride south. This is one of the easiest travel days in the whole itinerary because it’s quick, direct, and leaves you with a real afternoon once you arrive. If you’re keeping to a basic student budget, OUIGO is usually the cheapest option when luggage is light, while SNCF Connect or Trainline are the easiest places to compare prices and seats ahead of time. After arrival, allow a little breathing room for the transfer into the city so nobody feels chased from one station to the next.
Once you’re in the centre, start with Place de l’Horloge in Avignon’s old town. This is the easiest first stop because it immediately gives everyone a feel for the city without trying to “do too much” on a travel day. The square is lively but still manageable, with cafés, the clock tower, and simple pedestrian streets radiating out around it. Plan about an hour here, and then just let the group wander a little in the nearby lanes — this is the kind of place where the day works best when it stays loose and unhurried. If you want a quick reference point, you’re basically in the heart of the historic centre, and most things nearby are an easy walk rather than needing more transport.
Start at Palais des Papes early, ideally around opening time, because it’s the kind of place that gets busy fast once the day tour groups arrive. This is one of the best language-trip stops in Avignon: big enough to feel impressive, but still manageable if you keep the visit focused. Plan on about 2 hours, and expect roughly €12–€14 per person for entry; for a school group, it’s worth checking whether you can book ahead online to avoid queueing. From central Avignon, it’s an easy walk into the old town, and the whole area around Place du Palais gives you a proper first taste of Provence without needing to rush.
From there, wander slowly to Rue des Teinturiers, which is one of the nicest low-key streets in Avignon. It’s a really easy transition after the palace: less formal, more local, and good for just soaking up the atmosphere without adding much pressure to the day. Keep it to about an hour and let the group split into small clusters if needed, because this is the kind of place where you naturally start noticing the details — the canal wheels, the cafés, the quieter side of the old town. It’s also a good spot for a few French phrases in real life, since you’ll usually hear locals going about their day rather than just tourists.
Finish with lunch at Le Petit Gourmand, which is a practical choice near the old town and works well for a school group because it’s straightforward and not too fussy. Budget around €15–€25 per person, and allow about an hour so nobody feels rushed before the afternoon winds down. If you have energy after lunch, the easiest move is just to stay in the old town area and do a gentle regroup before heading back to your accommodation — Avignon is best when you don’t overpack it, and this day already gives you a very solid mix of history, local atmosphere, and a simple French-language experience.
Start your day at Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d’Avignon) while the light is still soft and the crowds are lighter. For a school group, this works best as a simple riverside stop: it’s very walkable, easy to photograph, and doesn’t take much planning. Give yourselves about 1 hour 15 minutes here, and expect around €5–€6 per student for entry. It’s a short walk from the old town, so if you’re staying central, you can just stroll over; otherwise, a quick local bus or taxi drop at the river edge keeps things easy. The best part is the view back toward Avignon itself — it’s one of those classic French moments that feels immediately recognisable.
Next, head up toward Musée du Petit Palais, which is a very good choice for a language trip because it’s interesting without being overwhelming. It usually opens around 10:00am, and about 1 hour is enough to see the main collection without rushing. Budget roughly €8–€10 per student. The museum sits right near the heart of the old town, so the transition from the bridge is smooth and low-stress — exactly what you want on a school itinerary. Keep it simple: one focused visit, a few artworks, and then back outside before everyone gets museum fatigue.
Finish with a relaxed walk to Jardin des Doms, which is one of the nicest places in town to slow down for a bit. It’s free, shaded in parts, and has some of the best views over the Rhône, the rooftops, and the surrounding countryside. Plan about 1 hour here, but honestly it can stretch a little if the group wants time to wander and sit. The climb up is gentle enough for most students, and it’s a good way to end the day without packing in more pressure. If you want a very basic rhythm, this is the point to leave space for free time, photos, and regrouping before heading back to your accommodation.
