The regions of Provence and Languedoc-Rousillon are
examples of Mediterranean diversity at its best. There
is considerable geographical diversity ranging from
the spectacular limestone canyons of the Gorges du
Tarn, pretty hilltop villages of the Luberon and the
Rhone delta of the Carmargue. A geography tour to
this region provides ample opportunities for study,
exploration and relaxation in an area renowned for its
variety and beauty.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - GCSE
Day 1: Depart from school by coach for overnight
journey to France.
Day 2: Arrive at accommodation in time to settle in
and for evening meal.
Day 3: Visit the spectacular limestone scenery of
the Gorges du Tarn. An area under pressure from
tourism, examine the effects of its popularity. On
return, visit the “Bridge in the Clouds” at Millau.
Day 4: Settlement study at Cassis on the coast
where tourism is the main economy. Take a boat trip
along the coast to the calanques and understand
more of the coastal geography. Alternatively visit the
historic town of Aigues Mortes for a similar study.
Day 5: Visit the Carmargue and the Visitors centre
to appreciate the natural and human aspects of this
environment. Continue to Saintes Maries de la Mer
for a study on tourism or simply relax on the sandy
beach. A river trip on the Petit Rhone is also possible.
Day 6: Visit the Luberon where hilltop villages
dominate the landscape. Explore the ochre fields of
Rousillon and a processing plant. On return visit the
caves at Thor or Fontaine de Vaucluse for some final
shopping opportunities.
Day 7: Morning visiting Avignon and/or the Pont du
Gard before leaving Provence for the return journey
home.
Day 8: Arrive back at school.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - AS/A2
Day 1: Travel arrangements as for GCSE.
Day 3: La Grand Motte. Sand dune investigation
into typical psammosere succession. Opportunity
to collect data from several transects to determine
whether the system conforms to textbook theory.
A second possibility is to study human impact on a
dune complex.
Day 4: Aigues Mortes. A settlement study
investigating change. Land use survey and mapping
exercise. Possibility of a questionnaire survey. A
comparison of a historic centre, Aigues Mortes and
a purpose built resort in La Grand Motte can also be
uundertaken.
Day 5: A weathering study of village cemeteries.
To investigate aspect and rock type in relation to
weathering. A selection of village cemeteries will be
visited to collect data that can then be processed
and analysed.
Day 6: A decision making exercise at the Pont
du Gard. Visit the information centre and conduct
a visitor survey to assess this honey-pot site and
decide upon a possible policy for the future.
Day 7: Delimiting a CBD. To visit a local town
and investigate the land use and characteristics of
the town centre. Is it the same as the UK? Does it
conform to the textbook theory?
Day 8: Arrive back at school.
These are suggested itineraries. Tours can be of any length, combined in a variety of ways and
can include geographical visits and excursions that you require. There are a variety of additional
activities that can be added to the itinerary as leisure time. Contact us for further details.
Excursion and entry fees are not included in the tour price. Please contact us for flight options.
THE ACCOMMODATION
We have selected two hotels that are well situated for the
study areas. La Manadiere is located between Nimes and Arles.
Student accommodation is in multi-bedded rooms with en
suite facilities with twin rooms for staff. The hotel has a good
restaurant and there is a games room and small swimming pool
for guests. It is also possible to stay at Le Petit Manoir 2* in
Avignon. A family run hotel on the west bank, the Petit Manoir
is ideal for older groups. The hotel has a bar and restaurant
whilst outside there is a terrace, swimming pool and garden.
ADDITIONAL ACIVITIES Camargue boat trip, local beaches, bowling, shopping, ice
skating, Planetarium
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Study Options - GCSE
COASTAL CASSIS
Cassis is a small
coastal town that is
hemmed in between
the Mediterranean
and a steep limestone
escarpment. Originally
Cassis made its living
from the sea but
nowadays there is a
strong tourist economy which is evident as you stroll along
the harbour front. This backdrop provides the opportunity
for a wide variety of geographical investigation with plenty
to do in leisure time when the work is done! Try relaxing on
the sandy beach or take boat trip in and out of the steepsided
limestone inlets called “Calanques”
THE CAMARGUE
The delta of the River Rhone, known as the Camargue is
one of the most important wetlands in Europe. Along the
outer fringes are long sandy beaches and dune complexes
whilst behind these there are salt marshes teeming with
wildlife and plants. Maintaining the balance between the
natural habitats and the need for human activity such as
farming and industry has meant that conflict can arise.
It is these aspects of the region that can be studied. The
day can include the Camargue visitor centre, the resort of
Saintes Maries de la Mer, a visit to a salt works or a boat
trip on the Petit Rhone.
THE DURANCE VALLEY
The River Durance is a major tributary of the River
Rhone. Historically the flow of the river was very erratic
but today the river has been canalised, diverted and the
flow controlled to meet the water demands of Provence
where, in summer, the temperatures are very high and
rainfall is low. The valley floor is fertile with rich alluvial soil
that enables farmers to grow a wide variety of produce.
Investigations can include a visit to an HEP station, a
farming land use survey and a farm visit. It is also possible
to have some relaxation time in Aix-en-Provence or at the
theme park of OK Coral.
THE LUBERON
Famed for its variety and
beauty, the Luberon are a
range of uplifted limestone
hills. Located to the north of
the Durance river there are
numerous places to explore.
Most notable are the deposits
of ochre which have created a
stunning landscape. The bright
purple, red and yellow deposits
are dazzling on a bright day.
Discover limestone underground
by visiting local caverns
containing lovely examples of
stalagmites and stalactites. The village of Fontaines-de-
Vaucluse is another possible visit.
INDUSTRY
The Gulf of Fos is situated to the west of Marseille and
the port of Fos-sur-Mer is the third largest port in Europe.
Here there are large expanses of flat land for construction
and the wide approaches make it accessible for the largest
of vessels There are three types of terminal that can be
visited, together with the Solac Steelworks and these can
be visited to gain an insight into the importance of world
trade. A multinational company, Perrier, can be visited to
study an integrated works or consider the salt extraction
plant near Aigues Mortes.
THE GORGES DU TARN
Located in the Cevennes
National Parc, the Gorges
du Tarn is a spectacular
feature within the limestone
massif. It may not be the
longest or deepest in the
world but it has an aura of
its own. Here it is possible
to appreciate mountain
building and the action of
water in creating the landscape. The villages along the
gorge are frequently visited and together with landscape
studies form the basis of the investigations for the day.
Study Options - AS/A2
All the units that have been designed for this level are
investigations that involve primary data collection. They
are intended to provide individual studies that can be used
for personal investigations at AS or A2, to be used for
comparative study in the UK or provide valuable case study
material to support the syllabus. All units are supported by
study materials and background information.
COASTAL STUDIES
The study is based on dynamic but fragile dune
systems and the colonisation of dunes by plants. It
is also possible to study human impact on the dune
system.
TOURISM
Several opportunities are possible in the area. A
decision making exercise at the Pont du Gard. Collect
data for a car park survey, pedestrian survey, visitor
pressure survey, consider whether carrying capacity
is being exceded. Conduct a study of contrasting
tourist destinations at Aigues Mortes and La Grande
Motte. Study a tourist honey-pot.
URBAN STUDIES
A medieval town that has along history of change. A
study of sphere of influence and changing function.
Delimiting a CBD. The study aims to identify land
use zones and concentration of facilities together
with townscape perception scores that aim to
measure environmental problems that may arise.
Questionnaires that study the impact of tourism.
RIVER MORPHOLOGY
Processes and morphology of a river in the Apilles.
Landforms and channel processes are studied with
data collected at several sites. |
