Spring Break 2026, Part II
We pulled into Paris via the Eurostarโgliding beneath the English Channel and emerging into the French countryside. It was one of those travel moments built up in our heads for years. For Luke and Jake, making it to Paris truly was a bucket list experience. Something theyโd talked about long before we ever booked the tickets. For Chris and I, it was something even better. A return to a city that had marked the beginning of our own story together – 15 years ago on our honeymoon. Coming back now, as a family, added a layer of meaning we didnโt expect.
And Paris in the spring – is everything people say it is. Soft light, blooming trees, cafรฉ tables spilling into the streets. A pace that invites you to slow down even when your itinerary says otherwise. Paris in the spring is still every bit as magical, just with more snacks, more steps, and alot opinions about pastries.
Day 1: Arriving late afternoon
We arrived late afternoon from London in that in-between time, a little hangry from a skipped breakfast and travel but too excited to rest. Thereโs something about arriving in Paris that makes you want to drop your bags and immediately start living your best life. And we were fully committed to that mindset. No overthinkingโjust out the door and into the city.
Our hotel was in Le Marais area, and wandering through feels like stumbling into the effortlessly cool side of Paris that somehow still keeps its historic charm intact. The streets are narrower, the buildings a little older, and the vibe a perfect mix of old-world elegance and modern edge. Youโll find trendy boutiques tucked between centuries-old architecture, art galleries that make you feel cultured just by walking in, and cafรฉs that practically demand you sit down and stay awhile. Itโs also one of the best spots for people-watchingโequal parts locals, creatives, and visitors trying to look like locals. Grab a falafel, a pastry, or honestly anything within reach, because this neighborhood takes its food seriously. Itโs the kind of place where you plan to spend an hour and somehow lose half a day without even trying.
Our first stop was an unplanned win: a small, charming brasserie perched along the Seine. No agenda, no reservations. Just a table and a view that felt almost too perfect. Sitting there, watching boats glide past and people watching like any good Parisien, it felt like Paris was gently introducing itself. The food was simple but the kind that reminds you that in France, even a casual meal is still an experience.
From there, we set out on foot, letting the rhythm of the city guide us, but with the full intention of making it to the Eiffel Tower. Walking in Paris isnโt just about getting from point A to point Bโitโs about everything in between. Staying in Le Marais (4th arr.), we had a direct thirty minute walk. The architecture, the side streets, the small details that make you pause – the walk took so much longer. And then, slowly, the skyline shifted, and the unmistakable silhouette of the Eiffel Tower came into view.
Only problem was, as hard as I tried, I was never able to book tickets ahead of time to go to the top. We were a little heart broken when we arrived to see tickets still unavailable that night, wondering when if we would be able to go at any point while we were here. No bucketlist Paris trip would be complete without a ride up that famous landmark! I’m admittedly a little quiet and reserved, but tourist Alyssa has zero issues asking any stranger any question. I do like that bold version of her. Also, ask enough questions, and you’ll get an answer you like. Point and case, “wait 30 minutes and the tickets will go on sale again”. And that is just what we did. It was even more magical because we got to go right as evening lights were starting and twinkling.
Seeing it for the first time as a family felt entirely different than I remembered. As evening settled in, the tower began to glow, and eventually sparkle, casting that familiar magic over the crowd gathered below. The kids were mesmerized. Chris and the boys decided a walk down the stairs would be brilliant. I opted otherwise. And with very tired legs, we found ourselves just standing there in the park watching, longer than expected, letting the moment stretch out. Itโs iconic for a reasonโand somehow still manages to feel personal.
Day 2: Sites and Snacks
Paris greets you with that soft, cinematic morning light that practically begs you to romanticize your entire life. Naturally, we leaned in hardโstarting with a croissant and pain au chocolat class that immediately humbled us. Turns out, โjust folding doughโ is actually an Olympic-level sport involving butter, patience, and a surprising amount of love, time, and upper body strength. Still, thereโs nothing quite like pulling your own golden, flaky masterpiece out of the oven and pretending you could open a bakery tomorrow. Flour everywhere, a few questionable pastry shapes, and a lot of laughs later, we were fully initiated into Parisian breakfast. Honestly, if every day started like this, productivity everywhere would plummet. And after carrying the rest around Paris for endless hours, they were breakfast the next morning.
