Geography School Trip To The Southern French Alps

As an area of outstanding natural beauty, The Alps is a popular tourist spot. With this comes the danger of overcrowding and damage to the environment. This lecture  discusses the ways in which tourism is managed and how the local economy is being sustainably developed.

This park covers one of the most remarkable regions of the Alps, where mountains of up to 3,000m high are hung with glaciers and waterfalls. There are alpine meadows and forests to explore, with many protected species of plants flourishing in the dynamic climate. It is possible to hire small vehicles to get closer to the glaciers. Groups can then hike with a mountain guide to see the glaciers.

The fortified town of Briançon is the highest town in Europe and reputedly one of the sunniest. The Old Town was rebuilt following a fire in 1692 by the great engineer, Vauban in the classic fortress star shape. The narrow pedestrian streets have fresh water running through gulleys called gargouilles. The new town of Briançon has good shopping facilities and a large sports complex with indoor swimming and ice skating.

Departing from the traditional mountain village of La Grave, the cable car takes passengers up to the Girose Glacier at an altitude of 3,200m. The route is snow capped through the summer and provides spectacular views of the glacial landscape, Mont Blanc and the Meije valley. At the summit there is an ice cave decorated with authentic ice sculptures to explore.

Monêtier is a natural spa town and much of the hot water there is supplied by the springs. Being able to bathe in the water is a unique way for students to experience the mountainscape above. The outdoor pool with fountain jets is open all year. A series of indoor pools have a magical underwater music feature. Image by Pierre5018, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons.

This outdoor park specialises in tree top adventures. Over 120 activities take place in the canopy including climbing, balancing wires, monkey ladders and Tarzan jumps. There are activities for all ages and at multiple levels, with trained instructors and surveillance at every stage.

This is an exhilarating way for students to experience the fast-flowing rivers of the region. Your students will learn this testing skill under secure supervision. We only work with the best alpine water sports companies.

Medaqua activities don’t end where the sea does. A guided bike tour will take you along the beach, through the nature reserves of the coastal marshes, along river banks, through the countryside and even into the mountains. There are many bike routes to choose from, some easy, some a bit more challenging.