Sixth Form Students Enjoy an Artistic Trip to France and Belgium

During the Easter break the Art and French Departments took a group of Sixth Form students to France and Belgium.

After a smooth journey to France via the Eurostar we based ourselves in the northern French city of Lille. Here, we were able to absorb the continental ambience, partake in the local cuisine and make full use of our language skills, which was invaluable for those about to sit their exams. Lille is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city and is the capital of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. It has a rich cultural and religious heritage which we were able to experience whilst wandering the streets and visiting the main buildings. The diversity of the city was also evident at the local market and in the wide range of restaurants, several of which we very much enjoyed! In Lille, visits to the market at Wazemmes and Lille Zoo, as well as ample time to peruse the excellent shopping opportunities, made the visit a highly enjoyable one.

On the second full day of the visit we journeyed across the border to the picturesque Belgian town of Bruges. The medieval town is famous for its architectural heritage, art, canals and of course its Belgian chocolate (it even has a museum of chocolate). The students visited the excellent Groening Museum, which has an enviable collection of paintings and sculpture, before exploring the town itself, with its boutique shops and independent gallery scene. The students also made sure to leave enough time to try the excellent local waffles and chocolate – a memorable experience in itself!

Thank you to the staff who supported such a great trip.

Sixth Form Art students absorbed in a wonderful painting during their visit to the Belgium town of Bruges.