Our recent Discovery Destinations trip to Paris offered students the chance to explore the city in rich and varied ways — from world-famous landmarks to unexpected cultural experiences. Here some students explain why it went far beyond a typical tourist visit.
Scarlett
The trip was a really good mix of history, culture and things we wouldn’t normally have done. It gave me a much deeper appreciation of Paris beyond its well‑known landmarks.
One of my favourite parts was the Fragonard Perfume Museum – I had no idea that perfumers, called nez in French, train for up to ten years, and it was really special to create our own custom fragrances to take home. For those of us doing French, it was great to use it – ordering in boulangeries and speaking in restaurants felt very different to a classroom. We also went to see The Bald Soprano, a French absurdist play with English subtitles. I didn’t really know what absurdism was before, so it was a great introduction to a new genre.
Kirra
Although I’ve visited Paris many times to see family, this trip showed me a side of the city I’d never properly explored. Montmartre was a favourite – it’s a really diverse, artistic neighbourhood where Impressionists like Monet began their careers, and where streets familiar from films felt suddenly, excitingly real. The Dior Museum was an unexpected highlight too; without the school trip, I don’t think I would ever have discovered it.
Emily
I hadn’t been to Paris before, so it was an amazing experience to see some of the most iconic monuments and experiences the city has to offer. I really liked the guided tours of the churches and the history behind them – it made such a difference having someone explain the history rather than just looking around on your own. The visit to the Palace of Versailles was especially striking, as it was interesting to see the extravagant architecture of the building and its paintings, along with the history and politics that was woven into the palace from the beginning. I’ve been to more rural parts of France before, so it was also fascinating to see how different Paris feels in comparison.
The Paris trip was a unique and rewarding experience that combined culture, history, language and creativity. It allowed us to see the city through multiple perspectives, making it far more meaningful than a typical tourist visit.
