The first part of our Erasmus+ exchange with Lycée Léopold Sédar Senghor in Évreux took place from Saturday 15th November to Saturday 22nd November 2026 and was a memorable experience for both students and teachers.
After an early 6am departure from school, we travelled to Paris Orly. Students quickly got a taste of Parisian life as they navigated the RER and the metro — thankfully, nobody got lost! While waiting for our train at Gare Saint-Lazare, students enjoyed their first opportunity to explore and do a bit of shopping. After a long day of travelling, we arrived in Évreux at 6.30pm, where students were delighted to finally meet their French partners after weeks of anticipation. They spent the rest of the evening and Sunday with their host families. Many were treated to fantastic excursions, including visits to the Palace of Versailles or the historic city of Rouen.
On Monday morning, we met at the lycée for drama workshops led by two French teachers. In the afternoon, students explored the town of Évreux through a treasure-hunt-style activity, working in mixed groups of French and Irish students, which encouraged collaboration and communication in a fun and engaging way.
Tuesday was spent in Paris. We visited the magnificent Opéra Garnier, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, where we enjoyed a guided tour. Our guide explained the history of the building and how Charles Garnier designed the opera as a three-act theatrical experience. Afterwards, we walked along the Seine before boarding a bateau-mouche to admire some of Paris’s most famous landmarks from the river. Although it was a long day, it was a highlight of the trip, and many students wished they could have spent more time in the capital.
On Wednesday, we travelled to Rouen to visit the Viking Experience. This immersive and informative exhibition explored how the Vikings came to Rouen and concluded with an impressive film projected onto the walls and floor of the final room. Despite heavy rain, we explored the city centre, where Rouen Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece made famous by Monet, stood proudly with a beautiful Christmas tree in front of it. After getting thoroughly soaked, we were very glad to return to the warmth and shelter of the bus.
Thursday was spent back at school, where students took part in more drama workshops. From short improvised scenes — including some very creative and humorous challenges — to an animated wedding photo, both students and teachers had a fantastic time and shared plenty of laughter.
Friday marked our final day in Évreux. Students recorded their impressions of the week in the school’s professional podcast studio. The French students interviewed their Irish partners and teachers, and they will edit the recordings in the coming weeks before sending us the final podcast. We are very much looking forward to hearing the finished result.
We travelled home on Saturday after another long and adventurous journey, which included the group being briefly separated on the RER and one student misplacing their boarding card just before security — thankfully, all ended well!
Everyone was delighted to return home after a week filled with new experiences, friendships and cultural discoveries. It is a trip that students — and teachers — will remember for a long time. We are now eagerly looking forward to welcoming our French partners to Ireland for the second part of this exciting exchange and another busy week of activities and fun.
