I would have to say that the last three days in Paris were my favorite. I feel as though I made the most out of everyday but there was something different about the last three days. Everyday I woke up in Paris, I still couldn’t believe that I was there but the last three days it really set in that I was in Paris. 

Wednesday was our first free day and I was extremely excited about it. For the first time, I ended up waking up later because I hadn’t been getting enough sleep. Hannah, Austin, and I decided that we wanted to go out and get an early lunch. We decided to go to the place that we went to for the welcome dinner, Bistro des Champs. We all decided to get the three cheese pasta and of course bread. This entire trip I hadn’t had any pasta so it was amazing. It was similar to alfredo sauce and mac and cheese. Then for dessert we all got a chocolate mousse which was fantastic. 

After we ate we went shopping because we hadn’t really bought anything yet so I bought a bunch of souvenirs for my family and friends. 

We decided to go back to the Arc de Champion and take pictures again. There was a crowd watching dancers and knowing about pickpocketing we watched for people trying to do it but we didn’t see anything. There was more construction around the Arc due to the Olympics starting. To the left side of the Arc, we saw Olympic seating but weren’t sure what event it would be for. 

Before leaving the metro station area George V, we walked into a Nike store. It was the nicest Nike store I had ever been to. It was very bougy and surprisingly way more expensive than in the United States. 

Hannah and I had really wanted to go to an Olympic store so we looked one up online and found out it was at the Westfield Paris Mall. We got off at the biggest metro station Chatelet and saw Gelato so we had to get some. Then, we went to the Olympic store and we bought the same t-shirt that had the Olympic rings on it. 

We ended up going back to our hotel and we got ready for dinner to meet up with Sarah, Izzi, and Matt. They found a great place to eat so we met them at Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond which was at the Chatelet metro stop. I ended up getting beef stew which I had never had before and it ended up being pretty good. 

Before coming to Paris I knew that I had always wanted to take pictures in front of the Louvre Pyramid. The day we went to the Louvre it was rainy and wasn’t a great day to take pictures so we ended up going after dinner. I was very happy that we were able to go back to the Louvre and take good pictures because it was a nice day.

The next morning we woke up really early to go to Disneyland Paris. Disney is one of my favorite places and I would never think I would ever be able to experience going to Disney in Paris. Hannah, Austin, and I took the RER straight to Disney. On the ride there we looked up the rides that they had on the Disneyland Paris app. The ride we were most excited about was Big Thunder Mountain so we decided that when we got there we were going to run to get on the ride because we didn’t know how long the lines were going to be. 

When we arrived, we walked in and the kid in all of us was coming out. Hannah and I were jumping up and down and when we saw the castle we were so happy. We admired the castle for a minute and then ran to Big Thunder Mountain as planned. When we got to the ride, the wait was 15 minutes and it ended up being more fun then the one in Florida. We said that if there wasn’t a long wait we would go on it again. We walked out and saw the wait time and it was a 20 minute wait. We ended up going on that ride 3 times that day. 

 We found another roller coaster at the complete other side of the park and it was called Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. We went on the ride and it was easily the best ride at the park. We were shocked because everytime we tried to go on the ride the wait time was under 30 minutes. We ended up going on the ride 6 times because it was so fun. 

One of the funniest things that happened that day was when we went on the Star Tours ride. We were waiting in line and just as the worker lined us up we realized that it might all be in french. We convinced ourselves that they would put subtitles in English but they didn’t. We laughed so hard because we didn’t even think about it beforehand. Even though we didn’t understand anything it was really cool to listen to C3PO and others talk in french. 

Before leaving we shopped a little bit and then we admired the castle. I was so happy I was able to experience Disney from a different parks perspective.

In my opinion, the last day was the best day of the entire trip. Hannah and I woke up and we rushed down to breakfast because it was about to close in 15 minutes. We were extremely sad that morning when we were getting ready because the trip was officially over. We took the metro with Matt, Austin, Izzi, Sarah, and Alexa for the last time to Musee Rodin. This museum displayed much of his work and other sculptures from Greece, Rome, and the Middle East. I thought it was very interesting and the garden outside was gorgeous. I really enjoyed talking as a group about our favorite parts of the trip and how our perspective on Paris changed. 

After the museum Austin, Hannah, and I went to Iolanda for lunch near the Eiffel Tower. We sat down and had french onion soup and bread. It was the best onion soup I had ever had. Hannah and I had already been to this restaurant and we told Austin that the Eiffel Tower was around the corner. He got up, walked around the corner and saw it and was shocked that it was right there. 

We walked to the Eiffel Tower after eating and got tickets to go up to the top floor. We were all pretty nervous because of how high we were going up. When getting to the top floor and looking at the view we were amazed. We spent at least 2 hours just taking in the view. As we were looking from the top we were able to see places that we had been to, such as the Louvre, the Parthenon, Notre Dame, and the Luxembourg Gardens. It was such an amazing experience to be able to see the city and the places that we had visited in our time that we were in Paris. 

