Mardi 31 mars: macarons et Jardin du Luxembourg

From Haussmann’s Paris to French Gastronomy and the Latin Quarter

We began our day by continuing our exploration of how Paris was shaped under Georges Eugène Haussmann, whose 19th century redesign gave the city its wide boulevards and harmonious architecture. As we walked through the city, students were able to recognize these features and better understand how modern Paris came to life.

Our first stop was the magnificent Palais Garnier, commissioned by Napoléon III and inaugurated in 1875. This architectural masterpiece, with its rich decorations and grandeur, perfectly reflects the opulence of the Second Empire.

We then made our way to the rooftop of Printemps Haussmann, where students enjoyed a stunning panoramic view of Paris. From above, they quizzed each other on major landmarks such as the Tour Montparnasse, Église Saint-Augustin or Notre-Dame Cathedral which was a great way to reinforce their growing knowledge of the city.

The highlight of the morning was our macaron workshop, where students immersed themselves in French gastronomy. The macaron, now a symbol of French refinement and artisanal expertise, actually has origins dating back to the Middle East, where almond-based pastries were first created. It was introduced to France during the Renaissance by Catherine de Medici when she married King Henry II. Initially, it consisted of a single almond shell, quite different from today’s version. Over time, regional variations developed across France, each with its own style and texture. It wasn’t until the 19th century in Paris that pastry chefs created the modern macaron by sandwiching two shells with a creamy filling, giving birth to the iconic treat we know today.

Students made chocolate and pistachio macarons and learned the precise techniques required to achieve the perfect texture, especially how to avoid cracking the delicate shells!

To continue our culinary journey through Francophone cultures, we enjoyed galettes, a specialty from Brittany, and later explored Vietnamese cuisine highlighting the diversity and global influence of French gastronomy.

In the afternoon, we discovered the historic Latin Quarter, home to the prestigious Sorbonne University, founded in the 13th century. We then walked by the Panthéon, where France honors some of its greatest figures, including Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Émile Zola. We were able to recognize the architectural style of Jacques-Germain Soufflot, which we had already encountered in Mâcon at the Hospice de la Charité, deepening students’ understanding of his influence across different regions of France.

We also reflected on the remarkable women honored there: Joséphine Baker, Simone Veil, and Marie Curie.

We ended our day with a peaceful stroll through the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens, a true open-air museum filled with statues, and admired the Luxembourg Palace, where the French Senate is housed.

Tomorrow is already our last day in Paris, and we cannot wait to explore the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles and dive deeper into its fascinating history!

Clive:

Ce matin, nous sommes allés à l’Opéra de Paris, mais maintenant c’est fermé parce qu’ils faisaint des constructions pour réparer la façade. Ensuite nous sommes allés au Printemps, sur le toit du centre commercial où il y a une vue à 360 degrés de Paris.J’ai reconnu la Tour Eiffel, L’Arc de Triomphe, et Notre Dame.Après pris des photos, nous sommes allés aux Galeries Lafayettepour apprendre comment faire des macarons: nous avons fait des maacrons au chocolat et à la pistache. J’ai appris que la meringue est seulement du sucre et des blancs! Zara m’a donné ses macarons et j’en ai trop mangé! J’ai préféré le macaron au chocolat.

Esa:

A midi, nous avons mangé des galettes bretonnes.J'etais très heureux mais fatigué! Apres le déjeuner, nous sommes allés au Jardin du Luxembourg; dans le parc nous avons vu des petits bateaux dans la fontaine. C'etait tres joli et beaucoup de gens marchaient. Aujourd'hui j'ai appris que Haussmann a construit de grandes rues et qu'il y a 20 arrondissements. J'ai gouté le poivre du Timut dans ma galette et ça a le gout du pamplemousse!

Le Pantheon

Le Bassin et le Jardin du Luxembourg

l'Ecole Polytechnique de Paris (1794)

notre atelier de macarons

Au Printemps

Lundi 30 mars: Le Louvre et Notre Dame

A Day of Art, History, and Parisian Wonders

We began our day with an energetic morning walk toward the Louvre Museum, enjoying the vibrant energy of the city as it slowly came to life. Along the way, we passed through the elegant Palais-Royal gardens, where a Monuments de France guide introduced us to the famous Colonnes de Buren, also known as Les Deux Plateaux.

This striking modern installation, initiated under former Minister of Culture Jack Lang, was designed in part to prevent cars from parking in the courtyard. The students were fascinated to learn that while all the columns share the same diameter, their varying heights create a playful and dynamic visual effect. The black-and-white stripes echo the surrounding architecture, blending contemporary art with historical elegance. We also discovered that many renowned artists, such as Jean Cocteau and Colette, once lived nearby.

We then arrived at the Louvre Museum, where students explored its vast collections through the Sully, Denon, and Richelieu wings. They encountered everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to classical antiquities and medieval masterpieces, taking us on an incredible journey through time and across civilizations.

After lunch, we enjoyed a lovely walk along the Seine, soaking in the beauty of Paris. We passed the iconic bouquinistes booksellers with their signature green stalls along with the Pont des Arts and the prestigious Institut de France.

We then made our way to Notre-Dame Cathedral, where we experienced a truly memorable moment: a mass was taking place while visitors were quietly touring the cathedral. This coexistence of worship and tourism surprised many students and sparked thoughtful reflections. They were especially impressed by the luminous stained-glass windows, the grandeur of the organ, and the resilience of the cathedral itself, particularly the rooster from the spire, which survived the devastating Notre-Dame fire of 2019.

We ended the day with a West African dinner, where students had the opportunity to try traditional dishes such as yassa au poulet, thiéboudienne, and mafé. We had a flavorful and memorable culinary experience that everyone truly enjoyed.

