Final European Chapter: One Magical Week in Paris

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After wrapping up our cruise and saying goodbye to the Mediterranean, we hopped on a quick flight back to Paris to spend our final week in Europe.

We’d started our trip in Paris but left so quickly that we never really had the chance to explore, so coming back felt just as exciting as the very beginning of this entire trip. It was the perfect way to wind down the adventure, settle into a slower rhythm, and savor one last stretch of European magic before heading home.

Let’s start with a confession: I’ve been dreaming of Paris since I was twelve, back when I first began learning French in school. I pictured myself standing atop the Eiffel Tower, savoring an espresso and croissant at a café, and wandering the halls of the Louvre. It took me a little longer than expected to finally make the trip, but the “City of Light/City of Love” was every bit as magical as I’d imagined. And we did everything from free museum afternoons and parks to world famous landmarks and Disneyland Paris.

2024 Olympics

Our first transit through Paris happened to coincide with the 2024 Olympics, when the entire city was humming with excitement. Even though our time was too limited to catch an event, we still felt swept up in the moment. Flags were draped from balconies, signage lined every lamppost, crowds swirled around metro stations, and a contagious sense of celebration charged the air.

At one point, as we passed through the Jaurès neighborhood, two cyclists in full Olympian gear representing Poland flew past us, a blink-and-you-miss-it moment. Such a cool moment that we won’t forget.

Coffee & Croissants

One of the simplest pleasures we learned was enjoying a coffee or espresso and a fresh croissant from the patio of a café, and watching Paris move around us. It felt classically Parisian.

And while the neighborhood boulangeries are part of the charm, we discovered that local supermarkets also bake croissants and pain au chocolat fresh each day, and they are just as delicious and satisfying at a fraction of the price.

French Crêpes

You can’t say you’ve visited Paris without indulging in a crêpe or two. We made a point of ordering ours from proper cafés and crêperies rather than the street-corner vendors. Sitting down at an actual establishment meant warm, perfectly folded crêpes made to order, with buttery edges and fillings that tasted so much fresher. And with the long-running rumors about some street stands cutting corners on food safety, we were happy to stick with the more reputable spots.

Mapple lover crêpes from Emily near the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

Everyone thinks of the Eiffel Tower the moment you say the word, Paris. It’s almost instinctive. And honestly, it earns every bit of its fame. Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower and staring up at 7,300 metric tonnes of wrought iron felt incredibly satisfying.

I couldn’t snag online tickets (they sell out incredibly fast!) so we queued for about 40 minutes at the monument’s ticket office. Just five minutes before we reached the front, they closed the summit due to overcrowding, which was frustrating to say the least. Our options were to buy tickets for the second floor or step out and re-queue in hopes the top reopened. We chose the second floor.

The second floor at 115 metres was definitely not a snooze. The panoramic views were unreal, and as our tickets also gave us access to the first floor, we took our time exploring both levels, browsing the shops, and treating ourselves to some delicious gelato. And standing behind the Olympic rings, looking down at the beach volleyball arena below – absolutely priceless.

We couldn’t resist going back in the evening, this time to watch the Eiffel Tower from across the Seine. We’d already crossed off the classic “I’m really here” tourist moment, but seeing the lights flicker on at night hit differently. Yes, it was crowded, and yes, it was the most touristy thing we could’ve possibly done, but honestly it was one of those absolutely-do-not-skip experiences that lives up to the hype.

The Louvre

Another iconic attraction that comes to mind when people whisper the word Paris is The Louvre. Once a medieval fortress and later a royal palace, it officially opened as a public museum in 1793 and has grown into the largest art museum in the world. Home to more than 35,000 works, including the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, it’s the kind of place where you could wander for hours without ever feeling bored. We had so much fun drifting from era to era, admiring masterpiece after masterpiece.

Just across from the museum, the Tuileries Garden offered the perfect breather after the visit. It is one of Paris’s most historic and iconic parks. During the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, it was the site of the Olympic and Paralympic cauldron.

Champs‑Élysées and Arc de Triomphe

The Avenue des Champs‑Élysées, one of the most famous avenues in the world, is lined with luxury boutiques, cafés, and shops, stretching 1.9 kilometres from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.

As we got closer to the arch, the energy of the street seemed to intensify, the traffic swirling around the monument in a strangely mesmerizing mix of chaos and order. The Arc de Triomphe stands as a powerful symbol of French patriotism, honouring military victories and those who fought and died for France.

Visitors can explore the small museum inside for free or pay to climb 284 steps up to the rooftop terrace for sweeping panoramic views of the city. Since the Arc de Triomphe isn’t air‑conditioned, we decided to skip the long lines and crowds, and simply enjoyed taking a bunch of photos from the front and back.

Statue of Liberty

Did you know the Statue of Liberty in New York was a gift from France to the United States in 1886, and that the American people returned the gesture just a few years later? In 1889, the United States presented France with an 11.5-metre-tall replica, now tucked along the Allée des Cygnes, a small, long, and narrow island in the Seine. It faces west toward New York City, a symbolic nod to the Franco-American alliance and a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.

We also came across the Flame of Liberty, a full‑sized, gold‑leaf replica of the torch from New York’s Statue of Liberty. Perched near the northern end of the Pont de l’Alma, it has become an unofficial memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales, after her tragic 1997 death in the tunnel beneath the bridge.

