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If you're planning a school trip to France that will really give your students an insight into the country's history, a school tour to Alsace could be the perfect choice. The area is situated in the north-eastern part of the country and is one of the smaller regions in France, dating back to the Roman era. Steeped in history, there are hundreds of museums and collections to view in the region, which is also home to the highest concentration of feudal castles in the whole of Europe. As you travel through the area, you'll be able to gain a rough idea of the area's turbulent history when you catch sight of some of the 400 ruined castles in the region. As part of your educational trip, be sure to take your pupils to the Alsace-Moselle Memorial, which was erected in honour of the people of Alsace-Moselle whose nationality changed four times between 1870 and 1945. There are both French and German influences to be seen at various locations throughout the region in the form of art and architecture. You'll find numerous classical and Renaissance buildings, such as the the Palais du Conseil Souverain in Colmar, Rohan Palaces in Strasbourg and Saverne and the Hopital Civil (Civil Hospital) in Strasbourg. If you're planning on visiting some of the castles that still stand, one not to be missed is the Haut-Koenigsbourg, which is one of France's most-visited fortresses. When it was built in the 12th century, the castle served to protect silver and salt routes from the west to the east and wine and wheat routes to the north. Virtually destroyed during the Thirty Years War, the monument was later rebuilt in 1899. Inside, you'll be able to marvel at medieval paintings, Renaissance furniture and vast wall paintings, while from the top you can expect some stunning views over Vosges, the Rhine, the Black Forest and the Alps. Once you've explored the castles, pay a visit to some of the other attractions in the area. Alsace is home to Europe's largest rail museum as well as a centre dedicated to the illustrator Tomi Ungerer and a number of classic car museums. One of the most visited attractions is the Unterlinden Museum, which showcases Rhenish art. A particular highlight of the collection is the renowned gothic Grunewald altarpiece. Whether your subject is French, history or art, you'll find a wealth of opportunities for your students to learn on a visit to Alsace.
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