Follow along on our the MSU Hilleman Scholars trip in France! We are traveling from May 15, 2023 - May 25, 2023.

Day 1

We took off bright and early from Bozeman! The group met up at 3:45 a.m. to get checked in for flights. These flights included a long layover Salt Lake City and then the overnight flight to Paris!

MSU Hilleman Scholars wait in line to check their bags at 4am in Bozeman.MSU Hilleman Scholars wait in line to check their bags at 4am in Bozeman.Students in the airport in Salt Lake City during our long layover.

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Day 2

We landed in Paris around 8:30 a.m. and hit the ground running checking into hotels as well as orienting ourselves to our neighborhood. Then to we took a boat tour on the Seine that focused on the bridges and famous landmarks of Paris. To finish off our very busy day, we sat for a four course French meal at Bouillon Pigalle.

A group of our traveling Hilleman Scholars pose after making it through customs in Paris.MSU Hilleman Scholars prepare for French cuisine!Students on the boat tour!The whole group in front of the Seine, representing MSU!Students on the boat tour!

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Day 3

Today we traveled outside of Paris to Reims. On our way to Reims we made a stop at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. As the one of the students put in the guest book, life changing. This monument had our students reflecting on the sacrifices of American and European soldiers in the World Wars. We then moved on to visit the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims. The architecture of this building was incredible. Our students were impressed with the incredible size, gothic art, statues, and the stained glass windows. One student noted that while exploring the inside, they found a signature from the 1800s carved into the wall and reflected on how much rich history France has as well as how young the United States is in comparison. We finished off our day in Reims at the Le Domaine Pommery, where we learned about the agricultural process behind one of Frances largest industries. We were able to tour the vineyards and go 30 meters below ground into the caves used to age wine. On our bus ride back to Paris, students reflected on differences and similarities between French and American culture, commerce, and history as well as their impressions of Belleau Wood, the Champagne region, and Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims.

Guest book at the World War I Memorial. Life changing!Denali Smith observes the grave markers American World War I US Marines at Belleau Wood Cemetery.Students head down into the caves of the Pommery for the tour.

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Day 4

We began this day at the Louvre Museum. This is a very large museum that displays a lot of different artificats and history throughout time. Students particularly enjoyed the Greek and Egyptian exhibits but of course also saw the famous Mona LIsa. We arrived at the museum in the morning before it was too busy but as the day went on the museum began to become crowded. We were in the museum for about three and a half hours before leaving for lunch.

Following our lunch, we made an impromptu stop at a contemporary art gallery called 59 After Squat. This gallery really juxtaposed with the Louvre seeing older veresus new art. At 59 After Squat the artists were working as we looked through their work, one of the students even had a small painting made of them there.

Our final stop of the day was the Eiffel Tower. Students enjoyed seeing the view from the first platform, unfortunately they had closed the elevator to the top of the tower. We were also able to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle after sunset. We are using public transportation so this aspect has been a bit of adjustment and learning experience for all the students. 

The Louvre Museum - students enjoyed seeing the history, artifacts, artwork, and sculptures.Large piece of artwork in the Louvre directly across from the Mona Lisa.59 After Squat - Contemporary artists make and display their art in this building.Art work given to Avril Baines at 59 After Squat.Eiffel TowerThe Eiffel Tower lit up after the students descended.

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Day 5

This was a very big and long day. We began our day before the sun rose at 3:30 a.m. with a tour of the Rungis Market. Here our students were able to learn about agriculture and commerce in France at a 234 hectare international market. Our tour featured the fish, meat, flower, and vegetable markets. Comparing the markets to commerce and agriculture in Montana specifically really stood out to some students. We returned to our hotel at 9 a.m. and everyone refreshed until the afternoon. 

Our afternoon visit was to the Shoah Memorial in the Marais District of Paris. This was a very heavy museum about the holocaust and World War II. Students were moved by the stories told in pictures. One student, Claire Matthews, shared that when she walked in to the museum she saw a picture of a small girl and thought she was adorable only to walk closer and realize that the child had been sent to Auschwitz and did not survive. This museum continued to move and cause discussion. We will return to the Marias District on Day 7.

We ended our day at the Arc De Triomphe which Napolean ordered to be constructed but never saw the finished product. Many toured the outside and only a few made the trek all the way to the top for the incredible views. Many students spent time in the Champs-Élysées. This area was very crowded and a little overwhelming due to the amount of people and wild Paris traffic. The traffic and speed that things move in Paris has been a point of comparison for the students.

Metrics in Rungis Market meat market.Aaron McLean views materials in the Shoah Memorial.Dailey Graff reads a display in the Shoah Memorial.Claire Matthews viewing pictures of Jewish people affected by World War II.Jess Duffield was moved by the displays in Shoah Memorial.View from the top of Arc de Triomphe.

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Day 6

We took a train to the French country side and visited the Fontainebleau Palace. When we arrived to Fontainebleau instead of taking more public transportation we walked from the train station to the palace and it was an incredibly beautiful town and eventually a wooded path. The palace had history from many rulers of France. The sheer size of the castle and grounds was incredible. We had an audio tour. Aaron McLean enjoyed seeing the intricate details in the chandeliers, ceilings, and artwork in the palace. He also emphasized that the level of craftsmanship in the museum was "insane." Aaron also noted that it's interesting how mythology played into the things including one ruler having a salamander as his crest because it was mythologically impervious to fire.

