Despite the incongruous mélange of physics and French, 17 of us set off from St. Pancras to Paris Gare Du Nord. Our energy was bustling on the speedy Eurostar, transporting us into the lively and luminous Paris.
After a good night’s sleep, we began our first day with the Église de Saint Etienne, an architecturally exquisite church, adorned with intricate designs and stain glass. At the Église de Saint Étienne the physics students were able to pay a visit to the final resting place of Blaise Pascal; the renowned French mathematician and physicist is best known for his ground breaking work on pressure principles.
As we crossed the street from the Église, our attention was drawn to the majestic Panthéon, a marvel of architecture and a treasure trove of history. Among its many attractions, one that stood out was Foucault’s Pendulum, a scientific instrument that provided ground breaking evidence of the earth’s rotation on its axis. However, the Panthéon’s significance extends far beyond this, as it serves as the final resting place of some of France’s most brilliant minds including the Curies, Rousseau, and Braille are interred here, making it a must-visit destination for both the French and physics students alike.
Following a scrumptious lunch, the physics students paid a visit to the Curie Museum, which is dedicated to the life and work of the pioneering physicist and chemist who made revolutionary discoveries in the field of radioactivity. The museum’s exhibits highlight the history of Marie Curie’s research, her personal life, and her legacy.
Meanwhile, the French students had the opportunity to see the nearby and highly regarded “Grande école” of literature. Since the French students had been studying the world of education, it was valuable to see what we studied on paper, in action. The visit additionally served as an opportunity to reference the Grande école in an oral question!
A short bus journey engulfed us into the streets of Paris, where we voyaged down the Seine, bewildered by the passing Louvre and Tour Eiffel. After a splendid hot chocolate topped with whipped cream at a lavish café, the group split in two- half of us on a guided tour around Opera and Place de la Vendome, as the rest of us wandered and collectively (inadvertently) ended up purchasing “I heart Paris” tops. The guided tour we embarked on proved to be an enriching experience as we delved deeper into the history of the Nazi occupation. Among the many striking revelations, we learned about the stunning Ritz hotel in Place de Vendôme, was commandeered by the Nazis and used as their headquarters. Equally intriguing was the lesser-known fact that Adolf Hitler held a great passion for the Paris Opera House, which he visited on numerous occasions. Thanks to our knowledgeable guide, we were able to gain an understanding on the complex history of that period. That evening, we made a much-anticipated visit to the legendary Tour Eiffel. As night fell, we were anticipating the “sparkles” of flashing lights and the magnificent tower stuck us all into overriding our camera rolls. As we approached the hotel, we looked back upon our day in a way that suggested we had been in Paris for weeks, with some girls even remarking that they’d dream to live there.
On Sunday, our final day, we embarked on a rather lengthy tube journey to the Cité des Sciences et de l’industrie, but it was well worth the effort. To our immense delight, we had the opportunity to visit the planetarium and experience its captivating wonders, which proved to be of interest to both the physicists and linguists alike. We also had the privilege of exploring the enthralling exhibitions on offer, including the thought-provoking SOUNDS and OUR UNIVERSE displays. To our delight, we stumbled upon small aquarium that evoked a sense of childhood nostalgia.
As our journey drew to a close, we savoured one last meal at charming French cafes nestled in the heart of the city. After indulging in a scrumptious meal, we made our way back to the hotel to retrieve our baggage and bid farewell Paris. With heavy hearts, we made our way back to Paris Gare Du Nord station, ready to embark on a long train journey home.
Miranda M U, Matilde L and Sophia C, Lower Sixth
