Saturday, June 21, 2025
11 Miles Walked
24,382 Steps WalkedToday we tried something new. We booked a private walking tour of Paris. I figured it would be a good way to learn our way around and help us decide how we want to spend our free days.
Before we started, we enjoyed a quick breakfast at home thanks to those who braved the grocery yesterday. Matt was excited that his croissant had been stepped in by little gnome feet. :P
Our tour guide, Thomas, met us at our apartment and we started walking toward the metro station. Our first train was pretty packed, so instead of grabbing a handrail, they shoulder supported each other.
We hopped off the metro and walked right into a market. It smelled of fresh flowers and produce. It was like perfume!
Thomas had great photography skills, so he took a few pictures of us throughout the tour. This was our first picture in front of the Eiffel Tower.
We snuck in a selfie, of course.
We then happened upon a horse show. It was free, so we walked right in and took a seat and watched a few rounds. It was so unexpected and fun.
The horse show was right next to the Eiffel Tower.
This cool guy was standing around while we were buying some waters at a Metro station.
We took the Metro to the Arc de Triomph.
Our tour guide indicated this was one of the most expensive apartments in Paris. It was right off the Champs Elysees. The roof is made of slate. The red geraniums are a classic flower for Paris flower boxes.
We walked past the Louis Vuitton store. The facade was under construction. It is standard in Paris for buildings to have a facade that mimics the actual building or something even better. Louis Vuitton chose to wrap their building to look like one of their cases. Grace and I aren’t really into fancy handbags, but we definitely needed a picture with this giant rivet. :)
This was the whole “case”. It was really quite impressive. See the latch at the top?
Next to Louis Vuitton was this bakery, Laduree. Macarons were their specialty, but they also have a thick hot chocolate. We bought a small cup to try. AMAZING! One sip was enough for me. It was like drinking a wonderful chocolate syrup.
A wedding was just ending as we arrived so there were rose petals all over the front steps. Our anniversary is in a couple days so Thomas took a couple pictures of us on the front steps.
Next, Thomas took us to the best baguette and croissant bakeries. Matt bought a couple baguettes.
Finally, we were off to Montmartre! This was my favorite part of London the past few times I’ve been.
There was a lady playing music when we came out of the Metro. Today was Fete de la Musique all around Paris. There were bands setting up and concerts planned. Apparently the whole town stays up all night to enjoy music.
We walked up the back way to the church Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. Away from the crazy crowds.
The road overlooked this bocce ball club.
We rounded the corner and got a great view of the back of the church.
Thomas taking pictures.
This is my favorite picture of the day!
Or maybe this one. <3
We parted ways with Thomas at the church. We were going to walk into the church to look around, but we saw that no food was allowed and we had a couple things we had picked up along the way.
At the end of this long day, this guy made us dinner. He even made pasta (not his usual favorite).
Whew! Everyone agreed this was a fantastic day, with the lunch being one of the highlights.
Our tour guide, Thomas, met us at our apartment and we started walking toward the metro station. Our first train was pretty packed, so instead of grabbing a handrail, they shoulder supported each other.
We hopped off the metro and walked right into a market. It smelled of fresh flowers and produce. It was like perfume!
Thomas had great photography skills, so he took a few pictures of us throughout the tour. This was our first picture in front of the Eiffel Tower.
We snuck in a selfie, of course.
We then happened upon a horse show. It was free, so we walked right in and took a seat and watched a few rounds. It was so unexpected and fun.
The horse show was right next to the Eiffel Tower.
This cool guy was standing around while we were buying some waters at a Metro station.
We took the Metro to the Arc de Triomph.
Our tour guide indicated this was one of the most expensive apartments in Paris. It was right off the Champs Elysees. The roof is made of slate. The red geraniums are a classic flower for Paris flower boxes.
We walked past the Louis Vuitton store. The facade was under construction. It is standard in Paris for buildings to have a facade that mimics the actual building or something even better. Louis Vuitton chose to wrap their building to look like one of their cases. Grace and I aren’t really into fancy handbags, but we definitely needed a picture with this giant rivet. :)
This was the whole “case”. It was really quite impressive. See the latch at the top?
