Passport to Paris

Last Thursday Lower Fifth pupils took the Eurostar to Paris for the day, as part of their cultural enrichment and study of French GCSE.

The day started very early and everyone was in Paris by 10:30 am. The weather was warm and the blue sky an amazing backdrop to the sights of Paris. The first stop was the Arc de Triomphe where Mr Medhurst explained the history surrounding the monument and what it represents now, and in the past, to the people of France. Next on the itinerary was the beautiful Hotel De Ville and a tiny but well-reviewed boulangerie off the rue de Rivoli. The freshness of the bread and the tastiness of the pastries was impossible to resist so it was the perfect place for lunch. After a walk to the infamous Centre Pompidou pupils met French guide Margot, who explained all about the recently rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. From there Margot gave a walking tour around the L'ile de France and all the significant monuments, buildings and squares finishing her tour at the ever-impressive Louvre.

A walk through the formal Tuileries Gardens to access the Metro pupils next went to Place Chaillot where there is an exceptional view of the wonderful Tour Eiffel. Finally they ventured to the edge of Paris and the Grande Arche de la Defence, a modern arch to rival that of Napoleon at Place de Charles de Gaulle. A spot of shopping in Paris Westfield rounded off the afternoon and as the sun was setting it was on the RER back to Gare du Nord for the return to London. Many thanks to Mr Medhurst and Mme Warne for giving up their time to organise and take this marvellous trip.