It was a long ride on the Eurostar train from London to Paris as we traveled under the English Channel and through the French countryside. However, the train ride gave me a few hours to sleep so I could immediately set off to explore the City of Light. London was beautiful, but I have to admit I was most excited to visit Paris.
First, we walked the streets of the Latin Quarter, which were lined with small shops and cafes. I had never seen such beautiful streets in my life, and I could not imagine that this view was some lucky Parisian’s commute to work or the neighborhood where they bought fresh baguettes each morning.
Next, we toured the towering Notre-Dame Cathedral. Parts of the exterior were covered in scaffolding to allow for ongoing renovation efforts after the devastating 2019 fire, but the interior was so beautiful and pristine that it seemed almost untouched.
As we continued walking through the city, I noticed that although Paris is massive, parts of it feel like a small town. You can find almost everything you need within a small area, and many Parisians live, eat, work and relax all within a few blocks of their homes. Everyone seems to know each other, and they spend time reading or painting in parks, sipping espresso together or sitting along the banks of the Seine.
For a while, I followed their example by sitting along the canal and waving back to the passengers on the small boats floating by. Then our group took a boat ride of our own, where the guide pointed out the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Pont Neuf, the Conciergerie and, finally, the Eiffel Tower, which was even taller and more impressive than I imagined.
I ended the evening by enjoying a dinner of delicacies, including escargot, duck and baked Alaska.
The next morning, we began a bus tour of Paris that guided us past Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and the Hôtel des Invalides. From there, we drove outside the city to see the Palace of Versailles, with its extravagant halls and precisely manicured gardens.
Once back in the city, I climbed to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for panoramic views of Paris, with each thoroughfare leading away from the arch like rays around the sun. I enjoyed dinner along the Champs-Élysées before heading to the activity I had been most excited for: seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night.
It was more breathtaking than any picture or movie could depict, and I felt fortunate to witness such an incredible sight in my lifetime.
I returned to the Eiffel Tower the next morning during my allotted free time and rode the elevator to the top. From there, I could see the entire city, and I pointed out the landmarks I had visited the day before. I spent the rest of the morning walking around the tower and along the Seine, taking in the views and visiting shops along the way.
I rejoined our group at the Louvre Museum, the largest museum in the world and home to some of the most impressive works of art ever created. There, we saw the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo, among many other masterpieces.
Once we finally found our way out of the nearly endless museum, we rode the subway to Montmartre and walked its stunning pathways before enjoying dinner. Later, as the sun set, I enjoyed macarons and espresso at a nearby cafe to end the night on a sweet note.
Paris had its own lessons to teach me as I observed the culture surrounding me during my stay. Parisians live a slower-paced life, taking time to savor the little things and spend time with family and friends. Unlike schedules in the United States, time for rest and enjoyment is built into daily life. Still, no one seems to feel as though they are falling behind or missing out on anything.
This approach encouraged me to be more mindful and intentional and to enjoy my current phase of life while working toward the next. There is nothing wrong with being driven, but it would be a shame if we did not also stop and smell the roses every so often.
I was thankful for the opportunity to have my eyes opened to French culture and a unique outlook on daily living.
I came to love this new pace of life, which made it even more painful when I had to say a bittersweet “au revoir” to my favorite city. However, our group still had one last stop on the trip, so we boarded the train and set off for Amsterdam.
Waynesburg University Study Abroad
Waynesburg University offers students many options to travel, whether through a study abroad program or a short-term travel experience.
