USD FLP: Understanding and the French May 9 – 21, 2016

TENTATIVE ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice)

Day 1 >> Mon. May 9: • Flight to , France

Bonjour! Welcome!

Day 2 >> Tues. May 10: (Paris) • Arrival at the Airport in Paris • Transportation by private bus from the airport to the hotel in Paris • 7 nights in twin rooms with private bathrooms incl. breakfast at the 3‐star Alliance Hotel Paris Place d’Italie in Paris • Public transportation pass for the duration of the entire stay in Paris • Orientation session provided by your local coordinator • Free time at the before your boat tour starts • Boat tour on the famous Bateaux Parisiens to get a first impression of Paris • Welcome dinner at a restaurant in Paris to kick off the program

Day 3 >> Wed. May 11: (Paris) • Breakfast at the hotel • Public transportation during the day • Arranged by University of South Dakota: In the morning, Cathedral of Notre Dame and Roman ruins underneath Cathedral square, lunch al fresco in the Cathedral’s garden followed by ice cream at Berthillon, simply the best in Paris. In the afternoon, visit La Sainte‐Chapelle (12th century early Gothic church), the Palais de Justice (law courts), and Conciergerie (prison where Marie Antoinette was held prior to execution).

Day 4 >> Thurs. May 12: (Paris) • Breakfast at the hotel • Public transportation during the day • Arranged by University of South Dakota: In the morning, visit Napolean’s tomb, the Army , and the Eglise du Dome at . Have lunch in the sculpture garden of the Musée Rodin. In the afternoon, visit the Musee d’Orsay, the extraordinary museum of Impressionist art in Paris.

Day 5 >> Fri. May 13: (Paris) • Breakfast at the hotel • Public transportation during the day • Arranged by University of South Dakota: In the morning, tour the and lunch at the Café de Louvre. Rendez‐vous at 1:00 pm for a walk through the Jardin des Tuileries to the Orangerie Museum. Continue walk along the Champs Elysee to the Arc de Triomphe, visiting the Place de la Concorde.

Day 6 >> Sat. May 14: (Versailles ‐ Paris) • Breakfast at the hotel • Public transportation during the day • Arranged by University of South Dakota: Visit the Palace of Versailles and Le Notre’s garden with its Grand Canal and hundreds of ornate fountains. Afternoon visit to the Paris sewer system.

Day 7 >> Sun. May 15: (Paris) National holiday in France ‐ Pentecost • Breakfast at the hotel • Public transportation during the day • Enjoy a free day in Paris… You may consider taking the train to Chartres to see the 12th century cathedral with its famous stained glass windows. It is said to be the finest Gothic cathedral in France. Have lunch on the cathedral square and take a self‐guided audio tour of the medieval town at your own expense. You may also consider taking the train to Fontainebleau to see ’s beloved chateau. Or simply relax and pretend you are French by visiting the Luxembourg Gardens, having lunch at a café. Visit one of the great you have missed. Take a walk along the Canal Martin or on the Viaduc des Arts, an exquisite 2.5 km elevated garden that sits atop street level artisan shops near the Place de la Bastille.

Day 8 >> Mon. May 16: (Paris) National holiday in France ‐ Pentecost Observed • Breakfast at the hotel • Public transportation during the day • Arranged by University of South Dakota: Visit Père La Chaise Cemetery for “Cemetery Talks” given by members of the group about the famous French who are buried there (see handout for names from which to choose for your biographical presentation). Afternoon visit to the Catacombs.

Day 9 >> Tues. May 17: (Paris ‐ Caen) • Breakfast at the hotel • Transportation by private bus from the hotel to the train station in Paris • Train ticket Paris ‐ Caen in the morning (travel time: approx. 2 hours) • Transportation by private bus from the train station to the hotel in Caen • 3 nights in twin rooms with private bathrooms incl. breakfast at a 2‐ or 3‐star hotel in Caen • Public transportation pass for Caen on May 18 and 21 • Orientation session provided by your local coordinator • Entrance tickets to the Memorial ‐ Centre for History and Peace in Caen to explore the exhibition at your own pace in the afternoon

Day 10 >> Wed. May 18: (Normandy) • Breakfast at the hotel • Transportation by private bus during the day • Guided tour of D‐Day Beaches during the day incl. all necessary entrance tickets during the day; you will see e.g. Omaha Beach, Vierville‐sur‐Mer, Colleville‐sur‐Mer, Pointe du Hoc

Day 11 >> Thurs. May 19: (Mont St. Michel ‐ Caen) • Breakfast at the hotel • Transportation by private bus to Mont. St. Michel and return • Guided tour of Mont St. Michel in the morning and afterwards free time to explore the little island on your own before you return to Caen • Free time in Caen to explore the city on your own

Day 12 >> Fri. May 20: (Caen ‐ Giverny ‐ Paris) • Breakfast at the hotel • Public transportation during the day in Caen • Guided walking tour of Caen to learn about the city’s history in the morning • Afterwards, some free time for lunch at your own expense • Approx. 1:00 pm Transportation by private bus from Caen to Giverny and your hotel • Entrance tickets to Claude Monet Foundation to explore Monet’s Houses and Garden in Giverny in the afternoon • 1 night in twin rooms with private bathrooms incl. breakfast at the 3‐star hotel IBIS Styles Paris Roissy CDG near CDG Airport in Paris • Farewell dinner at the hotel’s restaurant to complete your French experience

Day 13 >> Sat. May 21: (Paris) • Breakfast at the hotel • Transportation by public shuttle bus (Black Line) to Charles de Gaulle Airport • Departure from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the USA