Stepping off the plane at Orly Airport, I should have been tired. We had flown from Atlanta to London and then connected to Paris. I hadn’t slept a minute. Adrenaline pumped through my veins. I was finally in Paris!
After months of planning, I hoped it would all pay off. My expectations and excitement were sky high. I envisioned visiting the historical sites, walking the Seine, and eating my way through the city…I swear I could smell the croissants baking!
Did Paris live up to my expectations?
Click here to read my takeaways on what’s worth it, what’s not, and what I’d do differently in Rome.
Click here to find out what I loved and would do differently in London.
Where We Stayed in Paris (Honest Review)
My stepkids and I met up with my wife at the hotel. She had an earlier direct flight.
We stayed in the Pigalle area, mainly for:
- Metro access
- Walkability
- Affordability (for four adults)
Pigalle is best known for Moulin Rouge and its proximity to Montmartre.
Would I stay there again?
Probably not.
While it’s safe, it’s also lined with adult shops and has a noticeable red-light-district vibe. Traveling with college-age kids made for some laughs and some awkward moments. But I would be beyond embarrassed to walk those streets with my parents. I wouldn’t recommend staying in this area for most people as there are many other options available.
That said, it is very convenient to:
- Sacré-Cœur
- Montmartre
- Galeries Lafayette
Day 1: Montmartre, First Impressions & French Food
On our first night, we walked into Montmartre and found a small, non-touristy restaurant (something I now actively seek out in Europe). The choice of restaurants was rushed, but that happens when everyone is hungry and experiencing the effects of a long day of travel.
I ordered Duck Cassoulet—rich, hearty, and satisfying. This was probably my favorite meal in Paris. But for everyone else, meh. The charcuterie board was probably the biggest hit.
Service was slow (expected), space was tight (very expected), and the wine flowed (I would have been disappointed if it didn’t).
Day 2: Sacré-Cœur, Museums & the Eiffel Tower at Night
We started early with a walk up to Sacré-Cœur. Actually calling this a walk is understating the effort.
This is a climb.
My Apple Watch clocked it at the equivalent of 20 flights of stairs—and I felt every one of them.
But once at the top? Even in the fog—it was worth it. I am not sure if it was the climb or the beauty of the basilica that took my breath away.
Inside the basilica, I lit a candle and had a quiet moment to myself. I was deeply moved in that moment—sensing I was in the presence of something bigger than me.
The “TikTok Café” Experience
My stepdaughter found a restaurant for breakfast recommended, of all places, on TikTok. She assured us it was nearby. It was not. We saw parts of Paris on our way there that you will never see on Instagram.
Was it good? Yes.
Was it worth it? Not really.
What did I learn? Social media spots often look better than they are. I hope my stepdaughter learned the same lesson.
Galeries Lafayette (Unexpected Highlight)
Galeries Lafayette might be the most beautiful department store I’ve ever seen.
- The glass dome = breathtaking
- Rooftop views = incredible (especially if it were a clear day)
- Shopping = surprisingly affordable (although that is a relative term)
If we were staying longer in Paris, I would have spent more time here. But with limited time, I felt guilty shopping when there were so many other things to experience.
Musée d’Orsay & The Museum Pass
Musée d’Orsay (a former train station) was one of my favorite stops.
If you appreciate Impressionist art, this is a must. The Impressionists Exhibit is located on the fifth floor. It was crowded, but that didn’t deter me. Most of my time was spent here.
We used the Paris Museum Pass, which helped structure our itinerary and saved time and money. More on that below.
Eiffel Tower at Night
Seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night is one of those moments that lives up to the hype.
When the lights started sparkling, you could hear the collective reaction in every language. Oohs and Aahs translate well.
This is a must-do, especially with young children. I imagined the look on my granddaughters’ faces when they someday witness the show, making the lighting of a Christmas tree seem mundane.
Day 3: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle & Luxembourg Gardens
The day started with an early morning walk to an outdoor street market, Rue Des Martyrs. As we approached the market, I was drawn to the smell of bread baking. This is what I imagined Paris to smell like.
We turned the corner and found the source of the aroma…a small bakery with a line outside the door!
As I watched one patron after another walk out with a baguette, I had to follow suit. While my wife and stepkids ordered a croissant, I left with a 15-inch baguette (in the long paper bag) and found a small shop for an Americano. I felt like a true Parisian strolling the streets, nibbling on my baguette, and taking in the sights and sounds of the market. It was divine!
The market was relatively small, lined with vendors who carefully displayed their fruits, vegetables, and bouquets. A few butcher shops and fishmongers were sprinkled among the vendors, providing a contrasting odor to the bakeries. Locals filled their bags with the offerings, and each one had a baguette and a bouquet.
This felt like the Paris I had imagined.
Notre-Dame
Walking into Notre-Dame Cathedral was breathtaking. I took my time walking through the cathedral, taking in the wonder of it all. My wife patiently waited for me, but my stepkids chose to wait outside.
As I walked through the cathedral, I couldn’t detect if it was damaged by the fire several years ago. If it was, it was beautifully restored.
Like Sacré-Cœur, I lit a candle and had a quiet moment. Again, unrushed time to reflect. Grateful for all my blessings.