Keep Avignon TGV station very simple and early: this is the kind of day where being organized matters more than doing anything “touristy” before the train. For a school group, aim to be at the station with plenty of buffer so bags, tickets, and headcounts don’t become stressful. The station itself is practical rather than scenic, so treat it as a clean transition point and expect a small amount for any last-minute snacks or platform necessities if needed, usually just a few euros per person. A calm departure here sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Use the train time as the main block of the day and keep the pace low-key. Once you arrive at Nice-Ville, you’re already in a very walkable part of the city, with the station connected to the center by straightforward streets and the tram network if you need it. For a group, it’s usually easiest to walk or take a short tram ride rather than splitting up. Expect the first transfer into the city center to cost only a couple of euros per person if you use public transport, and once you’re out of the station area the city opens up fast — more palm trees, more light, and that very south-of-France feeling right away.
Settle into Promenade des Anglais for a very easy first Nice walk. This is the right move after a travel day because it’s flat, open, and doesn’t ask much of anyone. Start near the central seafront around Jardin Albert 1er if you want the most straightforward access from town, then just follow the waterfront for a relaxed stretch. The path is free, and the main thing to plan is time: about 1.5 hours works well without rushing, with a bit of flexibility if the group wants to sit and watch the sea. If you want a simple nearby landmark for orientation, the area around Place Masséna is a good reference point, and the whole zone is easy to manage on foot. Keep this day intentionally light — it’s a smooth arrival in Nice, not a full sightseeing sprint.
Start early at Cours Saleya Market in Vieux Nice, because this is one of the best places in the city to hear real everyday French in action. Get there around 8:30–9:00am if you can — the flower and produce stalls are liveliest before the heat builds, and the Old Town streets still feel manageable for a school group. It’s an easy walk from most central Nice accommodation, or about 10 minutes on the tram to Opéra - Vieille Ville and then a short stroll in. Keep this stop relaxed: about 1.5 hours is plenty to wander the market, practice a few phrases with vendors, and soak up the atmosphere without turning it into a long guided visit.
From there, head to Café de Turin in the city centre for a simple, classic French lunch break. It’s a well-known local seafood spot, so it feels very “Nice” without being complicated, and it works well for a group because service is efficient if you keep the order basic. Expect around €20–30 per person depending on what people choose, and give yourselves about 1 hour so nobody feels rushed. If you’re moving as a group of about 10, it’s smart to pre-arrange seating or arrive a little early, since popular lunch places in Nice fill quickly, especially near the centre.
After lunch, make your way up to Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for the best view in Nice and a nice low-key final activity. It’s a good end-of-trip stop because it gives everyone space to walk, talk, and take in the coastline without needing a lot of structure. You can reach the base area on foot from the centre in roughly 10–15 minutes, then take the stairs or the free lift if you want to save energy; either way, allow about 1.5 hours total so there’s time for the viewpoint, a few photos, and a slow descent. The top is especially good in the late afternoon light, and it’s one of those spots where French practice happens naturally while everyone is just wandering and pointing things out.
Start at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport with a calm, school-trip-style buffer: even though this is a relatively compact airport, group check-in and bags always take longer than people expect. For a 10-person group, aim to arrive about 3 hours before departure if flying long-haul, then use the first 1.5 hours for check-in, passport control, and one final headcount. Keep the group together near the departure hall and give everyone one last chance to sort documents, water bottles, chargers, and cabin bags before security. If you’re transferring by airport bus or taxi from central Nice, allow extra time because morning traffic along the Promenade des Anglais and around the airport access roads can slow down quickly.
Once everyone is through, do a very simple final stop at Paul in the terminal for a last French bakery-style pause. This is the kind of easy, no-stress place that works well for a school trip: quick counter service, familiar options, and enough seating to let everyone settle before the flight. Budget roughly €10–15 per person if anyone wants a drink and pastry, and keep this to about 45 minutes so you’re not rushed at boarding. It’s a nice last little French moment without making the day feel full; after two weeks moving from city to city, this is really just about getting the group organized, fed enough for the flight, and on the plane on time.