French exchange to Paris
From Monday 27 March, at the end of the Spring Term 22 Year 9 girls and 3 Year 10 girls spent the week in Paris with their French exchange partners. Our partner school is situated next to the Eiffel Tower and the Pont d'Alma and is in one or the smartest parts of Paris and many of the girls had a view of the Eiffel Tower from their bedroom windows.
After travelling over on the Eurostar, the group took the metro to the Collège de l'Alma where the girls met up with their exchange partners and spent the evening with their host families. Tuesday's programme involved an interesting morning spent in the French school where the English girls took part in lessons, followed by some sight-seeing and shopping. It was a beautiful spring afternoon and the views from the top of the Arc de Triomphe were spectacular.
Wednesday included a guided tour of the main masterpieces of the Louvre Museum and then a stroll around the Jardin des Tuileries before a walk back to the school for the girls to spend the afternoon with their exchange partners.
On Thursday, the girls took the metro to the Fondation Louis Vuitton and had a guided tour of this contemporary and extravagant museum situated next to the Bois de Boulogne. Although there was no exhibition at the time, the girls were fascinated by the architecture and the stories behind the construction of the building. In the afternoon, in beautiful sunshine, the group travelled by RER train to the ornate and fascinating Château de Versailles where they enjoyed a guided tour and a walk around the gardens.
On the Friday, the girls were treated to a guided boat trip on the river Seine followed by some free time and shopping in the Grands Magasins area and then a guided tour of the amazing Opéra Garnier.
The girls then spent the weekend with their host families. Some went to Disneyland or Parc Astérix, others enjoyed staying in Paris and visiting more monuments while some appreciated a relaxed weekend in the countryside.
It was a memorable and most enjoyable week in Paris for both the students, and the members of staff who gave up their holiday time to accompany the trip, due to the warm welcome received from the Parisian hosts, the excellent programme that was organised, and also the beautiful weather. The girls have handed in some wonderful diaries in French of their time and it is clear that they gained much from the trip, culturally, linguistically and socially. Many thanks to the girls for being such an excellent group and to Acting Head of French, Mrs Rachel Hill, and the other members of staff who helped to make the trip such a success, in particular to Miss Kim Cooil for her invaluable help on the underground and getting around Paris, to Miss Alice Laudas for her fantastic photography, and to Mr Darren Kelly for his good humour and excellent company.
Take a look at the French exchange photo gallery here.