School outing in Charente-Maritime

Are you planning your next school outing? Are you looking for ideas to end the school year on a high note or to create a sense of unity at the start of the year? Look no further, you’ve found it! With its large green spaces, away from the noise and traffic, Fontdouce is the perfect place to relax in complete safety! A breath of fresh air and a pleasant moment in a rejuvenating environment! Don’t hesitate to contact us for any information you may need, and book well in advance for your outing. School groups are welcome every day between 15 March and 30 November, with no real size limit given the variety of activities on offer.

Activities for all ages

Our various activities are suitable for all classes and ages from 3 upwards. 

Tree climbing

Interactive rallies

Trail games

Outdoor Laser Game

Bubble Foot

Archery Game

Visit the abbey

School workshops

Designed in partnership with the French Ministry of Education, the school workshops take place in the grounds of the former Fontdouce Abbey, next to the Fontdouce Adventure Park. They are aimed at children from nursery school to secondary school.

A total of 8 workshops are on offer:

An activity based around stone to introduce pupils to a new artistic practice and raise their awareness of our built heritage.

Learning objectives :

  • Learn how to cut stone.
  • Acquire a new vocabulary around Romanesque art, Gothic art and stonemasonry.
  • Discover medieval sculpted decorations: plants, crosses, etc.
  • Create your own sculpture.
Duration: 2 hours
Classes: CM to collège
What to bring: blouse or old T-shirt

An activity based on medieval illumination to discover a new art form and train pupils’ eye.

Learning objectives :

  • Discover the history, materials and techniques of book illumination.
  • Learn how paintings were made in the Middle Ages.
  • Make an illuminated initial of your first name.
Duration: 2 hours
Classes: CE to collège
What to bring: a smock or an old T-shirt. The workshop should preferably be held in the morning so that the work can dry; the teacher should send us a list of the first names of the children taking part in the workshop so that we can print the corresponding lettering.

An event focusing on the discovery of stained glass, from its conception to its evolution through history.

Learning objectives :

  • Discover stained glass windows from the Middle Ages to the present day.
  • Observe the techniques involved in stained glass: the interplay of glass and light.
  • Understand the dual function of stained glass: narrative and decorative.
  • Create your own stained-glass window using the technique of painting on glass.
Duration: 2 hours
Classes: CE to collège
Things to remember:  the workshop is best done in the morning so that the work can dry; bring a few crates to store the works.

A series of culinary recipes to discover what people ate in the Middle Ages.

Learning objectives :

  • Discover the cuisine and tableware of the Middle Ages.
  • Find out what foods are eaten at different social levels.
  • Acquire new vocabulary.
  • Making and tasting a simple recipe.
Duration: 2 hours
Classes : from nursery school to college.
What to bring: blouse or old T-shirt

A writing activity to introduce pupils to other forms of lettering.

Learning objectives :

  • Discover the history of writing through the ages.
  • Learn how to use a calamus.
  • Learn new alphabets.
  • Write your name in calligraphy.
Duration: 2 hours
Classes: CE to collège
What to expect: a smock or an old T-shirt. The workshop is best done in the morning so that the work can dry.

An activity based on the creation of a coat of arms to introduce pupils to heraldry, with an emphasis on the continuity of this practice through today’s logos.

Learning objectives :

  • Discover the science of heraldry.
  • Acquire new vocabulary.
  • Question your identity, origins and tastes.
  • Create your own coat of arms.
Duration: 2 hours
Classes: CE to collège
What to bring: a blouse or an old T-shirt

An art-based activity to introduce pupils to the architectural styles of the Middle Ages.

Learning objectives :

  • Recognise and compare the Romanesque and Gothic styles.
  • Acquire architectural vocabulary.
  • Experiment with construction techniques for Romanesque and Gothic arches.
  • Make your own ‘little monster’ model.
Duration: 2 hours
Classes : from kindergarten to secondary school.
What to bring:  a smock or an old T-shirt; also bring a few crates to store the works while they dry. The workshop is preferably held in the morning to allow the work to dry.

An activity based around the ‘jardin des simples’ (a garden where monks grew aromatic and medicinal plants) to discover the role of plants in the Middle Ages and how to recognise them through games designed to awaken the senses. Using magic, the apprentice sorcerers will discover the world of witch plants and the art of potions through culinary experiments.

Learning objectives :

  • Discover the different uses of plants in the Middle Ages.
  • Recognise plants by sight, touch, taste and smell.
  • Discover the garden in a fun way, with an attractive theme: magic.
  • Make your own potion.
Duration: 2 hours
Classes : CP to college
What to bring: a blouse or an old T-shirt

Child-friendly facilities

At Fontdouce, young adventurers can have fun in complete freedom and safety! The facilities and activities are designed to offer children a rich, unforgettable and safe experience!

A large bus park

Activities  secure

Picnic areas

Sanitary facilities for all ages

A fun and educational outing on a multi-faceted site

What could be better than stimulating children’s curiosity and discovery while giving them the chance to have lots of fun? At Fontdouce, you have a wide choice of activities for all cycles to meet the needs of pupils and teachers alike! You can combine historical discoveries, fun activities and outdoor activities!