Then, we went straight to the farewell dinner and I had the best time. It was really nice being altogether for the last time and being able to talk about our experiences. 

After the dinner, Hannah and I went back to the Eiffel Tower to watch it sparkle for the last time. We put our phones down, took in the beauty of it, and talked about our favorite parts of the trip. When you hear someone talk about Paris, they talk about the basics like the Eiffel Tower, baguettes, and cheese. In all honesty, even though these are the things everyone talks about they talk about for a reason. Especially the Eiffel Tower because it is truly an amazing thing. I really loved being able to turn a corner and see the different views of the Eiffel Tower from the places you would least expect to see it. 

Being able to take the metro with my friends everyday was one of my favorite parts of the whole day. Even at first when we had no idea where we were going to the end of the trip where we were recognizing stops that we had gone to or knowing our way back was a fun experience. While in Paris I learned a lot about their culture, way of living, history, how to take the metro, and knowing that it was normal to see people walking around with baguettes.

Today was one of the best days of my life. After spending almost two weeks in Paris exploring, sight seeing, learning, and trying to become accustomed to the way of life in France, I was beginning to feel exhausted. Sydney and I had been racing to fit in everything that we wanted to do in Paris over the past two weeks, just in case we decided to venture elsewhere for our free days in Europe. However, a pleasant surpise awaited us. On our long and tired trip home from Versailles on Tuesday evening, we were eager to get back to the hotel and lay down after a long and sunburnt day of walking through a hot and crowded garden and palace. Versailles was so beuatiful and we were so entranced by it that we were stubborn to the thought of anyhting that evening topping our daytime experience. However, as out hurting feet were reaching the crosswalk outside the hotel, we saw someone dressed in an American Flag sweater and started laughing to eachother because all week we had tried so hard to fit into Parisian street style. As we approached the girl in the sweater, it tunred out to be out best friend surpising us for our free days! Our plans of wanting to leave the city quickly left our minds as we we were eager to spend as much time as we could showing our friend what he have learned so far about the city and our favorite spots. The thought of being on vacation in Paris with my two college best friends was so surreal. Truly a childhood dream come true. That night, we got her up to speed about what we had learned about Paris culture over dinner and then found ourselves talking, laughing, and planning our next two days in her hotel room until what felt like the sun came up. I was so happy to see her face, I was not even thinking about the fact that the next two free days in Paris would be two of the most well spent days of my life.

After getting a late start to the day in order to let caroline catch up on some sleep after her long flight, we were finally out of the house at around 1 pm. This was not an ideal start to the two short days we got to spend with her, but we were still quite optomistic. Caroline wanted desperately to take a picture in front of the Louvre where it looks like she was poking the top of the triangle structure. Although we wanred her about how they treat most toursists, she had absolutetly no shame about looking like one. She said she just wanted to enjoy the views around her and make her experience special without caring what other people thought, even if that meant she looked like a tourist. I thought that was a beuatiful way to go about the experience. We made our way over on the metro, first stopping for the classic jambon fromage et beurre baguettes that Sydney and I have been so obsessed with since arriving in Paris. We walked through the Louvre Gardens, snapping way too many photos and soaking up the beuatiful sun that was ever so kind to come out for Caroline. We showed her some of our favorite spots from the week before including one of the little ponds that always has ducks in it, the carousel, and a little cafe we got one of the best charcutterie boards at. It was very interesting to see the difference of the Gardens on a sunny day compared the chilly and rainy day we spent there just a week prior. After leaving the tour of the Louvre last Wednesday, Sydney and I walked through the gardens in the pouring rain. It was so empty and peaceful in there that we did not even care that we were getting soaked. It felt just as magical to be in the Gardens with both of my best friends in the sun as it did when it was empty and raining.

From the Louvre Gardens, you can see The Eiffel Tower and L’Arc de Triomphe, both of which Sydney and I had already seen but were eager to act as a tour guide for our friend. The Arc looked like a closer walk from the garden, so with no help from google maps, we decided to hit the ground running and just see if we could make it there by ourselves and enjoy the journey. As we thought we were getting closer, it seemed it would be almost impossible to get to from where we were because of all of the construction going on for the Olympics. The Eiffel Tower was still in sight so we detoured towards there. As we approached, Caroline kept saying things like, “Oh my gosh! It’s literally ginormous! I can’t believe it’s brown and not silver!” Sydney and I were laughing to each other because we had the same exact reactions just a week earlier. We played toursit once again, snapping way too many pictures in front of the tower but also being cautious towards toursist scams.

