In the 2013 spring semester, I studied abroad with the Clemson Architecture program in Genoa, Italy where I lived and studied in the Charles E. Daniel Center, also known as "The Villa".  The program is actually quite a rigorous study abroad program, but we were allowed a week of travel at the end of February to go wherever we liked.  So naturally, I chose to visit Paris and Disneyland Paris.  Of course, when I was imagining Paris, I was thinking of warm spring afternoons and beautiful flowers..... in February, Paris was anything but.

I traveled the Paris portion of the trip with my friends Abby and Alex.  Alex's friend, Eliza, was studying abroad in Paris and so kindly invited us to stay with her at her apartment in La Defense.

Overnight Train to Paris

One of the awesome things about Europe is how advanced their transportation system by rail is.  The three of us booked a private room on an overnight train to Paris, which was more for the experience than to save time or money.  We traveled from Genoa to Milan on the regional train and took the overnight train to Paris from Milano Centrale.  Our train departed at 11:30 PM and arrived in Paris at 9:30 AM the next morning.

We booked a private cabin for three people. Alex was first to the room and says, "I call the bottom bunk." Then Abby poked her head in and quickly says, "I call the middle bunk.' I poke my head in and.... top bunk?

It was actually a pretty nice set-up. They gave us nice toiletry kits with slippers, toothpaste/toothbrush, soap, etc. We also each got water bottles (hey - that's a 2 Euro value!). And, we were given vouchers for a free drink and free breakfast. We were just one train car away from the bar/restaurant, so we headed right down to use our drink vouchers. They offered us champagne or orange juice... is that even a question??

I actually slept surprisingly well on the train. I only woke up a few times and it was because it was hot, so I kept reaching over and turning down the thermostat. I feel like I had to have been the hottest, being in the top bunk. But besides that, I really didn't mind sleeping up there.

La Defense

Alex's friend, Eliza, is studying abroad in Paris, and she so kindly invited us to stay with her at her apartment in La Defense. Our train arrived at Gare Lyon, and Eliza told us how to take the metro to La Defense. We exited the metro, and she was there waiting for us!

The metro is right by the Grand Arch -