Persuasive Paragraph

France is a great place to go because it has many cultural, historical, and technological activities that you can participate in. It is a beautiful place to visit and has many fascinating sights to see. They have many festivals you can go to, one of the most famous being their Bastille day celebration which is their equivalent of the 4th of July in America. For historical sights you can go visit many World War II sights in France because it was right in the middle of it. It is very worth going to see the American National Memorial and Cemetery because it is very sobering to see how many Americans died during World War II. They also have some of the most famous pieces of artwork in the world and has many places to view them such as the Louvre. Another positive to visiting Paris is that they have a lot of really great food that you can pick from. It is home to many of the top restaurants in the world. France also has many important and famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel tower and the Arc de Triomphe. France is a country with a lot of rich history that can be looked upon if you visit. France is a great vacation spot if you are undecided on where your next vacation should be. If you are interested in food, culture, history, and technology, France is the best place for you to visit.

Day 13 - Return Home By Jake McLaughlin

We woke up at 7:00 AM on July 24th to get ready for our flight home. We took showers and ate some breakfast bars before we started to pack up. It was a sad morning for us, we had a very fun time visiting France and seeing some of the amazing buildings, museums, and celebrations there. Our flight was at 11:00 so we had to hurry to get to the airport. At 9:00 we left for the Charles de Gaulle Airport by taxi. We arrived at around 9:30 to the airport. There we loaded on to the plane after normal procedure/ security and left at a little after 11 AM. On the ride back we all did our own things on our own electronic devices and ate a airplane lunch that consisted of chicken and rice. We got to RDU at 7:30 PM. I didn't fully realize that we were back in the State's until I stepped out of the plane. France was a beautiful place and all five of us were very sad that our vacation was over.

Day 12 the Tour de France- Colin

          All of us woke up to the noise of a blasting alarm at exactly 5:00 on Sunday morning. I knew we had to get up extra early just so we could get a spot on the Champs-élysées to see the Tour De France riders come by. As most of us quickly got out of our beds and into the showers, Nick and I packed some small bags that had what we would need for the day. This would include, water, some snacks, chargers, playing cards, money, and some noise makers I brought just for this part of the trip. once everyone had very quickly gone through the showers and got their clothes on it was around 6:00. On our way out of the bed and breakfast, we got some breakfast bars that nick and I packed in our backpacks and ate them on the way there. While we were walking the few blocks it was to get to the Champs-élysées, we could see other people and groups of people like us walking toward the Champs-élysées to get a good spot. We finished up our breakfast bars by the time we reached the area of the  Champs-élysées that we were planing to watch the riders and it was already crowded. We put down our backpacks on the fence along the Champs-élysées and sat down in front of them as more and more people kept packing in. To pass the time, I got out the deck of playing cards Nick and I packed in our bags and Nolan, Nick,Jake, and I played games of blackjack while Kai sleep cause he said he was way to tired. After some more games and some more waiting it was around 12:00. There was a substantial crowd piled up near our spot but, we found a restaurant, the Pomme de Pain, that sold sandwiches and chips that was near where we were siting. Because Jake and Nolan lost the most games when we were playing cards, we sent them out to get food for all of us. it took the about 45 minutes to shimmy through the crowd and come back with our Luke-warm sandwiches, as it had been a decent time since they bought them. We dug into our sandwiches around 1:00, which also happened to be the time that the parade on the Champs-élysées started. SPORT: The parade showcased the companies and organizations that sponsored the Tour De France and the upcoming riders. While the Parade went by, floats gave the people watching cool and sponsored souvenir items like key chains and hats.

                                        

This is an example of one of the floats in the parade

          Once the parade quickly finished coming through the Champs-élysées and we packed away our souvenirs, we got ready to see the riders come through and finish the Tour De France. It was around 2:45 when we first caught a glimpse of a Tour car introducing the riders not far behind. With people already screaming their heads off cheering, the ride began its eight lap journey on the Champs-élysées, under the Arch De Triumph, and under the Seine river. We quickly got out our cowbell noise makers that we packed in our bags/ from some of the floats in the parade and stared cheering as the blur of hundreds of riders came by our spot on the Champs-élysées. we cheered for about one and a half minutes before we saw the next tour car that came behind all of the bikers. As they curved around the Arch De triumph and went under the Seine river we all got ready for them to come by our spot on the Champs-élysées again. It repeated seeing the car, then seeing the awesome blur of riders come by for seven more times before it came to a sentimental ending at the Arch De Triumph. Luckily there were no crashes on this stage of the Tour

This is some of the riders on the Champs-élysées 

          Around 6:00 Our voices were more than worn out after all the screaming and cheering but we stayed a little to catch a glimpse of the award ceremony, crowning the 41st winners of the Tour De France. After we saw the awards Ceremony, we quickly shimmed through the giant crowd with all of our backpacks and walked to the Chez Andre for a relaxing seafood meal. After we enjoyed our meal, it was around 9:00 and we walked back to the hotel where we got to sleep early after a long but fun day. 

