France Trip: French Class at Coeur de France

Monday, April 20, 2026

Class at Coeur de France

French Class at Coeur de France was fantastic. I placed into Advanced I, although probably more like Advanced 0.5, which is pretty good considering I haven't taken a French class in 20 years! While I was the second youngest person there (this place is apparently a retiree's dream), I greatly enjoyed socializing with all my fellow students and learning from them.

Class at Coeur de France Class at Coeur de France

Language classes abroad are like summer camp for adults. A decent chunk of time is spent in the classroom, trying to remember words you first learned 25 years ago, but interspersed with walks to le marché or le bouchère or le boulangerie for even more French practice. Even social events organized by the students have a fair bit of French speaking involved. Which is nice, because as beginners we talk slower, unlike the French who speak fast enough a novice has difficulty.

Around Sancerre Class at Coeur de France

Documentation of field trips to come!

France Trip: Around Sancerre

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Around Sancerre Around Sancerre

'Headed to Sancerre for two weeks for Couer de France, École de Langues and to drink my weight in very reasonably priced fancy Sancerre white wines.

Sancerre Sunsets Sancerre Sunsets

While a bit remote, and not the most convenient of public transit, the location was absolutely stunning. These were my daily views walking to/from class and dinner...Sancerre is magic.

Around Sancerre Around Sancerre

Sancerre Cats Sancerre Cats

Also, of course, with a healthy dose of well-cared-for street cats.

Heading to Sancerre from Paris Heading to Sancerre from Paris

France Trip: Paris, Musée d'Orsay, Around Montparnasse

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Musée d'Orsay

Saw an absolutely fantastic temporary exhibit at the Musée d'Orsay on street billboards. Also, of course, amazing impressionist art, mixed in with lovely modern impressionist art to create a truly novel experience. I'd never been to this museum, and it was really lovely.

Musée d'Orsay Musée d'Orsay

Lunch in the museum cafe was also easy and pleasant.

Musée d'Orsay Musée d'Orsay


Jardin de Luxembourg Jardin de Luxembourg

Did the last day in Paris with a walk around Montparnasse - the Jardin Luxembourg, the cemetary, whatever else! Our hotel was in this neighborhood - easily accessible to 4 metro lines, on a little street absolutely packed with creperies. What's not to love?!

Around Paris Montparnasse Cemetary


Pondering how the food anywhere could be so fantastic all of the time.

Macarons at La Durée La Coupole

I mean, even the ham sandwiches are fantastic.

Steak-Frites en Plein Air Sandwich au Jambon

France Trip: Loire Valley

Friday, April 17, 2026

Chateau Chenonceau

'Thought we'd throw in a day-trip tour of some chateau around the Loire Valley outside of Pris. Above is Chateau Chenonceau, which also has a lovely little winery.

Chateau Chenonceau Chateau Blois

Above is Chateau Blois on the right, the town where we had lunch.

Chateau Chambord Chateau Chambord

And this is Chateau Chambord, with a lovely modern stained glass exhibit on the upper floors.

France Trip: Versailles

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Palace of Versailles - Hall of Mirrors

Can't do a trip to Paris without a day trip to Versailles, apparently! Last time I was here, I was in high school, so it was nice to experience the gardens and the music-synched fountain shows again as an adult.

Palace of Versailles - Entrance Palace of Versailles - Gardens

The opulence. The audacity,

Palace of Versailles - Gardens Palace of Versailles - Gardens

France Trip: Paris, The Eiffel Tower and The Louvre

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

La Tour Eiffel La Tour Eiffel

It was a busy tourist day, but we got through it! The views from La Tour Eiffel are lovely. It wasn't my friend's top choice of activities, nor was The Louvre, but if it's your first trip to Paris, you kinda gotta go. They're iconic, and quite lovely!

La Tour Eiffel La Tour Eiffel

Around Eiffel Tower Marais


The Louvre - Venus de Milo

We did The Louvre after the Eiffel Tower. The Louvre was absolutely mobbed, but the trick is to enter through one of the less popular wings...and slowly work your way to the more popular spots.

The Louvre - Egyptian The Louvre - Greek

As always, The Mona Lisa is an absolute mob scene, but the people watching is spectacular!

The Louvre - La Joconde The Louvre - Outside