Well, well, Paris! The destination my oldest chose for his first time on a plane. A little Dad-Son trip.
Whether it’s for good restaurants, walks in different neighborhoods, museums, and so on, there is plenty to do in Paris.
Spring Break in Paris. Here’s what we did and saw.
Destination City: Paris, France
Travel Month: February-March
Length of Stay: 6 Days
Our means of transportation on site were: RER, light rail, bus and metro.
Monday – Departure from Montreal
Off to the Montreal airport. It’s my son’s first time flying and I’ve got a surprise for him. We’ve almost got everything we’re going to do together planned out… except for one day. I tell him in the car and he’s overjoyed. I won’t be spoiler, I’ll come back to that later.
6 days in Paris, we only travel with cabin luggage. Before the flight, a little rest, food with a beautiful view of the tarmac, we stopped at the Desjardins lounge. I like this little relaxing time where we can meet without all the typical noise of an airport. We have a night flight, I hope to sleep well on the plane.
Take off, we’re gone! Next stop: Paris
Tuesday – Arrival and 1st day
First destination: Leave our bags at the hotel.
I had taken a hotel on the outskirts, in Saint-Maurice. Not the best because we were 45 minutes from the center but not far from the RER and buses. For the price paid it was very good. In addition, there is a bakery opposite and a grocery store on the corner.
First visit: The Château de Vincennes
The Château de Vincennes, located east of Paris, is a remarkable fortress steeped in history. Its imposing silhouette has dominated the city for centuries, offering a striking example of French medieval architecture. Built in the 14th century, the château has served as a royal residence, state prison, and military garrison over the centuries. Its majestic towers and impressive ramparts tell of the intrigues of French royalty, while its massive keep evokes the grandeur and power of medieval times. A visit to the Château de Vincennes promises a captivating journey into the fascinating history of France.
We visited everything. The holy chapel, the dungeon, the reading room and even the king’s bedroom. Once the visit was over, we headed to Place des Vosges.
Place des Vosges
Place des Vosges, located in the historic heart of Paris, is a true architectural gem and one of the city’s most charming squares. Built in the 17th century during the reign of Henry IV, it is renowned for its architectural harmony and timeless elegance. Lined with red-brick buildings and slate roofs, the square is framed by vaulted galleries and adorned with manicured gardens. Its arcades now house artisan shops, cafés and art galleries, providing a lively and friendly atmosphere. Strolling through Place des Vosges, with its shaded benches and murmuring fountains, is an enchanting experience, inviting you to savour the history and beauty of Paris in all their splendour.
It’s still a very beautiful park but it’s a bit dull at this time of year. Despite everything, we enjoyed the walk and the stroll in Paris.
We wanted to go to the Café des Chats but the line was too long and we were hungry. We passed on it.
Wednesday– 2nd day
Musée du Louvre
The Louvre Museum, one of the largest and most prestigious museums in the world, is a true cultural institution in the heart of Paris. Nestled in the former royal palace of the Louvre, this iconic monument houses an incomparable collection of works of art from antiquity to the 19th century. Masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace attract millions of visitors each year. But the Louvre is much more than just a museum; it is also a place steeped in history, whose majestic rooms and captivating galleries tell the story of centuries of artistic and cultural evolution. Whether admiring the treasures of world art or losing yourself in its vast gardens, a visit to the Louvre Museum is an unforgettable experience, inviting discovery and wonder.
We spent the whole day there. From 9am to 5pm. We walked a bit! We were not disappointed with our visit.
A giant meringue from Bertrand’s
For a snack, we picked up some giant meringues from Bertrand (10 Rue Lagrange, 75005 Paris)
They were delicious and huge!
Like a canvas
In my dining room at home, I have a reproduction of a painting with a view of Paris. Before leaving, I had explored via Google Street View to find the location of this view and I found it!
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower, the iconic symbol of Paris, is a marvel of engineering and architectural beauty. Built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exhibition, it offers breathtaking views of the City of Lights from its various levels. Whether you choose to ride the elevator or climb its stairs, the experience of gazing at Paris from the top of this iconic structure is unforgettable. Day or night, the Eiffel Tower captivates with its slender silhouette and play of light, capturing the imagination of visitors from all over the world. A visit to Paris is never complete without a stop to admire this architectural icon that embodies the spirit and charm of the French capital.
