France 2025 - Il pleut!

Day 3 – Birthdays, Bagatelle and a Bad Feeling About This…

We started the day in great spirits, even if (once again) we were bitterly disappointed by the complete lack of bed-hair. We’re starting to suspect that  they’re secretly brushing it in the night. Never before on a French trip has the entire party been so well groomed - you should be very proud, parents.

But all was forgiven because today was extra special - a birthday! One of our fabulous young ladies turned 11 and woke up to birthday banners, bunting and big birthday smiles. Emails, messages and even a video  from home were read out; she felt lucky to be surrounded by her friends while celebrating abroad. Cue some big smiles that were still evident at 10pm tonight.

Breakfast followed in classic style: croissants, bacon, eggs and, for the adults, lifesaving coffee., The enthusiasm of certain grown-ups clutching mugs like trophies was quite remarkable this morning - and it was lovely for many of the children to eat breakfast al fresco in the sunshine.

Bagatelle – Showers, Sweets and Slightly Suspect Peacocks

With breakfast demolished, it was time to get ready for the highlight of the week, Bagatelle theme park! Now, we thought we’d made ourselves clear about what to pack. You know, water bottles, sun cream, maybe a hoodie. So you can imagine our surprise when we discovered that some children were still hoarding snacks from Monday, plus spare shoes, towels and… shower gel?  “Ooh, that’s the lunch I lost!” said one young man, as  he also pulled out spare shorts, underwear, a tshirt and three Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.  He definitely wasn’t going to need these at the theme park.

Yes, apparently, we’re now doing full spa experiences at theme parks. One child genuinely planned to have a shower at Bagatelle. At least, that's how it came across. A helpful adult suggested maybe, just maybe, they leave the Dove and head out with just the essentials. This caused minor outrage. We’re bracing ourselves for a Year 6 campaign titled “Let Us Shower Freely.” The same adult also said that hoodies wouldn't be needed but more about that later.

On the coach, a certain lad surrounded by girls declared confidently, “It’s fine, we can still talk together,” before following it up with: “I just don’t know what girls talk  about.” We promise you that he has survived the experience. 

Thank you again for all the messages sent in, genuinely, we’ve had a record-breaking number. Many were read aloud en route, which helped set the mood perfectly. There are so many we’re rolling some over to tomorrow. So keep them coming. Embarrassment levels: excellent.

At the park, the children were fantastic. They chatted in French with other visitors in the queues, cheered on their adults (“Come on, just take a big step with me to face your fears!”), and claimed the entire caterpillar ride like royalty. The peacocks were also a hot topic, mainly for their questionable fashion choices. As well as the traditional turquiose and green peacock, there was also a white one - our children had not seen one of these before, and a discussion about bleach was quickly quashed. 

A brief but decidedly heavy downpour arrived, complete with a dazzling lightning show. This was particularly fun for the group on the monorail that offers a (terribly slow) birds’ eye view of the park.  Their first thought was that someone had taken a photo with a flash camera, but a loud rumble soon afterwards proved otherwise.  Be reassured, parents - the park do close any rides straight away when there is any risk due to the storm and none of the rides go at 88 miles per hour. (One male team member is sure some of  you will understand this film reference, but we don’t.)  Spirits were only mildly dampened, though (hoodie-less and soggy) the kids powered through like champs.  Our young friend in her wheelchair did manage to go on some rides (including the leisurely monorail), which made her very happy, and crepe au sucre was provided to  cheer her up after rain stopped play for her thrill seeking. 

The faces of the children as they came off the rides - sheer exhilaration and joy - were wonderful. “That was AMAZING!!” was shouted over and over again.  They mixed up groups all day long - children hurtling down the log flume with pupils from the other class, with whom they haven’t socialised much previously. This is another fabulous aspect of the French Trip - new friendships formed, and greater self-confidence.

