Paris in Autumn

A group of mainly Sixth Form Repton linguists made an outstandingly successful five-day cultural visit to Paris during the half-term holiday. Travelling by Eurostar from the impressive new St Pancras International Terminal, the party enjoyed a packed schedule of excursions and visits masterminded by accompanying staff Mrs Melissa Blain and Mr Mark Sanderson.

Highlights of the trip were many and included stunning, sunlit vistas from Sacré-Coeur and the tower of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Monet’s extraordinary water lily paintings at the Orangerie, Napoleon’s tomb at Les Invalides, Père Lachaise Cemetery, a night-time bateau mouche trip on the Seine, and viewing famous works of art at both the Louvre and the magnificent Musée d’Orsay.

There was also time, of course, for retail therapy in the numerous chic arcades and boutiques of the capital, as well as plenty of opportunities to sample its gastric delicacies, with a memorable farewell dinner at the Restaurant Chartier on the final evening, mixing with the locals. An impressively punctual Eurostar delivered the group from the Gare du Nord safely back to St Pancras – tired, parcel-laden, but full of abiding memories and impressions of "La Ville-Lumière".

For more photographs and to read a diary of the trip please click here to visit the Paris Trip October 09 gallery.