Week 3 is in Full Swing!

I can’t believe that we are already three weeks into the program!  Everyone has fallen into a pretty smooth routine with classes, lunches, afternoon activities and OZleFrançais.  The Rennesagades had a full week of classes (everyday from 9:30-12:30) where they are busy working on projects and practicing the language.  Everyday they get 1-1 ½ hours for lunch. The favorite spot to head is Place Saint Anne where you can find lots of creperies and cafés and this week people enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures.  For this weeks afternoon activities we have been all over the town of Rennes, learning about the parks, the parlement, metro stops and La Grande Braderie, a giant market that takes place all over the city.  

Monday we toured the Parc Oberthur and learned about how even though it is a naturally beautiful park where people can enjoy a picnic or time with friends, everything was very strategically planned and placed to make it so beautiful.  

On Tuesday we visited the Parlement de Rennes which is a very beautiful and historic building where court cases and judicial events are still held today.  It has survived two fires, one in 1720 and another smaller one in 1994, so we were able to learn about the restoration process and how has it has changed yet remained the same over the years.  

Wednesday was the first day of the summer sales, which is a very big deal in France, and also the Grande Braderie in Rennes.  The streets were packed with vendors and shoppers. The Global Navigators started by doing their OzleFrançais and asking people in the streets what brought them out today and then it was their turn to get out and shop and search for bargains.  

Thursday afternoon we got an inside peek at the construction site for the new metro line - which is something most people don’t get to see!  Right now there is one line in the city of Rennes, which most of us take daily, and by 2020 there will be second line. We put on our hard hats and vests and were able to go underground to see what the project looks like now and some pictures of what it will be like in two years.  I think we all need to come back to check it out!

On Friday the students have class in the morning where they will be finishing presentations that they have been working on all week and then they are free for the rest of the afternoon!  They sure do deserve it after all the hard work they have put in over the past three weeks! Tomorrow is an overnight excursion to the Finistère region!