This Erasmus+ project website was created and managed by the Erasmus+ coordinator, Ms. Athina Gkarmpola. 

The mobility of students and teachers was successfully carried out within the framework of the approved European programme Erasmus+ KA121-SCH (code: 2025-1-EL01-KA121-SCH-000341818), from Sunday, March 29th to Thursday, April 2nd, 2026, at Collège Louise Michel in Paris, France. The school is located in the 10th arrondissement, near the Canal Saint-Martin, a lively and multicultural area that offers many opportunities to explore civic life, culture, and public space.

The visit took place in the vibrant French capital, a city rich in history, culture, and democratic traditions, giving students the chance to explore the connection between civic life, cultural heritage, and public space.

A group of 15 second-year students from the B’ Arsakeio–Tositseio Junior High School of Ekali participated in the mobility, accompanied by their teachers: Ms Athina Gkarmpola (English), Mrs Angeliki Georgakopoulou (French), and Ms Eftychia Stamatellou (Philologist). Over the five days, students and teachers from the partner schools took part in a wide range of educational, cultural, and collaborative activities, all conducted in English.

The programme was linked to the eTwinning project “Civic Pulse / Pulso Ciudadano / Battement citoyen” and focused on active citizenship, democratic participation, and European values. Through school visits, collaborative activities, and the exploration of Paris, students reflected on the role of young people in society while strengthening their linguistic, digital, and intercultural skills, as well as their understanding of European identity and cooperation.

1st DAY

On Sunday, 29th March 2026, we travelled from Athens to Paris and arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport early in the afternoon. After arriving at our hotel in the city centre, we went straight to the Montmartre district for our first visit.

On the way, we had the opportunity to taste authentic French crêpes, a well-known speciality of French cuisine. It was a great introduction to the local food culture and a lovely start to our trip.

We then walked through the Montmartre district and took the funicular up the hill to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where we enjoyed panoramic views over the city and explored the surrounding area. 

Inside the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, we admired the beautiful interior, with its tall ceilings and detailed decoration. We also noticed the large mosaic in the main part of the church, which created a calm and peaceful atmosphere. As it was the period of Catholic Easter, a church service was taking place, making the experience even more special. 

We then continued our visit in Montmartre, starting with the lively Place du Tertre, where we saw local artists painting and displaying their work in the open square. 

We also saw the famous La Maison Rose, a charming pink house and café that is one of the most photographed spots in the area. 

We then continued to a sculpture dedicated to the singer Dalida, located in a small square in Montmartre. There, we learned about her importance in French popular culture and her strong connection to the area, where she lived for many years. The statue is a popular spot for visitors, and many people touch it for good luck. 

Our visit ended with a walk past the iconic Moulin Rouge, an important symbol of Parisian nightlife and cultural history, known for its traditional cabaret performances and its role in the artistic identity of the city. 

Day 2

On Monday, 30th March 2026, we visited Collège Louise Michel, where we received a warm welcome from Ms Martinez, the Erasmus+ Coordinator, Mr Zazzo, the Headteacher, and a group of Year 9 student ambassadors. A light breakfast was kindly offered, creating a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for our first interactions.

This was followed by a guided tour of the school in English, led by the students themselves. They introduced us to their school environment and daily routines, giving us a better understanding of student life in France. The experience highlighted the importance of active citizenship and the active role students play in school life.

We then had the opportunity to attend classes and observe different subjects. In the Biology lesson, we took part in a hands-on activity involving the dissection of a frog, which allowed us to explore anatomy in a practical and engaging way. We also attended lessons in French, History, Mathematics, English and Spanish, experiencing different teaching approaches and interacting with our peers.

The welcoming atmosphere and the active involvement of both students and teachers made the visit particularly engaging and meaningful, helping us strengthen our collaboration and build strong connections with our French partners.

In the afternoon, we first walked along the Canal Saint-Martin, a picturesque waterway known for its bridges and relaxed atmosphere, where locals gather to walk, meet, and enjoy the surroundings.

We then went to Place de la République, an important public space known for gatherings, demonstrations, and expressions of civic life.

After that, we continued to Île de la Cité, walking around the historic island and along the banks of the Seine, where we enjoyed the beautiful views and the lively atmosphere of the city.

