More than 80 travelers explored Paris over February vacation
By Grace Pearson, Editor-in-Chief
February 27, 2025
SANFORD, Maine — Nearly 60 students, a dozen parents and another dozen chaperones traveled to France over February Vacation with SHS Abroad. They visited many interesting monuments, including the abbey and town that inspired the castle from the Disney movie, “Tangled!”
Feb. 16-17: Paris
During the first two days of the trip, students went to famous monuments like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. The Louvre contains over 500,000 artifacts and is the largest museum in the world. During free time they were able to go shopping and try new foods. French-speaking students were able to order food from native speakers for the first time. On Feb. 17, students took a nighttime Seine River cruise, where they were able to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle.
Feb. 18: Chartres and Chambord
The groups went to Chartres, which has its own Notre Dame, the famed Notre Dame de Chartres. This cathedral is over 1,000 years old and is built in the Gothic style. During free time a large group of students tried escargot (snails) for lunch. During the second half of the day, students traveled to and visited the Chateau de Chambord. The Chateau de Chambord was built in the French Renaissance style, which is a combination of French medieval architecture and classical Renaissance structures. The Chateau is famous for its double-helix staircase, which was inspired by designs from Leonardo da Vinci.
Feb. 19: Chenonceau and Amboise
In the morning, students headed to the Chateau de Chenonceau, which is around 500 years old. People used this castle to help people flee from the Nazis. Later in the day, students traveled to Amboise. Here, students had the optional opportunity to take a tour of Leonardo da Vinci’s home, Le Château du Clos Lucé, which was built in the 1400’s. During the tour they visited his bedroom where he died in 1519. They also took a tour of the Château d’Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. For dinner, students ate in a troglodyte restaurant, which is a cave, called La Cave Aux Fouees.
Feb. 20: Saint-Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel
Students went to the pirate town, Saint-Malo. They were tasked with doing a scavenger hunt, which took them up the rampart walls, around the town, to a bakery to try the town’s specialty pastry called “kouign-amann,” and the meeting place at the Cathedrale Notre Dame de Rouen. During the second half of the day, students walked to the island Mont-Saint-Michel. Students took a steep climb up over 350 stairs to get to the abbey. This abbey inspired the castle from the Disney movie, “Tangled.” Multiple communities of monks and nuns live in this monument.
Feb. 21: Normandy
Students started the morning by visiting Pointe du Hoc, the 35-meter cliffs that American soldiers climbed to seize the German battery during World War II. Students were able to go into German barracks from the war. Then they headed to Omaha beach, one of the beaches D-Day took place on. Some students were able to collect sand from the beach to take home. Students went to the American Cemetery, where over 9,000 soldiers were buried. They went to the Caen Memorial, where they were able to see real uniforms, propaganda, and weapons used during the war. Throughout this day, students learned of the sacrifices that soldiers made during the war.
Feb. 22: Rouen and Versaille
Rouen is a port city on the Seine River that used to be inhabited by Vikings. It has Gothic churches and medieval houses. Students had the option to visit an area where a mausoleum used to be, where they were able to view a mummified black cat. Students were able to see the church Saint Maclou, a cross monument marking the exact spot where Joan of Arc burned and were able to explore the city during free time. During the second half of the day, students visited the Palace of Versailles, a palace built with Baroque-style architecture that is around 2,000 acres large. They were able to view the bedrooms of the royal family, the hall of mirrors and the palace gardens. In the gardens, there were swans that students were able to see and take pictures of.
Extra Fun Facts:
Seagulls kept stealing people’s food in Saint-Malo, including Ms. Foley and Mr. Geary’s food! There were lots of pigeons, not only in Paris but all over France. Most French patisseries had many items with Nutella. French people tend to eat Nutella more than peanut butter. Some students tried the menu item, “Shaker Fries,” from the French McDonald’s, which is not available in the United States. Lots of students tried new foods, most notably escargot, and enjoyed it!
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