We are all looking forward to tomorrow’s macaron workshop and a stroll through the charming Luxembourg Gardens and its surrounding neighborhood. Another exciting Parisian adventure awaits!

Mason:

Bonjour, aujourd'hui je me suis réveillé à 7h40. Après je suis descend et j’ai mange le petit-déjeuner. J’ai marché jusqu’au Louvre. Il y avait cet homme au Jardin du Palais Royal et à coté des Colonnes de Buren ou Les Deux Plateaux qui nous a arrêté et et nous a raconté l’histoire du Palais Royal et de sa place. Quand nous sommes arrivés, c’était très rapide de rentrer au Louvre. Mon groupe a visité l’exposition de sculptures et j’ai beaucoup aimé. Puis nous sommes arrivés à la Joconde. J’étais un peu déçu car je pensais que c’était plus impressionnant. Enfin nous avons terminé avec la Mésopotamie et c’était très bien! Je pense que c’est ce que j’ai préféré! Pour finir, Le Louvre est le Meilleur musée que j’ai visité!

Ella:

Après le déjeuner à la boulangerie Eric Kayser, nous avons marché jusuq’à la Cathédrale Notre Dame qui était magnifique! J’ai appris comme les lieux de religion peuvent être impactés par le tourisme et le monde moderne...Pendant la visite , il y avait une messe et c’était int’eressant de voir la juxtaposition entre les vieilles traditions et les gens qui observaient sans vraiment respecter le lieu de culte. J’étais fascinée d’apprendre qu’après le feu, certaines choses étaient considérées comme des miracles comme le métal fondu tombé dans la main d’une statue  de Jésus et qu’on n’a pas nettoyé pour garder cet incident dans les mémoires. C’était incroyable et j’ai hâte pour les prochains jours!

Les Deux Plateaux (Palais Royal)

La Victoire de Samothrace

La forteresse medievale du Palais du Louvre

La Venus de Milo

Louis XIV

La Liberte Guidant le peuple, Eugene Delacroix

Le Pont des Arts

L'Institut de France 

Le Parvis de Notre Dame

Une rosace

Les Grandes Orgues

Toujours debout!

Le Mafe 

Dimanche 29 mars: La Grande Mosquee et le Musee de l'Histoire de l'Immigration

A Day Full of History, Culture, and Discovery in Paris

Today was a wonderfully full and enriching day for our students, filled with history, culture, and meaningful experiences across Paris.

We began our morning at the Arènes de Lutèce, a remarkable site dating back to the 2nd century. Standing in this ancient Roman amphitheater, students were able to imagine life in early Lutetia, where public gatherings and entertainment once brought the city together.

We then walked to the stunning Grande Mosquée de Paris, where Dr. Anderson offered an insightful lecture on the origins of the mosque, the historical context of its construction, and the controversies that surrounded it. This was a meaningful moment for students to reflect on history, religion, and cultural identity in France.

During our visit, students participated in a beautiful calligraphy workshop, discovering the intricacy and artistry of Arabic lettering. We ended this cultural experience with a traditional tasting of mint tea, which was a favorite moment for many!

After lunch in the blooming Jardin des Plantes, where spring was fully on display, we continued our journey along the scenic Coulée Verte René-Dumont, enjoying a peaceful walk above the city streets.

Our afternoon concluded at the Musée National de l'Histoire de l'Immigration, where students explored the different waves of immigration that have shaped France. The visit offered powerful insights into identity, diversity, and the evolving story of the country. We also visited the aquarium exhibit, which helped students reflect on the connections between climate change and migration.

It was a rich and busy day, and our students certainly earned some well-deserved rest this evening. Their individual blog articles will be shared tomorrow, thank you for your understanding!

Tomorrow, we look forward to exploring the iconic Louvre which is another unforgettable experience ahead!

Abby:

Aujourd'hui nous sommes  allés au Musée de l'Immigration et à la Mosquée de Paris. A la Mosquée nous avons beaucoup appris sur l’histoire de l’Islam et les Musulmans pendant la Seconde Guerre Mondiale et pourquoi la France a voulu construire la Mosquée dans Paris. Les jardins à la Mosquée étaient très beaux et et calmes! C’était un lieu superbe pour se reposer. Apres la Mosquée nous avons mangé le plus délicieux repas nord africain: des galettes et majhebs algériennes! Nous avons mange au Jardin des Plantes. J’ai hâte de visiter Le Louvre et Notre Dame demain!

Natalia:

Bonjour de Paris!

Dans l’après-midi nous avons fait beaucoup de choses intéressantes. Après le déjeuner, nous avons marché au Musée de L’Immigration qui est à la Porte Dorée. Nous avons visité une exposition sur l’immigration au 20 ème siècle et nous avons appris que les événements mondiaux comme les guerres et le réchauffement climatique avaient un impact sur les migrations. En particulier, j’ai appris que la musique traditionnelle sénégalaise et algérienne étaient une forme de resistance, Puis nous avons pris un café et sommes rentrés à l’hotel. Avant le diner, nous avons eu un peu de temps libre pour explorer le quartier seuls et acheter des snacks. Finalement, nous avons mangé le diner qui était très très très bon: j’ai partagé une entrecôte et une soupe avec Ella. La journée était incroyable et j'ai vraiment passé un excellent moment!

les arenes de Lutece

La Grande Mosquee de Paris

atelier de calligraphie

degustation de the a la menthe

Le Jardin des Plantes

La coulee verte

Le Palais de la Porte Doree (Art Deco)

Migration et climat: comment habiter notre monde?