Explore Loire Valley's many historical castles with school trips to France

The Loire Valley is a picturesque and historic region of France and if you are planning school trips with your students to show them some of the sights, as well as to help them improve their language skills, this is the place to go.

Although it is well known as a wine producing region, you will discover far more than grapevines when you visit the Loire Valley.

One of the biggest attractions for teachers organising school trips to France are the many chateaux that dot the landscape and provide fascinating places to spend a day exploring.

It can be difficult to know exactly which of these stunning buildings to take your pupils to, but one of the most impressive is undoubtedly the Chateau de Chambord.

As the largest of the castles in the Loire Valley, you can be sure that you will have plenty to see and it is the perfect place to visit if you want to teach your students a little about the French royal family.

The castle was originally built as a hunting lodge for Francois I in the 16th century, thereafter it fell into disrepair before being renovated and becoming a favourite chateau for Louis XIV.

One of the architectural features you and your class should look out for is the double-helix open staircase in the centre of the castle.

Another place that you may wish to visit on your school trip is Angers, where you can look forward to a trip around the city's fortress.

The Chateau d'Angers is home to the Apocalypse Tapestry - a 1,000 metre-long needlework depicting the apocalypse as described in the Bible that was created in medieval times.

While your students may find it fascinating to see the tapestry, they will no doubt also enjoy discovering the castle's history.

In fact, a settlement in this location is thought to have existed as far back as Roman times due to its elevated position.

The towers in the walls are an interesting feature worth noting, while the gardens and buildings within the complex will make the perfect place for your pupils to wander around a little piece of French history.