Honiton’s French connection

Students from Honiton Community College embrace French culture during a visit to Strasbourg.

Pupils from Honiton put their French skills to the test during an exchange visit to Strasbourg.

The group of students from Honiton Community College took a break from their studies to enjoy a cultural visit to La Doctrine Chretienne in the city of Strasbourg.

For many, it was the first time they had travelled by Eurostar.

On arriving in Strasbourg, the group spent the evening with fellow pupils from La Doc School and were able to turn their taste buds to a spot of gourmet French cuisine.

During the visit they stayed with host families and were shown the sights of Strasbourg including a guided tour of the cathedral and museums.

Not forgetting their studies, the students joined their French counterparts to observe an English lesson - two of them were even mistaken as French students.

As part of the visit they were also given the opportunity to visit a castle built by Kaiser Wilheim and join representatives from across Europe to sit in on the 21st congress.

Unfortunately, a trip to a monkey zoo had to be cancelled due to snow, but the pupils enjoyed a steaming mug of hot chocolate instead.

Bringing the trip to a sombre end was a tour of the Le Struthof, the only Nazi run concentration camp in France, which was a moving experience for many of the students.

By the end of the exchange, the community college students had embraced the food, language and lifestyle and will be bringing a bit of je ne sais quoi back to Honiton.