Wednesday 30th July- the Louvre

Early start today!! Had to get to the Louvre early to avoid massive crowds! It helped that we went in through the super secret entrance- sorry, I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you ;) Its also free for under 25 EU citizens so that was a cool bonus! 

So, we saw the big classics such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus du milo. To be honest they had a huge crowd around them and we're somewhat underwhelming! The Mona Lisa is tiny and there is far better artwork in the same room let alone the rest of the gallery! But at least it's something that can be checked off the bucket list!

The Louvre itself is a stunning building and it's hard to comprehend how big it is. We didn't spend long in the ancient section as our focus was the reformation in France but I managed to see a few cool things! 

Orestes and Pylades- close friends (or more!) from the Orestia

Tri-headed tribute to Hecate the goddess of witchcraft

Mini Sphynx in the Egyptian section 

The Three Graces by Jean-Baptist Regnault.

We also wandered the gardens of the Lourve then took the long walk all the way down the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe- way bigger than I was imagining it to be! 

Of course we did as tourists do and selfied the hell out of it :p 

Tuesday 29th July- revolution tour

We had our first go at navigating the metro by ourselves this morning- not hard, probably easier than the underground! 

Had a walking tour of the French Revoloution..didn't know a lot of the history but I was the one to answer the question of Marie Antoinette's famous quote "let them eat cake" (thank you Kirsten Dunst!) 

One of the oldest Paris streets, with the first ever café 

Luxembourg gardens, most romantic spot in Paris apparently! 

Angelica and I decided to try and find La Promenade Plantée, which is like the Parisian version of the New York Highline, a suspended garden above the city :) 

Monday 28th July- Boat tour

So today was a chilled start to the trip, we had an orientation this morning all about the university (which is a dry campus-meaning no alcohol, seriously who comes up with these things!). 

We then had a little wonder up to the Seine to do a boat trip seeing sights such as the Louvre, the Assemble Nationale and, of course, the Eiffle Tower :) 

Assemble Nationale (home of Fr. Gov.)

One part of the 16sqkm Louvre

Eiffle Tower selfie had to be done!! 

After the tour we split up, some people got the metro back to campus but Angelica (my lovely roommate in the pic above) and I decided to walk back. We found a gorgeous chocolate and macaroon shop which we had to stop at! And finally sat and had a drink at a café, watching the Parisian world go by :)

P.s. I also got my St. John's university ID! 

Update: 

Went to the Eiffle tower after dinner to watch the lights come on :D 

 

Sunday 27th July-Travel and Arrival

I had such a good time on the Duchesne Alliance trip to New York last year that I signed up again this year, only this time we're going to PARIS!!

I am currently at Heathrow Airport, apparently I'm a regular now as the wifi still remembered me! Got my phrase book and Things to do book so I'm officially ready for this adventure to begin :)

I created a blog last year and I found it was a good way to reflect on all of the crazy things we were doing and also a good way for friends and family to see what I'd been up to. So, here we go again.....

 

Update: I am all settled in at St. John's University campus :) we got the metro down a few stops earlier to watch the Tour de France coming in..good atmosphere but not a whole lot to see as they wizz past so fast!! There was a cool flyover with some planes making the French flag which was pretty cool :) 

Quite tired after travelling but looking forward to orientation and our first tour of Paris tomorrow!