Overview

This beautiful region of France is renowned for its diversity and is sure to inspire any students who visit.

The regions of Provence and Languedoc-Rousillon are examples of Mediterranean diversity at its best. There is considerable geographical diversity ranging from the spectacular limestone canyons of the Gorges du Tarn, pretty hilltop villages of the Luberon and the Rhone delta of the Camargue. A truly fascinating area, the region provides ample opportunities for study, exploration and relaxation in this area renowned for its variety and beauty.

Accommodation

Hotel Le Petit Manoir

2 Star

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Le Petit Manoir is located in Avignon on the west bank and is easily accessible for the city and surrounding area for visits/data collection. It is a family run hotel and is ideal for older groups. Rooms are for 2-4 persons with teachers in twin/single rooms. Meals are half board with a packed lunch. Facilities include a bar, restaurant and garden with swimming pool outside.

La Manadiere

2 Star

This hotel is designed for groups and offers accommodation in a large bourgeoise house situated between Nimes and Arles.
Student rooms are multi-bedded with teachers accommodated in twin/single rooms; all have private facilities. There is a good restaurant, meeting/study rooms, a games room and small swimming pool for guests.

Sample Itinerary

• Day 1

  Depart from school for overnight journey to France. Arrive at the accommodation in time to settle in and for dinner.
• Day 2

  Arrive at the accommodation in time to settle in and for dinner.
• Day 3

  Visit the Camargue information centre to appreciate the natural and human aspects of this environment. Continue to Saintes Maries de la Mer for a study on Tourism or simply relax on a sandy beach – or both! A boat trip on the Petit Rhone is also possible.

  Eve: Bowling
• Day 4

  Visit the spectacular limestone scenery of the Gorges du Tarn. An area under pressure from tourism, examine the effects of its popularity. Depending upon the accommodation visit the Bridge in the Clouds at Millau.

  Eve: In-house
• Day 5

  Settlement studies in Cassis on the coast where tourism is the main economy. Take a boat trip along the coast to the Calanques and understand more of the coastal geography. Alternatively, visit Aigues Mortes for a similar study. Possibility to visit Perrier factory – integrated works.

  Eve: Aquacity
• Day 6

  Visit the Luberon where hilltop villages dominate the landscape. Explore the ochre fields and a processing plant and a paper mill using water power. On return visit the caves at Thor or Fontaine de Vaucluse for some final shopping opportunities.

  Eve: Meal out
• Day 7

  Local visit before leaving Provence for the overnight journey to the UK.
• Day 8

  Arrive back at school.

  This is a suggested itinerary only and can be of any length, combined in a variety of ways and be tailored to include the geographical excursions and visits that you require. Any quotation will INCLUDE excursion and entry fees as stated in the itinerary. We will provide a guide price for any additional visits/activities

Excursions

STUDY OPTIONS – GCSE.

COASTAL CASSIS.

Cassis is a small coastal town that is hemmed in between the Mediterranean and a steep limestone escarpment. Originally Cassis made its living from the sea but nowadays there is a strong tourist economy which is evident as you stroll along the harbour front. This backdrop provides the opportunity for a wide variety of geographical investigation with plenty to do in your leisure time when the work is done! Try relaxing on a sandy beach or take a boat trip in and out of the local steep-sided limestone inlets called “calanques”.

THE CAMARGUE.

The delta of the River Rhone, known as the Camargue, is one of the most important wetlands in Europe. Along the outer fringes are long sandy beaches and dune complexes while behind these there are salt marshes teeming with wildlife and plants. Maintaining the balance between the natural habitats and the need for human activity such as farming and industry has meant that conflict can arise. The day can include the Camargue visitor centre, the resort of Saintes Maries de la Mer, a visit to a salt works or a boat trip on the Petit Rhone.

THE DURANCE VALLEY.

The Durance river is a major tributary of the Rhone. Historically the flow has been very erratic but today the river has been canalised, diverted and the flow controlled to meet the demands of Provence where the summer temperatures are very high and the rainfall low. The valley floor is fertile with rich alluvial soil that enables farmers to grow a variety of produce. Investigations can include a visit an HEP station, a farming land use survey and a farm visit. It is also possible to have some relaxation time in Aix-en-Provence or at the theme park of the OK Corral.

THE LUBERON.

Famed for its variety and beauty, the Luberon are a range of uplifted limestone hills. Located to the north of the Durance River there are numerous places to explore. Most notable are the ochre fields which have created a stunning landscape. The bright purple, red and yellow deposits are dazzling on a bright day set against a cloudless sky. Discover the limestone underground by visiting local caverns containing stalagmites and stalactites. The village of Fontane de Vaucluse is also possible.

INDUSTRY.

The Gulf of Fos is situated to the west of Marseille and the port of Fos-sur-Mer is the third largest port in Europe. Here there is plenty of flat land for construction and the wide approaches make it accessible for the largest of vessels. There are three types of port that can be visited together with the Solac Steelworks. A multinational company, Perrier, can be visited to study an integrated works or consider the salt extraction plant near Aigues Mortes.

THE GORGES DU TARN.

Located in the Cevennes national Park, the Gorges du Tarn is a spectacular feature within the limestone massif. It may not be the longest or deepest in the world but it has an aura of its own. Here it is possible to appreciate mountain building and the action of water in creating the landscape. The villages along the gorge are frequently visited and together with landscape studies form the basis of the investigations for the day.

STUDY OPTIONS – AS/A2.

All the study units that have been designed for this section are investigations that involve primary data collection. They are designed to provide material for comparison in the UK, extended essays and case study material to support the syllabus. All units are supported by study materials and support information,

COASTAL STUDIES.

The study is based on dynamic but fragile dune systems and the colonisation of the dunes by plants. It’s also possible to study the human impact on the dune system.

RIVER MORPHOLOGY.

This is a study of the processes and morphology of a river in the Apilles. Landforms and channel processes are studied with data collected at several sites.

TOURISM.

Several opportunities are possible in the area. The day entails a decision making exercise at the Pont du Gard. Collect data for a car park survey, pedestrian survey, visitor pressure survey and a consideration of whether the carrying capacity is being exceeded. Also possible is a study of contrasting tourist destinations at Aigues Mortes and La Grande Motte. Study a tourist honey-pot.

URBAN STUDIES.

1) A medieval town that has a long history of change.
2) A study of sphere of influence and changing function.
3) Delimiting a CBD. The study aims to identify land use zones and concentration of facilities together with townscape perception score that aim to measure environmental problems that may arise.
4) Questionnaires that study the impact of tourism.