Day 8: From the Atlantic to the Eiffel – Welcome to Paris!

Our eighth day began with a full breakfast and a reflective morning class, where students connected their time in Biarritz to their course material—bringing meaning to the memories and grounding the experiences in real academic insight. The energy was high as we prepared for our next great destination: Paris.

With bags packed, we left our hotels and made our way together to the bus pickup, smoothly coordinating across several small groups. Our short 20-minute ride to the train station was comfortable and easy, with plenty of room for everyone and great conversation about what was to come.

At the train station, a minor platform mix-up had us briefly on the wrong side, but thanks to great timing and calm leadership, we corrected course with plenty of time to spare. Just minutes later, our train to Paris pulled in. Though space for luggage was tight, our students showed teamwork and ingenuity, using their “Tetris” packing skills to secure over 100 pieces of luggage safely and efficiently. The ride offered time to rest, journal, or gaze out at the changing French countryside.

Arriving in Paris brought a fresh wave of excitement. We easily found our private coach and, in a lovely surprise, our driver took a scenic route—giving us our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, shimmering in the Parisian light. It was an unforgettable welcome to the City of Light.

Once at our main hotel, we faced the monumental task of moving more than 100 bags up a single small elevator—and our students rose to the challenge with enthusiasm and efficiency, forming a “chain gang” system that turned the process into a fun, collaborative success.

In the evening, we hopped on the Paris Métro and arrived at our dinner reservation right on time. The restaurant welcomed us to a cool and comfortable basement level, a refreshing end to a long day. The meal was excellent, and to top it all off, we celebrated Griffin’s birthday once more—this time with the entire group in true Parisian style.

With full hearts and full stomachs, we returned to the hotel for a much-needed night of rest. Tomorrow: the Louvre Museum and a full day of art, history, and wonder.

From the Basque coast to the heart of France—what a safe, smooth, and spectacular day on our Grand Tour of Europe.