We took our second trip to Paris last fall for Liz’s 16th birthday.
We also had gone to Paris for Liz’s 14th birthday.
We went to Greece for her 15th!
October is a great time to travel. We homeschool, so we don’t have to worry about schedules and we can take advantage of deals and lesser crowds. We can coincide our trips with our studies.
She’s such a lucky girl.
I bought the Rick Steves Paris this time and it was great!
We got to stay a little longer this time and saw most of what we didn’t have time to see before. Which was super nice and almost leisurely.
But there are still reasons I want to go back! I still want to see the Rodin Museum and Carnavalet was closed. I would love to sit in the café at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore. I want to browse at the Clignancourt Flea Market. I want to see Paris in springtime.
The kids love practicing their French! We’ve never felt the attitude that others complain of in Paris. People are super friendly and helpful if you try a little and know the etiquette.
Day 1: Marais
We took the train from Kaiserslautern to Paris, then the Metro to our apartment. We bought week passes for the Metro for everyone.
We checked in to our apartment in the 3rd Arrondissement, at the edge of the Marais. It was really nice and had a rather large kitchen and a bathtub! There’s a sweet little bakery right across the street. It was quiet but close to everything!
We started out with Rick Steves’ Marais Walk – Bastille to Pompidou.
We ate an amazing lunch at La Place Royal in Place du Vosges. They had the best Caesar salad I’ve ever had. The staff were amazing.
The kids played in the park in Place du Vosges for a while.
Then, we continued our Marais Walk to Hôtel de Sully which has a gorgeous courtyard.
We got Amorino gelato by Pompidou Center.
We stopped by the G20 grocery to get some pizza for the kids for dinner.
Aaron and I went to A&M for dinner and got this lovely salmon risotto and rosé wine.
Day 2: The Louvre
We did the Louvre.
Surprisingly, I wasn’t that keen on going to the Louvre, but I’m so glad we did! I was overwhelmed by the size and worried we’d get all cranky before even seeing half of it. The kids were troopers! I wasn’t.
We bought tickets online and used the Mall entrance. No lines, super easy.
We got there right when they opened. We bought an app with maps and guides. There are also pretty good brochures at the entrance.
We all but ran to see the Mona Lisa first. There are signs and arrows, so you can’t miss her!
I was so excited to see Sleeping Hermaphrodite by Bernini.
The kids loved The Louvre. They especially loved the Egyptian wing. I was the one who got hungry and tired and wanted to leave. There was only one wing we didn’t see: The Richelieu Wing – Northern Europe Paintings. And some of the Spanish art wasn’t open, but we viewed it through fences. So, I think we did great!
We had lunch at a touristy Provençal restaurant down an alley. It was simple and fine and there were actually lots of locals who showed up as we were finishing up.
We went to Les Halles for Liz to go to Sephora and the kids to go the Lego store. We got drinks at a fun little café.
Aaron and I had dinner at Madame Tartine beside the Stravinsky Fountain. It was windy and starting to drizzle, so we had to rush our mixte charcuterie et camembert chaud.
Day 3: Montmartre
We took the Metro to Montmartre.
The stop is right down the hill from Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
Sacré-Cœur was lovely.
We rubbed Peter’s foot for blessings.
We had a nice quiet lunch at Chez Plumeau.
Delicious salmon pasta.
Gorgeous rose wine. At sixteen years old, Liz can have a sip now!
Enormous hot cocoa.
We walked Montmartre. It’s in Rick Steves Paris.
We got to see many famous landmarks, like Picasso’s studio and the houses where Vincent van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec lived.
Moulin de la Galette is in a famous Renoir painting.
And also scenes from the movie Amélie.
The Rue Cler and Pig Alley walks intersect here too. They’re boring for us though.
We got a snack of macarons at a bakery. And of course, a baguette. We stopped for drinks farther on at a corner café and ate our macarons. I’m a little obsessed with the Kir Royal Pêche cocktail – champagne with peach liqueur.
