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By BRENDA While in Europe for Erasmus Mundus, there was no way I was going to miss visiting some of its iconic cities.
I was meant to study in 3 European countries; Spain, Italy and France.
The final part of school, a summer school, was to be held in Archamps, a city whose name I still find challenging to pronounce in French.
I saw this as the perfect chance to tour Paris, knowing deep down I wouldn’t forgive myself if I missed discovering why it’s one of the most visited cities in the world.
In this blog, I’ll share highlights from my journey — crossing borders by train, exploring cities on foot, and savoring everything from world-famous sights to unexpected street food.
The Itinerary
The idea was to explore the cities I landed in by walking and crossing country borders by train or plane.
“…. Train or Plane”, I debated as I began booking
The temptation to see more than two cities nudged me towards the train.
With a train, I could explore different cities during layovers as I crossed from Italy to France.
Plus, this would be a great opportunity to enjoy the moving gallery of landscapes outside my window.
Very brilliant move — I know 😌
So I booked my ticket
This was from Naples → Milan → Turin → Paris → Geneva, where I’d meet other students headed to Archamps.
Milan
One thing I’ve learnt so far about travelling anywhere new with no particular agenda to follow, it’s either to follow the water or ask Google.
“Mr. Google Sir,” I asked, “how might I enjoy Milan in the one and a half hours before my next train?”
His answer?
Milano Centrale train station.
Once I arrived, I understood why.
So busy for a train station and yet so giving for a tourist like me.
This place is a grand, bustling hub blending monumental architecture with modern travel.
With soaring halls, ornate details, and constant movement, I was honestly moved by its grandeur.
And the outside was similarly giving.
It looms with imposing grandeur, its massive stone façade adorned with sculptures and arches.
My favorite sculpture was the striking white “Apple Made Whole” sculpture by Michelangelo Pistoletto.
Why?
Not sure if Steve Jobs would be glad to know that his apple was reimagined😅
Turin
My next station was Turin Porta Susa.
While not as enormous or as busy as Milano Centrale train station, this station had its vibe as well.
Its vast glass-and-steel archway gives it the feel of a futuristic gateway to the city.
Close to the train station is the Giardino degli Artiglieri da Montagna garden I thought would be my pitstop during my layover
As I walked to the garden, I couldn’t miss the elegant squares and cafes along the way.
Once at the garden, the garden’s strong historic and civic significance spoke for itself through its monument honoring mountain artillerymen.
The stroll through the garden was peaceful and was a great gateway into learning about the artillerymen, especially those who fell during WWI while hauling heavy artillery pieces in the mountains.
Paris
Stepping onto Parisian soil made my heart leap with joy.
I was in the city of love.
I had planned to spend a day and a half in Paris.
The idea was to walk around Paris with its notable landmarks as pitstops.
Paris, as you already know is an iconic city with its defining masterpieces like ever magnificent Eiffel tower, or the ever crowded Sacre Coeur.
But first, what’s Paris without eating a croissant and a cup of coffee in hand?
Marché Barbés
On my way towards Sacré Cœur, I stumbled upon a street.
One highlighted by Google as a very busy place.
This was Marché Barbés.
The street felt like Owino Market in Kampala!
It’s a lively open-air market in northern Paris, known for its affordable produce, fabrics, and vibrant atmosphere reflecting the area’s North African and multicultural influences.
It had all kinds of foods most of which I didn’t fathom but I could of course spot chapatis — excitement rrrrrr as I branched off to grab one for my tour to nurse my homesickness.
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre
Wow to this place!
Perched atop Montmartre in Paris, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica gleams with grandeur.
It is a white Roman Catholic church that serves both as a place of worship and a symbol of spiritual devotion.
It is a view point that offers stunning panoramic views of the city.
At the foot of the Sacré-Cœur is Square Louise-Michel, a beautifully terraced public garden with winding paths and fountains.
Below the basilica, are little pedestrian crossings and railings in the Montmartre gardens, with padlocks that visitors add as love locks — a sweet touch in the city of love.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is more than just a monument — it’s a symbol of victory, unity, and remembrance.
Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 after the Battle of Austerlitz, the Arc was meant to honor the strength and victories of the French army.
It draws inspiration from ancient Roman triumphal arches, which celebrated victorious generals.
