By Staff Writer: Jada Boprie

One way or another, Paris, France usually ends up on everyone’s bucket list. Whether it’s because of the romance, the football, Fashion Week, or the Eiffel Tower, Paris (and France in general) is legendary.

Students from Howell High School have the opportunity to visit this celebrated country next summer with HHS’s foreign language teacher, Mrs. April Anderson. The trip will span over 12 days while the group travels all around France.

They will start in the south of France, in Nice, and work their way to the top of the country, through Paris and finally end in Normandy. Along the way they will visit and explore places of historical, cultural, and artistic importance.

The group will visit places in France that have had a tremendous historical
impact. This includes the Pont du Gard and the Nimes Ampitheater, which are Roman ruins. Nimes itself dates back to the 6th century BC. These monuments are known for their architecture and are a source of pride for the locals. The group will also visit the Normandy region of France. The D-Day battles fought on these beaches, the one’s captured in Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan, eventually led to France’s freedom in World War II.

Anderson and the students will explore places in France that impact the culture. One of these is the Eiffel Tower, of course. The structure was built in 1889. Although it was originally a source of skepticism for Parisians and meant to be torn down in 1909, it has remained the most iconic symbol of Paris. The group will also take a tour of a perfume factory in Eze. Perfume is a part of the culture in France that has lasted for generations. French women learn at an early age that perfume is an essential part of their wardrobe and it is a common tradition in France for a young girl to learn about perfume from her mother.

Art is one aspect of France that is legendary in itself. The group from HHS will visit many castles and cathedrals but one, the Chenonceau, has particular artistic importance. The structure, built in 1513, is furnished with antique art and furniture that rivals those of museums. And the castle inspires artists to this day, after 500 years in existence. The group will also visit the Louvre museum, located in the heart of Paris and originally a palace. The collection of art in the Louvre was once the private collection of King Francis I. It is now the home of many of the most famous works of art in the world, most notably Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

These destinations, and many more the students will visit, are often places you only get one chance in a lifetime to see. There is no limit for the number of students going so Mrs. Anderson is urging more people to sign up. Students should have about two years of French language classes, or equivalent for the self-taught. This is because at HHS, French II is the year we learn the language needed for asking directions and similar phrases. Without this, France will be a very difficult place to be in. The cost f

or joining the trip to France next summer is $3800. While it may look like a fortune, that amount of money includes airfare, hotels, daytrips, and two meals a day. Anderson recommends students also bring extra money for personal spending. The deadline for signing up is in early March.

Kate Hollenbeck, junior, is one of the students going on the trip. She is looking forward to seeing the Eiffel Tower in person. “I’ve always wanted to go to France. It’s a great opportunity.”