Mercy Academy students travel abroad to France

Mercy Academy students recently embarked on a life-changing, 12-day adventure in France. The trip began on July 1 with an overnight flight into the heart of Paris. Upon arrival, the students, accompanied by chaperones and a designated tour director, dove straight into the city’s rich history with walking tours of iconic landmarks like Île de la Cité, Sainte-Chapelle, and a glimpse of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral. Over the next two days, students explored more of the City of Light, cruising down the Seine River, visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, and even experiencing Paris from a new perspective through a virtual reality adventure at FlyView Paris.

From Paris, the journey continued east to Strasbourg. Students explored its medieval streets, admired the Strasbourg Cathedral, and enjoyed a scenic cruise along the Rhine River. A highlight of their stay included a traditional Alsatian dinner featuring flammekueche, a regional favorite.

Next, students traveled through the Burgundy region with a stop in Dijon, including a visit to the last independent Dijon mustard mill. In Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, they sampled local delicacies, explored ancient Roman ruins, and strolled through vibrant markets. The group also spent a day in picturesque Annecy, nestled in the French Alps, where they enjoyed a boat ride on Lake Annecy.

The adventure continued in southern France with visits to Avignon, home of the medieval Papal Palace and the ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard. From there, they spent their last portion of the trip journeying to the French Riviera, exploring seaside markets in Nice and the quaint village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

Made possible by EF Educational Tours, Inc., the journey offered students a deep cultural immersion, filled with meaningful and inspiring moments that went far beyond what any itinerary could capture.

The trip was one of several offered to students at Mercy Academy. To learn more, click here.