Paris Trip - Day 5 - Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris: Magic, Mocha, and a Few Missteps

Our day at Disneyland Paris turned out to be the most expensive of our entire France trip, but surprisingly, it was still cheaper than visiting a U.S. Disney park. Even better? The food was significantly tastier.

As per our usual travel rhythm, we got a late start, hopping on the metro around 11 a.m. and arriving at the park by 1 p.m. After entering through the dazzling pink castle, we spotted a cozy spot to eat. I ordered a grilled ham and cheese sandwich that was absolutely perfect, paired with a mocha I crafted myself by combining a hot chocolate and a latte. (I’m not a fan of Lavazza coffee, but it’s much more palatable with a splash of chocolate!)

Right after lunch, we stumbled upon the Snow White ride, an especially magical moment for my friend, who used to perform at birthday parties as Snow White herself. The line was short, the guests were friendly, and the ride attendants even complimented her DisneyBound outfit. It was one of those moments that just felt particularly pixie dusted.  

The rest of the afternoon flew by. With most lines clocking in at just 15 minutes, we managed to hop on six rides in two hours! Even Big Thunder Mountain, with its 45-minute wait, felt like a breeze after such short lines. That ride was a wild mix of fun, laughter, and just enough thrill, especially when we plunged into the dark tunnels.

My favorite part of the day, if I had to choose, was the Alice in Wonderland Labyrinth. It’s a whimsical, silly maze where you can lose yourself among hedges, colorful characters, and playful surprises. When we finally made our way to the little tower in the center and climbed to the top, I was genuinely amazed by how much space Disneyland Paris had dedicated to this attraction. It was delightful and so much fun. If I had to sum up the park in one word, it would be whimsy - pure, joyful whimsy.

As the day wore on, the weather turned a bit dreary. A light rain began to fall, and the park emptied out. With umbrellas up, we wandered through whimsical attractions like Storybook Land, grabbed a light dinner from food stalls, and ended the ride portion of our day with It’s a Small World, a nostalgic favorite with only a five-minute wait.

We browsed the shops afterward, snapping photos of plush toys for my work records. Before we knew it, it was time for a late-night snack and the grand finale: the light show. It was absolutely stunning. Whether it was the time of year, the fact that it was a Thursday, or the chilly drizzle, the park felt blissfully uncrowded, giving us the freedom to explore without the usual hustle.  

The only hiccup? Navigating back. We walked a bit too far looking for the metro, got rerouted, and then accidentally boarded the wrong train, leaving on the left side instead of right. Thankfully, ChatGPT helped us get back on track. But by the time we reached our final transfer, the last train had already left. So, we walked the final mile home. After 20,000 steps and six flights of stairs at our Airbnb, what’s another thousand steps?

Paris Trip - Day 4 - The Louvre

Day 4: Louvre Lessons and Sandwich Wins

Our fourth day in Paris was meant to start bright and early with a visit to the Louvre. But after a rough night of sleep, my friend and I didn’t leave until nearly 11 a.m., a late start that would come back to haunt us.

Before heading out, I suggested grabbing sandwiches from our favorite café, thinking it might be cheaper than museum fare. That turned out to be a brilliant move. While we waited nearly two hours in line just to get through bag check, my sandwich kept me going. We quickly regretted not buying tickets in advance.

Tip: Even with timed-entry tickets, lines begin forming an hour before your slot. Arriving “on time” still means waiting, sometimes up to an hour.

Second tip: Dress warmly. The open plaza outside the Louvre is breezy, and with temperatures in the mid-50s and light rain, we were shivering in the same layers that had been fine the previous days.

Getting There (Thanks to ChatGPT’s help):

• From Ségur, take Line 10 toward Gare d’Austerlitz.
• Get off at Sèvres–Babylone (just two stops).
• Transfer to Line 1 toward Château de Vincennes.
• Ride until Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre.
• Exit and follow signs to the underground entrance via the Carrousel du Louvre.

After two hours of waiting to enter, we found security to be surprisingly lax.  I strolled in past the guards who were supposed to be scanning bags, no one pulled me over to scan my bag.  After waiting that long I wasn't about to stand around more so we walked right in.

Once inside, we were surprised to find no line at the ticket counter. The museum’s vastness seemed to swallow the crowd we’d been packed in line with, until we reached the Mona Lisa.

We made the classic mistake of joining the throng of people jostling for a photo. It was chaotic and frustrating. I should’ve listened to my brother’s advice to skip it and explore other masterpieces. We lost nearly an hour in that crush. There’s a small area in front of the crowd reserved for visitors with injuries, but it was clogged with people lingering for the perfect shot. My friend, ever the realist, muttered, “What if they’re faking it?” A nearby guard replied dryly, “How could you know?” Cue our joking plans to fake injuries next time, though, honestly, the amount of walking and standing required to reach the Mona Lisa makes that a tough sell.