Take a look at our offer
 School outings

A unique setting
for a green school outing

How about a school outing in the great outdoors? Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the natural areas of Fontdouce are much appreciated for their calm and authenticity: the Fontdouce valley, surrounded by woods and vineyards and crossed by the Fontaine Douce, will seduce you with its serenity and beauty when organising your school outing at the beginning or end of the year. This natural environment favors disconnection. Your students will appreciate this setting for sharing and exchange. The ancient Abbey of Fontdouce, nestling in the heart of this valley, has been restored over the last 50 years, and its charm and scale offer everyone a journey back in time, complemented by the immersion in nature offered by the Fontdouce Adventure Park, which adjoins the Abbey.

Preserved exteriors
Calm and birdsong
Nature activities
Discover the site

Put together your ideal school outing

Put together your ideal programme by filling in this contact form. We will respond to your request as quickly as possible so that we can move ahead with your school outing project as quickly as possible.

Activities

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Frequently asked questions about school outings at Fontdouce

All school groups are welcome at Fontdouce. We can accommodate a very large number of children at the same time, up to 200, thanks to our wide range of activities. In order to limit the waiting time for each activity, we may ask you to create several sub-groups to divide the children between our different activities.

Yes, it is entirely possible and even recommended to take part in several activities at Fontdouce so as to get the most out of your school outing. Most of the schools we receive opt for a first activity in the morning, followed by a second in the afternoon. This organisation allows us to adapt perfectly to school transport constraints.

In the event of light rain during a school outing, we will guarantee the activities in all cases. However, if a storm is forecast, you are free to cancel or postpone your school outing right up to the last minute. If you still decide to come, we will direct you to the Abbey’s children’s activities to keep them dry. If the storm or thunderstorm is only temporary, we simply invite you to wait in the shelter until the weather calms down. For the lunch break, we provide covered areas in case of bad weather.

Our activities and facilities are checked daily to ensure that children, even very young ones, are perfectly safe during your school outing. What’s more, there are child-friendly sanitary facilities throughout the site. Finally, as the site is isolated from the main roads, there is no risk to traffic.

Fontdouce is also a large green valley with plenty of picnic tables. There’s plenty of room to set up your lunch wherever you like. Children are sure to love our pretty green areas, where they can run, jump and play to make the most of their school outing.

An unforgettable experience

4.8/5

+1k reviews

They put their trust in us
to organize their outing!

Titouan le Mauff

Great day out with my children. They loved the different courses and are already looking forward to going back, as am I. The staff are very welcoming and friendly. I highly recommend it for all ages.

27/10/2023

David Lonjou

Atypical, green setting, lots of activities and a team on hand to support you. We’d love to go back!

26/08/2023

Aymeric Dur

Fondouce Abbey is magnificent and full of history. The adventure park has brought this idyllic place back to life! I go there regularly and I recommend it!

26/08/2023

Muriel Fleuret

Do it again! Lots of courses and great zip lines. All the tree climbing is in the shade, which is great in summer! You can spend the whole day there, and there are picnic tables.

27/07/2023

Kevin Houbar

Excellent accrobranche park, a young and smiling team, my family warmly recommends you to go there.

27/07/2023

Heline BORDE

Great course, for all levels. Friendly staff, we’ll be back without hesitation. Very pleasant facilities.

27/07/2023

Création Melle

The Fontdouce adventure park is really great fun for families, friends and colleagues, with lots of varied activities. And the setting is beautiful and relaxing.

26/03/2023

Aurore Michel

Top afternoon at the laser game and the accrobranche! The kids (and the adults!) had a great time and all they want to do is come back! And let’s not forget the team members, who take care of everything. To be recommended without moderation!

26/03/2023

Camille

Super accrobranche where we went twice in one week. Very well organised, the instructors are very friendly, the site is beautiful and well equipped (picnic tables, space for accompanying adults, etc.). Several varied courses, including 3 for 3-8 year olds. It was perfect! Thank you so much!

28/02/2023

Aurélie Morin

The scenery is magnificent, the team welcoming, and there are a variety of sports and leisure activities on offer for all ages. There’s a snack bar, toilets and the chance to relax in a net in the heights or on the terrace. Picnic tables everywhere. Reservations can be made on the website

26/02/2023

Mathieu N (blinkonly)

Very quiet, cool in the woods, great welcome with a very small child and a course suitable for young children with even a small zip line. Great fun!

27/02/2022

Hell Di

Pierre has 7 apples and eats 2 of them, how many does he have left? 5 is the score I gave this incredible park, with its top quality staff, treetop adventure courses for all levels and a host of activities to brighten up your crazy days with family or friends 👍

27/02/2021

Coming to Fontdouce

Organize your visit

Address

1, rue du Vivier

Fontdouce Abbey

17770 Saint Bris des Bois

Itinerary

Opening hours

Easter vacations (all 3 zones) and All Saints’ Day: daily from 2pm to 7pm

Weekends and public holidays:
April to October: 2pm to 7pm
July and August: 10am to 8pm

Open all year round for groups

Book your activity  so you don't have to wait at the entrance

Use our online store to book your visit directly on our website. All you have to do is give us your name, the time and the number of people included in your booking to enjoy our activities. 

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Further information

Picnic
areas

Free Parking

Catering
services

Zen spaces

Dogs accepted

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