Students to Get a Taste of France
- January 3rd 2025
- School News
Sanford High students will see four regions of France next month.
Photo: EF Tours
By Andrew Morin, SHS student
Sanford High School students graduating in 2025 are being offered an exciting opportunity next month to explore the Old World. The EF Tours (Education First) study abroad program is offering a guided, in-depth trip to France that will explore a variety of regions and cities during vacation week, Feb. 15-23.
Previous travel experiences for seniors have been to Greece and Italy. This year’s nine-day trip, Paris and the Chateaux, will take students across much of northern and central France and immerse them in the culture and language of the country.
Students will fly from Logan Airport in Boston to Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. In that city, they’ll take in Gothic architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral, the modern iron trusses of the Eiffel Tower and the baroque and ornate structures of the Palace of Versailles. Students will witness firsthand the flavor of Parisian pastries and the wondrous arts of the Louvre during their stay in this region.
Moving south, students will take in the Loire Valley in central France, a region known for the river of the same name, its chateaux, and its wine. The students will visit many castles and villages and experience the history of the region through its food and architecture.
Then students will travel north to Normandy, with its jagged cliffs and famous cider. Here they will visit the Normandy Beach Landing Zones, a crucial location during Operation Overlord, and the liberation of France from German occupation during World War II. They will also see Brittany, a historically Celtic region that is famous for its coastal towns, seafood, and buttery pastries. Here the students will be able to experience all these firsthand, as well as enjoying the welcoming atmosphere of its coast.
When asked what he was most eager about on the trip, senior Joseph Ouellette responded: “I am most eager to experience the culture and cuisine of France.” He also mentioned how he was eager to visit Normandy and the historic monastery of Mont Saint Michel. In addition, he mentioned how it was “an important learning experience due to us being able to experience a different culture than our own.” He said he appreciates that the school is offering the program to students.
Final details of the trip are still being worked out.
