We left our host families around 8am. I think the students really enjoyed staying with the families - albeit at times it might have had it's challenges around communication and around food. The students were so respectful and the families were very happy with hosting them.
We took a bus ride to Versailles where we met our guide Dominique-Florentyn LeGros - who was quite the frenchman. He was old school - classic french. Every 5 minutes he asked "do you understand? do you ALL understand" and then followed it up with "have you any questions?". I think he would have preferred to live during the time when there was a French court in Versailles. He showed us the private apartments and the private small theater in Versailles - all of which is closed to the public. Then we went through the rest of Versailles - Hall of Mirrors on our own.
We headed back into Paris by bus and checked into the Hotel Andre Latin in the Latin Quarter. Then we were supposed to get a tour of Saint Chapelle but the group reservation didn't work out - so instead of spending 2 hours on line we continued our tour. We took the metro to the Bastille and then walked to the Marais district - the oldest area of Paris. We saw Hotel de Sully and the building where the national archives are - it was a great day to stroll around and visit that area of Paris. Then we went to Place des Vosges where Victor Hugo had an apartment - and went into the apartment which was pretty nice. Then we walked over to the Centre Pompidou area and had our last free time - to get some last minute souvenirs and shopping in.
We walked to our last dinner in Paris - which wasn't the best food - but it was nice to sit in a restaurant all together. Then the plan was to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle - which sparkles for the first 10 minutes of every hour. We missed the 9pm sparkle - so we walked around the Champs Elysees for a while before seeing the sparkle at 10pm.
Last day - Kate and I got up early to go for a run along the Seine. Despite being exhausted - how could you not go for a job around Notre Dame - then proceed down the Seine and then back up to the Latin Quarter. It was a nice morning - quiet and just amazing!
We got to the airport by around 10:30 am - to find out our flight had been delayed until 4pm from 1:30pm. So we got through security and hung out in the airport all day - before our 7h 50 minute flight home. Flight was a little bumpy - but we all made it back.
I can't say enough that the students were great - and that it was a wonderful trip.
Enjoy the last set of group photos - the last with our guide Fabien!
In back of Versailles
Hotel de Sully in the Marais district
Last dinner in Paris
No comments:
Post a Comment