Student Journals: AIFS in Cannes, France

Diana Riggs
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Collège International de Cannes, France

Nine AIFS friends and I went to the Loire Valley this weekend to see some of France's most famous chateaux. The most economical way to travel was by car, which I believe, is the ultimate means of "Euro-tripping." We arrived in Tours late Friday night to find our hotel rooms to be about the standard size of most hotel bathrooms in the US. Proudly, we crammed five people in each and slept quite soundly. It is most important to always be positive when traveling; really love where you are going and who you are with and the ends will always justify the means.

Early Saturday morning we ventured out to Amboise, a château where Da Vinci lived for the final years of his life. My heart literally skipped a beat when we walked into his tomb. It was so amazing to stand in a place where one of the world's most influential men imagined and invented. The next stop was Chenoceaux. Words cannot begin to describe the beauty of it. Gardens and forests surrounded the fairy-tale château built over the Loire river. I consequently have decided that this is where I will get married. The final château on our tour was Chambord, the most grand of them all. The small road to the château did not prepare me for the monstrosity of delicate architecture that began to peak through the trees; it took my breath away. Since we allotted the most time there, my friend Kelly and I rented a rowboat to paddle around the moat to admire the château from afar. Our day came to an end at our hostel in Blois which was located across from the town's illuminated château.

After a stop in Lyon on Sunday afternoon, we started back to Cannes. At one point on the highway, we came over a hill and the sea appeared across the horizon. An overwhelming love for Cannes and great happiness in my decision suddenly came over me. The south of France is truly the best place in the world!