There are trips you take, and then there are trips that take you—gently by the hand, through moments so deliciously unforgettable, they become part of who you are. This is our personal story of one such journey: twelve extraordinary days in Paris, France, where every sunrise began with possibility and every sunset closed with a whisper of magic.
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
We landed at Charles de Gaulle just as the morning light kissed the rooftops of the city. Our driver whisked us to Le Meurice, the legendary hotel overlooking the Tuileries Garden. A warm croissant and espresso at Café de Flore later, and we were walking the Seine, stopping at Shakespeare and Company, letting the jet lag dissolve in literary daydreams. It was love at first sight for all four of us.
Day 2: The Louvre & A Hidden Bistro
We started early to beat the crowds at the Louvre, pausing in front of the Winged Victory and the Mona Lisa before getting gloriously lost in the Richelieu wing. For lunch, we slipped into a hidden gem: Le Comptoir du Relais, where a confit de canard and a glass of Chinon set the tone for the week. Our private tour was intimate, where we were able to immerse ourselves in the history of all the artwork this incredible museum offers. Then we ended the night at a local pub where they played “The Gypsy Kings” and we danced with all the locals until midnight.
Day 3: Montmartre & Midnight Views
Climbing the hill to Sacré-Cœur felt like entering another Paris—one with whispers of Picasso and Piaf. We wandered the Place du Tertre, where artists still sketch visitors, and watched the world go by from a tiny café called Le Consulat. That night, we returned to the hill for a bottle of wine, some fresh mocktails and the best view in Paris under the stars.
Day 4: Fashion, Macarons, and Le Marais
We dove into French fashion at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum before strolling through Le Marais. There, we lunched at L’As du Fallafel (yes, it’s worth the hype), wandered boutiques, and shared macarons from Pierre Hermé by the Place des Vosges. The day ended with an intimate dinner at Chez Janou, all candlelight and Provençal flavors. We took the train back to the left bank and had ice cream at a local ice cream shop before heading back to our hotel for the night.
Day 5: Versailles in Full Bloom
A Day trip to Versailles reminded us that opulence once had no ceiling. The Hall of Mirrors shimmered, but it was the gardens that truly stole our breath. We picnicked near the Grand Canal, and on the way back, our driver recommended a café in Passy—Le Réservoir—where we had a quiet evening, far from the tourist buzz.
Day 6: Art in the Morning, Jazz at Night
The Musée d’Orsay was a revelation—Monet, Renoir, Degas all bathed in morning light. A light lunch at the museum’s Belle Époque restaurant led us to Saint-Germain-des-Prés for people-watching and did some shopping at The Loui Vitton Shops. That night, we slipped into a basement jazz club in the Latin Quarter. There were no signs, just music drifting up the stairs like a secret.
Day 7: The Eiffel Tower & Alain Ducasse
Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s worth it. We booked the Champagne experience at the Eiffel Tower and toasted to life at the top. That evening, a once-in-a-lifetime dinner at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée—three-Michelin stars, ten courses, and food as art.
Day 8: Markets & Montaigne
A slow morning wandering Rue Cler’s market stalls was followed by a decadent brunch at Café Constant. In the afternoon, we walked Avenue Montaigne, window-shopping through Dior and Chanel, and finished the day with a relaxed evening at the rooftop bar of the Peninsula Hotel.
Day 9: Latin Quarter Layers
We explored the Sorbonne, the Panthéon, and the gardens of Luxembourg. Crêpes at Breizh Café, wine from a tiny cave à vin, and hours lost in the cobblestone lanes. At night, we stumbled upon a small restaurant called L’Avant Comptoir, where every bite was a surprise, and everyone felt like a regular.
Day 10: Day Trip to Champagne
A private driver took us to Épernay, where we toured the cellars of Moët & Chandon and toasted with Dom Pérignon. Lunch was an elegant affair in a vineyard estate. Back in Paris, we walked hand in hand along the Seine, the city sparkling like glass.
Day 11: Modern Paris
We explored Fondation Louis Vuitton and admired its contemporary contrast to the old-world charm we’d grown used to. Lunch at Septime brought a modern French tasting menu to our palate. We finished the night by riding through the Seine River cruise and having a 5-course meal with champagne. The city at night sparkles and has a bit of gothic feel to it.
Day 12: The Last Morning
Our final breakfast was at Angelina’s, with their legendary hot chocolate and view of Rue de Rivoli. We spent our last hour on the Pont Alexandre III, promising ourselves this was not goodbye.
Where Travel Becomes Memory
Twelve days in Paris offered more than a vacation. It was a living dream slow unraveling of the senses, where the rhythm of the city aligned with our own. Every museum, every coffee shop, every quiet corner reminded us that travel isn’t just about seeing something new; it’s about feeling something unforgettable.
If Paris is always a good idea, then this trip was the best idea we ever had.
Ready to write your own Parisian story? Let St. Germain Travel Group curate your perfect escape to the City of Light.