Fresh off our baking victory, we did what any respectable traveler in France doesโeat more. We sat down for a long, indulgent brasserie lunch. And this was not a โgrab a quick biteโ situation; more of a โcancel your afternoon plans and order another glass of wineโ kind of meal. Think steak frites (Luke), crisp salads (Alyssa), and bread (Jake) that somehow tastes better than bread has any right to. And Chris had his afternoon duck. The people-watching alone deserves its own Michelin star, with locals effortlessly stylish and tourists (hi, us) trying to blend in. Time slows down in the best way, and suddenly you understand why the French donโt rush anything. By the end, we werenโt just fullโwe were considering a nap and a permanent move. But we must carry on!
Next up: the iconic Arc de Triomphe, which is even more impressive in personโand surrounded by what can only be described as the most aggressive traffic roundabout in Europe. (Especially when you don’t see the underground walking tunnel to the center.) We’ve done Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, but watching the cars circle it feels like a real-life game of Mario Kart.
From there, we wandered down the legendary Champs-รlysรฉes, where luxury meets chaos in the most entertaining way. Designer stores line the street, daring you to walk in like you belong, while cafรฉs tempt you to sit and people-watch for hours – except we were so full still. We did some shopping, actually just window shopping with enthusiasm and a fleeting budget that said otherwise. Every few steps, thereโs something to catch your attention, from street performers to the smell of fresh pastries drifting through the air (againโฆ always pastries). Itโs busy, a little flashy, and completely unforgettable. Even if you donโt buy anything, you leave feeling like you experienced something.
Then came The Louvre, aka the place where you confidently say, โWeโll just pop in for a couple hours,โ and immediately realize youโve made a wildly unrealistic plan. The museum is massiveโlike, โyou could get lost and start a new life hereโ massive. We got so lost in the Ancient Egyptian wing, we made it to closing time. Of course, we joined the crowd to see the Mona Lisa, who is smaller than expected but still somehow the main character of the room.
Beyond that, every hallway is packed with incredible art, statues, and ceilings that deserve just as much attention as the exhibits. Itโs equal parts inspiring and overwhelming, but in a way that makes you appreciate just how much history is packed into one place. Pro tip: wear comfortable shoes and accept that you wonโt see it all. I’m still wondering multiple things: Where the heck were Napoleon’s apartments? How could anyone perform a heist in less than five minutes?
We wrapped up the day with dinner at Le Procope, because nothing says โParisโ like dining somewhere thatโs been around since before your country existed. The atmosphere is rich, historic, and just fancy enough to make you sit up a little straighter. Itโs easy to imagine philosophers and writers debating big ideas hereโwhile we mostly debated what dessert to order. Founded in 1686 (!) by Sicilian chef Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, Le Procope in Saint-Germain-des-Prรฉs is recognized as the oldest cafรฉ in Paris. It became a premier intellectual hub for Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot, and a revolutionary meeting spot for figures like Robespierre and Benjamin Franklin. (How’s that AP European History for you!)
The food is classic French comfort, (Coq Au Vin and more duck) – the kind that makes you slow down and savor every bite. By the end of the night, we were happily full, slightly tired, and completely charmed by the day. Paris has a way of doing thatโsweeping you up, feeding you well, and sending you home already planning your return.
Day 3: Churches and Courage
Paris has a way of convincing you that youโre in great shapeโright up until you hop on a bike and attempt to keep up with a guide who treats cobblestones like a casual suggestion. Our bike tour kicked off with excitement, mediocre level confidence, and absolutely no understanding of Paris traffic. Within minutes, we were weaving past cafรฉs, dodging scooters, and questioning every life decision that led us into a roundabout. We’ve had our share of thrilling excursions (Aruba, Puerto Vallarta), but Parisien traffic was mindblowing. But then, just like that, the city opened up in the most incredible way. The pace, the breeze, the ability to cover so much groundโit all clicked. Slightly chaotic? Yes. Completely unforgettable? Also yes.
After surviving (and thriving?) on the bike tour, we rewarded ourselves the best way possible: duh, food. Enter the local butcher shop and a charchuterie board, where everything looks like it belongs in a painting and tastes even better. Walking into a proper French butcher shop feels like stepping into a different eraโcarefully arranged cuts, knowledgeable staff, and an overwhelming urge to buy everything. The charcuterie boards are next-level, with cured meats, cheeses, and accompaniments that make you wonder why you ever settled for grocery store snacks. Itโs indulgent, a little excessive, and absolutely worth it. Consider it your well-earned victory meal.