One absolute highlight came courtesy of a girl who channeled Mystic Meg crossed with Han Solo. Just before getting on the Grand Prix ride, she muttered those legendary words:

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”

Moments later, her car broke down mid-ride. In the rain. Somewhere, the Force was definitely laughing. This Grand Prix ride was a huge hit this year, and we can’t remember previous year groups being so enamoured with it.  Please note the Grand Prix ride goes about as fast as the monorail.  You get the picture.  In fact the biggest adrenalin ride - Triops - was shut for the day, but this didn’t look like it would be a problem for this Year 6.

Eventually, they were peeled away from the rides (some more willingly than others) and  returned to the hotel, where we sent  them off to shower (with or without gel) and get glammed up for the evening.

Dinner – Dressing Up and Dining Out

The children emerged looking fabulous. We had posh frocks, shirts tucked in, hair done. It was like a red carpet for under-12s. The birthday girl, of course, looked dazzling.

Groups dined in different restaurants along the seafront, eating well and enjoying the buzz of the town. As the sun set across the waves, your children were playing on  beautiful sand with their friends.   We finally walked back to the hotel, and “I have LOVED this trip!  I thought that Kingswood was good but this is even BETTER!”  summed up the feelings of everyone.  We agreed that the memories made over the last few days will never, ever be forgotten.

A Final Thought…

Tomorrow brings the swimming pool, and the journey home. Before long, bedrooms will return to their usual lovingly chaotic state and suitcases will be spread out. Further missing lunches from Monday  might also be found, but we really have done our best to make them clean out their rucksacks.

Thank you again for your lovely comments and messages. They truly mean the world to your children and to us.

More adventures tomorrow!

Thank you again for your lovely comments and messages. They truly mean the world to your children—and to us.

More adventures tomorrow!

TUESDAY 

Day 2 – Breakfast Gains, Market Bling & Smelly Beach Feet

BREAKFAST

After a good night’s sleep, we were all expecting a sea of bed hair this morning… sadly, very little to report on that front. Disappointing really. We were hoping for at least one gravity-defying barnet.  We were impressed that the new members of the adult team made it to breakfast before some of the more experienced ones.  This shows great enthusiasm.  Well done!  We are hopeful that there will be some shocking bed hair tomorrow at breakfast - staff or pupils, we don’t mind - so that somebody wins the annual award for Bed Hair of  the week.

Breakfast, however, did not disappoint. The usual load of croissants, pain au chocolat, bread and cereal was laid out but with a glorious new addition: bacon and eggs! One adult was positively overjoyed.

Special mention must go to one determined young man who decided to kick off the day with a full-on early morning workout. Impressive stuff! But when it came to piling up bacon (twice) this award didn’t go to him. No, this title belongs to a certain young lady who approached breakfast like a true champion.  There wasn’t much on her plate to go with the bacon, but it looked delicious.

The Market – Euros, Bling and… Slushies?

Excitement was bubbling as we drove past tomorrow’s destination, Bagatelle theme park. Small but mighty screams of joy could be heard from the back of the coach.

But today, it was all about the market! As staff counted out Euros and offered sage shopping advice, the children were already planning their purchases like seasoned pros. The top shopping list items? Berets, watches and of course… sweets because apparently crossing international borders just makes the sweet tooth stronger.  Some groups had popped into the local fishmongers on the walk to the market, to look at the amazing array of seafood; lobsters, crabs, huge skate wings, langoustines the size of small children….. Parents, some of you would be very proud that your children not only knew the name ‘langoustines’ but have also tried them.  And mussels…. Such culinary sophistication from St Michael’s!  

Not everyone enjoyed the fishmonger experience, however, due to the smell. Fishy ,obviously.  On we went to the market…

. 

In one group, the first five minutes of the market visit went like this:

Adult: “Don’t buy the first thing you see. There are bargains further in. Try to haggle. Don’t pay full price.”

Children: Immediately spend most of their money on the first shiny thing they saw. Full price. No questions asked.

By the end of the morning, we had a coach full of bling: chains, rings, watches, hair clips. You name it, someone bought it. Though one young lad made it very clear,

“I’m not buying a ring. I’m not married!”

There were moments of true heart too. One kind boy spent all his money buying replacement sunglasses for a friend who had lost hers yesterday. He presented them to her later at the beach and honestly, there may have been a small tear in a teacher’s eye.