Dr. Laurent Dechery came into our class and talked about French culture. We learned about the major events that helped shape the history of Paris. He mentioned many places of interest such as the Louvre, Notre Dame, and Place des Vosges. Along with the history, Dr. Dechery talked about the different layouts of cities between the US and France. The US uses the grid pattern, while France uses the star model. In a star model, the city is organized in a circular fashion and the city is based off a center point.
He also gave us friendly advice about the French lifestyle that will aid us in our journey abroad. For example, smiling to someone in France has different connotations than in the US. In France, a smile can suggest an invitation, not just a friendly passing. Another tip he gave us was that it is impolite to approach a stranger; you must be introduced. Towards the end of the lecture, he gave us some of his favorite places to visit in Paris, such as the Le pont neuf (New Bridge), which is the oldest bridge in Paris. It was the first stone bridge and it gave a new point of view of the city. It attracted tourists and was essentially the Eiffel Tower of the 17th century.
At the end of the lecture, Dr. Dechery gave us a little French lesson. We learned phrases such as Bonjour Madame, bonjour Monsieur! (Hello!) and S’il vous plait (please). We had the opportunity to ask him some questions of our own to help us prepare for our trip. It was a great experience and he gave us wonderful information that we will utilize in our travels! Au revior!
-Audrey, Morgan S., and Jake