Premier Jour!

Premier Jour! First full day in France!

After a quick breakfast prepared in the dorm kitchen, we headed to the park right across from Cité, Parc Montsouris. We were surprised to see so many people out and exercising, or walking their dogs, or taking a stroll on a Tuesday morning.

Then a quick run to Franprix for baguettes. You can buy them for under 1 euro. Perfect for the broke college students like us.

We had our first day of class today, it was an orientation with ACCENT, to go over the basic guidelines of our stay. Afterwards, Professor Thomas or "Dom-Tom" as he told us to call him took us to Marais. Marais is the only area in France where the old, narrow streets remain from before the Revolution.

This is the oldest wooden self-standing building in Paris, found in Marais.

We had absolutely delicious falafel for dinner at L'as Du Fallafel, apparently the best in all of Paris! Would definitely recommend the spicy option, definitely on the milder side, but adds a bit of tang and a kick to all the meat and veggies.

And incredible ice cream at Berthillon on the River Seine! Apparently another "best in Paris." I got speculós (cookie-- almost like cookie butter from Trader Joe's, but much better) and chocolate noir (dark chocolate).

After dinner and dessert our class walked over to the Notre Dame! It was absolutely incredible, an unreal sight. It's so crazy to think how so many of Paris' buildings are older than America itself. The rich history chiseled into the rock is captivating and certainly draws large crowds.

This is Shakespeare and Company. A very tiny bookstore, but filled with gems! A copy of "Of Mice and Men" was 475 euros! Seems like it must have been a first edition copy. This place is a sure love for avid readers.

Parisian water stations are so much cooler than the ones at UCLA! It's a work of art as well as it is functional!

This is the University of Paris, or Sorbonne, the second oldest university in the world! Sorbonne's beginnings trace all the way back to the year 1150! Absolutely unbelievable!

We ended the day at the Pantheon, and this is the view down the street. We hope to return to the Pantheon when it is open to see where Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and other French heroes were buried.

And our first glimpse at Tour Eiffel! A very surreal moment, confirming that we are, in fact, in Paris. Another long day, but very exciting nonetheless! Ready for our first official class tomorrow with Dom-Tom :-)

Check out ieo.ucla.edu for more information on how you can also study abroad in Paris!