After out first two tourist stops, we were ravenous. We decided to take Caroline to a resreaunt that we fell in love with on one of the first days here in Paris, La Petit Cafe in the Latin Quarter. They have the best “Italian Burger,” which has pesto, gorganzola, tomatoes and arugula on it. It is truly a chef’s kiss. After scarfing down our burgers and losing track of time, we realized we were gong to be late for the Seine Cruise we booked earlier that day. We started booking it down backroads to get there in time. We ultimately came in like wrecking balls right as the boat was leaving. This, however, was a blessing in disguise. we stumbled upon such a cute park that people our age were sitting with their friends and just enjoying life. We decided to grab some desert and join them. We sat there for hours and people wtached. As we broke down to each other what we were seeing and what at what life looks like across the Atlantic Ocean, we couldnt help but notice everyone was truly just living in the moment and for themselves. There seemed to be less tension in this park compared to one in America. It was cleaner and had a more vibrant feel to it. People were just minding their business, no judgement, not caring what other people think, and not a single person on their phone. It was all an array of people just truly living in the moment and it was an incredible sight to see.

After about an hour filled with serenity laying in the park, our last bucket list item for the day was for Caroline to see L’Arc De Triomph. We walked over there and took picture in front of it as the sun was setting. We met a group of kids our age from Montreal, Canada. They were just passing through for a couple days to visit Paris on what they call “holiday.” They explained to us how they thought French people were quite rude and since although they spoke fluent French, because of their canadian accent, the Parisians would speak to them in English anyways. I thought it was interesting and comforting to know that it is not just Americans who struggle here with the languange barrier. We ended the day with seeing the Eiffel Tower twinkle.

It was a blessing to be able to shre this experience with my two best friends and it is something I will hold with me and cherish for the rest of my life. I am going to bring home with me to the states a new foudn aoprciation for slowing down to be in the moment, away from technology and people who judge to truly just be myself and live life with no limits. I admire the daily life of the Parisian from what I have seen and although two weeks is short compared to a lifetome. this short trip helped me to grow tremedously in my life path. I learned more about life on this trip than I feel I have in the past year in the classroom, – and I study the human body. It is is so refreshing to see just how many different aspects of life there are and that no matter what, life goes on.

Today, I was crowned at my coronation—or so it felt. The morning started off a bit rough as we got confused with train lines. It took us an unforeseen hour longer to get to Versailles, but once we were on the grounds there, it was all magical. After entering through the golden gates and walking down the enchanted halls, it felt like I was a king. The immense outpouring of history continued all throughout its grounds. While walking through the hall of mirrors, I was awestruck by the immense history that has taken place in the room in which I stood. I craned my neck to look up at the ceilings to take in the gilded molding and the field of chandeliers that hung from above. It all seemed not to be real. It felt like I was walking through my history textbook. To see where Maria Teresa and King Louis XIV lived. To see where the Treaty of Versailles happened, and to be in the same room where so many monolithic political figureheads gathered before me to write the path of history. Feels overwhelming to think about. It is difficult to properly convey the feeling of being in such a special place other than to say it was magic. 

After our leisurely stroll through the palace, we entered the gardens and explored all their magic. The gardens at Versailles were something I had never seen before. Perfectly pruned hedges and spring blooming flowers seemed to span miles in all directions of their lands; from being in the city of Paris, which has magnificently beautiful architecture and history all around you. To be suddenly surrounded by the most beautiful picturesque serene landscape was a refreshing change of pace. As a photographer, I had my heyday. Everywhere I turned, it seemed there was a tree catching the most beautiful lighting or an open path that sprawled for miles that caught my eye. Not one way did I turn could I escape the beauty in the magical place I was surrounded by. What made it all the more enjoyable was that I was with my friends.

Before venturing to Paris and joining the study abroad program, I did not know anyone going on the trip. However, over the past few weeks, I have become tremendously grateful for the experience and the opportunity to become close friends with everyone I have met, and they have made the trip all the more enjoyable.

After exploring a fraction of the vast land and the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles, we returned to Paris. During the hour-long train ride, I found myself already missing Versailles and eagerly planning my next visit. Once we returned, I took a quick power nap at the hotel before heading for a six-mile run around Sainte-Mandé. Although our hotel is just on the border of Paris, Sainte-Mandé boasts its own unique charm. On my run, I passed horse farms, sprawling farmland, and a towering historic castle. It’s fascinating how much history is embedded in and around Paris. As I ran around the castle and its grounds, I was surprised to see how few people were exploring this historic site.

To end the night, I headed back to Paris. I went to the Latin Quarter, where I got a burger for takeout from one of my new favorite restaurants, Le Petit Café. I then sat by the Seine, watching the sunset and boats passing by, reflecting on all I had experienced that day. After my meal, I walked along the Seine past Notre Dame and took the subway to the Louvre. Photographing the Louvre at night was a marvel. How the light emanates from the glass pyramid and illuminates the surrounding castle walls is truly mystical. Though it may sound clichéd, today genuinely felt like a dream. As I stood there, camera in hand, capturing the ethereal glow of the Louvre, I realized that this day would be etched in my memory forever. And at that moment, under the Parisian night sky, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for the adventure, the history, and the friendships that made it all so extraordinary.

