‘Bon voyage! ’
Day 1
For most groups, the first day of their trip to Paris is taken up with travel and looking forward to all the incredible sights they’ll see over the next few days!
Day 2
Most groups spend their first full day exploring the city centre, including the Louvre, the Tuileries and the Champs-Elysées.
The Louvre is one of the most famous art museums in the world, so it’s also a popular visit on for art groups. Once the main Parisian residence of the French kings, it became a public museum in 1793. It’s famously the home to some of the most important works of art in the world, including the Mona Lisa.
Another art museum popular on our art school trips is the Musée de l’Orangerie, where you can see Monet’s Water Lilies .
The Tuileries Garden is a public garden which sits between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde.
It was created by Catherine de Medici as the garden of the Tuileries Palace and became a public garden after the French Revolution. It’s a beautiful setting in which to soak up the history and atmosphere of Paris and to discuss with your students some of the incredible art you’ve just seen at the Louvre.
And what better way to end your first full day in Paris than with a stroll along the iconic Champs-Elysées, described by the French as ‘la plus belle avenue du monde’?
You’ll walk past high-end shops, car showrooms, perfumeries and jewellers towards the imposing Arc de Triomphe which honours those who fought and died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WW1 also lies underneath the arch.
This long boulevard hosts a military parade on Bastille Day, is the finish point of the last stage of the Tour de France and is also the focal point for events of national celebration, such as those celebrating the French World Cup victories in 1998 and 2018.
Day 3
The second full day of your trip could start with a boat ride along the Seine. This will give your students a better idea of the city’s geography, as well as the opportunity to see important landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Conciergerie and the Musée d’Orsay.
Later, you may want to climb the Eiffel Tower or, for the very best views across the city, you could head to the Montparnasse Tower. Most of our groups choose the latter, as the views offered from the Montparnasse Tower include the Eiffel Tower!
Day 4
On the final day, you may find you have enough time to take in arty Montmartre and the beautiful Sacré-Cœur Basilica where your students will discover a very different side to the French capital.
It’s then time to head home – ‘au revoir ’ Paris!