Paris | France 2011

After our time in Germany, we journeyed on to Paris, where we stayed in a charming little hotel right in the heart of the city. The room was cozy—so cozy, in fact, that shaving required a leg stuck out of the shower! Yet despite its size, it had all the essentials, including its own bathroom, and felt quintessentially Parisian.

We began our Parisian adventure in the best way possible: wandering our neighborhood streets and stumbling upon a small bistro just around the corner. There, we shared one of our most memorable meals of all time. Tom struck up a lively back-and-forth with the waiter, insisting he wanted to try the tongue, despite the waiter’s repeated protests that he wouldn’t like it. Eventually, the waiter relented—and to Tom’s delight, the tongue was delicious. I ordered the duck, perfectly cooked and rich with flavor. Years later, that evening remains one of our favorite dining experiences.

A highlight of our time in Paris was a day trip to the Palace of Versailles, the lavish royal residence built by Louis XIV in the 17th century. Rather than explore the palace interior, we opted to lose ourselves in the vast gardens, where fountains, manicured hedges, and grand avenues stretched endlessly before us. It felt like walking straight into another century.

Back in Paris, we strolled along the banks of the Seine, eventually finding ourselves at the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. Its Gothic architecture was breathtaking, and we were fortunate enough to witness a mass taking place—a deeply moving experience in such a sacred space. We also visited the Louvre, arriving just an hour before closing. To our delight, tickets were deeply discounted, and the museum was nearly empty. We set our sights on the Mona Lisa, taking our time to enjoy the treasures along the way. Wandering through the quiet, echoing halls of one of the world’s greatest museums felt almost dreamlike and remains one of my most cherished travel memories.

Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without strolling down the Champs-Élysées, indulging in a crepe beneath the Eiffel Tower, and soaking in the city’s timeless elegance. We also explored Montmartre, where the bohemian spirit of old Paris lingers in its cobblestone streets. From the steps of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, we were rewarded with sweeping views of the city below.

Our final stop was a visit to Père Lachaise Cemetery, paying respects to Jim Morrison, the legendary lead singer of The Doors. His resting place is among many famous names, including Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Marcel Proust, and Frédéric Chopin, making it one of the most visited cemeteries in the world.

Paris was everything we had hoped it would be—romantic, historic, vibrant, and endlessly inspiring. We saw the landmarks that make the city world-renowned, indulged in its incredible cuisine, and savored the simple joy of café culture, feeling for a moment like true Parisians ourselves.