STUDENTS from the Thomas Hardye School enjoyed a trip to Dorchester’s twinned town in France.

Around 20 sixth form students from the school visited Bayeux, in Normandy earlier this month. (November)

Exchanges have been taking part for the past 15 years between the school and schools in the French town.

Each student stayed with a host family before meeting up during the day to take part in group activities with the rest of the students.

The first activity saw the group visit the local cathedral and they even got the chance to see the famous Bayeux Tapestry.

They were welcomed to the town by a reception with the mayor of Bayeux who also provided the students with gifts.

The students then visited the Lycée Alain Chartier school to enjoy some lunch and also to join some lessons.

This is the school where the French students who are part of the exchange study.

The Dorchester group also got the chance to visit the nearby war cemetery and the museum of the Museum of the Battle of Normandy Museum to take in some history.

Unfortunately, the trip had to be cut short due to the tragic events in Paris.

However, the students got to show their respects for those that lost their lives by taking part in a two-minute silence in the town.

One student who took part in the trip said: “Our visit to Bayeux was an amazing experience that I will never forget.

“My French vocabulary and conversation skills have improved a lot and I have learnt so much about the French culture in Normandy.”

Students got the chance to enjoy French delicacies and take in the area’s culture during the trip and the French students are now set to visit Dorchester in February.

Students said that it was a useful trip and that they were able to be immersed in the French culture and also to get the chance to practice their speaking and listening skills.

They got the chance to enjoy French films, news and listen to the radio to help improve their French listening skills.

Dorchester’s relationship with Bayeux stretches back to the second world war as the Dorset Regiment were the first soldiers to enter the French town at the end of the war in 1944 and the towns were twinned in 1959.