Last day in Paris, first night in Normandie

 Thursday, April 27

In the morning we scrambled to re-pack our suitcases, have breakfast, and all meet downstairs for our goodbyes with Fabien.  We left our suitcases and walked around 20 minutes to the Catacombes!  This was not on our original program, but we all decided last week that this is what we wanted to do with our free time in the morning.  131 steps down into the tunnels below Paris.  At some points the taller people had to crouch down and we descended deeper into the ground.  We came upon a doorway that said “Stop! Here is the empire of death.” So, of course, we went through the door!  We entered a room surrounded by bones.  We walked for a mile through tunnels filled with bones!

Coming back up to the surface, we walked a short distance to a pedestrian street where we had some time to check out the different shops and markets and have lunch.  After this we returned to the Eiffel tower to get some pictures during the day and relax in the park.  We then returned to the hostel to get our suitcases and bring them on to the metro to go to the train station.  By now we are all metro pros!!  

We saw and ate a lot of food!

Some last views of the Eiffel tower from the Champs de Mars park below.  

The train ride was tricky with so many huge suitcases, but we made it to our destination in Normandie with no problems.  Our exchange families were all there to welcome us in the light rain.  We were whisked away and sent home for dinner and bed.  Big field trip day tomorrow!