Ah, Paris! The City of Lights, love, and all those delicious pastries! Just last week, I found myself soaking in the beauty of this iconic city, and let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint. We spent an entire week there—from Saturday to Friday—embracing the perfect weather for wandering around.
Seriously, the temperatures were just right: not too hot, not too cold. It felt like we timed our visit perfectly, as we’ve been to Europe this time of year before, and it always seems to hit the sweet spot.
Now, let’s dive into the highlights of our trip. First up, the Louvre! Ah, what an experience. We only had a morning there, and honestly, that was more than enough.
Of course, the Mona Lisa drew a crowd, and I swear some tourists could use a lesson in patience. But once I managed to escape the rush, exploring the art was simply breathtaking.
Next, we headed to Versailles, and while the buildings were amazing, I have to admit the gardens were a bit of a letdown. None of the fountains were on, and the grandiosity I imagined just wasn’t there.
Still, seeing the palace itself was pretty cool. Then, on a whim, we decided to check out Napoleon’s Tomb, and wow, it was worth it!
The size of the tomb and the architecture left me in awe. Definitely a highlight!
And, of course, we couldn’t skip the Eiffel Tower. We took the stairs to the second floor—talk about a workout! But the views? Absolutely stunning.
Notre Dame was next on the list. We got in surprisingly fast with no tickets, and while it was as beautiful as expected, I do wish I could’ve seen more of the original structure instead of the newer additions.
One little bump in our plans was that we couldn’t get tickets to the catacombs, which was a bit disappointing. But hey, there’s always next time.
Now, onto the food! As any parent knows, feeding a picky 9-year-old can be a challenge. We gave it our best shot, and while Dubillot seemed to be a popular spot, I found it underwhelming.
The food felt like it was all pre-made and just reheated—a bit of a letdown to be honest. On the flip side, we found a gem in Les Antiquaires.
Their beef bourguignon was fantastic! It totally put the one at Dubillot to shame. We also mixed it up with some Asian spots for lunch—Restaurant 7 Nouilles near Napoleon’s Tomb and Gourmet d’Asie near the Louvre were great finds!
One of my favorite things was simply walking around, exploring neighborhoods, and soaking in the vibrancy of the city. I loved watching people sit at brasseries, enjoying their day over a good meal.
If you’re visiting, do yourself a favor and grab a Navigo weekly pass. It made getting around so much easier—and saved us a ton of money, especially for trips to Versailles and the airport.
All in all, our week in Paris was just dreamy. I can’t wait to return one day—there’s so much more to explore and enjoy!