Next to Louis Vuitton was this bakery, Laduree. Macarons were their specialty, but they also have a thick hot chocolate. We bought a small cup to try. AMAZING! One sip was enough for me. It was like drinking a wonderful chocolate syrup.
We then picked out eight macarons to try later (Evan’s treat). They were so beautiful!!
This box consisted of 200 macarons for 750€. Eek!!
We stopped off at the Louvre for a quick picture.
Then to the Library. This place was actually really amazing. Thomas joined us in this us-sie. As a card carrying member of the library, it only seemed right.
We then walked through a street mall. Very unique and wonderful stores. This store had handmade maps and old maps.
The mall was open but under cover. The floor was amazing small tile.
Thomas told us about the cafe chairs. The “real” cafe chairs are real bamboo and wicker. If a cafe had anything less than authentic bamboo and wicker we had to promise not to eat there. Ha!
Every building and street was beautiful as we walked around. “Stereotypical Paris” actually is Paris.
Walking through this park reminded me of Hyde Park in London.
The park led us to the senate house. It is called Luxembourg Palace and is located in Luxembourg Gardens.
Waiting for another Metro train in these rather comfy chairs.
Caleb took this picture. He loves every dog he sees, so when I ask everyone to text me their pics from the day, I get dog pics from Caleb.
Thomas took us to an authentic French restaurant away from the touristy spots. We sat on the second level. Grace took this picture of us using these reflective tiles in the ceiling.
Thomas had us order and share a few different dishes and we shared them. This included a dish of clams, oysters and snails. Everybody tried a little bit of everything.
There was a little tool that looked like a T-pin. It was used to get the snails out of the tiny shells. Evan mastered the art.
After lunch we walked to the Church of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont. The staircases were beautiful.
This box consisted of 200 macarons for 750€. Eek!!
We stopped off at the Louvre for a quick picture.
Then to the Library. This place was actually really amazing. Thomas joined us in this us-sie. As a card carrying member of the library, it only seemed right.
We then walked through a street mall. Very unique and wonderful stores. This store had handmade maps and old maps.
The mall was open but under cover. The floor was amazing small tile.
Thomas told us about the cafe chairs. The “real” cafe chairs are real bamboo and wicker. If a cafe had anything less than authentic bamboo and wicker we had to promise not to eat there. Ha!
Every building and street was beautiful as we walked around. “Stereotypical Paris” actually is Paris.
Walking through this park reminded me of Hyde Park in London.
The park led us to the senate house. It is called Luxembourg Palace and is located in Luxembourg Gardens.
Waiting for another Metro train in these rather comfy chairs.
Caleb took this picture. He loves every dog he sees, so when I ask everyone to text me their pics from the day, I get dog pics from Caleb.
Thomas took us to an authentic French restaurant away from the touristy spots. We sat on the second level. Grace took this picture of us using these reflective tiles in the ceiling.
Thomas had us order and share a few different dishes and we shared them. This included a dish of clams, oysters and snails. Everybody tried a little bit of everything.
There was a little tool that looked like a T-pin. It was used to get the snails out of the tiny shells. Evan mastered the art.
After lunch we walked to the Church of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont. The staircases were beautiful.
A wedding was just ending as we arrived so there were rose petals all over the front steps. Our anniversary is in a couple days so Thomas took a couple pictures of us on the front steps.
Next, Thomas took us to the best baguette and croissant bakeries. Matt bought a couple baguettes.
Finally, we were off to Montmartre! This was my favorite part of London the past few times I’ve been.
There was a lady playing music when we came out of the Metro. Today was Fete de la Musique all around Paris. There were bands setting up and concerts planned. Apparently the whole town stays up all night to enjoy music.
We walked up the back way to the church Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. Away from the crazy crowds.
The road overlooked this bocce ball club.
We rounded the corner and got a great view of the back of the church.
Thomas taking pictures.
This is my favorite picture of the day!
Or maybe this one. <3
We parted ways with Thomas at the church. We were going to walk into the church to look around, but we saw that no food was allowed and we had a couple things we had picked up along the way.
At the end of this long day, this guy made us dinner. He even made pasta (not his usual favorite).
Whew! Everyone agreed this was a fantastic day, with the lunch being one of the highlights.
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