A very excited group of Boothbay Region High School students will embark on the experience of a lifetime during April vacation, when they will travel to France. They will be holding a fundraising spaghetti supper in the Boothbay Region Elementary School cafeteria on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 5 to 6 p.m., which will include French desserts. The cost for the dinner is by donation and will help the students raise money to pay for trip incidentals, such as tips for the bus driver and tour director while in France. They will also be selling raffle tickets for a Valentine French gift basket valued at around $150. The gift basket will include a catered French dinner, a bottle of French wine, free babysitting and other French treats. Drawing will be held on Feb. 10.

The group will tour the country for 12 days with their French teacher, Madame Gorey and visit many places that they had learned about in French class and practice their French speaking skills. They will immerse themselves in the French culture, be surrounded by the people, the language, the food, the history and the way of life. The itinerary will begin in the south of France, on the French Riviera, along the Mediterranean coast, as they will explore the beautiful city of Nice and also visit the principality of Monaco. From there, they will explore the French countryside of Provence on the way to Lyon, the third largest city in France. Founded by the Romans, Lyon is the archetype of the heritage city, as recognized by UNESCO. Not only is Lyon amazingly beautiful but for some 80 years Lyon has also been recognized as the food capital of France and the world! After experiencing some of France’s best cuisine, the group will travel to the Loire valley, also called “the playground of the kings”, and visit the spectacular châteaux de Chenonceau and Chambord as well as learn about the Renaissance period and style.

BRHS students will continue their discovery of France by traveling north to Normandy region, where they will learn about World War II history as they see the famous D-Day beaches and tour the American cemetery. This is sure to make a lasting impression on them. Last but not least, the trip will end in Paris, the city of Lights! Some of the many sights students will visit include the elegant boulevard of the Champs-Elysées, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum and Notre-Dame cathedral, as well as the grand palace of Versailles! Because of the expensive cost of this enriching educational trip, students have been saving and planning for the past two years!