Jour 10: Giverny

There are few things more emblematic of French culture than Impressionism, and today the students got a first hand look!  Monet, considered by most to be the father of Impressionism, was a lover of all things natural: landscapes, flowers, water, and of course, lily pads!  His gardens at Giverny are a testament to why Impressionism started in the first place, which was to offer a response to (or a repudiation of) the industrial revolution. Giverny is truly an oasis, nestled between large cities such as Paris and Le Havre, which were the first to experience the throes of the industrial revolution. As we felt today, Giverny’s beauty really can bring such peace and happiness to all who visit!  Our French correspondants and Mme Julien, the coordinator of exchanges at Lycée St. Vincent accompanied us on our visit!

Jour 9- La Merveille- Mont Saint Michel

Who wouldn’t want to wake up to a buffet of croissants, pain au chocolat, fruit, madeleines, platters of cold cuts and cheese, pancakes, granola, yogurt, and of course french coffee and fresh juices? Rolling away from the table, we boarded the bus for the drive to Mont Saint Michel.  The Abbaye dates from 708, when the Archangel Saint Michel visited the archbishop Aubert in a dream commanding him to build an edifice.  Two dreams and a hole in the skull later ( ask your kids to recount the story) Aubert installed a community of monks on this rocky island in the bay between Normandy and Brittany.  The difference in sea level between reaches 14 meters routinely.  As you can imagine, both regions claim ownership although the Abbaye technically lies in Normandy.  Over 2.5 million visitors come each year, as many as 10,000 per day in the summer.  The Abbey is a stop on Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route in France. We braved the steep, narrow, winding path and 350 steps to a breathtaking 360 view.  Our guide did a wonderful job of explaining the complicated building process.  On the descent we explored the shops and of course the local delicacies. We all agree, we need to return.  A quick stop at a biscuiterie to load up on butter cookies and we headed back to Senlis, tired and content. Upon reaching the border between Normandy and Oise, a rainbow, and eventually a double rainbow, greeted us!

Jour #8: Balade en Normandie

Days 5, 6 and 7 were a weekend and holiday, respectively, which brings us to day #8: our excursion to Normandy. This always feels like a special trip, between the bonding that happens amongst the American students, and the rich history and emotion that is felt in Normandy. It was a full day, but many cat naps were taken in between stops! For those of us who didn’t sleep, there were many a cow and apple tree to see out the bus window (Normandy is known for cheese and cidre, after all!)

We started our day at Pointe du Hoc, one of the most impressive sites amongst the landing beaches. The bomb craters and German bunkers are still as they were back in 1944, yet this is juxtaposed with a gorgeous view of the Atlantic and the neighboring cliffs.  From there, we went to Omaha beach, a vast, open space, totally unlike that of Pointe du Hoc, which Army Rangers struggled to get to by climbing cliffs with knives and makeshift ladders. Omaha Beach is perhaps most famous for its depiction in the opening scenes of the film, Saving Private Ryan. Every time I am there, I try to picture what it must have looked like with the floating harbors, tanks and German obstacles, coupled with the planes, parachutes and vessels in the distance. With children playing just down the beach, it is admittedly hard to imagine.

After Omaha, we visited the American National Cemetery, which for many, was the highlight. They were still cleaning up from the remembrance ceremonies last week, attended by many heads of state, so it was a little more hectic than usual. We had the unique pleasure of meeting WWII veteran, George Merz, a Kentucky native, who had arrived in Normandy last week for the ceremonies. At the age of 94, George still had a vibrant energy about him (see his thumbs up below), and the students were so fortunate to meet him.  With less and less WWII veterans among us, this was a special moment in a special place.

The final stop on our visit was the Mémorial de Caen. As our guide so aptly put it, it is not a museum about a war, it is a museum about maintaining peace. For me, this museum is a constant reminder that we must not forget the errors of those before us, and that we should strive for peace and acceptance, always.

From there, we checked into our hotel in Caen, a city that the students saw in the film at the museum. Unfortunately 80% of Caen was destroyed in the war, however, students got the opportunity to see some of the remaining original structures. After dinner, they took a nice walk through the old quarter, and even climbed to the top of the Château de Caen for a special view of the cathédrale.

Jours 5-6-7 C’est le week-end!

And we thought the first few days were packed!  This past weekend was a whirlwind from the fête to say goodbye to the group from Mexico to the Musée Grevin, negotiating the metro stops in Paris, sweet talking a shop owner into staying open to buy that pair of shorts, a croque monsieur on a waffle, horseback riding, bonding with the host family’s Belgian  cousins at a reunion of 120+ people, dress shopping, playing basketball with Darth Vader, watching the Big Bang in French and spending the night at Mathilde’s father’s appartement in Paris. Those were just the highlights.  Tomorrow we are off to Normandy!