Jeudi ( Thursday) 29 septembre

The morning was spent at Versailles observing how Louis XIV expanded and developed this former royal hunting lodge into an extremely impressive palace. Then we headed from the palace to a fabulous buffet lunch at the nearby Monuments Café. Still with energy to burn, we headed to the Arc de Triomphe to climb the stairs up to the top for a view over the Champs-Elysées. Then back to Opéra and shopping at Galeries Lafayette ending with a  magnificent sunset from the top of the department store on its garden terrace.

Outside the gates at Versailles

Ruby Ioannou and Lauren Jones at Versailles

Joseph Picken and Angus Pierce in the Hall of Mirrors

Monica Hasa and Ravisha Perera in the gardens at Versailles.

At the Monuments Café choosing entrées

Finn Newsway with dessert at the Monuments Café

Back at the Arc de Triomphe

Jumping for joy!

Janice Wong and Jessica Young examining
 the 'macarons' at Galeries Lafayette

Sunset on the rooftop garden terrace at Galeries Lafayette

Tanvi Yadav on the rooftop terrace at Galeries Lafayette

Devant le restaurant Trinité on our last night in Paris

Mercredi (Wednesday) le 28 septembre.

When we arrived at the Louvre this morning, the number of beautiful artworks was overwhelming. We also squeezed in a little shopping time at the Louvre boutiques and gift shops. Then after a short lunch stop it was time to move on again, this time to the Orangerie which houses Monet's famous lilies,as well as works by other famous artists such as Picasso. Next stop was the Eiffel Tower. Such an incredible monument! Then we enjoyed a picnic dinner on the Champs de Mars capped off with the wonderful Eiffel Tower light show at 8:00 p.m.

Monica Hasa with the Mona Lisa in the background.

Preparing to fight for 'Liberté'

Everyone met up again outside the Louvre

Janice Wong in front of some of Monet's Lilies.

Arushi Joshi and Tanvi Yadav in front of Monet's Lilies

Picnic time!

Sunset at the Eiffel Tower

The group in front of the Eiffel Tower
 during its light show.

Mardi (Tuesday) le 27 septembre

La Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Paris has stood the test of time for around 800 years and yesterday our students put themselves to the test, climbing the stairs to the top of the towers. They were rewarded with a magnificent view. Later, when everyone had recovered, courtesy of crêpes, ice creams  and other refreshments, we headed off to see the famous Musée Rodin.

Finn Newsway in front of La Cathédrale de
 Notre Dame de Paris

Monica Hasa with her favourite - crêpes!

Harry Bonnell choosing a patisserie

Devant Les Invalides

Dylan O'Keeffe, Connor Plowman and Harry Bonnell
striking a pose at Musée Rodin

Lauren Jones inspired by Le Penseur
 at the Musée Rodin

Lundi (Monday) le 26 septembre

Disneyland Paris provided the students with a whole day (and evening) of fun experiences.

Just arrived by train at the 2 Disney parks

Tanvi Yadav, Arushi Joshi, Monica Hasa and Ravisha Perera
 with their Minnie Mouse headgear.

Dylan O'Keeffe, Harry Bonnell and Connor Plowman
 in front of Walt Disney's statue at Disney Studios

At Café Mickey

Ruby Ioannou, Joseph Picken and Angus Pierce
with Eeyore at Café Mickey

Dimanche (Sunday) le 25 septembre

Sunday's sightseeing began with a visit to Notre Dame de Paris and was followed up with the chance to taste the delights of Berthillon's famous ice cream. Then we set off for the most amazing English language bookshop right in the middle of Paris! Next came a visit to La Cimitière Père-Lachaise, before completing the day with an organ concert at L'Eglise Saint Eustache.

Devant La Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

"Nous sommes des fleurs" - In the gardens
 behind Notre Dame

It started to rain lightly - but luckily
Ruby Ioannou was prepared!

Lauren Jones inspecting books about Paris
 in the Shakespeare Bookshop

In front of the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Joseph Picken in front of Oscar Wilde's tomb at La Cimitière Père-Lachaise

Harry Bonnell climbing  the playground
 statue, 'Ecoute' near Saint Eustache and Les Halles
 

Everyone catching their breath for a few moments before dinner.

Samedi (Saturday) le 24 spetembre

The day started with a visit to the Catacombes and luckily we were there early enough not to have to queue for too long before descending to the ossuary.

Jessica Young at the Catacombes de Paris

Ruby Ioannou and Lauren Jones with the French book

they purchased as part of the book scavenger hunt.

(Connor Plowman, Dylan O'Keeffe and Harry Bonnell

 in the background)

Monica Hasa and Arushi Joshi at BHV.

Ravisha Perez trying to decide how to eat this
dessert of delicious crêpes.

Smiles all round because everyone, it seems, loves crêpes!
Chez Clément.

Jeudi ( Thursday) 22^nd _ vendredi (Friday) 23^rd Septembre

Our second last day in Vichy gave us the opportunity to see more historic parts of the city, including their magnificent town hall which is a scaled down version of the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, built during the rule of Napoleon III. Then after farewelling CAVILAM on Friday, we headed to Paris, ready to take in the Champs-Elysées in the evening.

Devant L'Eglise Saint Louis in Vichy

Vichy Hôtel de Ville on a beautiful sunny afternoon

Last class at CAVILAM, Vichy

Back in Paris! Sunset in front of  l'Arc de Triomphe.

Leah Mustard eating a crepe opposite the Arc de Triomphe

Mercredi ( Wednesday) le 21 septembre

Harry Bonnell's 15th birthday was celebrated with a pyramid of 'macarons' and birthday wishes all round. After classes we had a guided tour of some of the important historical landmarks of Clermont Ferrand, an adjoining city about an hour by bus from Vichy.

Harry Bonnell with his birthday card and cake.

Harry Bonnell with his cake.

The whole group about to help Harry celebrate his birthday.
Joyeux anniversaire, Harry!

The group in front of the cathedral
 in Clermont Ferrand.