It is with sparkling eyes that Lou Serafino, 12, from Montignargues, and Lilly Maisonnier, from Saint-Bauzély, return from the citizen stay in Paris organized by the Espace Jeunes de Saint-Géniès-de-Malgoirès. A first for the young girls who, Monday, August 1, took the TGV to the capital. Places were limited and the 20 lucky ones who benefited from the trip did not shy away from their pleasure. Accommodated for 4 nights in a brand new youth hostel, the 14 girls and 6 boys from La Gardonnenque visited emblematic places such as the Sacré-Coeur, the Saint-Michel Fountain, the Luxembourg Gardens.
“The first two dayssays Lou, we visited Montmartre and took the time to shop. But what we were all waiting for was the visit of the Senate on Wednesday. Senator Laurent Burgoa had promised to receive us, he too is from Nîmes. We took advantage that there was no one in the hemicycle to visit it and then we had lunch in the Napoleon lounge. The backs of the red seats are gilded with fine gold, it’s magnificent! Some like Lou and I were seated at the senator’s table, a good meal had been prepared especially for us. Then we were able to attend a session in the hemicycle. It’s more impressive in real life, bigger than I thought. Our presence was even mentioned on the microphone, before the intervention of a senator, it is an unforgettable memory, even if there were not many people that day. Gauthier Geoffroy, Mr. Burgoa’s collaborator, then took care of us and we discovered one of Napoleon’s thrones and a huge library, with giant books and wooden ladders like you see in movies!”
The Louvre Museum was also on the program. It is very difficult to observe the Mona Lisa, as there are so many people. The next day was devoted to visiting the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.
“ There was an incredible view of the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, adds Lou, I called my family on video to show them. “
“ Then we went riverboating, says Lilly, it was good to see Paris from the Seine, a voice explained what we could observe.”
Midi Libre correspondent: 06 03 46 83 42
–
