June – July 1993
Intro
My first trip by myself! And, by “by myself”, I really mean “without my family”.
This was an organized trip to France for high school French-language students to go and experience the history, culture, and of course – the language – of France, firsthand. Every year, my high school’s French Club awarded this yearly trip to France as a ‘scholarship award’ to two
lucky students. I was one of them! And I was super excited.
Accompanied by two great French instructors, a fun guide, and about 20 other students, we explored “La Belle France” from top to bottom. This was my second time in Paris, but just the beginning of my love-affair with the ‘City of Light’. Paris is so much more than its iconic landmarks — the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre – but they are landmarks for a reason; they are gorgeous.
We also spent time in the north of the country, visiting the historic D-Day beaches of Normandy and the incredibly-sited monastic island of Mont-St. Michel; the middle of the country, castle-hopping through amazing Loire Valley chateaux; and the south of the country, touring Nice and the French Riviera, fashionable Monaco, and the ancient sites of Nîmes, Pont du Gard, and Avignon.
A fast TGV ride from Avignon took us right back to Paris non-stop, allowing us one last foray into the city before heading home – and with it, one last delectable pain-au-chocolat!
Journey Map
Featured Image