Standing before it reminded me of one I had seen in Rome.
I guess it’s not just Euros that is common to these two cities.
Eiffel Tower
Hands down to the most awe-inspiring monument my eyes have ever set on.
The Eiffel tower is truly magnificent.
As I walked towards it, I felt a numb version of Stendhal Syndrome — overwhelmed by beauty to the point of dizziness.
In its presence, I was a grain of sand.
Once the tallest structure in the world, it still reigns as a symbol of French engineering genius and elegance, the ultimate symbol of Paris, and, for dreamers like me, a beacon of love and light.
In the evening after sunset, it danced with lights for 5 minutes every hour that added extra wonder to its existence.
This for me made my trip to Paris one of my favorites.
Place de la Concorde
On my way back to my hostel, I wandered towards Place de la Concorde.
The walk along the banks of River Seine led me to stalls with French street food.
I couldn’t resist Crêpes, one of the country’s most beloved foods.
This was an opportunity to fully immerse myself in the Paris experience and yes, they were quite the great street food they are, for a wheat-based food.
Meanwhile, I didn’t have to know I was at my next stop as its grand open space spoke for itself.
It greeted me with its vast openness, a towering Luxor Obelisk and two monumental fountains.
While I got to experience this in the dark of night, I got served and finished my first part of the trip contented.
Notre Dame cathedral
The next day and last part of the trip had me walking to Notre Dame cathedral.
Once I arrived, I was in awe.
Literally one of the most iconic Gothic masterpieces in the world, standing proudly in the heart of Paris.
The exterior of Notre-Dame Cathedral rises in majestic Gothic form, with twin towers, intricate sculpted portals, soaring flying buttresses, and a great rose window that glows above River Seine.
I didn’t go inside but the exterior alone was but the exterior alone was unforgettable.
Square of saint—Jacques tower
My last Paris stop before boarding my train to Geneva was the Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques.
The Square of Saint-Jacques (Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques) is a peaceful little garden in central Paris.
It was built around the Saint-Jacques Tower — a striking Gothic bell tower that’s all that remains of a 16th-century church.
This historical paradise was the perfect calm retreat for my trip through Paris and a great spot to have my lunch before my next trip.
Archamps, Annecy, and CERN: A Summer School to Remember
Once in Archamps, the world felt quieter, almost untouched.
As Quiet spoke, the mountains guarded the town, and the air carried none of the chaos I’d just left behind in Paris.
I wondered what would make my three weeks here truly memorable.
The answer came with the sunrise.
Morning runs through the hills and wheat fields became my little ritual — just me, the golden sky, and the sound of my feet on the path.
Simple, yet unforgettable.
Of course, summer school wasn’t just about early runs.
One highlight was our visit to CERN, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.
Standing in the very place where scientists probe the mysteries of the universe was surreal.
From seeing the groundbreaking instruments of the past to learning about the future of particle research, I felt both humbled and inspired.
Imagine geeking out about the secrets of the cosmos with fellow Erasmus students — yes, that was me.
And then came Annecy.
If Archamps was quiet and CERN was mind-bending, Annecy was pure magic.
Often called the “Venice of the Alps,” it swept me off my feet with its crystal-clear lake, flower-lined canals, pastel-colored houses, and the postcard-perfect Palais de l’Isle.
Walking its cobbled streets with friends, wandering lively markets, and taking in those mountain views was like stepping into a fairytale.
Between sunrise runs, glimpses of the universe, and dreamy canals, the summer school gave me a chapter of balance — nature, science, and wonder — a perfect close to the France trip.
Closing Note
Traveling across Europe by train and on foot gave me more than sights — it gave me stories, flavors, and fleeting moments that stitched themselves into my memory.
From chapatis in Paris to the glow of the Eiffel Tower, every stop reminded me that journeys are not just about destinations, but about how the world meets you along the way.
And just when I thought the adventure had ended, Archamps, CERN, and Annecy added their own quiet brilliance.
Archamps gifted me peaceful morning runs under the sunrise, CERN stretched my imagination to the edges of the universe, and Annecy swept me into a fairytale of lake views and mountains.
Together, they grounded the whirlwind of Milan and Paris with balance — nature, science, and wonder — the kind of gifts that linger long after the journey ends.