We walked the Rue des Martyrs and saw Le Cimetière du Père-Lachaise.
I finally got to see Jim Morrison’s grave.
We all had dinner at Ma Salle à Manger. We had a lovely memory of it the first time we came to Paris and Liz decided she wanted her birthday dinner there. They were out of almost everything, but we got steak and salad with an amazing Bordeaux wine.
Day 4: Versailles
We took the train to Versailles. Check out my detailed post about our Versailles day trip.
We made the kids dinner at our apartment. Aaron and I had dinner at Le Grand Cerf right around the corner from our apartment. Salmon and gratin dauphinois.
Day 5: Basilique St. Denis
We walked to Place de la Concorde. It’s absolutely gorgeous and a great location for pictures! (unlike its history)
We took the Metro to Basilique St. Denis.
All the royal families of France are buried here.
We loved the basement with all the gravesites for Marie-Antionette and her family.
We ate lunch at a café right at the entrance. It was just ok.
We found Laguiole Marais to buy some knives and a cool wine opener for Aaron. So cool it was open on Sunday!
We peeked in the gate at La Passage du Grand Cerf.
The kids got Nitrogenie ice cream.
We walked to the Eiffel Tower just as it started to sparkle. Such a great way to end our magical trip!
Everything was closed for dinner. I forgot that about Sundays. We should have had a very early dinner. I was hungry!
We just love Paris. It’s one of our favorite places!
Wonderful photos and you brought back such wonderful memories of a trip to Paris I took in high school. We too found that as long as you attempted to speak french most people were quite helpful in trying to help you out.
Loved this, Jennifer. Visiting Paris is on my Bucket List and this made me want to make it happen soon. I’ll be referring back to your tips. If you don’t mind me asking, did you book the apartment through VBRO or how? {Visiting today from #FaithFilledFriday.}
I always use Booking.com
My link: https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=873727
I love Paris too and would love to take my girls some day. My youngest is dying to go, the diva that she is! #theweeklypostcard
We took our daughter when she was 14 months old. Maybe we’ll have to do a return trip with her when she’s older! Loved Paris! #BebeVoyage
You saw so much! Paris is just a few hours by train from us so I’m always adding to our “go back to Paris list.” You mentioned a few places I can’t wait to check out. We love the Rick Steves walks. His audioguides on itunes are another favorite. Thanks for sharing all these great tips and info on your trip! #BebeVoyage
I tried listening to the app, but couldn’t get into it. The kids might like them as a preview to trips.
I’ve been to Paris once and hated it! We keep saying we will give it a second chance so we will refer back to this if we do
Thanks for linking to #fearlessfamtrav
We loved it both times we went to Paris. We love France!
we have also been a couple of times in Paris (before kids) and we still have so many things to do. Next time, we’ll take the little ones with us :)
What an amazing birthday gift! I especially like that great photo of your kid with the baguette. I adored the week we spent in Paris. There’s so much to do that we didn’t see half the things you mentioned. I like that you sometimes gave kids an early dinner and then went out for an adults-only one. I need to try that if we are fortunate enough to return. There’s only so many long, drawn-out dinners that my kids can manage.
My son ALWAYS wants a picture with a baguette! Every single time we go to France!
Your photos are so beautiful! I`m sure you had a wonderful time!
What a lovely thing to do for a 16th! I love your itinerary – it would definitely appeal to my own daughter
Oh my goodness, what an amazing trip! Love seeing the sights through your pictures.
