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Tabor in France

Tabor in France

Location: Loches and Paris, France; Saint-Denis International School  

Dates: June 4-15, 2026 

Program Leader: Polly Henshaw

Chaperones: Will Beyreis & Julia Porter 

Description: Our voyage to France will feature homestays in the Loire Valley and language study at Saint-Denis International School in Loches. During our time in the Loire Valley, we will have the opportunity to explore several of the châteaux, including the fortified castle in Loches. Our excursions include a visit to Amboise, a château designed by Leonardo DaVinci for François Ier. We will also visit the château of Leonardo DaVinci, Clos Lucé. We are organizing a trip to the market in Loches, where we will purchase all the ingredients for a meal prepared by you with the guidance of Justine, a local chef from La Petite Jucherie, a neighboring town. We will also spend two days in Paris and visit La Tour Eiffel, Le Louvre, and Saint Chapelle. If time permits, we will spend a day in Versailles, in addition to a bike ride to the Petit Trianon, château of Marie Antoinette. 

Join us to: 

  1. Experience classes at the Saint-Denis International School in Loches. 
  2. Get up close and personal with the art treasures of the Louvre, including the Mona Lisa. 
  3. Climb the Eiffel Tower, wander the streets of Montmartre, and shop on the Champs Elysees. 

Itinerary: 

  • Day 1: Thursday, June 4  
    • Depart Tabor Academy for Boston Logan Airport 
    • 5:45 PM: Flight departs Boston (BOS) 
      • Connection in Dublin: 4:50 AM (June 5) 
      • Depart Dublin: 6:40 AM 
  • Day 2: Friday, June 5 
    • 9:30 AM: Arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) 
    • 11:19 AM: TGV INOUI N°5224 from CDG to St-Pierre-des-Corps 
    • 1:04 PM: Arrival in St-Pierre-des-Corps (Tours) 
    • Bus pickup by Saint-Denis → transfer to Loches 
    • Welcome and homestay introductions 
  • Days 3-4: Saturday & Sunday, June 6-7 
    • Weekend with Host Families 
    • Cultural immersion and local experiences coordinated by Saint-Denis 
    • Informal activities with host families 
    • Students will stay with the same families until our departure for Paris on Friday morning.  
  • Day 5: Monday, June 8 
    • Morning: 
      • FLE (French Language) classes at Saint-Denis 
      • Optional English-language classes (Literature, History) 
    • Afternoon: 
      • Co-curriculars (e.g., cooking, sports, music) 
  • Day 6: Tuesday, June 9 
    • Morning: 
      • FLE classes 
      • Optional English classes 
      • Local exploration (e.g., château visit, candy factory) 
    • Afternoon: 
      • Co-curricular activities 
  • Day 7: Wednesday, June 10 
    • Morning: visit to Loches Market 
    • Day Trip: Excursion to Tours 
  • Day 8: Thursday, June 11 
    • Morning: 
      • FLE classes at Saint-Denis 
      • Optional English-language classes 
    • Afternoon and Evening:
      • Last night with host families 
  • Day 9: Friday, June 12 
    • Morning: 
      • Train from St-Pierre-des-Corps (Tours) to Paris Montparnasse (arrive ~10:02 AM) 
      • Metro Line 4 → Hotel Ibis 
      • Drop off luggage and lunch 
    • 2:30 PM: Visit Louvre Museum (Palais Royal Musée du Louvre – Line 7) Louvre stays open late on Fridays (until 9:45 PM) 
    • Evening: 
      • Settle into rooms 
      • Dinner in Montmartre and visit to Sacré Coeur 
  • Day 10: Saturday, June 13 
    • 9:00–11:30 AM:
      • Notre-Dame Cathedral & Sainte-Chapelle 
      • Explore Latin Quarter 
    • Midday: 
      • Visit Shakespeare & Company bookstore 
      • Musée Cluny 
      • Picnic lunch at Jardin du Luxembourg 
    • 2:00–4:00 PM: 
      • Option 1: Les Invalides & Napoleon’s Tomb 
      • Option 2: Shopping on Boulevard Saint-Michel or in Le Marais 
    • Evening: 
      • Dinner in Le Marais (e.g., Miznon, Le Breizh Café) 
      • Macarons at Ladurée 
      • Visit Eiffel Tower 
  • Day 11: Sunday, June 14 
    • Day Trip: 9:00 train to Versailles  
    • Visit the château and gardens. Lunch at the café/in the gardens.  
      • 3:00 PM: Visit L'Orangerie 
      • 6:00–7:00 PM: Break at hotel 
      • Dinner Options: 
        • Bouillon Chartier 
        • Bricktop Pizza Paris 
    • Evening Walk: Canal Saint-Martin 
  • Day 12: Monday, June 15 
    • Morning: Transfer to CDG Airport 
    • Return flight to Boston

Please note: All itineraries are subject to change and modification as challenges and opportunities arise; substitutions will be considered carefully and embrace the spirit of the original plan. 

Requirements: A passport valid for 6 months after the conclusion of the program; certain countries may require a visa for entry. Students must have passed the Tabor swim test  in order to participate in water-based activities. Students must have at least one year of high school-level French (or the equivalent). Students must be in good academic and community life standing to participate. Students will be covered by school trip and travelers’ insurance that covers emergency care and evacuation, although they must also have personal health insurance. Students are expected to participate in all pre- and post-travel (March programs only) orientation and reflection sessions. They will create a learning artifact to share with the Tabor community after their travel experience. 

  • 2025-2026