During the Easter holidays, a group of 25 Fourth Year linguists travelled to Paris for the return leg of their French exchange, having hosted their partners from France earlier in the spring term. The visit provided invaluable language practice and an immersive cultural experience in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.
Hampton’s French department has run the exchange programme in partnership with the Collège et Lycée Notre Dame de Sion, located near the Jardin du Luxembourg, since 2009. This long‑standing relationship continues to offer pupils a unique opportunity to develop their linguistic skills while forming lasting international friendships.
At the start of the visit, Hamptonians were reunited with their exchange partners and warmly welcomed by their host families. Over the first weekend, pupils enjoyed a wide range of activities, including visits to iconic Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée du Louvre, as well as exploring Notre Dame Cathedral and the Grands Boulevards. These experiences allowed pupils to explore the city while confidently using their French in authentic, everyday situations.
During the week, the group took part in a range of guided tours around some of Paris’s most famous areas, including Montmartre and the Jardins des Tuileries. Highlights also included an exciting visit to the Château de Versailles and a boat trip along the River Seine. Pupils quickly formed strong relationships with their exchange partners and host families and, once the French school day had finished, many socialised together in local parks, went bowling, recreated France‑England football matches and, of course, sampled the renowned French cuisine.
The week was a great success and provided pupils with a valuable opportunity to enhance their oral fluency, listening skills and overall confidence in French. The exchange remains a key part of the department’s commitment to bringing language learning to life and inspiring pupils to engage fully with other cultures.
