On Monday 8^th December,  51 students from Years 7–11 and 5 members of staff set off bright and early for a festive adventure at the Christmas markets in Lille. After arriving in the city, we stepped straight into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, wooden stalls, and the smell of roasted chestnuts. Pupils explored the market, tried out their French while browsing the handmade gifts, and picked up a few Christmas treasures to take home. Many of them also got to see Lille lit up from above by taking a spin on the giant ferris wheel in the main square! We then took a stroll through Lille’s beautiful old town, admiring the historic buildings and lively squares. Whilst at the market, everyone had the chance to sample some traditional French food — from crêpes to fondue — the food was a definite highlight of the trip! On our journey back to Calais the following day, we made a special stop at a countryside bakery. Here, we learned how real French bread is made and watched the bakers at work. The visit ended perfectly with a chance to taste freshly baked pain au chocolat, still warm from the oven. It was a brilliant couple of days full of culture, good food, and Christmas cheer — a trip to remember!