The Rhodes in London Summer School is going to Paris! Our itinerary is set, and it includes the Arc de Triomphe, walking down the Les Champs Elysees, and a visit to the Louvre (Friday), as well as seeing the Beaubourg area (with the Georges Pompidou Centre), the Ile de La Cite and Notre Dame (Saturday). We will also have time for lunch in the Latin Quarter and a boat cruise on the river Seine on Saturday, too.
Happily, there is also some free time built in so that you can plan your own adventure in Paris!
What would you suggest I see during these short pockets of free time, you ask? Well, I would recommend that you do one of the following:
Find the perfect Parisian cafe, ideal for catching up on your reading and for people-watching. Nosh like a true Parisian with a café crème and a yummy flaky croissant – or a tartine with Échiré butter.
Take the metro to Saint Paul and meander through the Marais district, collecting french cheeses, a baguette, and maybe even a bottle of wine as you go. Make your way to Place des Vosges for an impromptu picnic.
Stop off at a chocolaterie to grab some treats to take back to London.
Stroll in the Jardins du Palais Royal behind the Palais Royale and the Comédie française.
If you are an art lover, try the Galleries Lafayette and maybe visit the Degas Ballerina at the Musee de Orsay.
Visit the Catacombes de Paris – these are incredibly creepy underground ossuaries which hold the remains of more than six million people the ancient Mines of Paris tunnel network.
Walk down to the Seine and along the eastern end of the Ile St. Louis. Maybe get a glass of a lovely French wine at the terrace at the western tip of the island, by the bridge that connects it to the Ile de la Cite, and drink in the wine and the view at the same time.
Check out the bohemian Montmatre district, where Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Verlaine, Debussy, Satie (and more) lived or partied with their artistic friends.
Sample some Parisian nightlife (maybe a cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge?).
Check out the Palais de Tokyo (Europe’s largest contemporary art space), which is open until midnight every day except Tuesday.
Take your time walking along the Seine and visiting everything along the way – finishing with the Eiffel Tower. If you time it right, you could enjoy a bottle of champagne in the Parc du Champs de Mars while watching the Eiffel Tower light show at 11pm.
Summer School in London 