Saint-Germain des Prés

At noon we met with Professor de Courtivron and Sophie to receive our welcome packages—notebooks, our carte orange for unlimited use of the metro, maps, guide books, and all sorts of other goodies to prepare us for our future explorations in the City of Lights. Then off we went to explore the quartier, but first, lunch at Le Bonaparte. Our explorations started with the church of St-Germain des Prés. St-Germain des Prés was founded in the 6th century. It was once one of the wealthiest abbeys in France because of royal patronage. Today the abbey no longer stands and the buildings surrounding church have been converted for use as space for private businesses and shops.

Saint Germain des Pres

Afterwards we walked to the Rue de Furstemberg, right outside of the church walls. We walked from the Musée Delacroix to the Marché Saint-Germain. The whole time I was taking in the sights, the smells, watching all the little dogs running around. I was in Paris! It was finally starting to sink in. (-Carmel)