Across the Pond

When one sets out for a new adventure, especially one set against the backdrop of a new country with a new language and different customs, there can be fear, excitement, and exhilaration all wrapped into one. That is exactly what we all felt when we set out for our trip to France this year for our language immersion experience during Spring Break. Ms. Odette Kugler and I took ten girls “across the pond,” as they say, for total immersion in the South of France, Paris, and Versailles.

On Saturday, March 7, the twelve of us headed to the airport to begin the first leg of our journey to Nice, France. We flew through the night, landing in Amsterdam before boarding our final flight. Once we arrived in Nice, we were met by representatives from the Centre International d’Antibes, a school based in Antibes that specializes in language immersion courses for students. “Learn French in France,” they say, and that is exactly what our students came to do.

The Centre International d’Antibes is widely recognized as a gold-standard French language school in the South of France, set within a beautifully renovated Provençal farmhouse with 22 classrooms, an on-site restaurant, and gardens overlooking the sea. The school has earned the highest distinctions from both Label FLE and Eaquals, respected French and European accreditation organizations. From the moment we arrived, our guides were thoughtful and welcoming, helping everyone feel comfortable and ready to step into this new experience.

After arriving at the school, which served as our central meeting point for the week, students were picked up by their host families. Each student was paired with another Chatham Hall student, and every host family welcomed them with their own personality and warmth, quickly making our girls feel a part of the culture. All of our students were within walking distance of the school, where classes took place each morning, while Ms. Kugler and I stayed at a nearby hotel, always just a short distance away.

Students attended 20 morning lessons throughout the week, each class lasting 45 minutes and including daily conversational workshops. Classes were intentionally small, with no more than ten students, and focused heavily on speaking skills through conversation, expression, and role-playing. The content was adapted to students’ ages, interests, and levels of French. Most of our students were in the beginner class, while one joined a more advanced group with students from other schools. Mornings were spent learning and practicing French, afternoons exploring the region, and evenings back with host families sharing meals and conversation.

The South of France quickly made an impression on all of us. Rosemary and lavender grow in abundance, and the olive oil is unlike anything we have tasted before. Our students discovered the best bakeries in town, and plenty of baguettes, croissants, chocolate, and cheese were happily enjoyed throughout the week.

Our first excursion took us to Monaco, where students toured the town, visited the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, and explored the Musée océanographique de Monaco.

We traveled to Villefranche-sur-Mer, taking in the beauty of the French Riviera and the vibrant boating community. Students explored the Old Town and walked through Rue Obscure, or “Dark Street,” a historic passageway dating back to 1260 that runs beneath the harbor’s waterfront homes. We also spent time at the harbor, watching fishing and charter boats preparing to head out to sea.

Our adventure brought us to Èze, a tiny medieval village perched high above the sea. There, students participated in a perfume workshop at Fragonard, learning about the 3,000-year history of perfume making and creating fragrances of their own while exploring the charm and views of the village.

We spent the day in Antibes, visiting the Picasso Museum and giving students time to explore, shop, and take in the beauty of the town.

The day began in Antibes before we traveled to Cannes, home of the famous film festival. We enjoyed incredible views from La Haute Ville before winding down through the narrow streets toward Forville Market. Along the way, we stopped to see the Tour du Masque. This small but meaningful piece of history is tucked into the old town of Le Suquet. Dating back to the 13th century, the former watchtower is tied to the legend of the Man in the Iron Mask. A decorative mask and plaque mark the spot where he is said to have once sought refuge. It is a brief stop, viewed from the outside, but one that adds a bit of mystery and storytelling to the experience of Cannes.

Rain kept us from visiting Nice, so we adjusted our plans and spent the day at CAP 3000 in Saint-Laurent-du-Var. While we were disappointed to miss Nice, the time together was still enjoyable and gave everyone a chance to relax.

We traveled to Paris by TGV high-speed train, which by then we had become quite familiar with thanks to our daily excursions. Once we arrived, we met our next guide, who would help us navigate the city. After dropping our bags at our charming hotel in the Fifth District, the students were eager to visit the Louvre, so we headed straight there.

We began the day with our first of many close-up views of the Eiffel Tower. From there, we boarded an amphibious bus for a unique tour of Paris by land and by water along the Seine. Along the route, we saw Les Invalides, Pont Alexandre III, Petit Palais and Grand Palais, the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, La Seine Musicale, and the Statue of Liberty replica. Later, we walked through the Parc du Champ-de-Mars and admired the view from the third floor of the Eiffel Tower. In the afternoon, we visited the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur and explored Montmartre, where students had some free time to visit places like Moulin Rouge, the Salvador Dalí Museum, and nearby shops. That evening, we enjoyed dinner together at a local restaurant with wonderful food and a lively atmosphere.

We explored the Fifth District on foot, learning about the history of Paris as we made our way to the Musée d’Orsay. Housed in a beautifully restored former railway station, the museum’s collection of 19th- and 20th-century art was incredible to experience together. From there, we visited the newly restored Cathédrale Notre-Dame. Students then had time to explore before we continued on to Sainte-Chapelle and Le Panthéon, ending the day with another wonderful dinner together at a hidden gem recommended by our guide.

Our final full day brought us to Versailles. Students explored the palace before biking through the expansive grounds, taking in both the beauty and scale of the estate. We then ventured into town for lunch in small groups before continuing our afternoon exploring art and culture, including time in the Marais and dinner at a local crêperie.

Our time in Paris came to a close, and we packed our bags and headed to the airport to return home.

Over the course of twelve days, our students experienced not only the language, culture, and history of France, but also something just as meaningful. They grew in confidence, independence, and curiosity. The trip brought our group closer together, and it gave us all the chance to learn more about one another and about ourselves.

As my first school trip, it was both inspiring and exhilarating. It deepened my appreciation for France, the French language, and its culture, but it also strengthened my understanding of our students and the opportunities Chatham Hall provides for them to learn far beyond the classroom.  Au revoir, France ! Merci pour ce merveilleux voyage.