Tips for Paris

Tips!

• Most Places take Credit Cards, our school suggestions not carrying a lot of cash
• Most Cabs only take cash, have cash for your way home at night, Metro does not stay open late
•Uber is also available in Paris if you want/need to use a credit card
•Most restaurants offer wifi, so always ask! they pronounce it "wee - fee"
• It might make sense to get a monthly metro pass if you must use the metro to get to class, especially because my classes required us to take the metro for daily field trips
•Make meals at home to save money
•When traveling via train from Paris to London leave enough time because you will be required to go through customs! we missed our train, luckily there was no fee to be put on the next train
•Don't rush to get food before getting on trains to travel, the wraps and sandwiches are pretty delicious in the dining car
•Don't over tip, tipping is not as necessary in Europe
•Bring clothes that are nice for class, especially if you are in the luxury program, they except you to look nice
•I can't stress comfortable walking shoes, you definitely walk A LOT
•I handbag that zippers fully is also very useful, that way you do not have anxiety about getting things stolen when in the metro
•July is sale season in France. "Soldes" means sales, and even every high end designer has items on sale
•Start seeing all the tourist sites you want to see early on, don't put it off, your time goes by so quickly!

Bastille Day

Bastille Day in France is the equivalent to the 4th of July in the US. Three years ago I was in Paris for Bastille Day and the Fireworks were the most amazing sight to be seen, therefore I was blown away with excitement when I realized I would be witnessing them for the second time. In the early evening everybody makes their way to the Eiffel Tower with blankets, baguettes, cheese, meats, and wine, yes those are the Parisian essentials. Amanda and I arrived slightly later, making it a tad bit challenging to find a seat with a good view of the tower. Opera music was sang live as we snacked on some shrimp cocktail with the view of the tower. We waited patiently as the sun began to set, lower and lower. As the sunlight began to disappear, as it stays light out very late in Paris, our eagerness began to set in. As the first firework was set off a strange feeling came across me, I was watching one of the most beautiful sites in all of the world, more extraordinary than most, spectacular in every way. Below I have posted photos that don't even begin to describe how amazing the experience truly is, everybody should see the Bastille Day Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower at least once in their lives.

Below is link to video of Fireworks:

https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xfp1/v/t42.1790-2/10274478_10204458292238403_1122114296_n.mp4?oh=a60f70c4cac47ded736f81bf1b873154&oe=53D67F97&__gda__=1406566946_6d72a8ebbc4301aba4e293abef8697de

Luxury Classes in Paris

Luxury Classes in Paris

The school I attended in Paris is called ESCE, which is an international Business School. I attended the luxury program which outlined really anything and everything within the luxury world. My teacher, Mr. Pour, has previously worked for the LVMH group, Louis Vuitton Monet Hennessy, therefore being very knowledgeable in the field. Every morning we attended class in the classroom and has many different people come and speak. Each speaker was very educated in their specific field. For example we had a man from the luxury hotel industry speak about hospitality and Media lecture from the head of media at Christian Dior Haute Couture. Overall I learned a great deal during my classes about the luxury world.

Each afternoon we traveled around the City of Paris to see many districts and other places that strongly embodied the luxury world of Paris and France in General. I will list places below and show photos of some of the places visited

Le Bon Marche
Louis Vuitton Flagship Store
Champs Elysee
Louvre
Fragonard Perfume Musuem
Galeries Lafayette
Maille
Concept Stores
Baccarat Crystal Room


The Baccarat Crystal Room holds number one on my favorite class visits. It is a beautiful musuem and offers a great deal of history. We even learned the Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel herself was in the ballroom of the building because it was owned by, and is still owned by the ancestors of, a wealthy Parisian socialite whom was friends with Chanel.

From Lucca to Paris

When my family vacation came to an end, Amanda, another D&M student, and my big in my sorority arrived in Italia so that we could make the journey to Paris together. We had trains scheduled to travel from Lucca to Florence, Florence to Milan, Milan to Geneva, Switzerland, and then finally Geneva to Paris. We decided it was best if we stayed two nights in Geneva, Switzerland in order to break up the trip. 

The train ride into Geneva, Switzerland was beautiful, the desire to sleep quickly subsided as the view passed by outside the window of the train. Arrival in Geneva came quickly, and we lugged our stuff into a cab and in minutes arrived at our hotel. Ready to explore, we walked outside and realized we were only steps away from Lake Geneva. The restaurants and hotels were beautiful but came at an expensive price, even considering the Swiss Frank is a better conversion rate than the Euro or British Pound. We found a restaurant a little further in from Lake Geneva and quickly sat outside and order fondue, which was absolutely incredible. 

Later that night we experienced some nightlife in Geneva which again was very expensive, with many wealthy people around the world, of course wearing all the best Swiss Watch brands. Therefore, Geneva was definitely an experience but not my favorite place in Europe

As Sunday came to a close we traveled back to the Geneva train station and started northward to Paris. Amanda and I were so thankful to finally be able to unpack our bags and call a place home. Arrival at the train station meant grabbing a cab and being dropped at 23 Rue Ouidnot in the 7th Arrondissement, which honestly feels like home. The 7th Arrondissement is one of the more wealthy areas in Paris and home to many families. The location was perfect and was an amazing place to get adjusted to living in Paris for a month. 

Photo of our Street, 23 Rue Oudinot  

Pre Study Abroad

       Before arriving in Paris for the beginning of my study abroad program I traveled to Italy with my family. As we arrived in Europe I was excited for the next two and a half months that lay ahead of me. My family and I drove up to the lovely Villa Oliva outside the town of Lucca. The beauty of the region astonished me and my body filled with a feeling of happiness, knowing that this is where I was supposed to be.

Photo Above: The Alpha Romeo and I in the parking area of the Villa, critical to have the Italian car.

     Photo Above: The pool area of Villa Olive in Lucca, Italia.


As my time in Italia continued you I was able to visit Pisa, Siena, Cinque Terre, Roma, Venezia, Florence, and much more. I have posted Photos below.