Athens College Junior High School - "Living in the Mediterranean - Land of the Olive Tree" Club visits the South of France
Apr 9, 2025
As part of the "Living in the Mediterranean - Land of the Olive Tree" program, students from the Club embarked on an educational trip to the South of France (Côte d'Azur and Provence) from March 26 to March 30, 2025.
The main educational objective of the trip was for students to explore the relationship between the natural environment and human activity, to discover the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, understand its cultural significance, and raise awareness about the importance of environmental respect, preservation and the protection of the Mediterranean ecosystem.
The group, composed of 24 students and their accompanying teachers - Mr. D. Anagnostopoulos, Ms. N.A. Kyragianni, and Ms. A.L. Vallindra - stayed in Aix-en-Provence, where they explored the places where painter Paul Cézanne lived and worked.
During the five-day trip, the students visited the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, formerly directed by the famed explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. There, they toured the aquarium and focused on the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Club also visited the Camargue Regional Natural Park in the Rhône Delta, a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) reserve. They toured a bull farm, where they learned about the local cattle breed known as the black bulls of Camargue, and the region's traditions related to the bull. Students also saw the white horses of the Camargue - one of the oldest horse breeds in the world - and were introduced to the gardians, the French cowboys.
At the ornithological park in the Rhône Delta, students observed flamingos and other local bird species in their natural habitats. They then visited the historic town of Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where they explored its Roman monuments and the places associated with van Gogh's life and artwork.
In Grasse, the perfume capital of France, the students visited the International Perfume Museum, learned about its history, the region's aromatic plants, and participated in an experiential perfume-making workshop.
They also visited Marseille, where they strolled along Rue Canebière in the Old Port and created their own soaps from olive oil and lavender at the "Savonnerie Marseillaise de la Licorne" soap museum.
On the last full day of the trip, the students took a train tour of the salt marshes at Salin d'Aigues-Mortes, climbed the white salt hills, visited the Salt Museum, and explored the medieval fortress town of Aigues-Mortes, known for its natural beauty.
The trip concluded with walks and guided tours in the cities of Cannes and Nice.
The main educational objective of the trip was for students to explore the relationship between the natural environment and human activity, to discover the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, understand its cultural significance, and raise awareness about the importance of environmental respect, preservation and the protection of the Mediterranean ecosystem.
The group, composed of 24 students and their accompanying teachers - Mr. D. Anagnostopoulos, Ms. N.A. Kyragianni, and Ms. A.L. Vallindra - stayed in Aix-en-Provence, where they explored the places where painter Paul Cézanne lived and worked.
During the five-day trip, the students visited the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, formerly directed by the famed explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. There, they toured the aquarium and focused on the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Club also visited the Camargue Regional Natural Park in the Rhône Delta, a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) reserve. They toured a bull farm, where they learned about the local cattle breed known as the black bulls of Camargue, and the region's traditions related to the bull. Students also saw the white horses of the Camargue - one of the oldest horse breeds in the world - and were introduced to the gardians, the French cowboys.
At the ornithological park in the Rhône Delta, students observed flamingos and other local bird species in their natural habitats. They then visited the historic town of Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where they explored its Roman monuments and the places associated with van Gogh's life and artwork.
In Grasse, the perfume capital of France, the students visited the International Perfume Museum, learned about its history, the region's aromatic plants, and participated in an experiential perfume-making workshop.
They also visited Marseille, where they strolled along Rue Canebière in the Old Port and created their own soaps from olive oil and lavender at the "Savonnerie Marseillaise de la Licorne" soap museum.
On the last full day of the trip, the students took a train tour of the salt marshes at Salin d'Aigues-Mortes, climbed the white salt hills, visited the Salt Museum, and explored the medieval fortress town of Aigues-Mortes, known for its natural beauty.
The trip concluded with walks and guided tours in the cities of Cannes and Nice.
