Being a part of the GW Paris program has given me the amazing opportunity to explore the coolest places around France! I’ve loved getting to know Paris itself, but France has so many other great regions and cities to offer. This semester, I traveled to 6 different cities in France in 5 different regions outside of Ile-de-France (the region where Paris is located). Some trips were with the GW Paris Program, and others were on my own/with friends and family. Traveling across France is super easy and convenient through the SNCF train system, which operates the country’s high-speed train system, the TGV.
First, I took a day-trip to Reims in the Grand-Est region with the GW Paris program. In the morning, we saw the Notre Dame Cathedral of Reims, and then we took a tour around the city center. We walked through an indoor market and saw some cool monuments. In the afternoon, we toured the Maison Champagne Lanson, one of the oldest champagne houses in the region. There, we saw the step-by-step process of how the champagne is made and bottled in the underground cellars. Reims was just under two hours away by bus, making it a great day trip!
Next, I took a solo day trip to Marseille in the southeastern region of France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur! As September was winding down, I wanted to take advantage of the sunny weather. I spent the whole day in the city center, with an amazing marina and several beautiful beaches. It was my first solo trip ever, and it taught me a lot about myself. Marseille was a bit further, about 3 hours by train each way. It’s still doable as a day-trip, but next time, I would definitely stay longer!
Then, my mom came to visit, and we spent a weekend in Bordeaux, which is located in the southwest in Nouvelle Aquitaine. The last weekend of September is the wine harvest, so there were many festivals and activities taking place to celebrate it. We visited a small nearby town called Saint Émilion with beautiful architecture, and took a boat tour on the river.
In October, I visited a few places in Normandy with the GW Paris program. First, we went to Caen and saw the Caen-Normandie Memorial. Next, we drove up to Mont Saint-Michel, a small island a short distance off the northern coast. We toured the Abbey and the rest of the island, and even stayed the night there, which was an amazing experience. The next day, we drove down to Bayeux and visited the Pointe du Hoc and Omaha beach, as well as the American cemetery, all important locations memorializing World War II.
In mid-October, I visited a friend, who was actually once an exchange student my family hosted, in her town, Villette-sur-Ain, outside of Lyon. One of the days I was there, we drove from her town to Annecy, about 2 hours away. We saw Lake Annecy, which was really lively and beautiful, surrounded by mountains. It was so cool to be able to reconnect with my friend, now in her home country!
Getting to travel around France showed me just how beautiful of a country it is outside of just Paris itself.I had more opportunities to practice my French language skills and meet new people. The ease and convenience of traveling around the country is truly a privilege. I am so grateful for the opportunity to see these amazing places, and I can’t wait to continue exploring France in the second semester of my exchange year!
Zahra Parsons
Academic Year 2025-26
GW Paris - Sciences Po (GW Study Program)
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs & French Language, Literature & Culture Double Major