In the fall of 2022 we found some really great airfare to Paris over Christmas. Emily Elmer had been inviting us for years to come stay with her in Germany, and she was down to her last year there. We decided we’d take advantage of the cards falling into place and take the kids to France and Germany for Christmas!
Day One
We flew direct on Delta to Paris. It was a pretty easy flight. The kids were buzzing with excitement. Once we got there the first thing we had to do was buy some metro tickets. We stood in line for over an hour to get our tickets only to be told we had to get our pictures taken at a photo booth across the way. We went and stood in that line to do that, and then had to get back in the back of the line for the metro passes. Needless to say, it was such a European hassle. Haha!
Next we took the Subway to our airbnb. It was pretty close – dropped us within about two blocks. Our airbnb was this
tiny
apartment right across from the Louvre! It was so perfect for us! YAY!
After we dropped our stuff off and took a 30 minute rest, we went across the street to the Louvre! We saw the Mona Lisa and lots of other famous and beautiful art. But the kids were there about an hour when that jet lag hit HARD! Next thing I know they’re sitting on the benches in each room we go into, and I can’t for the life of me get them to look up at the amazing stuff. Poor bebes. Even when we went to the cafe to get some food, they weren’t having it. Finally we headed back to the apartment for some naps. But we didn’t sleep too long because we didn’t want to be up all night.
Soon enough we went out to the Christmas market, which was just across the bridge from our airbnb – total walking distance. We looked at the cutesy stuff, got some dinner, and rode the “Paris Wheel” – such a great memory!
DAY TWO –
The next day we got up early to catch the Metro out to Versailles. The palace was incredible. That evening we went back to Paris and went to the Eifel Tower, where we had tickets to the top. So cool!
Day Three
Our last day in Paris I woke up early to hit a couple of the museums that others were less excited about. Musee d’Orsay and Musee D’lOrange. I saw some amazing art including Van Gogh and Monet. LOVE!
Then I headed back to the airbnb where everyone was still sleeping soundly. Eventually we got up and went the old center of Paris. We toured the original fortress, and then went to the Cathedral of Notre Dame and San Chapelle. The cathedral was closed for repairs from the fire. San Chapelle, which is a little less famous but right next door, was MAGICAL! The pink-purple light was so so beautiful!
For our last evening in Paris we took a river cruise around the city to see the sights. It was really pretty.
The next morning we got up, threw our stuff in our “seven passenger” car that we rented, and drove out to see Normandy.
