Year 9 student Jess reflects on last months trip to Paris for GCSE French and Textiles students.

“Tuesday 23rd April – Friday 26th April French and Textiles students participated in a trip to Paris. After arriving at Stoke Train Station at 6:45am for the train to London at 7:12am, we arrived in London at around 8:50am. Before proceeding to go through security check pints, we took a short walk to St Pancras International Railway Station. The outbound train to Paris from London would arrive in Paris at around 14:00pm.

When we arrived we checked into the hotel. We then visited Les Catacombs de Paris. It was constructed back in 1788: the catacombs are a vast underground cemetery. It has miles of underground tunnels.

On Wednesday 24th April, we went on a guided fashion tour of Paris. The guide explained different types of fashion and why certain brands refused to become global. After the tour, we visited a shopping centre and attended an exhibition which hosted conferences to a number of different brands. For example, Evian stated how they were working towards making their products more environmental friendly. Next, we went to a decorative museum which had lots of art work from Beatrix Potter and Antoon Krings. The museum also
featured jewellery, various historical objects and whole rooms decorated in the styles of different eras. The Yves Saint Laurent museum was dedicated to the fashion designs of the French designer.

On 25th April, we went to the Champ Elysees which is one of the most famous roads in the world. The Arc Di Triomphe was situated at the end of the road. At each side of the Champ Elysees, there were various stores such as Disney, Apple, Samsung and Levis. After some time, we went to the Eiffel Tower. The view was breath-taking; we watched as the sun set upon the city of Paris. Although a few of us were too afraid to go up, the comforting and encouragement from friends and teachers alike persuaded us to go up. This in turn prevented me from making a decision I would later regret, (not going up).

During the final day, 26th April, we visited the Louvre, a museum filled with famous works of art, such as the Mona Lisa. Those who didn’t want to come to the museum went shopping around the shopping centre instead. Once we had finished, we made our way back to the hotel and then to the train station which marked the start of our journey back home.”