On this page you’ll find more information about the Paris trip, such as practical information, locations and a detailed program overview. In between the working sessions, we’ve planned several social events. However, there’s also plenty of time to explore the city.
UvA Business School Study Trip 2025
Paris, July 6-12
Welcome to Paris!
Contact on-site
Jesse Falk
T +31 6 5200 5655
E jesse@cognicum.com
From the UvA ABS, crew members during this trip will be Chaima Elachkar and Nana Kwarteng. They are reachable through MBA-gm@uva.nl
Getting started
Assuming you’ll be arriving at Paris Gare du Nord, it takes about 30 minutes to the hotel by public transport or 20 minutes by taxi (approx. €20). If you’re arrving by plane, the rate for a taxi/Uber will be higher.
Here’s a Google Maps link and the address of our hotel for the week:
ibis Styles Paris Météor Avenue d’Italie
12 Ave. Porte D’Italia, 75013 Paris, France
Checklist before departure
✔️ Dresscode: Business/smart casual (make sure to prepare for Paris’ high temperatures in July).
✔️ Be sure to take enough sun protection/SPF.
✔️ Bring a (for example re-usable) water bottle to and from Paris, you can stay hydrated through-out the trip.
Key locations
Transportation
Paris is a large city, and getting from A to B generally takes up more time than in Amsterdam. We will put Google Maps links in the program overview, on moments that feature travel time. Additionally, you will find a few tips regarding transportation below:
Public transport: Week pass
Paris has a very comprehensive public transport network. This often times beats taking a cab or Uber, because the streets of Paris are always busy. We would recommend taking a week-pass, which will cost you approximately €32, and gives you complete access to metro, train and bus. You can acquire the pass (and other options) through Navigo.
Taxi/Uber
Another option is to get by using cabs and/or Uber/Bolt etc. If it’s for short distances, that could be a viable option. However, because the inner city of Paris is practically a 24/7 traffic jam, we recommend checking Google Maps before choosing your preferred means of transportation.
Micro mobility
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you could opt for grabbing one of the many rentable bikes through apps like Dott or Lime.
The program
Below, you’ll find the most recent version of the program overview for Paris. Note that this overview is being optimized along the way to the trip, with updates to the program.
Before 15:00
Arrival in Paris
From 15:00
Welcome and check-in at ibis Styles Météor Avenue d’Italie
Evening
At own arrangement
07:00-08:00 | ibis Styles Méteór Avenue d’Italie
Breakfast
08:30 | ibis Styles Méteór Avenue d’Italie
Meet-up at the lobby
08:45 – 09:15
Travel time (tip: Route on Google Maps)
09:30 – 10:15 | École des Mines Paris
Program kick-off & look ahead by Jonathan Sitruk
10:15 – 10:30 | École des Mines Paris
Short break
10:30 – 12:00 | École des Mines Paris
Paris and France overview (Jonathan Sitruk & a member of the Dutch Embassy)
12:30 – 13:30 | École des Mines Paris
Lunch break
13:30 – 15:30 | École des Mines Paris
Project work & wrap-up
15:45 – 16:15 |
Walking to the boarding dock (16 min from Ecole des Mines)
16:30 – 18:30 | Starting location: Click here for Google Maps
Opening drinks & bites along the Seine
07:00-08:00 | ibis Styles Méteór Avenue d’Italie
Breakfast
09:25 – 09:55
Travel time (tip: Google Maps)
10:00 – 12:00 | Hello Tomorrow
External session at a Deep Tech incubator
12:15 – 13:15
Lunch at own arrangement
13:15 – 13:45
Travel time to ESCP Business School Paris Campus Montparnasse
14:00 – 15:00 | ESCP Business School Paris / Campus Montparnasse
Debrief of the company visit
15:00 – 17:00 | ESCP Business School Paris / Campus Montparnasse
Project work
Evening
At own arrangement
07:00 – 08:00 | ibis Styles Méteór Avenue d’Italie
Breakfast
08:25 – 08:55
Travel time to Hermès (click here for a metro travel schedule)
09:00 – 10:30 | Hermès Paris
Cultural visit: French Craftmanship
The entrance is here: LINK
12:00
Lunch on own arrangement
Rest of the day
Free time
07:00 – 08:00 | ibis Styles Méteór Avenue d’Italie
Breakfast
08:45 – 09:15
Travel time to ESCP Business School Paris Campus Montparnasse
09:30 – 10:45 | ESCP Business School Paris / Campus Montparnasse
Talk: Robert Sheldon part 1
10:45 – 11:00 | ESCP Business School Paris / Campus Montparnasse
Coffee break
11:00 – 12:00 | ESCP Business School Paris / Campus Montparnasse
Talk: Robert Sheldon part 2
12:15 – 13:45
Lunch at own arrangement
14:00 – 15:30 | ESCP Business School Paris / Campus Montparnasse
Round table session
15:30 – 16:00 | ESCP Business School Paris / Campus Montparnasse
Wrap-up of the day
Evening
At own arrangement
08:00 – 09:00 | ibis Styles Méteór Avenue d’Italie
Breakfast
09:30 – 10:00
Travel time to WILCO
10:00 – 11:30 | WILCO
External session at startup accelerator
11:30 – 12:30 | WILCO
Wrap-up of the program
12:30 – 17:30
Free time
18:15 – 22:00 | Magnolia Pigalle
Closing dinner
07:00 – 08:00 | ibis Styles Méteór Avenue d’Italie
Breakfast
Until 12:00 | ibis Styles Méteór Avenue d’Italie
Check-out
Various times
Departure from Paris
Accommodation
ibis Styles Paris Météor Avenue d’Italie
During this trip we’ll be staying in the ibis Styles Paris Météor Avenue d’Italie. This hotel offers a comfortable and eco-friendly certified stay with convenient access to Paris’s main attractions. For example, the Notre-Dame, the Louvre Museum, and the Latin Quarter are easily accessible via public transportation.
Address
12 Ave. Porte D’Italia, 75013 Paris, France
Google Maps
Check-in/check-out times
Check-in: From 15:00 onwards (Sunday July 6th)
Check-out: Before 12:00 (Saturday July 12th)
Kick-off location
École des Mines Paris
On Monday, we will kick-off our program at the École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris (Mines Paris – PSL), one of France’s oldest and most prestigious engineering schools, founded in 1783 and now part of Université PSL.
It offers elite training in engineering, applied sciences, and management, with strong ties to industry and government. The school is highly selective, known for producing top-level civil servants, researchers, and business leaders. Located in central Paris, it is renowned for its cutting-edge research and distinguished alumni, including Nobel laureates and influential CEOs.
Project working location
ESCP Paris Montparnasse Campus
ESCP Business School’s Montparnasse campus in Paris is a modern, executive-focused hub designed for MBA, MSc, and PhD-level learning. This campus will be our preferred location for multiple project working sessions in the program on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Located in the vibrant Montparnasse district, it offers state-of-the-art facilities—including 46 classrooms, IT labs, and an AV studio—within walking distance of iconic cafés and excellent transport links. The campus hosts a mature, international community and is tailored to high-impact executive education and networking. As part of ESCP’s €300M European investment plan, this site reflects the school’s ambition to lead in global business education.
FAQ
Typically, you’ll find Jesse and/or UvA professors at the lobby of the ibis Styles, or travelling along on one of the many activities within the program. Alternatively, the best way to reach him is via WhatsApp or simply by giving him a call.