As I woke up this morning, beginning my second week in Paris I couldn’t help but notice the special glow about the city today. After a long week of never ending rain and chilly temperatures the sun was finally out and shining bright. Finally, sunshine just in time for us to explore the magical Luxembourg Gardens. Eager to see what the day was to bring we headed over to the metro stop then walked over to the gardens which would act as our classroom for the day. How lucky were we?   I noticed this morning on the metro, the streets, in the bakeries and all over the city something was different about the people this morning. It was almost as if the sun was shining and so were the people, a new sense of vibrancy and peace was radiating from all over illuminating the streets. We gathered in the center of the gardens to begin our discussion about all of our adventures we have embarked on this week. Ernest Hemingways the Sun Also Rises, A moveable and Paris Bookseller were major literary works highlighted in many of daily adventures. Each students interpretation of the text was unique as it symbolized something different to everyone. We discussed all the remarkable writers and key influential figures such as Marie Antoinette and Josephine Baker who’ve helped shape Paris into the city is it known as today. Being in the gardens discussing these writers life stories knowing we are sitting where it all began was a feeling like no other, one that will stick forever.

We were quickly distracted and our discussion was diverted to the groups of gardeners filling the garden next to us with buckets of flowers and gardening tools. Now that the sun was shining it was time for the gardens to be refreshed for summer. As the gardeners started planting they had this sort of serene look to them, it was It was inspiring to see how much care and admiration went into everything they were doing. This shifted our conversation from the writers of the 1920s also known as the Lost Generation to sharing our most favorite things about Paris thus far. We enjoyed comparing and contrasting the rich culture of Paris to that of the United States. It was fascinating to hear all the different things we all have noticed since being here. But amongst the group this morning was a newfound appreciation or immense self-discovery as we sat in the breathtaking gardens. It finally hit me how lucky we were to have an opportunity to not only explore the inspiring city of light but to explore oneself. Each student felt as if living in this city for almost two weeks has taught them a greater understanding of many aspects of life or opened us up to a new perspective. Once the lecture wrapped up we were not only thrilled to explore the gardens but to relax and take it all in. Up to this point we had been on the move each day walking miles and miles, dodging the rain and racing to the metro station. This day we had time to sit down and take it all in. Once our discussion for the day concluded we were eager to fulfill our cravings of home by finding iced coffee which is a rare occurrence in Paris, but we found a yummy cafe right outside the gardens. After we were finally able to successfully order speaking French only we headed back to the gardens with our iced coffee and ham sandwiches or in french “sandwich au jambon”, excited about our accomplishment. The gardens were magical this afternoon, we enjoyed our lunch taking in the peacefulness around us. We sat for hours and hours soaking up all the sun we could indulging in a book, listening to music and simply just people watching. We had some time to discuss our bucket list and plan our adventures for our last few days in this incredible place.

Later that night we headed to the Sacré Coeur on the metro to catch a sunset glimpse of the best view of Paris. It was nothing short of the high expectations I had, this was something I had been waiting for ever since the second day when we saw the incredible cathedral. I was so excited to come back and see this view as the sun went down. The streets were lively; full of street performers and people of all ages and origins gathered to enjoy the breathtaking view. Although this day was not nearly as busy or chaotic as the rest it was the perfect opportunity to slow down for a moment and take in all that the city of light has offered us thus far in our journey. The stairs up are steep and there are many but once at the top it was all worth it, as soon as you turn the corner and see a view seen from no other spot in Paris you are truly taken aback. It provides a view of the whole city as massive as it is; the view from the top makes it seem all so small with either neighborhood filled with its very own unique vibrancy and enriched with culture. This day for me holds so many memories. From accidentally taking the wrong metro stop to being denied entry into the cathedral because we did not fit the dress code as we were not wearing jackets we learned so much about this city and unveiled the rich culture through our mistakes. Just like that another memorable day in the city of light came to an end!

Halyn McIntyre

With the last few days of the trip looming over our heads, we got together for our second to last excursion in Paris, the Palace and Gardens of Versailles. The weather was beautiful, the sun shining for the first time in months (as if the universe was agreeing that this must be our best day) and the crowds small. Our day at Versailles was nothing less than magical, inspirational, and full of history.

Image: Bird Eye View of the Ground of Versailles

I have traveled to Versailles three times now, and after every time I can truly say that I dream of Versailles. We began with the self guided tour through the Palace where we were able to view and experience what life looked like for so many royal members for hundreds of years. From floor to ceiling, the palace exuded luxury. The ceilings having painting beyond comprehension, and the furniture, still perfectly intact, being made of the most beautiful fabrics and woods. The rooms were decorated in only the finest of gold, each pillow having gold threading outlining the florals of the prints. And the bedrooms, each having their own unique assortment of ostrich and peacock feathers at the top of every bed corner, and their mirrors reflecting the sunlight from the 15 ft high windows looking out over the gardens. To call Versailles the epitome of luxury would be an understatement. Walking around is like traveling to a fantasy world, and you cant help but day dream about the days so many royals spent in the halls.

