Each year some of our 7th grade students and their French teachers travel to France for a 9-10 day educational tour. They are joined by students from Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity in Winnetka and their French teacher. June of 2004 found us visiting Paris, Normandy, the Loire Valley, and the Alps. We had mostly sunny skies and sunny spirits as we visited monuments and museums in Paris. Riding bikes at Versailles was not to be forgotten. Outdoor adventures and climbing were a frequent highlight. A cablecar trip in the Alps on the last day followed by an alpine hike was a memorable way to end the trip, as were the rides on the alpine slide. It was a trip we will all remember for a lifetime.

Our June 2005 trip departed on June 7th for Paris, Biarritz, Lourdes, the Dordogne and the Loire Valley. We had the opportunity to speak the language we had been studying, eat delicious French food, appreciate the many differences in our cultures, as well as to see some famous artwork. We prayed at the shrine at Lourdes, saw original cave paintings, and visited the lasting memorial of WWII devastation in the town of Oradour sur Glane.

This year's trip currently has 33 students enrolled. We will spend three days in Paris, visiting La Tour Eiffel, Le Louvre, the Musée D'Orsay, L'Arc de Triomphe, and of course Notre Dame! Afterwards we will explore the Roman ruins in Provence including the Pont du Gar and the Ampitheatre in Arles and conclude our journey in Nice on the Cote d'Azur home to many Impresssionist artists. If your student would like to participate, please let the French teacher, Madame Quish know, as there might still be a few spots available.