El Barrio was designed by Gustave Eiffel

Salsa Lessons at El Barrio

Last Day in the city of lights

What a beautiful day. The sun was shining all day and everyone enjoyed their last day in Paris. Some students went to Notre Dame for Easter Mass and some went to the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. We then met up with the French kids at the Place de la Bastille for salsa lessons. They all had a terrific time. We enjoyed our last dinner by the Louvre and then had a boat tour on the Seine to see Paris at night. It was a perfect ending to an amazing trip. We are so proud of the kids. They all blossomed and came into their own. We are so lucky to have had such a wonderful group - well-behaved, curious, sweet and polite. We will board the bus tomorrow morning to go to CDG and take off at 12:10. We land at O'Hare at 2:40. Please pick up your children or have them car pool. We arrive at Terminal 5. We will have them call you when we land. Bonne nuit et a demain!!!!

Jim Morrison and Moulin Rouge

Saturday

There was a group of French children playing soccer in the square near Centre Pompidou, they have a Dali exhibit currently- you can see him on the wall behind. Crepe pic with bananas and nutella.

Easter morning breakfast

Ruth and Michael went to mass this morning at Notre Dame!!

We took the long way home

Beaubourg and Champs Elysees

Place Des Vosges and Beaubourg

Louvre

Lunch in the Latin Quarter and Boat Tour

Lycee Rabelais took all the students our to lunch and paid for us to go on a boat tour on the Seine. Here is a picture of the French teachers who will be coming to Chicago in 2 weeks, Monsieur Dany is wearing Maureen's hat. They are so funny and down to earth, we really got lucky meeting them!! The man who is not wearing the hat is the Librarian, Bruno, and he will not be coming to Chicago but Sandrine and Fred will be there with Sandrine's husband Chris.

Day at a French high school

La Chasse ah Tresor!!

What a great day! We met the French group for a treasure hunt starting at Place Vosges which was the first plaza created in Paris and home to Victor Hugo. Everyone received prizes from the French...how sweet are they? Next, everyone had a chance to shop in the Marais neighborhood and grab a bite t eat. We then visited the Modern Art Museum at the Centre Pompidou where the French teachers gave the students the history behind several paintings. We then went for dinner near the Champs Élysées and walked along the boulevard afterward. Kids stopped along the way to eat a crepe....some had already eaten at least 2 today. Yum! Some students wanted to walk home to see the sights lit up at night. Notre Dame was holding the vigil for Good Friday. More to come tomorrow! A demain...photos will be added tomorrow. The wifi is very spotty here.

French High School

Friday was great!

No wifi last night, but a beautiful saturday morning here. It has been so chily but no one seems to mind. We spent the day at the high school and attended a French class and an English class. The director of the school took all of the students out for lunch in the Latin Quarter and paid for boat tickets as well- so generous! Maybe Nate will return the favor when the French come in 2 weeks.... We went for a boat ride on the Seine with the French students and then enjoyed a coffee in a cafe. We spent the evening in the Louvre and enjoyed a night tour which was fantastic. The French teacher, Sandrine, had her husband join us and he gave us an guided tour. He would describe details such as the way the black paint over time had beaded up on the canvas creating a darker image. Today we are going on a scavanger hunt in the Marais distict and touring the Modern Art Museum in Centre Pompidou. I can't believe today is Saturday.

Paris, Je t'aime!!

Another amazing day in Paris! We started out at the Tour Eiffel where we made it all the way up to the sommet. Quelle vue extraordinaire! We then made our way to the Opera Garnier, the old Opera that is now used only for ballet performances. We explored this quartier and found a brasserie for lunch. Next, we met up with the French students who took us on a tour of the Paris Passages, the old passageways that currently house various stores and restaurants. The passages used to be a haven for surrealists and other writers and artists. Ater this tour, our students left with their French correspondents to have dinner with them in their homes. We can't wait for them to tell you about their experience. Everyone walked in with a smile and a story to tell. What a success! A demain....

First meeting at the metro!