A March Break to Remember- Paris and Marseille with VA Global Programs

During March break, Vermont Academy students Jamie Kuesel ‘18, Harry Mayer ‘18, Holly Meredith ‘18, and Danny Williams ‘19, en route to their trimester in Spain, spent a week in France through VA Global Programs. Led by French teacher Johanna Schneider and director of the European campus Sergio Vilarino the students spent their time exploring the culture, sites, and food of France’s two most important cities: Paris and Marseille.
The trip started in the city of lights, Paris, where students commenced their French experience with a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens and an elevator trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. From that vantage point, the highest in the city, Ms. Schneider was able to point out the other sights they’d see in the days to come: Notre Dame, l’Arc de Triumph, the Louvre, and Sacre Coeur. On their second day in Paris the group visited the Louvre guided by historian Mr. Vilarino, who drew their attention to styles and painters they will see during their art history class in Spain later in the trimester. The second day was brought to a close with a boat ride on the Seine complete with a light display from the iron lady herself, the Eiffel Tower. On their third day in the French capital, the group payed a visit to the largest castle in Europe, the Chateau of Versailles. Here students were amazed by the size and grandeur of the chateau but were equally excited to see the Hall of Mirrors which they had learned about in their history classes. A cultural experience in Paris would not be complete without good food, of which the students tasted plenty. Each night they explored a different traditional French cuisine from the crepes of Brittany to the fondue of Savoy.
 
During the second part of the week, the group took the high speed train to the Mediterranean city of Marseille. While it is the second largest city in France, it could not be more different than Paris. Founded by the Greeks, this port city has always had a constant flow of immigrants making it vibrant and culturally diverse. In Marseille, Vermont Academy has partnered with Lycée Marseilleveyre and so the students were welcomed at the train station by their host siblings as well as an English teacher of the lycée, Nicole Landou. During their stay in Marseille, VA students lived with French host families, visited English classes in which they presented Vermont Academy, and were shown the city by their host siblings. The group went on two large excursions while in Marseille, the first to Chateau d’If, a fortress and ancient prison on an island not far from Marseille that became famous when French writer Alexandre Dumas used it as a setting in the Count of Monte Cristo, and the second, a beautiful hike and picnic in the Calanques National Park outside of Marseille. Of the hike Jamie said, “This is the most beautiful view I’ve seen in my entire life.” The entire group swam and enjoyed the sunshine before returning to the city for a dinner hosted by French math teacher Hervé Millard.

After this short, but rich, experience of French culture and hospitality the group of VA students accompanied by Mr. Vilarino continued on their journey, this time to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. There they will continue their exploration of European culture through their Spanish homestays and excursions in Spain.

To see more photos from this amazing trip visit the Vermont Academy Global Programs Facebook.
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Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.