Classical Education & Cultural Foundations – France Tour
LyonParisVersailles
Classical Education & Cultural Foundations – France Tour
This 10-day educational journey through Paris, Versailles, and Lyon explores the heart of classical learning and cultural heritage. From ancient scholarship and Enlightenment debates to literary cafés and culinary classrooms, participants gain a deeper understanding of European intellectual traditions, values, and their lasting impact on global education.
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Day 1: Arrival in Paris
- Arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Welcome and orientation at hotel in central Paris (Latin Quarter or Marais)
- Evening: Welcome dinner in a traditional Parisian bistro
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Day 2: Roots of Classical Education
- Visit to Sorbonne University – cradle of medieval scholarship
- Seminar: "The Legacy of Classical Education in France & Beyond"
- Guided tour of the Panthéon – resting place of Rousseau, Voltaire, Marie Curie
- Afternoon at the Cluny Museum (Medieval education and art)
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Day 3: The Enlightenment in Action
- Explore the Palace of Versailles – seat of Enlightenment-era power
- Garden walk and “Life at Court” student scavenger hunt
- Workshop: "Rousseau vs. Voltaire – Whose Vision Won?"
- Return to Paris for dinner in Montparnasse
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Day 4: Art, Symbolism & Storytelling
- Full day at the Louvre Museum
- Focus: Greek/Roman sculpture, Renaissance humanism, neoclassical themes
- Group challenge: Curate your own classical gallery
- Optional: Seine River Cruise under Eiffel Tower lights
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Day 5: Literature, Language & Café Culture
- Visit Shakespeare & Company Bookstore
- Walking tour: Literary Paris (Sartre, Camus, Hugo, de Beauvoir)
- Café discussion: "What Does It Mean to Be Educated in Today’s World?"
- Attend a short French theatre show or poetry reading (with English guide)
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Day 6: Travel to Lyon – France’s Hidden Cultural Capital
- Morning train to Lyon (2 hours)
- Walking tour of Vieux Lyon – Roman ruins & Renaissance architecture
- Visit to Gallo-Roman Museum – classical foundations in Gaul
- Reflection circle: “Civilizations Rise, Ideas Stay”
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Day 7: Philosophy & Ethics in Modern Times
- Day at Institut Lumière (birthplace of cinema – storytelling as modern philosophy)
- Discussion: "From Socrates to Sartre: What is a Good Life?"
- Group creative project: 2-minute short film or photo essay on values
- Dinner in traditional bouchon restaurant
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Day 8: Culinary Culture & Education
- Morning at a French food market – learning food heritage
- Hands-on cooking class: Prepare a classical French meal 🥖🧀🥐
- Workshop: "Culture as Curriculum – What Food Teaches About Identity"
- Optional: “Chopped: Lyon Edition” group competition
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Day 9: Closing Presentations & Celebration
- Group presentations: “What Classical Education Means to Me”
- Mini TEDx-style student talks
- Certificate of Participation Ceremony 🎓
- Afternoon train back to Paris
- Farewell dinner & night walking tour of Paris
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Day 10: Departure
- Airport transfer & return flight to home country
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