Recommendation: Schedule your visit on their website. It is not mandatory, but highly encouraged. Visitors are limited each day, and it would be a shame to miss the tour of the cathedral.
Sainte-Chapelle (Timing Matters)
Sainte-Chapelle is stunning—but here’s my honest take:
Visit it before Notre-Dame.
Seeing it afterward made it feel underwhelming by comparison.
Sainte-Chapelle requires reservations, even if you have the Paris Museum Pass. A word of caution, security is very tight as you enter and the security guards are not friendly.
Luxembourg Gardens
After Sainte-Chapelle, we took a nice stroll to Luxembourg Gardens and found it to be completely peaceful and relaxing. The flowers were not yet in bloom. I imagine it would be stunning later in the spring and summer.
We sat by the water, watched ducks and fish, and slowed down for a bit—something we didn’t do enough of.
When the gardens closed, whistles blew, and everyone left in orderly fashion. I was actually fascinated by how quickly everyone picked up their belongings and walked to the gates.
Seine River Cruise (Cold Reality)
After a quick dinner, we took a night cruise on the Seine River.
Sounds romantic—and it is.
But in March?
It’s freezing. Cold wind, the spray of water from the river, and a light coat took the romance out of the cruise. We were huddled together to survive the elements!
Still very enjoyable, and I am glad we took the cruise. It also provided us with a second opportunity to see the Eiffel Tower’s light show, this time with a reflection off the river.
Final Day: The Louvre, Arc & One Perfect Moment
The Louvre
The Louvre Museum is massive. Our visit was relatively short considering the size of the museum.
I got lost and ended up in the courtyard of marble statues (I think they were marble), not once, not twice, but three times. Learn from me and grab a map when you enter the museum.
I saw the Mona Lisa, finally.
My art appreciation has developed over the last several years. Taking time to notice the composition and brush strokes of a painting has contributed to my enjoyment of these masterpieces.
This was my second visit to The Louvre. I am not sure if the museum is air-conditioned. Both times it was stifling hot inside while cold outside.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is incredible—but the traffic circle? Absolute chaos. I didn’t even risk trying to cross the street. We admired it from afar.
Our Paris Museum Pass had expired, so we were not able to go inside the Arc de Triomphe and climb to the top. But at this point, I wasn’t upset. That would have been a climb of roughly 15 flights of stairs, and my feet were killing me!
A Perfect Moment at the Eiffel Tower
My stepkids had a few “Instagram” shots they wanted to take at the Eiffel Tower during the day. My wife took the metro back to the room to rest while I walked with the kids to get their pictures.
One-by-one, we located the spots they had mapped out. I laughed inside as they posed, taking pictures from seemingly every angle. They got their “perfect pics” to post. Or so we thought.
Just as we were leaving for the hotel, a rainbow appeared over the Eiffel Tower! At first small and faint, and then it grew in size and depth of spectacular colors.
Now they had their ultimate Instagram moment!
It was as if I was experiencing a scene from a Hollywood feel-good movie or one of those sickly sweet Hallmark movies. You couldn’t have scripted a more beautiful ending!
This turned out to be one of those rare, perfect travel moments you can’t plan. It was pure luck that I looked up when I did. A minute or two later, it was gone.
Best Meal Tip: Bouillon Pigalle
I found this restaurant in 2019 when I first visited Paris.
Bouillon Pigalle is:
- Affordable
- Authentic
- Packed (reservations recommended)
My second visit was as good as my first. I highly recommend it. It’s a short walk from the Moulin Rouge and easy to get to from the metro. It is the only restaurant I know where patrons are willing to wait in line for two hours for a table.
Lessons Learned in Paris
1. The French aren’t rude
In fact, I found people much more friendly than I expected. Other than security at Sainte-Chapelle, I have nothing but positive things to say about the people we interacted with in Paris.
2. French Food may not be my thing
My verdict on Paris / French food?
Good…mostly very good…but rarely unforgettable (for me). I fear that French cooking may be lost on me. Nicoise Salad, escargot, and beef bourguignon were all delicious, but none were memorable.
3. Paris is incredibly walkable
Although we occasionally rode the Metro, most places we wanted to go were within walking distance. Google Maps and the Eiffel Tower as a frame of reference made navigating the city very easy.
One of my favorite walks was along the Seine River. I felt like it was a place I was meant to be. Who knows, maybe it was the spirit of a past relative calling me home.
4. The Paris Museum Pass is worth it
We purchased the 48-hour pass and found it to be a great value. I used it as a plan for each day. There were a few museums we didn’t get to, but I was okay sacrificing another rushed museum visit for the relaxed time we spent in Luxembourg Gardens.
5. Slow down (biggest lesson)
I didn’t realize this until our last day. If I could do it again, I would have:
- Stayed 5–6 days
- Limited museums to 2 per day
- Spent more time:
- Sitting at cafés
- Walking aimlessly
- Taking it all in
Final Thoughts
Paris is a city you don’t just visit—you experience. If you rush through the city, you truly will miss the best Paris has to offer. Three days is not enough time in Paris. Yes, we hit all the “must-see” attractions, but we only scratched the surface of truly experiencing Paris. Stay longer, explore the nooks and crannies of Paris, and be intentionally present in the moment. That’s my lesson for the next time I visit Paris.