Image: The Central Fountain in the Versailles Gardens Entrance

The most noteworthy rooms in the castle, known around the world for their beauty, are non other then the king and queens bedrooms, and right down the wing, the hallway of mirrors. These rooms truly take your breath away the moment you lay eyes on them.

Image: The Kings Bedroom

The Kings bedroom is themed from top to bottom in red and gold. The drapes being a semitransparent fabric that casts all red shadows around the room. His wall paper, sheets, carpets, and furniture are dyed in the most royal shade of red, with fine floral patterns being sown in with golden thread. The room is completely full with people standing shoulder to shoulder as everyone tries to push to the front to get a picture of his incredibly set bed. I imagine the Kings wouldn’t mind knowing this is how us peasents react to simply their bed now a-days. Atop his bed is a collection of white ostrich feathers, gathered just for their placement here. The unique and stunning room is beyond anything you could imagine.

Image: The Queens Bedroom

Contrary to popular belief (meaning my belief because I got so turned around looking for this room), there are separate rooms in the house for the King and Queen, and also chambers for Mary Antoinette. Meaning Maries room and the Queens room are two separate rooms on completely separate floors and wings of the palace. And though Maries room isn’t much to look at, just green and simple, the Queens room had everyones jaws on the floor. From her floor to ceiling ivory and gold decorations, to her timeless floral bed with white ostrich and peacock feathers at the top. Marie truly was quite the interior decorator. Now, dare I say Maries room had more people then the kings…..I dare. This room was full beyond any other room in the entire palace. The windows, open, allowing for the view of the gardens to be seen, and lighting up the gorgeous artwork placed along her walls and ceilings. This room never ceases to amaze me, and you need at least 25 minutes in here to really soak it all in. This room is the definition of luxury and timeless beauty.

Image: The Hallway of Mirrors

Originally created so the King could walk around and look at himself (cause he loved to do that so much I guess), the hallway of mirrors in a wide and artistically decorated corridor lined with floor to ceiling windows, with floor to ceiling mirrors. Each mirror is encrusted with golden statues of small angles, women, and florals, making the hallway feel almost outside. The crowds here can’t help but snap a million pictures of the pure beauty Versailles created in this hallway. The ceilings are painted in a beautiful depiction of angels and and gods, and the floors have the most unique pattern with so many different colored stone work. This room lives up to all of the expectations, and beyond. It’s such a surreal room to walk through, and one I imagine we all dream of when we leave.

And along with the incredible rooms we were able to experience, the artwork of the palace is beyond comprehension. From floor to ceiling paintings, to the incredible ceiling landscapes painted by hand, every visitor is constantly looking all around them to try and see just the beginning of the beauty of Versailles. This artwork is able to teach us so much about the history of the palace, the history of the royals who lived and partied at Versailles, and the historical beauty of religion, storytelling, and family.

Images: The Ceilings and Artwork of Versailles

After we toured the palace, we were able to move on to more independent time in the gardens. And I personally believe the gardens are the best part of Versailles. With over 20 ft hedges and greenery, Versailles has it all in the gardens.

Images: The Statues of the Versailles Gardens

The statues at Versaille are so similar to the works of art displayed at the Louvre and the Muse D’Orsay. With detailed depictions of Gods, royals, artists, and heros, you find yourself staring at the statues as you walk past. Their perfectly chiseled bodies, heands, weapons, and emotions bring something out in all of us that is indescrible. You truly feel the emotion of the statues, and quickly begin to read and understand the story telling each one possesses. Along with the statues, the fountains are displayed as peices of art as well. Many depicting Gods, they are made of the finest gold, and sit within fish and swam filled lakes, surrounded by people enjoying picnics, gelato, and champagne as they watch the beautiful states glisten in the sunlight. For me, I chose to spend about half an hour with my two friends on the trip, Kiki and Sydney, just sitting infront of the fountains, watching the fish swim by, and tossing bread to the swans. The beauty is so unmatched by any attempt with modern art. The artwork in the Versailles gardens is some of the most moving, beautifully created, and perfectly placed art I have every had the honor of visiting.

Images: The Gardens of Versailles

When looking at the lakes, off the the left side is the flower gardens of Versailles. With hundreds of differnt flower species, citrus trees, and greenery, the gardens are truly magical. Home to so many different wild creatures as well, walking around the gardens is like walking around a Disney movie. The roses the size of your face in every color, and the huge strawberry bushes, cant help but make you smile as you walk. At this point in the day, I was walking around by myself, and I chose to listen to my music and walk around the gardens, really taking it in. For a couple minutes I sat on a bench and just listened to the sounds of nature and the music playing through Versailles speakers, and you cant help but feel like a part of you is at home. The gardens are by far some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen, and I may have taken a few flowers home with me (though I don’t think I was allowed to).

