The capstone project for French 113 is a virtual visit to Paris. The project will enable students to put into practice, in a real situation, all the language skills they have learned over the course of the semester.

But, before you make actual plans for your virtual trip to Paris, you have some planning to do. You are expected to work on your project (gathering information and planning your itineraries) for the remainder of the semester. As we progress in the grammar and vocabulary in Chapter 4, you will then be able to refine the actual script of your presentation in French.

Note that you are going to Paris, not to other areas in France. The only place outside of Paris you can visit is the Palais de Versailles.

By the date indicated on your homework assignment page, you should have accomplished the following:

1) Check out the websites listed on the French Resources Page (http://scholar.library.csi.cuny.edu/~talarico/frenchlinks.htm) on Prof. Talarico's home page. [Note: This current page, as well as the instructions for the final project itself are available on Prof. Talarico's home page: http://scholar.library.csi.cuny.edu/~talarico/ .]

2) You must check (at least) the following pages on the French Resources Page:
The following pages in English:
--the Paris Pages (under "General Sites"), which contain a wealth of information and maps of Paris. Under the section about historical maps, you will find the intereactive map of the monuments, as well as a detailed street map. Find out about some of the history of Paris; learn about the museums and monuments (their history; where they are; how to get to them on the Métro, etc.).

--Paris Balades (under "Paris: General Information and Tourism"). You can look at this site in English, by clicking on the page.

The following websites in French:
--Tout Paris (under "Paris: General Information and Tourism")

--on the website of the Mairie de Paris (under "Paris: General Information and Tourism"), check out the section on Paris d'hier à aujourd'hui to get a sense of the history of the city, monuments, etc. You can also take a virtual tour of the Hôtel de Ville!

After checking out these four websites, find at least two museum websites (there is a list on the French Resources Page, but see if you can find others as well). Explore them to see what some of the current and upcoming exhibits are; what style of art is found there; what you're particularly interested in. Explore several of the monuments (going beyond the usual Tour Eiffel and Arc de Triomphe choices!). Remember: You can visit the Paris sewers (les égouts de Paris) as well as famous cemeteries (Père Lachaise; see if you can find others...). Be adventurous.

3) Prepare a list of at least five things you want to do and see. One of the things you can plan can be a walk, and you can indicate lots of things to see and do along the way. Don't forget to eat! You need to find places for lunch and dinner. Since money is no object, you can feel free to splurge!

4) Once you decide (personally) what the five things/sites are that you want to do and to visit, find out information about them. What's there to see at the Louvre museum? What is the history of the building? History of the Eiffel Tower? In other words, you aren't going to merely go to a certain place, you should understand as well why you are going there and what is of interest.

5) Write (this means type--double-spaced) at least two pages (in English) about what you are interested in seeing. Explain why. This will be handed in in class on the date indicated on your homework page. The same rules about plagiarism from websites that apply to the final project apply to this "warm-up" for the project as well!!! Evaluate the websites. What were some "surprises?" Were they easy to use? Was there enough information? Did you make any discoveries? You must also include the names of your travel partner(s).