An essential part of the study abroad experience (in my opinion) is making the most of your weekends. Before I even left for France, I was dreaming of the places I could visit on the weekends. So far, I’ve visited five French cities through either weekend or day trips, and this is my review of one my favorites so far.
I spent my first Friday in France visiting the city of Avignon. We toured Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace) and an ancient Roman aqueduct. To my American brain, it’s hard to even process how old these things are. The Palais des Papes is from the 1300s and is my favorite historical site I have visited so far. The palace is huge, and covered in intricate carvings and paintings. We were not allowed to photograph many of the most beautiful paintings, so you have to go in person to see it all.
After this, we visited an ancient roman aqueduct. It was actually never completed at the time, but it still stands as an incredible reminder of the Romans’ influence on France.
However, my favorite part of the trip was when my friends and I stopped for a coffee break in a small cafe owned by an older Colombian man. Not only because I had a delicious cappuccino,
but also because of the conversation we shared. The owner grew up in Colombia, moved to Mexico, then Brazil, then California, and finally settled in Avignon, France. He speaks five languages, and casually discussed his experiences and what they taught him about culture and human relationships. We all left that cafe feeling like we’d gained a lot more than just a boost of caffeine.
À bientôt !
Ella