The first St Aloysius France Study Tour was a glowing success. Thirteen students and three staff spent a packed two weeks seeing many of the highlights of Paris and northern France. The itinerary was varied and had something for everyone: from historic churches and cathedrals, including Notre Dame de Paris which just reopened and Notre Dame de Rouen, to national monuments, such as the Pantheon, to magnificent springtime gardens in both Paris and Giverny, and unmissables such as going on the Tour Eiffel, we were dazzled by the beauty of France in wonderful weather. We also spent time reflecting on the sacrifices made by the ANZACs at Villers-Bretonneux, a little town which Australian soldiers helped defend against the Germans in 1918 and which still celebrates our contribution. There were fun activities such as team games in the Grand Rex cinema, and visiting MontMartre though a quest game. We tried many delicious foods, including crepes, boeuf bourguignon, and we had a workshop to make salted caramel macarons! We also visited a high school near Paris. The students gave us a tour of their campus and talked about their subjects, projects and holiday plans. We had lunch in their canteen, and they also took us on a walk to their local castle and gardens. It was a lovely, immersive and eye opening day of making friendships. The trip ended on a high: a day in Disneyland Paris. Everyone had a lot of fun on their rides, and we stayed for the night show on the castle. It was really exciting to finally be in those places that we have been talking about in class, or seeing in Emily in Paris!
Our annotated itinerary below gives the details of the adventure of a lifetime.
SATURDAY 5 APRIL: DEPART MELBOURNE
Up, up and away! Our adventure begins as we board our flight.
SUNDAY 6 APRIL: ARRIVE PARIS
After a quick stop at our hotel to drop off our luggage, it is on to our first adventure!
Entrance: Sainte-Chapelle
The Sainte-Chapelle is the finest royal chapel to be built in France and features a truly exceptional collection of stained-glass windows. It was built in the mid-13th century by Louis IX, at the heart of the royal residence, the Palais de la Cité, to house the relics of the Passion of Christ.
Entrance: Musée Pompidou
View the skyline of Paris from the 6th floor viewing deck of the museum.
Dinner: Les Jardin Contini
MONDAY 7 APRIL: PARIS
Entrance + Audio Guide: Opéra Garnier
We start our day at the opulent 19th-century opera house known for its magnificent interiors and the amazing performances by the Paris Opera Ballet.
Visit: Printemps & Lafayette
These Paris department stores are world-famous shopping venues.
Galleries Lafayette has a focus on French fashion and perfume brands. The 7th floor terrace has a spectacular view over the city.
The Printemps store focuses on beauty, lifestyle, fashion and accessories.
Visit: Notre-Dame de Paris
This is our chance to see the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral. Over four years, the cathedral has been restored to its original 13th-century glory.
Dinner: L'Express 27
TUESDAY 8 APRIL: PARIS
Visit: Madeleine Church
We begin the day with a visit to Le Madeleine, a beautiful church built by Napoleon in honour of his troops. Le Madeleine also houses a relic of Saint Mary Magdalene.
Escape Room: Grand Rex Cinema
Our next stop is a unique adventure between escape game and cinema. In 50 minutes, you will have to stop a strange machine that makes all the greatest movie classics disappear! You will have to work together and think quickly because in the many rooms you will go through your skills will be put to the test.
Picnic: Place des Vosges
Enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of the most picturesque squares in Paris. This square also is home to the house of Victor Hugo, the writer of Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
Audio Guide Tour: Paris Catacombs
We delve underground for an audio guided tour of the 18th-century Catacombs, where the remains of over six million Parisians rest.
Dinner: Restaurant Le Bossu
WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL: PARIS
Guided Tour: Louvre
Arguably the premier art gallery in the world. With our guide, students can go in search of da Vinci’s iconic Mona Lisa and see tens of thousands of other works of art by artists including Michelangelo and Rembrandt.
After, there will be time to see the Royal Palace and walk in the Tuileries Garden, once the royal and imperial family playground.
Cruise: Seine River
We then hop on a river boat to spend a leisurely hour cruising down the Seine River before disembarking at the Eiffel Tower.
Entrance: Eiffel Tower
Paris’ most recognisable landmark. We’ll head to the very top of the tower for unparalleled views.
Dinner: SAMSAM
THURSDAY 10 APRIL: PARIS
Entrance: La Galerie Dior
An exciting day is planned for students today as we visit House of Dior. Featuring a unique scenographic narrative, La Galerie Dior embodies the spirit of Parisian Haute Couture while perpetuating the memory of this historic address.