To finish out our day we returned to Paris and visited the Musée d'Orsay. This museum came very heavily recommended but was not on our official itinerary. Our art students specifically loved this museum even moving them to tears to see some of their idols works in real life - specifically Monet. We will be visiting Monet's Garden during our second week and this museum inspired many students.

Aaron McLean during his tour of Château de Fontainebleau.Château de Fontainebleau courtyard.MSU Hilleman Scholars pose as a group - Go Cats Go!

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Day 7

We began our day with a walking tour of Montmarte a neighborhood in Paris that many artists have lived in and has a very intense history. We made stops at the homes of Picasso, Van Gogh, and Dalida an Italian-French singer. This area was a favorite for many of the students due to the artwork, view of the city, and history of the community. Hunter Jordan stated that being able to see where these profound artists lived and got motivation for their art was inspiring as a young artist.This neighborhood also used to be home to what many considered an area of sinners due to the cabarets and night life. This area was part of the Paris Commune that attempted to separate from France ending in what was called "The Bloody Week," where the French military reclaimed the area. We visited this area on the anniversary of the bloodshed.  In 1919, theBasilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris was built in this area and still stands today. The whole area is a hill with the Basilica overlooking Paris. Madison Warfield stated that she loved the view from the Basilica and it was completely worth the educational hike up the hill. 

Our next stop was the Marché des Enfants Rouges, which is a covered market dating back to 1615. This had fresh fruit and vegetables as well as many stands for the students to get lunch at. The students noted that many of the boxes of fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat were boxes that they recognized from their early morning visit to Rungis Market on day 5.

Our last stop of the day was the Musée de Arts et Métiers. This museum focused on inventions and technology and included some of the first designs of cars, bikes, planes, batteries and much much more. It had very interesting architecture and even had a chapel with some of their displays in it, including a miniature Statue of Liberty. Our engineering and math students really enjoyed this museum, Chance Jones even helped explain some of the displays to other students.

Students learn of Dalida's tragic story while standing near her home in Montmartre.Demetrius White takes a picture in the Montmartre area.Ty looks closer at a statue of Saint Denis, who was executed in Montmartre. It is said after his beheading he picked up his head and walked six kilometers.The Basilica in Montmartre.Cheese Fruit and vegetables for sale in the Marché des Enfants Rouges, many students noted seeing boxes from Rungis Market of vegetables, fish, and cheese.Fruit and vegetables for sale in the Marché des Enfants Rouges.Chance Jones investigates a machine at Musée de Arts et Métiers.

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Day 8

We took a break from the hustle and bustle of Paris by heading to the Normandy region of France. Our first stop was in Giverny which is a small village home to Monet's Garden. We spent about three hours in Giverny and students enjoyed this change of pace. The Garden was absolutely incredible with blooming flowers. Many of the Monet paintings we saw in Musee de Orsay were of scenes in this garden so it was interesting to see this connection.

Our next and last stop of the day was in Bayeux where a small group of students visited the Bayeux Museum to see the Bayeux Tapestry. This tapestry is nearly 70 meters long and tells the story of the conquest of William, Duke of Normandy, in 1066. We had an audio tour that explained the scenes. the students remarked that they were impressed by the incredible detail in the embroidery. No pictures were allowed in the museum. A small group also made sure to stop by the Bayeux Cathedral which was consecrated in 1077. 

Madi Bierer and Denali Smith pose in Monet's Garden.Famous bridge in Monet's Garden.Monet's House, many students toured the inside.Chapel in Giverny, in their cemetery is the gravesite of Monet.Lena Gantner walks in front of the Cathedral in Bayeux. Students were impressed by the architecture and age of many of the sites seen.Students who learned about William's conquest at the tapestry museum.

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Day 9

We continued our visit to Normandy by visiting a few historical sites from World War II and D-Day. Our tour guide shared many facts as we drove to each stop and taught the students more in depth details about the events of D-Day. We made stops at Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, and the Normandy American Cemetary. Students spent most of the time at these stops reflecting on what had occured, being able to see the craters from bombs, standing structures, as well as the sheer amount of lives taken in this area not just American but from each country represented at the cemetary. Many students were reflective of the fact that many of those burried in the cemetery are the same age or younger than they are today. 

Day 10

Back in Paris, our final day allowed students to visit areas that they missed or wanted to see before leaving the country. For example, a small group went to the Marais district and visited the oldest square in Paris (Place des Vosges), another group went to the catacombs, some went to the Museum of Natural History, and much more. 

We concluded our final day in Paris by having a group dinner at La Residence which is part of the Refugee Food Project. This was the perfect way end the trip but many wish they had visited this area much sooner in the trip to learn and try food from many countries. Our dinner was mainly food from Africa, specificially Ethiopia and Nigeria. We also spent time this evening thanking our wonderful group leader, Marco, who ensured that our students received an enriched education of the culture, country, and history at each of our stops.

Day 11

Unfortunately, it is time for our group to head home. Our students are excited to be in the comforts of their own beds but many are interested in returning to continue to learn more about the world and how they can make a difference and solve Wicked Problems in their communities, state, nationally, AND internationally.