We arrived in time for the “evening illumination”. It is a wonderful spectacle.
Thursday – 3rd day
L’Arc de Triomphe
The majestic and imposing Arc de Triomphe stands in the heart of Paris on the famous Champs-Élysées avenue. Built by Napoleon Bonaparte to celebrate France’s military victories, it embodies the grandeur and bravery of the French people. Adorned with sculptures and bas-reliefs depicting historical scenes, this monumental gateway offers a unique perspective on the city from its summit. Visitors can also pay homage to the Unknown Soldier, whose eternal flame burns at the foot of the arch. A visit to the Arc de Triomphe is a journey through the history of France, recalling the sacrifices and triumphs that have shaped the French nation.
The architecture of this monument, both inside and out, is breathtaking. It is majestic.
From the top of the Arc, an incredible view of the “old town” and in the distance, the skyscrapers of the “new town”.
Les Champs Élysées and les Galeries Lafayette
The Champs Elysees is actually a boulevard. Lots of people and lots of luxury shops. In short, it wasn’t the most interesting but I had to go for a walk.
My son, who loves shopping (a little too much), absolutely wanted to see the Galeries Lafayette.
Our budget didn’t allow us to shop there but it was interesting to take a look.
We still went around the Disney Store a stone’s throw away.
Expo: The reconstruction of Notre-Dame at the Cité de l’architecture
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, is a jewel of French history and culture. Nestled on the Île de la Cité, it has majestically dominated the banks of the Seine for nearly eight centuries. Visitors are immediately captivated by its façade adorned with sculptures and gargoyles, while the interior dazzles with its colorful stained glass windows, celestial vaults, and meditative atmosphere. Although tragically damaged by the 2019 fire, Notre-Dame remains a symbol of resilience and faith, testifying to the cultural and spiritual richness of France. Each stone of this cathedral tells a story, inviting visitors to delve into a fascinating past and feel the mystical aura that permeates this iconic place.
In 2012, I had the chance to visit Notre-Dame-de-Paris Cathedral before it burned down in 2019. An exhibition was on display about its restoration. It was interesting to see the techniques used to describe, remodel, and immortalize this joyful historical monument.
Friday– 4th day
Disneyland Paris
Here is THE surprise I told you about at the beginning. A day at Disneyland Paris! I thought my son was going to love it the most. Seriously, I had a great day riding rides and diving into my childhood memories because I grew up with Disney characters.
There were two parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. My son wanted to see Walt Disney Studios for the Marvel characters and the themes. After looking at the content of both theme parks, I opted for a ticket that gave access to both. Lucky! We arrived as soon as it opened and went to Walt Disney Studios. We spent 3 hours there and had seen everything that interested us. The rest of the day, we spent at Disneyland Park until the park closed. Both parks are interesting but seeing only Walt Disney Studios is not enough.
We were at the end of the festivities on the 30th anniversary of Disneyland Paris. A plus for us!
One of the advantages of Disneyland Paris was that we could bring our snacks, meals, bags with us. (Glass containers and alcohol prohibited)
We had our water bottles, snacks. We had decided that we would only pay for the meals on site, not for the snacks.
There are several restaurants and shops outside the park. That’s where we had dinner.
We had a wonderful, magical day. It ended with not one but two end-of-day shows because it was for the 30th anniversary festivities.
It was 10pm when we left the park. A busy day that I will remember for a long time. The highlight of my day is the memory of the wonder on my son’s face.
Saturday– 5th day
Château de Versailles
On the way to the Palace of Versailles, my son didn’t feel well. We went back to the hotel to rest. It was nothing serious, it passed after a few hours.
Dinner at Disneyland
In the evening, things were much better. We took the RER to Disneyland to go see the shops and have dinner.
Sunday – 6th day
As all good things must come to an end, we must return home. School and work resume tomorrow.
Goodbye Paris, we will surely see each other again one day!
I am delighted to have been able to share my trip with you. There is so much to do in Paris. I had to limit myself to a small selection since the days were numbered.
I wish you a good trip and see you next time!