A Laois school has recently returned from a foreign exchange to France, with students hailing the trip as 'a once in a lifetime experience'.

Junior Cert students at Heywood Community School in Ballinakill spent a week with French families in Lattes, located near Montpellier in the south of France.

Pictured: Third year students at Heywood CS visit French medieval city Carcassonne

This year marks the 25th year of the exchange's existence in the school, first established in 2000 by staff members Ms Mary Fitzgerald and Ms Mary Kelly.

This exchange gave Heywood French students the opportunity to experience French culture within an authentic family and school setting. 

Principal Eamon Jackman hailed the exchange as an 'outstanding success'.

“The recent French exchange programme was an outstanding success and a deeply enriching experience for our 3rd Year students," Principal Jackman told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: 'Heywood CS was here'; Laois exchange students enjoy France

"It was a joy to see them embrace new cultures, build friendships, and represent Heywood Community School with such maturity and enthusiasm. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the dedicated teachers who made this opportunity possible—their commitment, planning, and care ensured a safe and memorable journey for all involved," the Ballinakill principal finished.

Third year students arrived in Nîmes on Monday October 6, and soon after met their French counterparts attending Collège George Brassens in Lattes, Montpellier.

They were accompanied by teachers Ms. Claire Bourdais, Ms. Olive Guest and Mr. Aiden Mullaly. On the French side of the exchange, staff say that everything was 'impeccably organised' by Mme Sophie Roblin, Mme Nathalie Peaucellier and Mme Audrey Routhe.

Pictured: students undertaking their 8km cycle along the canal

On Tuesday students travelled by tram to Montpellier in the morning, and then enjoyed an afternoon of ice skating.

Wednesday saw students attended school in Collège George Brassens, with a historical visit to Nîmes Arènes Colosseum on Thursday.

On the Friday, students cycled eight kilometers from the school along the canal and pink flamingo lined wetlands to the beach at Palavas les Flots.

The third years spent the weekend with the French families, and bid a sad 'au revoir' to their host families on Monday. A final few hours of the trip were spent visiting the Medieval walled city of Carcassonne, before the group flew home.

"The week was blessed with a sun drenched south of France reaching temperatures of 26 degrees," the teachers shared.

Pictured: a collage of photos from Heywood CS featuring their exciting exchange

"Quelle semaine fantastique!" they finished.

The French students and teachers involved in the exchange will travel to Laois next March, where they will be welcomed in by local families and Heywood CS students.

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