Our second full day exploring the wonderful city of Paris was better than imagined. After a rainy first day we woke up Wednesday to sunshine, the perfect weather for the day ahead. I spent my free morning completing some school work for my summer class then got ready to take the Metro over to the Louvre Museum. At first sight this monument was breathtaking and even more intricate and complex than it comes across in photographs. This monument was grand and flooded with other tourists from all over the world who came to see this significant piece of history. The pyramid at the entrance added another layer of depiction and makes this museum even more prominent. 

As we began our tour around the Louvre Museum we collectively decided to head to one of the most famous pieces of artwork in the world: The Mona Lisa. After learning and hearing about this piece repeatedly over the years it was on the top of my list to see while in Paris. On the way to the Mona Lisa exhibit we got to look at many biblical artworks crafted by Leonardo da Vinci and other remarkable artists. The biblical pieces were beautiful and as we walked down the corridor they came together to tell a story. This was personally my favorite part of the museum.  When arriving at the exhibit it was crowded with people trying to capture their own photos of this famous artwork. Even though I could not get to the front of the crowd I took many pictures, such as the one above, that I will forever look back on. 

I was completely blown away by the interior architecture of the museum. Before turning into the famous museum it is today it was previously a palace. There are so many intricate details that make it so unique. Every section looks completely different and adds character to the museum as a whole. Different areas focused on varying countries and times in history. Between the catacombs from ancient Egypt and varying structures from ancient Africa there was so much to be seen. Our wonderful tour guide from Worldstride informed us that if we wanted to stare at each piece of artwork for five seconds it would take a total of three months. This really put into perspective how enormous the Louvre really is. 

Another personal highlight from yesterday was the exhibit that featured all of the structures from Ancient Rome. I included the above photo as it was one of the many structures that came together to tell a story. The statues were beautifully crafted and looked uniform yet individual at the same time. While the crowds made it difficult at times, seeing so many people here admiring these creations was inspiring and telling of how influential this place really is. We saw a group of young school children on a field trip drawing pictures of the artwork. It was amazing to think about how these children get to experience such a special place at a time when they may not even realize it. We got the experience to see real artwork created by renowned artists such as Michaelangelo, El Greco, and van Dyck. I will always look back on how remarkable the Louvre Museum was and how lucky I am that I got to experience it. 

After spending a few hours exploring the Louvre we had the rest of the evening to ourselves. When leaving the museum the sun was at its peak and we enjoyed the afternoon outside. We saw the beautiful garden, Tuileries, surrounding the area and water fountains surrounded by small tables filled with people. We wrapped up the night indulging in desserts such as lava cakes and tartes and headed to the Eiffel Tower. Of course traveling to Paris I knew I had to see the Eiffel Tower in real life. I was overwhelmed by how big it was in real life. We found a great spot to watch as ten o’clock approached and the tower would light up in flickering lights. There was live music and people dancing and singing. We even got to witness an engagement which made the night extra special. Watching the Eiffel Tower twinkle was one of the most amazing moments of my life. The energy all around us was remarkable and the monument was beautiful. This busy day in the city of Paris was amazing and really gave me a sense of this city and its culture. Everything we read, watched, and listened to prior to this trip started coming to life and makes me even more excited for what is to come. 

The first official day in Paris promised sunny skies and a warm atmosphere; at least, that was my hope when I woke up to a gloomy overcast with morning showers. The whimsical weather didn’t stop my classmates and me from exploring the city, so we took our umbrellas and made our way down to the metro with a mission.

The first mission was getting an EU SIM for the internet. After trying a few different places, we accepted our fate of using our international lines for a couple more days. Our quest for a SIM was cut short by the impatience of our appetite for a Parisian breakfast, which at that point, we realized it was time for brunch.

We decisively made our way to Café de Flore, located in Saint-Germain. Its exterior is covered in flowery decor, which we later found out during our walking tour were all real flowers. This information did not surprise me, as my omelet had two beautiful—and I would argue, piquant—flowers adorned on a bed of greens. My aesthetically pleasing cappuccino was warm and comforting, not like the weather, but rather like the ambience of the city in the rain that morning.

After a pleasing brunch, two of my classmates and I decided to explore some more of the city near Notre Dame, where we had been informed was the spot to meet with the rest of our class in the hours ahead. We arrived in the 5th arrondissement of Paris and somehow ended up in its narrow streets, just hidden away between the non-permeable buildings, where the rain could not reach us, and the ill-lit skies only made the little shops illuminate in relativity.

Realizing we had gotten caught up in Paris’s charm, we needed to find our way back to Notre Dame. As I approached Notre Dame, I was overcome with both disbelief and sadness. At first glance, I was captivated by the architecture and grandeur of its structure, only to come a little closer and be reminded of its ongoing reconstruction after the devastating fire in 2019. Notre Dame Cathedral, which can also be called “Our Lady,” is still in use today by the Roman Catholic Church for Sunday mass and serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Paris. It is a notable and distinct historical artifact, having served as the coronation site for Napoleon I in 1804 and later as a funeral site for various French presidents.

When the class was in session, we visited the Pantheon, a site of immense historical significance, and then headed to Shakespeare and Company. This iconic bookstore, founded by Sylvia Beach in 1919, has been a haven for writers and readers alike. We even got to see its original location, just a couple of streets over.

We visited three different buildings where Hemingway lived during various stages of his life. Each apartment was characterized by a unique allure, reflecting the different periods of his literary career. One of the more interesting places we stopped at, in my opinion, was La Closerie des Lilas, where Hemingway worked on many of his literary works and which is a setting in “The Sun Also Rises.” This café was central to the vibrant literary life of the 1920s.

Another fascinating stop was the Dingo Bar, where Hemingway first met F. Scott Fitzgerald. The history embedded in these locations added a layer of depth to our understanding of these literary giants and the city they loved.

Our first day in Paris, despite the rain, was a beautiful blend of history, literature, and the charm of the city itself. The rain, in its own way, added to the mystique of our journey, making it a day to remember.

In this study abroad course, UMass Lowell Honors College students will explore the city of Paris through the American writers – their work and their lives – that have called the City of Lights home.

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