After escaping the crowd, we wandered into the gallery of royal jewels. King Louis XV’s crown was a standout, though not in the way you’d expect. It looked like a craft project gone rogue, as if someone had glued random jewels on without a hint of symmetry. Every new gem seemed to be added wherever it fit, no rhyme or reason.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of priceless artifacts and endless corridors. At one point, my friend needed to recharge her phone, so I took a break with coffee and cake. Sadly, the cake was dry, my brother bakes better ones at home!

We stayed until nearly closing, ending our visit in the Egyptian wing, where ancient wonders glowed under the dim evening lights. That section might be better appreciated earlier in the day it was hard to see much in the low lighting. We wandered through quieter halls filled with statues missing heads, arms, and other parts, which somehow added to their mystique.

Fifteen minutes before closing, we stumbled into the gift shop and couldn’t resist picking up a few souvenirs. On our way back to the metro, I spotted one of my favorite stores, closing in 15 minutes! I dashed in and managed to snag a few treasures just in time.

Paris Trip - Day 3 - Notre-Dame

A Day at Notre-Dame Cathedral

Visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral was a highlight of the day. Entry is free, and the line to get in took less than 30 minutes, mostly for bag checks.

We used ChatGPT to plan our train route, and by carefully following the directions and metro signage, we successfully reached our destination. As it was our first time using the train, we felt a bit of anxiety at first, but having a clear, step-by-step guide made all the difference.

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How AI Guided Our Steps

Question:
I’m at the metro for the first time, I need a ticket from Ségur to near Notre-Dame. Do I need one ticket for going and returning?

ChatGPT replied:

Perfect — you’re at Ségur (Line 10). To get near Notre-Dame, the simplest route is:

1. Take Line 10 toward Gare d’Austerlitz
2. Change at Cluny – La Sorbonne
3. Walk a few minutes to Notre-Dame 🚶‍♀️

🎫 Tickets
Within Paris, use a T+ ticket (the standard metro ticket).

• Price: €2.15 (paper) or €2.10 (with a Navigo Easy card)

• One ticket covers your full metro journey, including transfers.

• You’ll need another ticket for the return.

For a round-trip (Ségur ↔ Notre-Dame), buy 2 tickets, or better yet, a carnet of 10 if you plan more metro rides—it’s cheaper.

👉 Do you want me to also give step-by-step signs to follow inside the stations (since it’s your first time)?

We replied:
We are on the side that says Gare d’Austerlitz.

ChatGPT confirmed:

Perfect — you’re in exactly the right place! ✅

At Ségur Station:
Since you’re already on the platform marked “Direction Gare d’Austerlitz”, just wait for the next train—all trains on that side go the right way.

Stay on Line 10 until Cluny – La Sorbonne (about 9 stops, ~15 minutes).

At Cluny – La Sorbonne:
Exit and walk about 5 minutes to Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Follow the signs for Sortie (Exit), then look for Boulevard Saint-Germain / Place Saint-Michel.
Cross the river at Pont Saint-Michel or Petit Pont—and Notre-Dame will be right ahead.

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Inside the Cathedral

The Cathedral itself is awe-inspiring. Its beauty, artistry, and sheer scale are almost impossible to capture in words. The space exudes a sense of timeless craftsmanship and reverence.

Although we’re not Catholic, there was a palpable spirit of peace throughout. Visitors spoke in hushed tones, and the atmosphere invited quiet reflection. At 6 p.m., mass began, and the singing was absolutely beautiful. The voice filled the space through an impressive audio setup, with microphones placed throughout the cathedral to enhance acoustics. The result was breathtaking.
If you visit, I highly recommend attending part of a mass just to experience it.

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A Cozy Ending to the Day

After our visit, my friend needed to charge her phone, so we stopped at the Shakespeare and Company Café nearby. We sipped Purple Sweet Potato Vanilla Lattes, a surprisingly delicious find and then browsed the bookstore next door.

The shop was delightfully eclectic, with books in English and other languages—everything from Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Grimm’s Fairy Tales and even contemporary authors like Marian Keyes.

It was the perfect end to the day. On our way back, metro service was suspended due to an accident, so we caught an Uber home, content and tired, with hearts still full from the experience.

Paris Trip - Day 2 - Eiffel Tower

On our second day in Paris, we headed back to the Eiffel Tower around noon. After grabbing coffee and having breakfast at our Airbnb around 10 a.m., lunch wasn’t yet on our minds.

Finding the right place to buy tickets was a bit confusing. The first line we joined was for elevator-only tickets, and the attendant directed us to the south side for stairs + elevator tickets, the cheapest option. Just as we were purchasing them, I had a moment of panic about lunch, but the ticket agent reassured us that there was food available on the first level.

