✈️ Take Your Students to Paris Without a Passport: Virtual Field Trips in French Class
- Karen Olson
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
As French teachers, we’re always looking for ways to bring culture alive for our students. But let’s face it—taking a plane to Paris isn’t exactly in the school budget! That’s where virtual field trips can transform your classroom. They offer authentic cultural experiences, keep students engaged, and best of all—they’re no-prep.
Today, I want to share why I’ve started using virtual field trips in my own classes, and give you practical tips for making the most of them.
🌍 Why Use Virtual Field Trips?
Instant Engagement – Students light up when they can “travel” beyond the textbook.
Cultural Competence – They experience art, architecture, and history in real context.
Flexible Use – Great for sub plans, culture Fridays, or enrichment days.
Standards Alignment – Perfect for ACTFL’s interpretive and cultural standards.
🧭 How to Use a Virtual Field Trip in French Class
Pre-Teach Key VocabularyBefore the trip, introduce just a handful of words your students will see (e.g., la basilique, le dôme, la colline). A quick warm-up activity gets them ready.
Explore TogetherShare the interactive trip on your screen or have students explore in pairs. Encourage them to click hotspots, zoom in on details, and take notes on what surprises them.
Reflect & ExtendAfter the trip, give students a chance to process. This can be a short journal entry (“What was your favorite part of Montmartre?”), a quick discussion in French, or a drawing/exit ticket.
✨ Teacher Tip: No-Prep Needed!
One of my favorite parts of virtual field trips is how flexible they are. If you ever need a last-minute sub plan, just assign the trip link with the accompanying worksheet—your students are still learning and engaged, even without you there.
🎒 Featured Resource: Sacré-Cœur Virtual Field Trip
If you’d like to try this approach, I’ve created a Virtual Field Trip to Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre. It includes:
✅ An interactive Genially tour with clickable hotspots (English context for culture)
✅ A French worksheet for vocabulary + comprehension practice
✅ A teacher guide with answer key for easy grading
It’s the perfect way to bring Paris to your students—no passport required!
💡 Final Thoughts
Virtual field trips are a simple way to add depth, excitement, and culture to your French classroom. Whether you’re looking for a no-prep sub plan or a way to make Friday lessons sparkle, they’re a tool you’ll reach for again and again.
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