The history and beauty of Versailles is truly unimaginable and breathtaking. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, you can’t help but walk around in awe of the artwork, gardens, and historical luxury that make up every square inch of the ground of Versailles. Not only is this palace a place of deep historical education, but also one of the most spectacular and unique piece of history that we enjoy the exact way the royals did hundreds of years ago. Visiting Versailles is a day one that no one can forget. For the rest of our lives, we will dream of the day we spent at Versailles.

I can’t wait to see what the final days of this trip will hold.

Halyn McIntyre

After the first full week in Paris, I feel as though I have gained a good sense of the area. We started the day excited to see the Luxembourg Gardens. However, after an hour into the tour, we realized it was not a walk to the gardens, but rather the Hemingway walking tour, and that we had the days confused. To start the tour, we saw the cafes and spots that many of the American expatriate writers would gather and write at, such as Les Deux Magots, Cafe de Flore, and Brasserie Lipp, which as professor put it, are now very “instagrammable” spots today. These were all in the 6th Arrondissement, which is the different areas of Paris, on a street called Montparnasse.

We also saw La Closerie des Lilas. This is where a lot of scenes take place in Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast”, and also where he writes “The Sun Also Rises”. The writers and artists were all here because they were inexpensive places to write that were warm, and acted as a writing space and gathering spot where they can bounce ideas off of one another. While each of these cafes remain untouched on the inside, they are now very popular tourist spots, with long lines outside and expensive menus. Seeing these cafes was very cool, and helped to bring what I read to life. It is one thing to read about these places, but to be in the presence of them helps to bring everything together.

As we continued on our walking tour, we passed Sorbonne, which is a university in Paris. I learned that Paris has the 2nd most universities of any cities in the world, and that students go to college for free here, as long as they test into it. Next, we saw the statue of Montaigne, who is the creator of the essays. He had a golden foot, which supposedly brings good luck. I am glad I touched the foot, because now I can channel this good luck and writing expertise to help me write this blog post with ease.

As we continued on the walking tour, we saw the building that was Hemingway’s writing studio. From here, he would see the rooftops of Paris. This was before he would write in cafes. Towards the end of the tour, we walked along a street that was full of creperies, and knew we needed to head this way after the tour. We also walked through an art market. Here, artists were selling their paintings and other artwork. After spending the first part of the day learning more about Hemingway and his life and seeing all of the spots that inspired his creativity, it was great to see this art market. It made me realize that Paris, while it has changed over time like any place, many of the spots and artistic environment described in the literature remain today. Paris is still a very creative place and wandering along these streets has helped me appreciate the art deeply and fully take it all in.

Once the tour was over, we headed back over to the street full of creperies. I was excited to see how this would compare to the crepes my mom makes at home. They had a huge menu of both sweet and savory crepes. After spending some time, I landed on getting the banana and chocolate crepe, and it was amazing. As I was eating with some other students, they mentioned the music festival they were going to later that night. I had never been to a live concert before, so I decided to buy a ticket. We went back to the hotel and rushed to get ready. While the metro is very efficient, and overall way better than the MBTA, it takes about 30-40 minutes to get in and out of the city, just because it is such a large city, with so many different arrondissements.

Later this night, we headed to the We Love Green music festival, where I got to see some of my favorite artists, Troye Sivan, Omar Apollo, and SZA. This festival was an amazing experience. One thing I noted was that it was very environmentally responsible. They had reusable plates and cups for the vendors, and charged a deposit that you would then later get back for returning the dish. Overall, Paris has been a very sustainable city. They have banned plastic straws and other single use plastics, and I have seen very few plastic bags. It’s these small differences that I wish we had in the United States. I admire the waste prevention and care for the planet that I see here.

Attending the music festival was a great way to end the day. While I was very tired and reached a new record for steps for the day on my watch, the excitement carried me through, and I was smiling ear-to-ear. My time in Paris has been nothing short of amazing. Each day is a new adventure, and I can see how this beautiful city has inspired so many writers in the past. Paris is truly a beautiful city, and exploring it has created memories that will stay with me forever.

While entering the beautiful building, we were greeted by a memorizing stone building that was built in the year 1994. The true name for this museum is called The Liberation of Paris Museum General Leclerc Museum – Jean Moulin Museum, as it shows the story of the brave citizens who were a part of the French resistance. As we walked through the museum doors, I was blown away to see beautiful lights hanging from the ceiling that were the colors of the French flag. From there we moved into the first exhibit where there was a beautiful picture of the famous Eiffel Tower building that had stated on it, “Paris from One War To Another (1918 – 1939)”. As we walked into the room, I quickly noticed the enclosed suites that past soldiers have worn. They were fitted onto mannequins with an in-depth description of who wore the suite and their importance within the French resistance. More enclosed historic objects were everywhere throughout the room we were in, as there was Jean Moulin’s identification card, gas masks, shoes and multiple pictures throughout the room conveying a type of airy scenery within the first room.