Visit: Montmartre District
This afternoon we explore the cobbled streets of Paris’ charming Montmartre District through an online scavenger hunt. From the Montmartre Hill and the Sacré-Cœur, we’ll delve into the district, see the (outside of) the world-famous Moulin Rouge and visit the Montmartre Cemetery, where some of France’s most esteemed writers, artists and musicians are laid to rest.
Dinner: Restaurant La Poutre
FRIDAY 11 APRIL: PARIS
Cultural Exchange: Lycée Claude Nicolas Ledoux
An exciting day is in store today as we experience and understand different cultures, broadening our perspectives and fostering global awareness during a meet and greet with our sister school in the suburb of Vincennes.
There will also be a chance to visit key landmarks in Vincennes, including the Château and the Botanic Garden.
Dinner: Restaurant le Batistou
SATURDAY 12 APRIL: PARIS
Guided Tour: Roland Garros Stadium
We get an insider’s look at the famous Roland Garros Stadium, home of the French Open. Visit the changing rooms, press room and walk the tunnel where the players enter onto the legendary Court Philippe-Chatrier during this stadium tour.
Audio Guide Tour: Panthéon
We then dive deep into the Panthéon's fascinating journey, from its origins as a church to its status as France's iconic landmark celebrating its greatest natives.
Dinner: Restaurant le Maximilien
SUNDAY 13 APRIL: PARIS
Audio Guided Tour: Versailles
Our destination today is none other than the Palace of Versailles. We will soak up the grandeur, architecture and artistry of this former home of French kings, exploring the works of art in the château.
Dinner: Restaurant Le Bossu
MONDAY 14 APRIL: PARIS – VILLERS-BRETONNEUX – ROUEN
Visit: Villers-Bretonneux
Here we visit the Franco-Australian Museum and the Australian National Memorial which honours soldiers who fought in WWI, symbolising courage, sacrifice, and enduring Franco-Australian friendship.
Entrance: Notre-Dame de Rouen Cathedral
One of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world thanks to the series of paintings that Claude Monet, the master of the Impressionists, dedicated to it. In the heart of the historic city, Rouen Cathedral sums up the evolution of Gothic art.
Dinner: Pascaline Restaurant
TUESDAY 15 APRIL: ROUEN – GIVERNY – PARIS
Visit: Joan of Arc Museum
Here we take an interactive journey, specially created to present the heroine’s life full of technology and innovation.
Lesson: French Patisserie
It’s time to get our cooking on in an immersive French cooking class, where students will learn to cook patisserie using French ingredients and cooking styles, before eating their mouth-watering creations.
Entrance: Claude Monet House
We continue onto Giverny, where Claude Monet lived from 1883 until his death in 1926. Students will visit his former house and impressive gardens, which were his inspiration for his famous water lily paintings.
Dinner: L'Express 27
WEDNESDAY 16 APRIL: LOIRE VALLEY
Guided Tour: Château de Chambord
This iconic castle is a masterpiece of French Renaissance architecture, famous for its stunning fusion of medieval and classical styles.
Cruise: Loire River
We then prepare for a scenic cruise along the Loire River, soaking in the beauty of the countryside.
Dinner: Les Jardin Contini
THURSDAY 17 APRIL: DISNEYLAND PARIS
Magic is always in the air at Disneyland Paris and that’s where we spend the day beneath the enchanting spires of Sleeping Beauty Castle. The complex includes Disneyland Park with attractions like Big Thunder Mountain and Phantom Manor.
FRIDAY 18 APRIL: DEPART PARIS
After an unforgettable 13 days, we say au revoir to France today, as we board the coach to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for our flight home to Australia.
SATURDAY 19 APRIL: ARRIVE MELBOURNE
Our trip is over, but our memories will last a lifetime.
During the April holidays of 2025, some students from years 9-12 had the opportunity to experience and immerse themselves in French culture, in the cities of Paris, Rouen, and even small townships like Villers Bretonneux. In France, I admired its rich history involving kings and queens who had overseen the nation for nearly a millennium. The gothic architecture of the buildings also kept me in awe, where many places it may have seemed unassuming, but was surprisingly historically significant. A part of the trip which will still remain exciting to me was learning of the artworks displayed at the Louvre. I was fascinated by the artstyles, and how the Mona Lisa remains one of the most profouond representations of the Italian Renaissance. However, the piece by Eugene Delacroix, 'Liberty leading the People,' also led me to wonder of how art can speak so verbosely in times of unrest. Escaping the crowd at the Louvre seemed quite a challenge, and I was glad to be heading to the Eiffel Tower. Getting to the "sommet" of the tower really was another highlight of mine, I loved seeing how the arrondissements were arranged, with their spirals and snail-like shapes.
