6/1/2025: Versailles and Closing Circle

Versailles and Closing Circle!

Hi this is Georgi and Erin back for another blog post! 

Today was our last full day in Paris so we had to make it count. We had a relaxed late start to the morning as we boarded the train to Versailles! We were amazed by all of the gold, paintings, and beautiful structures by exploring iconic rooms such as the Hall of Mirrors and Gallery of Battles. In Patrick and Juliet’s words… “this is why there was a revolution.” The gilded walls and lavish royal lifestyle represented a definitive disconnect and significant symbol of power compared to the struggles of the French population at the time which lied at the heart of the revolution. 

After Versailles, we got back on the train (which took way longer than planned) back to the hotel for some rest, recovery, packing, and last minute souvenir shopping! 

We gathered as a group for one last dinner all together where we experienced so many final laughs before we departed for our closing circle. A tense arm wrestling match did ensue.

Sitting on the Seine across from the Notre Dame in true Parisian fashion, we discussed what we learned about our original interests going into the trip and what we had learned about ourselves over the past two weeks. It was very personal and bittersweet to be able to see how far we had all come and grown since we all met for the first time at our first meeting. 

Realizing we ended a bit late, we raced to our very last event of the trip. Running up stairs, onto connecting trains, and across metro stations we made it with a minute to spare to see the best view of the Eiffel Tower sparkle. It was a spectacle and a perfect way to close.

 

Bon voyage to all the travelers on Monday! We can’t wait to see everyone in the fall :)