A LESSON WORTH TRAVELING FOR

“C’est la Tour Eiffel!” “Magnifique!” “Can you believe these walls are hundreds of years old?” “This is where the King of France lived—and was beheaded!”

These were just a few of the excited whispers we overheard from our eager students as we wandered through France.

The Adventure Ahead

For many of us, this trip was a dream come true. We had read about these places in books, seen them in movies, but now, we were here—walking ancient streets, hearing the music of a language we had practiced for months, and tasting the flavours of a new culture.

The students’ wide eyes and constant curiosity reminded me why these trips matter.

Our journey began long before we stepped onto the plane. Together, we practiced our French, learned about the places we would visit, and prepared for the adventure ahead. Did you know Paris has 16 Metro lines and over 300 stations? We memorized key phrases, packed carefully, and braced ourselves for the magic of travel.

And then, Paris!

We stood beneath the Eiffel Tower, wandered the grand halls of the Louvre, and traced history’s footsteps through Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and the grand gardens of Versailles. Each place carried echoes of the past, and as we listened to stories of kings, artists, and revolutionaries, we imagined the world as it once was.

Medieval Towns and Sea Breezes

Beyond Paris, the medieval towns of Provins and Eze took us even further back in time.

Eze, perched high above the sea, was breathtaking. But life here, centuries ago, was not as charming. Before the 1950s, villagers hiked down the mountain just for water. In Provins, the students squeezed through a dark, crumbling stairway hidden within the ancient city walls, stepping right back into the Middle Ages.

A high-speed train whisked us to Nice, where the French Riviera welcomed us with sunshine and sea breezes. The students strolled the Promenade des Anglais, explored old town streets, and visited grand cathedrals.

But perhaps the most special moment was meeting their French pen pals in La Seyne Sur Mer. Our new friends led us on a tour of their city, shared laughter over ferry rides and beachside chats, and reminded us that, despite distance and culture, friendships can blossom anywhere.

Why do we take these trips?

Because learning a language in a classroom is one thing, but speaking it to a shopkeeper in Paris is another. Because reading about history is different from touching the walls of a medieval castle. Because meeting people from across the world reminds us that we are part of something bigger.

Most of all, because through these adventures, we glimpse the beauty of the world—its history, its people, and the way God is at work in every corner, from the cobblestone streets of France to our own hometown.

And that is a lesson worth traveling for.