Students in Paris in Springtime

A group of Crescenta Valley High School students now can say they love Paris in springtime thanks to drama/English teachers Brent Beerman and Kathi Chaplar.

Last year the drama department visited to London to study Shakespeare, see the Old Globe Theatre and experience London’s performing arts. This spring break trip to Paris was about art, culture and architecture. Several parents went along, acting as chaperones.

There were planned activities, as well as unscheduled days to see Paris at one’s own rate. Of course, there was sightseeing to the Eiffel Tower, including a trip to the top, L’Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre as well as the Bal Du Moulin Rouge, Jim Morrison’s grave and the Musee D’Orsay. Among the other attractions were visits to Monet’s house and gardens, Chateaux of the Loire Valley, Artist’s Square, Notre Dame cathedral, Galeries Lafayette (a six-level mall), Napoleon’s tomb and Paris Disneyland.

The highlight of the trip was seeing the fountains and elegant gold chambers of Versailles. The chambers gave a view into the opulent lifestyle of kings Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI, and their queens and court. One of the most extravagant suites belonged to Marie Antoinette. Her walls were gold inlaid and everything that surrounded her was of the highest quality and the highest expense. Knowing that all of this extravagance was paid for on the backs of the peasants throughout the three kings’ reigns, it is not hard to imagine why the French Revolution began in 1789 and lasted until 1799.

Most of the group of more than 30 participants went to all of these places, but some went on their own excursions. For example, one small group attended mass at Notre Dame de Paris cathedral, then after the service climbed the tower to see the famous bells and gargoyles of Notre Dame. Another group separated and went to the Disneyland Resort Paris to see the new Space Mountain Mission 2. For anyone who didn’t separate, the wonderful tour guide Rachel had something else fun planned to experience Paris to its fullest.

Next year, Beerman plans to take drama students to Greece.

Charly Shelton is a sophomore at Crescenta Valley High School and a student in the CVHS Drama Department. He reports that Paris Disneyland is amazing.