As a boarder at Notre-Dame International High School, weekends are a special part of school life. They are designed to give you time to rest after the school week, enjoy campus life, discover Paris, and slowly become more independent while still having support from the weekend dorm staff.
For students who choose 7-day boarding, the weekend dorm experience offers a balance between freedom, responsibility, study time, and cultural discovery. You may have the chance to visit Paris, explore different neighborhoods, go to museums, join cultural activities, or take part in extracurricular activities in Verneuil-sur-Seine or Paris.
Friday: The weekend begins
Your weekend starts on Friday afternoon after classes.
Between 4:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., you may have club activities, free time on campus or in town if you have parental authorization, and a snack. Students then check in with the supervisor at the gate.
From 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the dorm opens. This is a time to settle in, relax, and meet with the weekend supervisors to plan the weekend ahead.
In the evening, students have dinner at the school refectory and may enjoy a supervised leisure activity, either on campus or off campus, depending on the plan for that weekend. Curfew is at 11:30 p.m., and by midnight, it is lights out, with computers and phones put away.
Saturday: Paris, free time, and activities
Saturday usually starts more slowly than a school day. Students wake up between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and breakfast is served either at the school refectory or at the dorms.
Late morning is used to get ready for the day. Students may also have optional study time. Around this time, students and supervisors may leave for Paris by train. Students who prefer to stay on campus can do so and will be supervised.
From 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., students may have free time in Paris or in Verneuil-sur-Seine. This is a great opportunity to explore, visit places of interest, enjoy the city, or simply spend time with friends. During this time, the weekend supervisor remains available in Paris in case of emergency.
At 7:00 p.m., students meet the weekend supervisor again, either in Paris city center or on campus if they stayed locally. Dinner is supervised and may take place in Paris, Poissy, Verneuil-sur-Seine, or at school, depending on the weekend options.
Students then return to campus by train, usually between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The evening may end with free time or a dorm activity, such as board games or a movie. Curfew is again at 11:30 p.m., with lights out at midnight.
Sunday: A quieter day before the school week
Sunday is usually more relaxed. Students wake up and have breakfast between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., students may enjoy free time on campus or in Verneuil-sur-Seine. Lunch is at the student’s own expense. Depending on the time of year, weekend staff and Nacel may also organize seasonal activities, such as Halloween activities, Christmas celebrations, Galette des Rois, Chandeleur, Valentine’s Day, Carnival activities, Easter celebrations, Cinco de Mayo, or summer activities.
Later in the afternoon, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., students have free time on campus. At 7:00 p.m., the regular weekly dorm schedule starts again, and students prepare for the new school week.
What can you do during the weekend?
Weekend life can include both campus activities and outings. On campus, students may play sports, enjoy board games, watch the news, go for a walk or jog in the park, or suggest their own activities.
Students can also take part in local extracurricular activities in Verneuil-sur-Seine, such as music lessons, sports, horseback riding, or sailing. These activities are arranged by students and families at their own expense.
One of the highlights of weekend boarding is the chance to discover Paris. Suggested outings may include :
- the Eiffel Tower,
- the Louvre Museum,
- Montmartre,
- the Latin Quarter,
- the Champs-Élysées,
- the Marais,
- Notre-Dame,
- the Luxembourg Gardens,
- the Tuileries Gardens,
- the Panthéon,
- Versailles,
- Disneyland Paris,
- a Seine river cruise,
- and many more places.
Weekend supervisors may also suggest current events and activities happening in Paris.
Independence, with support
Weekend boarding gives students the opportunity to become more independent. You learn how to organize your time, follow a schedule, use public transportation, respect meeting points, and make responsible decisions.
At the same time, you are not alone. Weekend staff is available throughout the weekend, and students who stay on campus during free time are supervised. Students must also have a working mobile phone and be reachable at all times, especially during independent free time.
A real boarding experience
So, what do weekends look like as a boarder at Notre-Dame International High School?
They are a mix of rest, study, friendship, independence, and discovery. You may spend one weekend exploring Paris, another joining a seasonal activity, and another relaxing on campus with friends. It is a chance to enjoy life in France beyond the classroom while learning how to become more confident, organized, and responsible.
