Northern France Music School Trips & Tours
Performing to the appreciative audiences in Northern France will help grow a novice’s confidence and abilities, whilst Bruges and Brussels provide prestigious performance opportunities for more experienced music groups.
Combined with an array of memorable visits, a concert tour to Northern France offers groups the opportunity to bond and fully concentrate on their rehearsals and performance. An ideal destination for music groups on their first concert tour or those with a tight budget.
Sample itinerary
Our sample itinerary provides you with an idea of the visits you can cover during your trip. We can tailor-make an itinerary to support your specific learning outcomes.
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morning flight from Ireland | Check into accommodation. Rehearsal time | Arrive at NST's Chateau d'Ebblinghem. Quiz night |
| 2 | Boulangerie visit with demonstration & croissant tasting | Concert at Jardins Publiques, Calais | Crepe making. Rehearsal time |
| 3 | Day visit to Ypres. Visit In Flanders Fields Museum | Concert in Ypres market place | Participate in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate |
| 4 | Bellewaerde Theme Park | Return flight to Ireland | |
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
| Morning | Morning flight from Ireland |
|---|---|
| Afternoon | Check into accommodation. Rehearsal time |
| Evening | Arrive at NST's Chateau d'Ebblinghem. Quiz night |
| Morning | Boulangerie visit with demonstration & croissant tasting |
|---|---|
| Afternoon | Concert at Jardins Publiques, Calais |
| Evening | Crepe making. Rehearsal time |
| Morning | Day visit to Ypres. Visit In Flanders Fields Museum |
|---|---|
| Afternoon | Concert in Ypres market place |
| Evening | Participate in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate |
| Morning | Bellewaerde Theme Park |
|---|---|
| Afternoon | Return flight to Ireland |
| Evening |
On-tour support
Get even more from your trip with an NST Music Tour Manager! call us for details
On-tour support includes...
- Services of a See Off Representative at your departure airport
Additional on-tour support available...
- Your dedicated Group Co-ordinator, if staying at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem, will ensure the smooth-running of your concert tour, acting as all-round support for your group.
Accommodation
Popular options in Northern France
Top performance venues
Last Post Ceremony, Ypres
Choirs and bands can perform two hymns alongside the British and Belgian national anthems at this daily ceremony commemorating the fallen of WWI. Participating in this ceremony is an incredibly moving experience for groups who are often able to lay a wreath on request.
Jardins Publiques, Calais
Popular, lively bands can perform in Parc Richelieu or at the rotunda in Parc St Diene. Both venues are located in Calais, just 45 minutes from NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem.
Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula, Brussels
Choirs can perform an afternoon concert at this stunning venue for a small fee.
St Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent
Sacred choirs and orchestras are welcome to perform in this beautiful cathedral. Use of the organ can be arranged in advance.
Church of Our Lady of Finisterrae, Brussels
Evening performances are available at this attractive church for sacred choirs and groups, as well as an opportunity for groups to join mass.
Church of St Rochus, Blankenberge
Sacred choirs, classical chamber ensembles and orchestras are offered the chance to perform at this lovely Neo-Romanesque church in the seaside resort of Blankenberge.
Antwerp Cathedral
Good quality sacred choirs can help celebrate the Eucharist by performing a number of anthems.
The Church of Our Lady, Bruges
Choirs and instrumental chamber groups are invited to perform afternoon concerts in the wonderful ‘The Church of Our Lady’ located in the heart of historic Bruges.
Church of St Anthony of Padua, Aalst
This welcoming church allows both sacred and secular music, and the Priest works hard to ensure concerts by guest groups are well supported.
Church of St Michael, Ghent
Well known for its popular concert series and centrally located in Ghent, this church welcomes groups with mixed programmes.The Church also takes part in the Ghent Music Festival every July.
St Omer Public Gardens
Retirement Homes
We have a selection of welcoming retirement homes that enjoy hosting guest performances in a variety of cities and towns, including Dunkirk and Brussels.
Market Place, Bruges
Groups not needing electricity/amplification can perform during the day in this stunning city square, which always attracts good audiences outside the summer months.
