--- title: Guest Blogger Erin O'Rielly - Blérancourt Trip - L'Abbaye Saint Jean des Vignes description: Guest Blogger Erin O'Rielly - Blérancourt Trip - L'Abbaye Saint Jean des Vignes image: https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0188-225x300-1.jpg --- [![Silicon Valley International School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/) ![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/search.png) [![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/hamb.png)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/24/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-labbaye-saint-jean-des-vignes#sidr-main) - [admissionstour and variable tuition](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions) - [early yearspreschool and pre k](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/early-years) - [elementary school kindergarten–5th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/elementary) - [middle school 6–8th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/middle-school) - [high school9–12th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/high-school) **Locations** [Palo Alto and Menlo Park, CA](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/about/contact-us) **Email** [admissions@svintl.org](mailto:%20admissions@svintl.org) **Social** - [![facebook](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417421_134652.png)](http://www.facebook.com/svintlschool) - [![Instagram](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417426_134654.png)](http://www.instagram.com/svintlschool) - [![Twitter](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417432_134655.png)](http://www.twitter.com/svintlschool) - [![LinkedIn](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417433_134656.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/svintlschool) - [![YouTube](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417434_134657.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/istpnet) # Guest Blogger Erin O'Rielly - Blérancourt Trip - L'Abbaye Saint Jean des Vignes [Culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [French Immersion](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/french-immersion) [blog home](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org) Culture [All Categories](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org) [culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [STEM](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/stem) [social emotional learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning) [community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) [inquiry learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/inquiry-learning) [Achievement](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/achievement) [Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/bilingualism) ![Guest Blogger Erin O'Rielly - Blérancourt Trip - L'Abbaye Saint Jean des Vignes](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0188-225x300-1.jpg) share: [![istp-linkedin-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/24/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-labbaye-saint-jean-des-vignes) [![istp-instagram-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/?url=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/24/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-labbaye-saint-jean-des-vignes) [![istp-facebook-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?width=48&upscale=true&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/24/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-labbaye-saint-jean-des-vignes)   [![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0188-225x300-1.jpg?width=225&height=300&name=IMG_0188-225x300-1.jpg)](http://blogs.istp.org/blog/2011/10/24/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-labbaye-saint-jean-des-vignes/img_0188/)   Friday, October 21st 2011 We participated in several fun activities today!  We went to l'Abbaye Saint-Jean-des-Vignes in Soissons where we were met by José, our stone carving instructor.  We spent the morning learning how to sculpt our stones into shapes commonly found in the  Middle Ages.  The students were allowed to choose from four different patterns.  Using mallets and chisels, each child shaped his/her stone according to the pattern.  Then several other tools were used to carve out the inside of the pattern.  They finished their work off by smoothing the stone using a smaller stone and other tools.  They were all very concentrated on their work, and everyone had a great time!  Perhaps you'll see their wonderful work as they as all bringing home a completed sculpted stone. After having a picnic lunch in the reception area and some time to run around outside in the sun, we were met by Brigitte, our guide for the treasure hunt around the Abbey.  The treasure hunt was set up as if being narrated by Frère Jacques, a novice monk at the abbey, who had left letters to guide the children. Each letter had a clue leading to another part of the abbey where the students found the next piece.  The reward at the end of the hunt was candy, found in the ruins of what was once the abbey's kitchen, and a view of a drawing of what the abbey would have looked like 800 years ago. We were fortunate enough to also get to try to make coins from the time of Clovis right before leaving the abbey.   The students used a large hammer to pound a metal engraving into another metal engraving that was put inside a tree stump.   [![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0185-225x300-1.jpg?width=225&height=300&name=IMG_0185-225x300-1.jpg)](http://blogs.istp.org/blog/2011/10/24/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-labbaye-saint-jean-des-vignes/img_0185/)   Tomorrow we head to Paris! \*In 2020, the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) formally changed its name to Silicon Valley International School (INTL) to better reflect its bilingual programs, location, and international values. related posts [![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0427-300x225-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/27/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-la-caverne-du-dragon-and-le-chemin-des-dames) [Culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [French Immersion](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/french-immersion) ##### [Guest Blogger Erin O'Rielly - Blérancourt Trip - La Caverne du Dragon and le Chemin des Dames](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/27/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-la-caverne-du-dragon-and-le-chemin-des-dames) [![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0277-225x300-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/25/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-a-day-in-amiens) [Culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [French Immersion](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/french-immersion) ##### [Guest Blogger Erin O'Rielly - Blérancourt Trip - A Day in Amiens](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/25/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-a-day-in-amiens) [![recent-blog-post-image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0070-225x300-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/24/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-chateau-de-pierrefonds-archery) [Culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [French Immersion](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/french-immersion) ##### [Guest Blogger Erin O'Rielly - Blérancourt Trip - Château de Pierrefonds and Archery](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/24/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-chateau-de-pierrefonds-archery) ### Silicon Valley International School #### The premier bilingual International Baccalaureate school in the West Coast. Grades preschool to high school: Chinese, French, German Programs available. [contact us](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions/contact-admissions) [![svINTL-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png?upscale=true&width=350&name=INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/) [+1 (650) 251-8500](tel:+1%20(650)%20251-8500) | [admissions@svintl.org](mailto:admissions@svintl.org) Cohn Campus (Main): 151 Laura Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94303 Willows Campus: 475 Pope St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SVINTLSchool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/SVINTLschool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/?about=&gid=3678595) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/youtube.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoCumv__A7wzB86YH0q8u7A) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Erin O'Rielly", "url" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/author/erin-orielly" }, "dateModified" : "2023-08-15T17:33:36.023Z", "datePublished" : "2011-10-24T07:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Guest Blogger Erin O'Rielly - Blérancourt Trip - L'Abbaye Saint Jean des Vignes", "image" : [ "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0188-225x300-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2011/10/24/guest-blogger-erin-orielly-blerancourt-trip-labbaye-saint-jean-des-vignes", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png" }, "name" : "Silicon Valley International School" } } ```