We climbed the stairs and reached the first floor in about six minutes. The first restaurant we found required reservations, but thankfully there was a café serving sandwiches and French pastries - macarons, beignets, éclairs, and more. We had toasted tomato and mozzarella sandwiches, which were delicious, along with a beignet and some water (we’d forgotten to bring our own).

The climb to the second level was easier after eating. It was cold and windy up there, so we didn’t linger long before getting in line for the elevator to the top.

The top floor was enclosed, warm, and quite lovely. Despite the crowds, we took our time enjoying the views and snapping photos. There was even a small Champagne booth, which added a festive touch, though we didn’t indulge. One more flight of stairs led to an open-air level that was extremely cold, so we didn’t stay long.

Back on the warmer level, my friend realized her phone battery was low and found a spot to charge it. While she waited, I sat on a bench to read, but it wasn’t very comfortable. I asked if she’d mind me heading down to the café to read while she finished charging. Around 4 p.m., I got a latte and another beignet. I didn’t find any charging stations downstairs, so she stayed up until 5 p.m., then joined me for coffee while I sketched. It was a peaceful way to spend the afternoon, drawing at the Eiffel Tower.  She did find two places to charge in the café, in case anyone is reading this and wants to work on in the 1^st level café.  One guy we sat next to joked about doing that as my friend told him she ordered cat food from the Eiffel after her family reported they were out.

Afterward, we walked down to the Seine and took a boat ride. When we returned, the Eiffel Tower was lit up and absolutely stunning. By then it was close to 8 p.m., and we were ready for dinner. We found a lovely restaurant called Flore, where we both had amazing lasagna. Then we took an Uber back to our Airbnb, it was too dark to navigate on foot, and it had started to rain.

Day two was filled with iconic views, unexpected moments, and a slow, satisfying rhythm that let us soak in the magic of Paris. From climbing the Eiffel Tower and sketching in its shadow to cruising the Seine and ending the night with comforting lasagna, it was a day that balanced adventure with quiet joy. We went to bed tired but content, already looking forward to what the next day would bring.

Paris Trip – Day 1

 Paris Trip – Day 1

Our flight to Paris was smooth and uneventful. We breezed through security with no lines and only waited about 30 minutes before boarding. While chatting with other passengers, we got so caught up in the excitement that we forgot to do our usual pre-boarding tasks like brushing our teeth and removing our contacts. I ended up taking my contacts out while standing in line to board.

We were seated separately, but I lucked out with an empty middle seat, which gave me a bit of extra space to stretch out and try to sleep. According to my Fitbit, I slept for just three hours during the seven-hour flight. That sounds about right, it felt like I was awake most of the time, though I did have my eyes closed for at least five hours.

Arrival in Paris came with a few hiccups.
First, my friend accidentally dropped her phone into an open vent next to her seat. The flight attendants asked us to deplane and said they’d send the phone to baggage claim if they found it. Since we had only carry-ons, we didn’t need to wait for luggage but we ended up waiting 45 minutes for the phone to be retrieved. A United representative told us we could exit and re-enter through a specific door, but we didn’t want to risk not being allowed back in, so we stayed put, used the restroom, and waited. Around 9 a.m., we finally got the phone back.

Next came the challenge of finding transportation into the city. We were told that no trains were running that day and that we’d need to take a bus instead. After buying two bus tickets, we were directed to area 2F but ended up waiting in the wrong area. A confusing exchange with a bus driver and some sign-reading led us to retrace our steps. Eventually, a helpful representative pointed us to an elevator that took us to a lower level, where we found a long line of people waiting in a parking garage for the bus.

For €30, we finally boarded a bus into Paris. It dropped us off on a random street, not a station, so we pulled up the Uber app and requested a ride to our Airbnb. That part was surprisingly smooth. The driver was friendly and even pulled over so we could snap a few photos of the Eiffel Tower.

Getting into our Airbnb took a bit of effort. We first arrived at the wrong door, so naturally, the key code didn’t work. Once we found the correct entrance, we faced our next challenge: climbing six flights of stairs with our luggage. Thankfully, we had packed light, just carry-ons and personal items.

Unlocking the apartment door was another adventure. The lock was tricky and took nearly five minutes to figure out. Just as we were about to give up, the door finally popped open.

After a short rest, we headed to a nearby coffee shop for cappuccinos and snacks. Then we set out for an evening walk to see the Eiffel Tower. It was around 6 p.m. on a Sunday, so most shops were closed, but it was still magical to stroll around and take in the sights.

On our way back, we picked up some groceries and called it a night, exhausted but happy to finally be in Paris.