While absorbing the sites in Paris, I was so glad to practice my French communication skills, and putting what I've learnt at school into an actual environment where my understanding matters. I recall visiting our sister school in Vincennes, and it seemed quite difficult, but I was eager to see how my French fits in a school setting. At that school, I had the pleasure of meeting students who had the same passion for learning languages, languages like English and Spanish. Now that I've visited France , I have become more than motivated to master the French language.
The opulent palaces and castles of Versailles and Chambord also taught me lessons regarding the French monarchy, I learnt of members of the royal family who had gone to extreme lengths to immortalise themselves in history. Where tapestries, portraits, and busts adorn rooms that have witnessed both devestating and ostentatious events. In Rouen, I loved listening to our tour guide who had a passion for the local history of the city. The Cathedral of Rouen has been a place of prayer, and its facade has seen the conversion from paganism to Catholicism, which made me feel quite intrigued. Our visit to Historical Jeanne d'Arc, was sombre, and it reminded me of how Joan of Arc is an emblematic symbol of independence and piety to not only the French, but to so many around the world. I liked how the museum used technology as an aid to convey the haunting events that led to her burning at the stake in 1431.
This whole trip, in totality, will remain one of the most memorable experiences of my life (to date). I was able to delve into the rich history and culture of the French. And I had the opportunity to make new friends, with people across the year levels. I remain very appreciative of my opportunity to have come, and I thank the teachers, Ms Bourgault, Ms Litvin and Mr Miller, for organising this trip.
Stevie Jabines
France was a dream of a lifetime! I enjoyed all the immersive, interactive and interesting activities, while exploring Paris, cities in the Normandy region, and castles. As there are far too many highlights that I can count, I'll break it up into cities.
In Paris, I enjoyed le Louvre, le Palais Garnier and Montmartre. Each place held a special place of French history and heritage, for all to admire and love. In Rouen, I enjoyed the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Joan of Arc Museum. While both places hold significant French history, it was more interesting to visit the underground of the cathedral; where archeologists research to find a way to restore it. The Joan of Arc Museum was a very immersive audio guide, because it felt like you were in the story. We finished off on a high, with a trip to Disneyland Paris. What a day! My two favourite rides were the Indiana Jones Temple of Peril and the Avengers Assemble, because it was super fast with loops!
As a Unit 3/4 French student, I was also able to harness the French language to further understand French culture, and also connect with the sister school. In the sister school, I learned how long a school day can be, while students have outside of school activities, and France's differences with Australia and my culture; the Philippines. They are preparing for the BAC (French VCE), so I wish them all the best of luck! I met so many different people, made many memories and friends; that I will keep in my heart. How I wish that I could spend more time with them!
Overall, the French trip was an amazing opportunity to not just practice or learn the culture, but to experience a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity!
Edelweiss Perez
Having the opportunity to attend the 2025 France trip was an insightful and a once in a lifetime experience, which I will look back on fondly. During the two weeks overseas, as a group we made various memories and gained a deep appreciation towards the opportunity we were given. Despite the long journey there, a key memory which I will look back on fondly was all the shopping we were able to do. Visiting some European exclusive stores and purchasing many souvenirs to bring back to Australia.
Olivia Mosticone
Our school trip to Paris was unforgettable, we explored all the famous tourist attractions like the Louvre and Notre-Dame, but the highlight for me was seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night and venturing deep underground to witness the eerie beauty of the Catacombs, where walls were lined with countless bones.
Millie Delaney
The French Study Tour was an amazing 2 week experience. I really enjoyed being able to explore places in France that I would only ever really see on the Internet. Some of my favourites were the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Seine River cruise and our day at Disneyland. Along with finding out that the Notre Dame in Paris isn’t the only Notre Dame Cathedral in France, I learned about the historical importance of many paintings, most notably the Mona Lisa, within the Louvre museum.
The hospitality of our friends at the sister school as they took us around their town and shared stories and food from their culture is something I know I will never forget. Even with all the activities that were prepared for us, resting in the hotel and being able to connect with my roommates and the people I went on the trip with was truly a highlight in itself.
Tadala Nkhoma