Soon after reading different pieces of writing and learning about how the French resistance first started, we were then taken down 200 stairs into an old bunker that the French used. This bunker was specifically used as a civil defense shelter that was underground which had protected others from bombs and tank explosions. While walking down into the bunker it was quite interesting how this was built so far down into the ground, so this tunnel was not discovered by others at the time being. Once we reached a flat point within the bunker, I was brough to a hallway with multiple doors on each side that entered different rooms. Within the first rooms there were signs posted within information on why this bunker was created, different pictures of the surrounding city of France, as well as showing one of the rooms that citizens once fled through based off multiple attacks within the city, they lived in. Within the other rooms there were more antiques shown including a gas mask, multiple newspaper pictures, a bike generator, multiple maps, and the original door to the bunker. Viewing these old specimens as they were once used heavily, made me realize what a difficult time citizens went through, especially having to spend some time within this captivity with multiple other people from the city. Other rooms played multiple videos of the destructions within Paris, showed different accessories such as shoes from children, and other nationality flags such as the Nazi flag.

As we walked through other exhibits as a group, we were able to understand the French resistance and the view of World War ll within the perception of the French citizens. Understanding that multiple French men and women carried out sabotages to disrupt the German war effort to show there should be citizens opposing the Nazi ruling. The French struggled during the resistance and during World War ll because there was major lack of communication and a lack of leadership through certain services. Viewing the different uniforms and clothing that was shown in each room of the museum was very interesting as there were some general unforms, dresses, as well as soldier uniforms. As these different clothing’s were preserved, there were multiple informational readings alongside the clothing’s. They spoke in terms of how specific citizens had related to these clothing for example with Jean Moulin’ suit with two zippers on each side. This type of clothing was preserved based on the fact he was served as a hero for the country of France during the resistance, as well as Madeline Comb whose unform was preserved as she helped multiple wounded soldiers and citizens during the wars. Other historic specimens that were within the museums that were festinating consisted of flags, children’s drawings, guns, maps, and other letters from soldiers that were sent to families that never received these letters.

The Liberation of Paris Museum General Leclerc Museum – Jean Moulin Museum was so fascinating as there was so many preservatives including the bunker with writing on the wall from civilians of that time. Viewing this museum was more than needed within this Paris trip, as it gave me a new view of how the French had survived World War ll as well as the French resistance. Below are different pictures that show the beautiful preservatives that were shown within the museum that were the most interesting in my opinion. After viewing all the exhibits, our group came together and discussed different ideas we had about the museum. We all came to an understanding that we had learned a different view of the Wars in the U.S., and this museum helped us view both sides of the war which helped us all digest the wars. If I am given the opportunity to come back to the beautiful city that never sleeps, I will be back at this museum. I cannot wait to see what other adventures and curiosities wait for me within my last days here in Paris!

As I got ready for my fifth day in Paris, I was excited and eager to see what wonders the day would bring. The first activity of the day was visiting the Pantheon. While walking over there, we saw the beautiful Saint-Étienne-du-Mont church. Paris is filled with stunning cathedrals, seeing them in person never fails to amaze me. When we finally reached the Pantheon, I was further blown away by the stunning architecture. Statues and paintings filled every corner of the building, along with grand archways and a decorated domed ceiling. In the center of the room stood a copy of Léon Foucault’s pendulum (an experiment proving that the earth is in constant rotation). The Pantheon also had speakers playing angelic opera music, contributing to the mystical atmosphere. After exploring the floor, we descended into the tomb where figures such as Victor Hugo, Josephine Baker, and Marie Curie were buried. Getting buried in the Pantheon is a great honor. Those selected to be buried there have made great contributions to France. However, being buried in the Pantheon is not always an immediate process. Selected individuals usually wait years after their death before they are transferred there.

