Paris Trip Report 2026

We set off from Haygrove in the early hours of Wednesday, half-asleep and wondering why we had signed up for this. By the time we arrived in sun-soaked Paris in the afternoon, the early start already felt worth it.

Our first stop was Montmartre, the highest hill in the city. After taking in the sweeping views, we climbed the 304 steps to the Basilique du Sacré‑Coeur, where we enjoyed a peaceful moment admiring its stunning mosaics before heading down the lively rue de Steinkerque for some souvenir shopping.

Day 2 began with a scenic boat trip along the Seine, gliding under historic bridges and watching Parisian life from the water. A short walk brought us to the tour Eiffel, where we tackled 607 steps to the second level and were rewarded with more incredible views. Lunch was a picnic on the grass beneath the tour before our driver, Jamie, took us on a coach tour around central Paris. He dropped us at the top of the Champs‑Élysées, and we walked its full length, passing famous shops, including the suitcase‑shaped Louis Vuitton store, before reaching Place de la Concorde and continuing through the Tuileries to the Louvre.

Day 3 was just as full. We visited the restored Cathédrale Notre‑Dame, strolled across the two islands of the Seine, and stopped for ice cream at Bertillon before lunch in the Jardin du Luxembourg. The afternoon took us from the 800‑year‑old Sainte‑Chapelle, with its breath-taking stained glass, to the modern Les Halles shopping centre. We even squeezed in a final shopping trip at the Auchan hypermarket near our hotel.

Day 4 was our journey home—a reluctant farewell to Paris after an unforgettable adventure.

A huge thank you to the students who were excellent ambassadors for the school and the teachers who supported the trip! 

Paris Trip 2026