More than a dozen students and chaperones from Cape Henlopen High School flew to Paris, France, to explore new sights and learn from native speakers during a trip March 24-31. 

Cape students have flown to France since 2017, following a structured itinerary each year. French teacher Holly Criswell said the group visited several important historical sites and monuments in Paris, including the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées, Palais Garnier, and the Eiffel Tower.

This year, the group had the opportunity to tour the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, which was recently renovated and reopened after a fire in 2019.

Students went behind the scenes at a bakery to see how traditional baguettes are made and had the opportunity to try to make some. The trip was filled with other thrilling excursions like the Fragonard Museum of Perfume, a cruise on the Seine River, the Père Lachaise Cemetery and the Musée Carnavelet.

Walking over eight miles a day, tours began as early as 8 a.m. and ended as late as 10 p.m. Scheduled around the tours, students had freedom to explore and try new foods for lunch; they ate dinner together each night with organized dinner arrangements, having the chance to try various traditional French dishes.

French class students had to research a task before traveling and present a project in class upon their return. As teenagers learning a new language, Criswell encouraged students to speak French while they were abroad.

“We learned a lot from the native speakers," said junior Summer Fusco. "It was cool to see Mrs. Criswell speak French to other people, too.”

Students said when they spoke to locals in French, they would respond in English. Everyone involved in conversations got to try speaking another language besides their mother tongue, learning more about other cultures.

Students were able to see and hear the French language all around them and were able to feel the culture first-hand. Criswell promotes this valuable experience because it creates a personal link for students with what they are studying.

From shopping to trying fresh-baked delicacies, everyone who was part of the trip got a glimpse of new culture across eight busy days.