July 14- Happy Bastille Day

Today is the French National Holiday. In 1789 a group of peasants stormed the king's prison ( la Bastille) and broke it down. There were only 7 prisoners at the time, but it started the French Revolution.
So today in Paris there was a military parade. We missed it because we got on a bus and headed out to Versailles. We had paid ahead of time for tickets, so we went through a special group door and had a guided tour. Fredéricke gave us lots of information about the palace. We saw the various salons, la Galérie des Glaces, the king's bedroom and the queen's bedroom. We would have liked to see the gardens, but it was raining hard. We found a café just a block away and had lunch. The rain had not let up, but it was time to make a run for the bus. We had ponchos and umbrellas back at the hotel.....not much help at the time!
Our bus took us around Paris and we saw many famous buildings and land marks. I am very proud that my students recognized so much having done reports for my class. We got out at the Louvre, but found they were not accepting any more people. Because today it a holiday and it's rainy, everyone else in Paris decided to visit the Louvre also! So, we will go next week.
We got back on the metro and now the students know how to use it. Anna-Maria got us home safely. We are taking a break before going out back out to dinner.

July 13 - We have arrived

We had a great day as our first day here in Paris. Our flights came in and we were met at the airport by EF tours. Then we gathered for a meeting at noon with our tour director, Francy. He is a Frenchman that has been leading tours for 10 years. He took us on the metro to l'Opéra where we took lots of pictures. Then we walked to les Galeries Lafayette for lunch. It is an elegant department store with a beautiful view from the top terrace. But there is also a cafeteria, so we ordered the food we wanted. I am so proud of the girls and how they are trying to speak French!
After lunch we visited a perfume museum and then walked around Paris. That is the best way to see the city ( and keep awake after 30 hours of traveling!!). We took the metro sometimes and the girls are becoming experts at putting their ticket in the slot and then passing through the gate and jumping on the metro.
We took pictures of Notre Dame and then went inside. There were a lot of tourists, but the stain glass windows were magnificent. We continued walking through various neighbors and had dinner in the area of Clichy. Then we walked toward Place Pigalle and saw the Moulin Rouge.
It was 8 pm and time to head back to the hotel. Everyone was very glad to take a shower and go to bed. I took lots of pictures but can not get them to upload from here.

Paris in 16 days!

37 days to go!

We are so excited and ready for this trip! The euro is coming down and we have our backpacks. July 13th we will all meet in Paris.

Meet Louis L'Ours

Meet Louis l'Ours. He is our mascot on the trip and wants to be your new traveling companion!

New Itinerary

Our group is consolidating with some others to see Paris, Normandy & Brittany.

Day 1-

Fly overnight to France

Day 2 - Paris

Arrive in Paris
Take a walking tour of Paris:

· Opéra district

· Place Vendôme

· Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré

· Tuileries
Visit the Louvre

Day 3 - Paris

Take a guided tour of Paris:

· Place de la Concorde

· Champs-Élysées

· Arc de Triomphe

· Les Invalides

· Eiffel Tower
Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
Optional: Versailles

Day 4 - Rouen • Normandy

Travel to Rouen
Take a guided tour of Rouen:

· Tour de Beurre
Visit the Rouen Cathedral
Continue on to Normandy

Day 5 - Normandy

Take a tour of Etretat
Take a tour of Honfleur

· Old Clock

· St. Catherine Church
Visit a cheese factory

Day 6 - Normandy • St. Malo

Visit the D-Day beaches of Normandy:

· American Cemetery
Visit the Caen Memorial
Continue on to St. Malo

Day 7 -

St. Malo

Take a guided tour of St. Malo
Visit Mont St. Michel

Day 8 - Paris

Travel to Chartres
Visit Chartres Cathedral
Continue on to Paris

Grand-père Fred