   
This is the award ceremony 

Day 11 - Musée des Arts et Métiers and Museum national d'Histoire naturelle - Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes

A red panda in his natural habitat.

A picture of one of the galleries from musee des artes et métiers.

We woke up at around 9am as we were leaving soon to go to the zoo. We got dressed and left the hotel room at around 9:30 even though we would've preferred to leave earlier. Colin had to do his hair like always so that is why we were delayed. As for the rest of us, we just ran a quick comb through. When we left we headed to the metro station where we took it to the stop that brought us to the zoo.NATURAL ENVIRONMENT:  At the zoo, we ate breakfast which was at a fast food restaurant. We finished eating at about 10:30 and then we headed into the zoo. In the zoo, we saw the red panda, the China panther, the Gaur, the clouded and snowed leopard, and the golden lion tamarin. Each animal was very different and special in its own way, ranging from different living styles to different interests and interactions with people. Nick's favorite animal was the China panther and Jake's was the Gaur. The zoo was very big and very organized, so everything was easy to find and We finished at the zoo at around 1:30, where we then went back to the same place we had eaten breakfast at. Once we finished eating, it was around 2pm and we exited the zoo where we headed to the metro station.TECHNOLOGY: We took the metro station to musee des artes et métiers. In this museum, we saw technology ranging from 1700's to the 2000's. The museum was very intriguing as we saw many things like motorcycles and computers from older times. We left the museum at around 4pm where we headed back to the metro station and took the metro back to the hotel. From there, we got ready for dinner, which was at Le Train Bleu. The dinner consisted of finely cooked beef, potatoes and salads. Once we finished the main course we ordered chocolate which was milk chocolate with sea salt and passion fruit cream. Both the meal and dessert were delicious. The place was very different, by the ceiling looking like a church with all the various paintings. Once we finished eating, it was about 7pm. We headed back to the room where we watched a local new station till we got tired and got ready for bed at around 10. We were all asleep by 10:45.

Day 10-Catacombs and The Louvre

On this day Colin, Nick, Jake, Kai and I woke up at around 8:30 am and went to a breakfast place that was nearby. We all had a very nice breakfast that day which was a great way to begin the morning. Once we had collected all of our things that we needed that day from the hotel, we headed out to the catacombs.  HISTORY:The catacombs are a series of underground tunnels that are under Paris. They are constructed out of the skeletal remains of people who were transferred from above ground cemeteries. There are around six and seven million bodies that make up the catacombs. It is estimated that it took around twelve years to fully construct the catacombs. we walked around in the tunnels for a while (Kai was completely freaked out by all of the skeletons). When we were done seeing the tunnels filled with the remains of people from the past we exited the tunnels and went back to the hotel we got more water bottles and headed over to the Louvre.

 CULTURE:Once we had all grabbed our belongings we headed for the Louvre which we were all very excited for. It had an $80 entry fee for our entire group. On the way there we listened to whatever radio station was on when we got into the car. We all really enjoyed seeing the glass pyramid and thought it was extremely cool. We walked around the Louvre looking at all of the most popular pieces of art that were on display. It was very interesting seeing all of the artwork and sculptures that were placed in the Louvre. Once we had seen all of the popular pieces, we walked around and looked at all of the artwork that they had there.

When we were finally done looking at the artwork that was in the museum we got on the public train and went back to the hotel to get rest for the next day.    

Day Nine Versailles By Nick Barnes

We lazily wake up at 8:00 am and have a delicious breakfast at the hotel. After eating and showering we head out at 9:00 am. We must take the metro to the train station. After getting on the wrong metro we finally make it to the train just in time for the 10:00 am train. The train ride is about 35 minutes long and only cost about 7.10 Euro per person round trip. The train ride takes us through some interesting french suburbs. Once we get out at the train station we are about a 5 minute walk from the palace. We walk to the front of the palace and buy our all inclusive Versailles pass which costs 18 Euro per person. History: Once our transaction is complete we finally take in the magnificent view of the palace. The bright golden gates glisten in the sun with the impressive palace behind them. The roof of the palace is covered in golden plating. The Palace of Versailles is amazing.

