Le TGV, la voiture, le bus, le métro, le RER and les pieds dans une seule journée

We had quite a day today.  The SNCF notified us late last night of a mechanical issue on the TGV to Paris, so we had to meet at the station for an earlier train.  When we arrived at the station, we were told that the later train was back in service. Since we were already packed and ready, we boarded the 7:30am train for Paris.  Though we did not have reservations for that train, we found some fun in improvising our own seats. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Johanne Koskas, our host in Paris, who gave us croissants and our Pass Navigo, to give us unlimited transport around this great city.  We hopped on a bus that took us near Duruy, where we were greeted by Gérard Koskas, who showed us around the Lycée Duruy and told us about its rich history. We had the chance to picnic in the Musée Rodin and then see the sculptor's former home and chefs d'oeuvre.  We then hopped on the metro to see Notre Dame, the Mémorial to the Deported Martyrs overlooking the Seine behind the cathedral.  We snuck a yummy Berthillon ice cream on the Ile Saint Louis before heading over to the Institut du Monde Arabe, where we learned about North African languages and cultures and enjoyed a spectacular view of Paris. A breathtaking parade of men in military men on horseback appeared as we walked along the Seine! On our way back to Duruy, we stopped in an enjoyed Shakespeare & Company, the bookstore formerly frequented by F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Baldwin, Ernest Hemingway, Anaïs Nin, and Gertrude Stein (among others).  We were able to play some piano and go back in time!  We finished our walk in the Place Saint Michel where we took the RER and the metro to Duruy, where we met up with our new host.  The reunion between the Duruy and Poly students was priceless and we look forward to a lovely four days ahead of us in this incredible city.  Stay tuned for comments! ---Mme. Diederich

Our Saint Martin host families bidding us a bittersweet farewell

Our first day in Paris was very exciting! After an adventurous train ride from Calais, we arrived in the beautiful city of Paris. We quickly headed off to the Rodin Museum to eat a picturesque lunch in the garden accompanying the museum. After viewing the sculptures, we spent the remainder of the afternoon immersing ourselves in parisian culture. We took the metro, went to various museums and enjoyed ice cream. We finally returned to the lycée to once again be reunited with our exchange partners. What a fun day! 

-Willa H

Bonjour and Hello!

Yesterday, we arrived in Paris! Everyone is very excited to be in this wonderful city. We have already visited Notre Dame, le Musée Rodin, and l’Institut monde d’Arabe. We are all ready to continue our exploration and immersion. –Ava