Market Place, Ypres
This popular and attractive square is situated in the heart of Ypres where concerts regularly draw appreciative crowds.
Bobbejaanland, Lichtaart
Between April and the start of November, this theme park offers groups the chance to perform. Groups can also take advantage of reduced ticket prices for the theme park.
Parc de Bruxelles, Brussels
This busy city centre park, encircled by the Royal Palace of Brussels, the Belgian Parliament and the American Embassy, offers groups the chance to perform in its wonderful bandstand.
Bagatelle Theme Park, Mermilont, Berck
A range of groups can perform on the podium at the entrance to the theme park welcoming visitors.
Bandstands
Perform at the best coastal bandstands we offer, such as Blankenberge, Ostend, Nieuwpoort and De Panne.
Top visits
In Flanders Field Museum
This superb state-of-the-art, interactive museum is now an even richer experience with the updated larger museum. Covering most aspects of the war in Flanders, each visitor will receive a wristband that will take them on a journey in the museum through the eyes of someone who was there. Educational worksheets and study resources and workshops are available www.inflandersfields.be/en/educational-new
Menin Gate & Last Post Ceremony
The largest and the most important of the British memorials to the Missing in The Salient, The Menin Gate holds the names of 54,896 soldiers of the British Empire. This memorial marked the start of one of the main roads out of Ypres towards the Front Line. Following a meal at a local restaurant, your students will witness the moving ‘Last Post Ceremony’ which takes place every evening at 8pm.
Bellewaerde Theme Park
Spend a day at this fantastic theme park, home to a wonderful mix of rollercoasters, shows, animals and water features.
Les Escargotières
Get a real taste of France! At a working snail farm, your group will learn how one of France’s most famous foods is reared. Then sit back and see which of your pupils will be first to sample one for themselves.
Les Chocolats de Beussent
Learn about the industry of chocolate making and combine the demonstrations of melting, moulding and coating with worksheets, a guided tour of the workshop (in English or French), and the chance to enjoy tasting samples!
Bruges
Reputed to be the best preserved medieval city in Europe, Bruges abounds with character and charm. The many canals and waterways have given it the name of ‘Venice of the North’ and these plus the winding cobbled streets, gabled houses and hump backed bridges make Bruges so delightful.
Ostend & Blankenberge
The marina in the centre of Ostend is lined with plenty of cafés and groups can watch the artists at work at the outdoor painting exhibitions along the promenade. In the town of Blankenberge local markets are held throughout the year on Friday mornings and Mondays during high season.
Ghent
Known as the ‘City of Flowers’ it’s also a place of historic interest. The centre of Ghent especially comes to life on Sunday mornings when, up to midday, there are no less than five different markets all within ten minutes walk of each other: antiques, animals, birds, flowers, and a painter’s market. There are also several interesting museums in the town - the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Folklore Museum.
Evening activites
- Organised evening activities at the château (including a French night, snail tasting, making traditional tarte au sucre, mini Olympics, a disco or karaoke, Superhero Challenge, NST’s Got Talent, boules...and much more!)
- Excellent recreational facilities at the château (including a games room, a teachers’ bar, a shop, two football pitches, volleyball area and four hectacres of private grounds
Transport
We offer flights from a variety of departure airports and we’ll work with you to plan your route at the best value possible.
Flight
Giving you full support throughout
Before your tour
- Your own dedicated NST contact
- Bespoke tour itineraries
- Unrivalled local knowledge & expertise
- Curriculum linked visit programmes
- Great value for money - no hidden costs
- Free group leader inspection visits
- Risk assessment guidance
- Safety assured, transport, accommodation and visits
Whilst you're away
- Free educational resources
- Group-friendly accommodation
- Exceptional standards of coaching
- On-tour support from our reps on the ground
- Support & assistance from our specialists guides throughout your tour
- 24/7 support just a call away
- Extensive group travel insurance
On your return
- Priority rebooking services
- Rewarding your loyalty with our reward scheme
- You say, we listen - we're committed to continuously improving our tours
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