Chartres Cathedral, one of the most breathtaking in the world, has been largely untouched by pollution or war due to its location far outside industrial centers. Pilgrims visit to see remains of the Virgin Mary's scarf. The green rooftop is made of lead.
After Chartres we drove to the golden gates of Versailles and donned Whisper headsets for a guided tour. The former palace was crowded with tourists from around the globe eager to see the splendor and decadence that has inspired so many architects worldwide. Washington, D.C., for instance, was designed by a man born in Versailles. It's opulence and grandeur are still remarkable.
We weren't finished. Students cheered to see the Eiffel Tower rising in the distance and were thrilled when we dropped them off at the base. Students paid 5€ to climb 670 steps to the 2nd-level observation deck and took selfies galore. The weather was perfect and the light of the setting sun accentuated the city below. Our only hiccup was not realizing that the stairway down closed at a certain time and long ques developed for the single elevator in operation. It took more than an hour to get everyone down.
Tomorrow we will see more of Paris, ride the metro, and give students time to shop for souvenirs. Only three full days left to soak in France! (The candy pictured below is France's version of Sour Patch kids.)
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