As we left the Pantheon, the group broke up for a quick lunch before heading off to the next location. We took a quick detour to see the Shakespeare and Company bookstore. George Whitman founded the place and named it after Sylvia Beach’s bookstore. Although I didn’t have time to stop inside that day, it’s definitely a place I plan on visiting again. Our next stop was the Musée d’Orsay. This museum was formerly a Paris railway station built in 1900. As railway advancements were made, the station no longer served its purpose. The French people struggled to find a use for it, but eventually turned the place into the museum we have today. Thanks to the building’s history, we can appreciate the museum’s art as well as the interior space that surrounds it. In fact, the building itself was made into a separate attraction. Our group went up several escalators to get a view of the entire station. It was breathtaking to see the skylight ceilings and the giant clock. There is also another clock in the building that provides a fantastic view of the city. The Musée d’Orsay is very different compared to the Louvre. The art that the Louvre displays is more ancient and traditional, while the Musée d’Orsay is more modern and showcases different styles such as impressionist/post-impressionist art. Our guide showed us around the museum and spoke about the context behind several great works of art. One painting that I found very impressive was titled Les Romains De La Decadence by Thomas Couture. The work is set during the Roman Empire and features many people engaged in debauchery. Couture adds a self-portrait of himself within the crowd. He is shown to be staring straight ahead as if he is having a realization. Couture draws parallels between the problems of the Roman Empire and the problems of his own time. Since he wasn’t able to speak freely about these issues in a direct way, he expressed them through his art. Many artists expressed their opinions in the same manner, which usually led to their works being controversial.

Other paintings that were featured in the museum were from Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet. Seeing famous artworks in person provided a unique viewing experience compared to seeing them online. For example, Monet’s work, Rouen Cathedral, looked completely different depending on the distance. When looking from afar, the painting looks 3-dimensional. However, when you stand closer to the painting it looks flat since the detail isn’t as clear. I have always wanted to view Monet’s works in person, so I was very happy to be given that chance on this day. Although they did not have Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting, I was able to see many of his other works, such as his famous self-portrait and his flowers. Overall, this day was packed with incredible sights and I learned so much more about art and history. I can’t wait to see what new adventures this trip will bring. 

The morning was a free day for us students, and I used that opportunity to catch up on some much needed rest. It was rainy outside, and my friend Sarah and I decided to start my day by getting brunch at Bakery Café down the block from the hotel. There, I had amazing chicken sandwich accompanied with a dessert that I couldn’t pronounce. Here, I had easily the best cappuccino I’ve ever had. After eating, we walked to the metro and took it to the Louvre. By now I have gained a good understanding of the public transportation system in France and love the ease and efficiency of it. It’s much more extensive than any other system I’ve used in cities in the United States. The metro station by the Louvre was certainly memorable. It was entirely unique from any of the other stations and contained sculptures as if to create even more anticipation for what likely followed for getting off at that stop. By the time we found our group and made it into the Louvre, it was already 3:25pm. The Louvre closed at 6pm, so we had to be calculated with our time and use it wisely. The Louvre is large and contains an incomprehensible number of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts. As a group, we made our way to see the Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci. The crowd around the painting was thick and bustling. After some time, I made my way to the front to get a closer look. It was hard to take in all the details with the commotion of the crowd, but the painting was impressive nonetheless.

Next, we viewed Liberty Leading the People as a group, which depicts a gruesome sight of young soldiers bearing arms beside woman with a France flag representing Liberty with corpses riddling the battlefield. Another notable painting was The Young Martyr by Paul Delaroche which depicts a young woman in a white dress in water with her wrists bound. She has a halo over her serene face and appears to be lifeless. Additionally, The Scene of the Flood which depicts a man trying to save his family from falling by holding onto a branch and his wife while an old man clings to his back. I don’t remember all the names of the paintings I took time to admire, but the aforementioned were the most notable to me. I’ve been the to the Louvre before, but no matter how many times I go it feels I will never be able to see and admire all the works of art it contains. Also, going as an adult makes for a much more stimulating experience as I’m better able to appreciate the pieces. While I was amazed last time, I felt awestruck thinking about how not only did people create these pieces but they’ve lasted long enough for me to witness in person.

After viewing these as a group, we split off so everyone could see the exhibits most interesting to them. Sarah and I saw the Venus de Milo first, and then navigated to the Egyptian artifacts. There were ancient tools, bowls, jewelry, papyrus writings, stones with hieroglyphics, sarcophaguses, and crypts. The other exhibit we wanted to see were the crown jewels. To get to that part of the museum, we walked through a large section that contained lavish room replicas, and it’s impressive how much effort the Louvre puts in for those displays. The crown jewels exhibit was easily the most breathtaking room I’ve ever been in. The walls and ceilings were filled with beautiful detail and art. The jewels on display were stunning and highly valuable. This room was one of my favorite parts about visiting Paris so far. These treasures included King Louis XV’s crown, the crown of Empress Eugénie (wife of Napoleon III), several famous diamonds including the Regent, and other jewels of French monarchs.

After viewing this exhibit, Sarah and I left the Louvre since closing time was near. This was the only activity on the group itinerary, so we set off on our own excursion. Supposedly, the most beautiful Starbucks in the world resides in Paris, and we were close enough to try to cross this off our bucket list. Unfortunately, it was closed when we got there, but had a nice experience in a Nespresso bar instead.

Overall, this day was incredible and a bit overwhelming. There is so much to take in when exploring Paris that it can be hard to truly absorb these experiences. The Louvre was so big and impressive that I could have spent all day wandering and taking in the fascinating exhibits and information, but still left knowing there is much more to see.