Versailles from the front

After getting over the awe of the first sight of the palace we head inside. We enter through a door on the right side of the of the palace. This is the garden level. We walk down a long hallway to a room that has the history of the palace. The topography and history of the gardens, main palace, and park are rich. Once back in the hallway we realized we didn't look at the rooms in the hallway. The original purpose of them was as apartments to royal princes. As we walked back to the main palace we went through the apartments of the daughters of Louis XV. They all have intricate patterns on the sheets that match the wall paper. We couldn't believe how many rooms that there were for each person. They each had their own library and multiple chambers.

Madame Adelaide's (Daughter of Louis XV) Bedroom

After spending a couple of minutes in each room we head to the lower gallery. This is where they keep all the statues that where initially intended for the gardens but are now kept in this gallery. It is located directly below the hall of mirrors. Connecting to it is the Marble Vestibule. This is directly below the kings chambers and has 16 marble columns. Next, we headed to the first level. This houses some of the most famous rooms in Versailles including the Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Chapel, and the Kings Chamber. The first thing we head to is the Royal Chapel. It is a magnificent chapel with large paintings on the ceiling and long white columns running from the ground to the ceiling. It also has an amazing organ that is covered in gold and silver and the stain glass is amazing. We all wanted to stay longer but didn't have the time to. Next we went to the Hall of Mirrors. It is an amazing hall and one of the most famous hallways in the world. It has incredible golden statues that along the sides of it and amazing chandlers that hang from the ceiling. The walls and ceilings are littered with intricate statues and paintings. Then we went into the Kings Chambers. The chamber was littered with gold and had a large bed. It also had beautiful chandlers and curtains.

Royal Chapel                            Hall of Mirrors                          King's Chambers

After the palace we were starving. It is about 1:00 pm and we head Chez Tiouiche for lunch. It is about 20 Euros per person. It was a delicious sea food place. After 30 minutes at the restaurant we head to the Gardens. It is about 2:00 pm when we enter the gardens. When we first enter there are very pretty flower gardens that are low and easy to see over. they are intricate shapes. You enter the garden from the left and as you walk towards the middle you can see the great view to the grand canal.

Latona Fountain and Parterre

We take a right and walk along marveling at fountains and statues. We are heading towards the Neptune Fountain. This is a massive pool that contains ninety-nine water jets and effects. We then take a left towards the Grand Canal. While walking around the gardens you are surrounded by fifteen foot tall hedges. They give the gardens a mysterious feeling to them we spend almost three hours in the gardens marveling at all the magnificent fountains and complex statues. At about 5:00 pm we start to head back to the train station to catch the train back at 5:30 pm. When we are back in Paris it is almost dark. We eat dinner at a restaurant near our hotel. It is called Kambodgia. It cost about 26 Euros per person. When we finish eating it is about 7:00 pm and we head to our hotel for a good nights rest.

Eighth Day - Les Invalides and Sacré-Cœur By Jake McLaughlin

Napoleons Tomb

We arrived back in Paris on the 19th. Indigenous Food: There we had breakfast at the Au P’tit Grec, which served crepes, a Paris specialty. We got them at $6.38 apiece. The check in time at our hotel wasn't until 6 PM so we decided to go ahead and visit what we had planned to see for the day. History: We first visited the Les Invalides, which is the tomb of Napoleon I of France. It also holds museums, monuments,a chapel, a hospital, and a retirement home for war veterans. We learned lots of interesting things there, on July 14, 1789 it was stormed by rioters who seized the cannons and muskets to storm the Bastille later that day. The Dôme des Invalides is a larger former church in the center of the Les Invalides. it was designated to be Napoleon's funeral place. The dome was a beautiful work of art. I was amazed by the detail that they put into it. Once we were done admiring the Les Invalides we went to lunch. Indigenous Food: We ate lunch at the Restaurant Lecinq which was single handily the most expensive place any of us had ever eaten at. We all got omelets, which were the cheapest things on the menu for $90.33 apiece. We were all curious at what such an expensive omelet would taste like so we had to try it. It was not worth the $90.33 we spent on the omelet. While it was delicious, it was NOT worth that much money. Plus, they kept us waiting for well over an hour. We rushed out of there after paying the bill to the Sacré-Cœur. History: The Sacré-Cœur is a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is located at the summit of the highest point in Paris. It is decorated with statues of lots of France's military and folk heroes. There wasn't much to see there once we got inside though and we left after a couple hours. We then went to the grocery store to pick up food for dinner. It ended up costing us $65. We bought four pizzas and a lot of soda. At 6PM we drove over to our hotel. The rooms were very nice. We had rented two so we had six beds to spare. We watched some TV on the English channels and had frozen pizza for dinner. We all went to sleep at roughly 11PM.