Although, we covered the outside on the bike tour, we mad our way back to the Notre Dame Cathedral and stepping inside is a completely different experience from admiring it outsideโand one that quietly slows everything down. The noise of the city fades, replaced by a kind of hushed awe that makes you instinctively whisper, even if no one told you to. Sunlight filters through the stained glass, casting colors that feel almost unreal, while the sheer scale of the space reminds you just how small you are (in a humbling, not existential-crisis way). Youโll find yourself craning your neck, staring up at vaulted ceilings, and pretending you understand Gothic architecture. Thereโs something undeniably powerful about being in a place that has stood through centuries of history. Itโs less about checking a box and more about feeling something you didnโt expect.
Of course, no Paris food moment is complete without stopping for crรชpes, which are basically the cityโs official snack. Whether you go sweet or savory, itโs nearly impossible to make a bad choice. Long awaited, we grabbed ours from a street stand, watching the batter swirl and cook in seconds before being folded into a perfect handheld masterpiece. Eating a crรชpe while walking through Paris feels like a rite of passageโslightly messy, totally delicious, and somehow very chic. Bonus points if you donโt get chocolate on your clothes. Itโs simple, satisfying, and exactly the most perfect way to end a trip to Paris. It works wonders to help teenagers build endurance to keep walking.
By the time the day wound down, we had biked through history, survived Paris traffic, and eaten like absolute champions. Itโs the kind of day that leaves you tired in the best wayโlegs sore, stomach full, and camera roll completely out of control. Paris doesnโt just show you its highlights; it pulls you into the experience, whether thatโs navigating a bustling street or savoring a perfect bite. Thereโs a rhythm to it all, somewhere between chaos and charm. And once you find it, even briefly, you start to understand why people fall so hard for this city.
Day 4: Off to Madrid! (More to come!!)
What we Saved for Next Time:
Paris may have delivered unforgettable moments, but it also left us with a growing โnext timeโ listโbecause one trip is wildly insufficient.
At the top (and strongly requested by the boys) is a dreamy evening on a Seine River cruise with dinner, because nothing says โweโve made itโ quite like floating past illuminated landmarks while eating something delicious. Itโs the kind of experience that feels equal parts relaxing and cinematic, and frankly, weโre a little surprised we didnโt prioritize it the first time. The idea of watching the city light up from the water, without having to dodge traffic or navigate maps, sounds like a win for everyone. Plus, sitting still after all that walking? Revolutionary.
Another must for the next visit is heading up to Sacrรฉ-Cลur Basilica, perched high above the city in the charming neighborhood of Montmartre. Weโre already bracing ourselves for the uphill walk (or at least pretending weโll take the stairs), but the panoramic views are said to be more than worth it. Montmartre itself feels like a destination within a destination, with its artsy history, winding streets, and that slightly bohemian energy you donโt find everywhere else in Paris. Itโs the kind of place where you wander without a plan and somehow stumble into something memorable. Add in street artists, tucked-away cafรฉs, and maybe a moment of pretending youโre in a French film, and itโs easy to see why itโs high on the list. Next time, weโre giving it the time it deserves.
Then thereโs Palace of Versaillesโbecause if youโre going to lean into French history, you might as well go all in. Just a short trip from Paris, it promises over-the-top opulence, sprawling gardens, and enough gold detailing to make you reconsider your own home dรฉcor choices. Walking through the halls where royalty once lived (and, you know, dramatically lost their heads) feels like stepping into a history bookโbut with better lighting and significantly more tourists. The gardens alone could fill an entire day, especially if youโre up for a bit of wandering and pretending you own a small portion of it. Itโs grand, itโs excessive, and itโs exactly the kind of day trip that makes Paris feel even bigger than it already does. Comfortable shoes will once again be non-negotiable.
And because no trip to France should skip its world-famous wine culture, a day trip to the countryside is firmly on the wish list. Whether itโs the rolling vineyards of Burgundy or the iconic estates of Champagne, the idea of trading city streets for quiet rows of vines sounds pretty perfect. Think tastings at family-run wineries, long lunches overlooking the hills, and learning just enough about wine to sound impressive later. Itโs a slower pace, a deeper dive into French culture, andโletโs be honestโa very good excuse to drink exceptional wine in a beautiful setting. The boys may not be as invested in this one, but weโre confident theyโll come around when snacks are involved. Balance, right?
And because you made it this far into the article, you deserve to see some original trip to Paris honeymoon pics!