Wow you were busy during your stay in Paris! Your photos are amazing. They have made me want to visit again. There certainly seems to be enough to do with kids! Thanks for linking to #MondayEscapes
Jennifer – you are right – Liz sure is blessed getting to celebrate her birthday twice in Paris! Amazing and every girls dream. I got to visit Paris once – I had an 18 hour layover flying home from a mission trip. I didn’t get to see much, but I did do the Eiffel Tower, the Louver, Notre Dame and also walking all around those areas. I so want to go back when I have more time, and especially to see the amazing things I didn’t get to see yet. Thanks for linking up your post this past week with #TuneInThursday
Looks like you had some wonderful experiences in Paris! I highly recommend you check out Rick STeves Audio Europe App if you are a fan of his style. It has walking tours like the one you mentioned as well as guided museum tours that are often as good or better than the guides offered by the museums. The one for the British museum is wonderful. #citytripping
I’ve tried listening to the app, but not an aural learner. I read highlights to the kids from his eBooks during walking and museum tours. This way, there are no headphones and I can whisper so as not to disturb others.
What a great break, I would love to visit Paris! #TwinklyTuesday
My kids have a real thing for wanting to visit Paris, we must make it happen one day #TwinklyTuesday
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your trip! I loved your pictures!
our eldest son celebrated every birthday abroad as he has an August birthday
#mondayescapes
Great Paris itinerary! It looks like you guys really covered a ton. We’re heading to Paris in a few days so we’ll be sure to refer back to your post :-)
What an exciting opportunity, to be able to travel abroad!! Love that you shared this wonderful trip with us. And thanks for linking up today.
I love Paris too and you’ve back lots of memories here! The Sacré-Cœur is a magnificent building and I adore the views from there. I’m impressed with the kids’ stamina at the Louvre! Well done. Thanks for linking #citytrippinv
It looks like you had a fabulous time, thanks for sharing. #MondayEscapes
What a great trip – you did so much. I haven’t been to Paris with our children yet but I hope I can see a hand full of the sights you have when we do. I loved seeing the Tower sparkle at night and the relaxed atmosphere served up with amazing food in the restaurants. I must go back! #citytripping
Wow what a fab birthday! #MondayEscapes
WOW!
Great family adventure filled with memories
Looks like you all had a fabulous time and what an education for the children! Thanks for sharing your experience with us at #overthemoon link party. I”ve pinned and shared.
I went to Paris for the first time when I was 16 too, on a school trip. When we left I prayed I would be allowed to return even just once. Over the years, I’ve been there too many times to count – what a blessing! Living in England, it’s a very easy place to get to, and for a while my late in-laws actually lived in Paris! Isn’t God amazing! You have covered this beautiful city so well, Jennifer. I love this post and thank you so much for sharing it with us at Hearth and Soul. I’ll be featuring it at the party next week :-) Sharing around too.
God is amazing! I prayed all my life to travel to Europe and we’ve gotten to live here for 3 glorious years!
Looks like a beautiful trip! It’s so great your family can make these amazing memories! We hope to do the same as our kids get a little older.
Wow! What an awesome experience for the whole family! Wasn’t the Mona Lisa a bit disappointing? It seems to get way too much attention when there are so many amazing paintings to see. I went as a teenager. Thanks for linking on Amanda’s Books and More!
Yes, and we were prepared for how small and far away she is, haha!
Paris? Wow! what an amazing experience you must have had!
We love watching Rick Steves television show. I’ve wondered if his guides might be a good help when traveling. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
What a fantastic trip you had! The photos are great and you were super busy! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
Wow, talk about the best field trip ever! Thank you for sharing with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth! :)
What a fabulous trip and memorable birthday for your daughter! We totally missed the Eiffel Tower at night, all lit up as you saw it. We plan to go back this summer and we are determined to add that to our itinerary! Your kids are real troopers. What wonderful memories they will have of Paris!
I wish someone would have taken me to Paris for my 16th! #allaboutfrance
Sounds like you really did Paris! We were there in April and we were surprised at how few queues we encountered to get into major attractions. We did book online for the Louvre, but chanced it at the Quai d’Orsay and only waited a couple of minutes to get in. I’ve noted some places to visit from your post for next time. #AllAboutFrance
Wow you covered a huge amount in your few days, I’m impressed! What a lucky girl to celebrate her 14th and 16th birthdays in Paris and thanks for sharing your itinerary with us at #AllAboutFrance