We visited the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral. Inside, we admired the impressive architecture, the tall ceilings, and the colourful stained-glass windows that filled the space with light. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful. As it was the period of Catholic Easter, a church service was taking place, allowing us to experience the cathedral as an active place of worship.

After that, we visited the Panthéon, a historic monument originally built as a church and now used as a mausoleum where important French figures are buried. We admired the impressive building and learned about its importance in French history and culture. 

We crossed the Pont Saint-Michel and continued to the Luxembourg Gardens, where we saw the Grand Bassin, a large central pond where children sail small boats. We even placed our own Greek boat on the water, which was a fun and memorable moment for all of us.

We then explored the Latin Quarter, a lively area known for its student life and rich intellectual history. We walked along Saint-Germain Street, where we saw busy cafés, bookshops, and people enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the neighborhood.

We continued our walk through the surrounding streets, where we experienced the unique character of the area, full of culture, history, and everyday Parisian life. 

Day 3

On Tuesday, 31st March, the day began with a boat trip on the Seine with the Bateaux Mouches. During the 1 hour and 10-minute cruise, we had the opportunity to see many of Paris’s most famous monuments from the river, including bridges, historic buildings, and landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame. This experience helped us understand the city as a shared public space, open and accessible to everyone.

After the cruise, we walked to the Champ de Mars, a large public park located in front of the Eiffel Tower. There, we enjoyed a picnic while admiring one of the most iconic views in the world. We then walked past the Eiffel Tower and continued to the Trocadéro, where we enjoyed another impressive view of the monument from across the river. 

Next, we walked to the Musée d’Orsay, a famous museum housed in a former railway station. Inside, we saw important works of art, especially from the Impressionist movement. We admired sculptures by Auguste Rodin and paintings by Edgar Degas, known for his depictions of dancers. We also learned about some of the most important Impressionist artists, who changed the way people saw and represented everyday life.

One of the highlights of the visit was the large clock inside the museum, a reminder of the building’s past as a train station. From there, we enjoyed a unique view of the city through the clock face. The visit helped us understand how art reflects social change and historical developments.

In the evening, we visited the Jardin des Tuileries, a historic public garden located between the Louvre and the city centre. We walked along its wide paths, saw the fountains and statues, and observed how both locals and visitors use the space to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

We then continued to the Opéra Garnier, one of the most impressive buildings in Paris. We admired its grand architecture, rich decoration, and historical importance as a centre of music and culture.

Finally, we visited Galeries Lafayette, a famous department store known for its impressive glass dome. We admired the beautiful architecture from inside and enjoyed the view of the elegant interior, making it a memorable end to the day.

Day 4 – Wednesday, 1 April

The day started with the Erasmus+ certificate award ceremony. This special moment marked the end of the group’s participation in the programme and celebrated their learning experience and collaboration. During the ceremony, the students also exchanged gifts, expressing appreciation, friendship, and the strong bonds they had built throughout the project.

After the ceremony, the group joined a guided walking tour in Le Marais, one of the oldest and most multicultural areas of Paris. Working in binational groups and using an English-language questionnaire, students explored the neighbourhood’s history and discovered its rich cultural diversity and historical significance. 

They made a brief stop at Place des Basques, a small, quiet square named after the Basque region in southwestern France and northern Spain. Mainly used by local residents, it offers a glimpse of everyday Parisian life away from the busy tourist areas. 

They then continued to the Fontaine Stravinsky, a vibrant fountain with playful, moving sculptures inspired by music, and to the Centre Pompidou, a striking building famous for its modern design, with pipes and structural elements on the outside. They also passed by the Hôtel de Ville, the historic building that serves as the city’s local government headquarters. 

Finally, they visited the Louvre Museum, one of the largest and most famous museums in the world, housed in a former royal palace. There, they admired some of its most iconic works, including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of art and culture across different historical periods. 

The programme ended with unforgettable experiences, stronger friendships, and a deeper understanding of European values, cooperation, and active citizenship . 

Another wonderful educational and cultural experience for both students and teachers as part of the Erasmus+ programme! Co-funded by the European Union and implemented under the auspices of the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY), Erasmus+ projects make a valuable contribution to the European educational community. Through these initiatives, mutual understanding, respect for diversity, and a shared European identity are further strengthened.