Jardin du Luxembourg

The Jardin du Luxembourg is one of Paris’s most beautiful and beloved public gardens, a 25-hectare public park located just south of the Latin Quarter. Created in 1612 for Queen Marie de’ Medici, it features a mix of French and English-style gardens, all centered around the elegant Palais du Luxembourg, seat of the French Senate.

Today, the garden is filled with tree-lined promenades, flowerbeds, statues (including another Statue of Liberty replica), fountains, and iconic green chairs where locals and visitors can lounge in the sun. We spent about an hour and a half walking through the park and hung out a bit at the famous Fontaine Médicis. It was the perfect spot to pause and people-watch, especially those sailing toy boats across the pond.

Mineralogy Museum

The Musée de Minéralogie Mines Paris is one of the most prestigious and comprehensive mineral collections in the world. Founded over 200 years ago and housed in the historic Hôtel de Vendôme, it contains around 100,000 specimens, with about 5,000 on display, representing nearly 2,900 mineral species.

Evelyn was over the moon exploring the long gallery filled with sparkling crystals, gemstones, meteorites, and rare geological specimens, all beautifully arranged in classic wooden display cases. The museum is not only visually stunning but also an active research center, contributing to the study of rare elements and mineral resources. Best of all, admission is completely free.

Montmarte

Montmartre is a charming, historic hilltop district in Paris’s 18th arrondissement, known for its bohemian history, artistic heritage, and the striking Sacré‑Cœur Basilica. The whole neighbourhood carries an unmistakable village-in-a-city feel—romantic and charming.

We took our time exploring cozy cafés, souvenir shops, cobblestone lanes and the Le Mur des Je t’aime, a beautiful mural featuring ‘I love you’ written in more than 250 languages.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame was still deep in restoration when we visited, but it was honestly still worth the stop. The whole forecourt had these big wooden grandstands set up, so everyone could sit and watch the work happening in real time, kind of like a behind‑the‑scenes moment you don’t usually get with a landmark this famous. The cathedral itself was still closed off and won’t reopen until December 2024, but even just standing there, seeing the progress and the scale of it all, felt special in its own low‑key way.

Disneyland Paris

We couldn’t resist squeezing in a visit to Disneyland Paris, because how often do you get to pair the magic of Paris with the magic of Disney in the same trip? The 1 Day/2 Parks ticket made it easy to hop between Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park without overthinking it. We were especially excited for Avengers Campus, the Marvel‑themed land found only here and in Anaheim, and for the Ratatouille ride, which is unique to Paris.

It ended up being our most exhausting day, but honestly, such a fun contrast to the museums and monuments that filled the rest of our trip. And Disney!

Getting Around Paris

Getting around Paris was incredibly easy on public transport. The Paris Métro was fast, convenient, and cost-efficient. We simply tapped our Canadian credit card at the station gates and paid per trip, and it worked flawlessly every time. Trains came frequently, transfers were straightforward, and we never felt like we were wasting time getting from one place to another.

The only time we opted for an Uber was on our first day, heading from the airport to our hotel after a long travel day when we were tired, hungry, and ready to settle in. After that, the metro (and bus) became our go-to way to explore the city.

Budget-Friendly Accommodation

We spent the week at the Aparthotel Adagio Porte de Versailles, and the location made everything wonderfully simple. It was a short stroll to the metro, with a supermarket, a bakery, and plenty of casual restaurants right in the neighbourhood. Although the hotel offered a buffet breakfast for an additional cost, we preferred our 10-minute daily morning walks to Carrefour City for fresh croissants and pains au chocolat. The real reason we chose this hotel, though, was the self‑service coin laundry in the basement. After a full week of cruising, having that convenience on‑site felt like a small luxury.

Photo courtesy of Adagio Paris Porte de Versailles

Our one‑bedroom apartment gave us exactly the space and flexibility we needed. The layout included a living room with a pull‑out sofa that converted into a double bed, plus a separate bedroom with another double bed. The fully equipped kitchen made quick dinners and late‑night snacks effortless. The bathroom, with its deep bathtub and separate wash closet, was a very welcome comfort after weeks of quick showers. With a television, in-room safe, and free wi-fi, it is an ideal setup for families or anyone who appreciates a bit of breathing room.

Eating Around Paris

When it comes to food (aside from the memorable mentions above), there is no shortage of options. You can find pretty much anything from classic French dishes to the ever‑popular Italian spots, plus American, Indian, and Chinese cuisine. We quickly learned that restaurants near major landmarks tend to be pricier and very tourist‑focused. Don’t be afraid to wander a few blocks farther for more budget‑friendly, authentic choices. And keep an eye out for bistros offering a prix fixe (fixed‑price) menu as they often deliver better value than ordering à la carte.

We were also surprised by how many great ready‑to‑eat options we found in local supermarkets. From fresh salads and sandwiches to heat‑and‑eat meals and wine (so much wine!), it was easy to grab something quick without sacrificing quality. A couple of times we were simply too tired or too cozy to head back out, so we ordered in and enjoyed a quiet night. It ended up being a nice balance of memorable meals out in the city and simple, satisfying bites when we needed a break.

Conclusion

This final week in Paris felt like the perfect finale to our four‑week European adventure and seeing Paris at last made each moment feel extra special. Between the famous sights, the incredible museums, the wandering through cozy neighbourhoods, and a visit to the happiest place on Earth (Paris-style), it was everything my 14‑year‑old self imagined and more.

I could hardly believe we’d crossed off six countries and checked off countless bucket‑list moments. These four weeks were easily our best family vacation yet, and I know we’ll be reliving the stories for a long time.