The Latin Quarter beckoned on our last day. This is where the intellectuals and uni students hang and have done so since the 1200s. Back then, students would sit on the street and the teacher stood in a window to teach. In those days, theology was the only subject taught.

This is where the Sorbonne University was built. The students who attend here now are taught how to stand up for their rights, how to protest and classes are often shut down due some protest over something. Classes can take place in the local cafes.

John Calvin studied here. He later moved to Geneva where he taught men how to plant churches. Some of these students moved to France and under their ministry ten per cent of the population adopted the protestant Christian faith.

Sadly, in 1572 on St Bartholomew’s Day many of these Christians were martyred. Two centuries later, the French Revolution was when religion was abandoned and shunned. Paris is a secular city. It is bold, brash, beautiful and its people know how to live life to the fullest – they love beauty and pleasure.

I was struck by a painting we saw on our first day at the Musee de Montmartre in which the artist captured the Parisians seeking to enjoy life and yet was also filled with scenes of death. We listened to a commentary on an audio guide about this painting and were told that the artist was aware of how difficult and painful life can be, yet without God the only solution he saw was to pursue a life of debauchery.

Without God this is so true. No matter how hard people try to live their life without God, He is there – alive and active.If you have seen Midnight in Paris, you will recognise these steps.