Bonjour from Paris – or at least, from the version of me who finally had a moment to sit down and write about this whirlwind chapter of the trip. This day was one of those travel days I thought would feel like a chore, but instead it became a surprisingly peaceful, cinematic transition between two iconic cities.
We started the morning in London, bags in hand, making our way to the train station for our journey to Paris. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: trains are absolutely the way to travel in Europe. There’s something so refreshingly simple about it – no chaotic boarding groups, no sprinting through terminals, no “will my carry‑on fit in the overhead bin” anxiety. You just walk on, find your seat, settle in, and before you know it, you’re gliding across borders.
One thing that really stood out to me was how the train just… starts moving. No dramatic announcements, no “please take your seats for departure.” If you’re standing, you’re standing. If you’re still putting your bag away, well, you’re now doing it while gently swaying. It’s charming in its own way.
Security was similar to the airport – lines, bag scans, the usual routine – but the passport process was shockingly efficient. I had my passport checked to exit the UK, took about two steps, and immediately had it stamped to enter France. That’s it. No long corridors, no extra waiting rooms. Just a seamless little international handshake. Honestly, bless the UK‑France partnership for that one.
I had originally worried that traveling between countries would eat up too much time on my trip, but the train ended up being exactly what I needed. After days of nonstop movement, the quiet hum of the train became a built‑in rest period. I watched the countryside roll by, let my brain decompress, and arrived in Paris feeling more rested than I expected.
Arriving in Paris (in the rain, of course)
We pulled into Paris under a curtain of rain – the moody, cinematic kind that makes everything look like a scene from a French film. Our guide, Howard, led us through some back ways in the station (he always seemed to know the shortcuts) until we found our bus. From there, we headed to what would be our hotel for the next two nights.
We had about an hour before dinner, just enough time to freshen up and pretend we weren’t all slightly wilted from travel. Dinner that night was on the Champs‑Élysées, at a restaurant whose name I absolutely should have written down. One day I’ll learn. Maybe.
The Avenue des Champs‑Élysées is one of the most famous streets in the world – a long, tree‑lined boulevard filled with designer stores like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Montcler, and more. It’s the kind of place where you can window‑shop things you’ll never buy but still enjoy the fantasy.
Going to and from dinner, we drove around the Arc de Triomphe, which is basically a roundabout on steroids. I’ve never seen anything like it. Cars weaving in and out, no clear markings anywhere and yet somehow it works. Organized chaos at its finest.
After dinner, our driver surprised us by agreeing to a detour to the Eiffel Tower so we could see it sparkle. We didn’t get out – mostly because we were very much illegally parked – but it didn’t matter. Seeing the tower glitter against the night sky felt magical. Howard even played the song “Champs‑Élysées” for us on the bus, and to this day it still gets stuck in my head at random moments. Thanks, Howard.
A Morning Bus Tour Through Paris
The next morning started with a bus tour of Paris. One of the first things we passed was the Louvre, and my immediate reaction was: wow, this is bigger than I imagined. People say it takes days to see everything inside, but hearing it and seeing the sheer scale are two different things. It’s enormous – a palace‑turned‑museum that could swallow entire neighborhoods.
We also saw the smallest apartment in Paris, and at one point our local guide casually pointed out a famous doctor walking down the street and a famous actress sitting at a café. I had no idea who they were, but apparently they’re household names in France. Paris really is one of those cities where you could spend a week and still feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface.
Our tour ended at the Eiffel Tower, now under clear skies. We had about twenty minutes to wander, take photos, and soak in the moment before those of us doing the optional Versailles excursion hopped back on the bus.
Versailles: The Place That Lives in Your Imagination
The drive to Versailles wasn’t long, but the anticipation made it feel like a pilgrimage. Versailles has always been one of those places I dreamed of visiting – partly because of the real history, partly because of the dramatized versions in TV and film. I even once had a pair of shoes I called my “King Louis” shoes because they reminded me of the fashion of the time. Nerdy? Absolutely.
The Palace of Versailles was the royal residence of Louis XIV, the Sun King, and later Louis XV and Louis XVI. It’s known for its opulence, sprawling gardens, the Hall of Mirrors, and its role in French history leading up to the Revolution.
When we arrived, I just stood there thinking, wow. The scale, the symmetry, the gold – it’s breathtaking.
We started in the gardens and had about an hour before our timed entry into the palace. One hour is not enough, but alas, that’s the trade‑off of these kind of trips. You get to see a lot of things in a short amount of time, but you only have a short amount of time to see a lot of things.
The gardens stretch for nearly 2,000 acres, filled with fountains, sculptures, groves, and long pathways that seem to go on forever. You can even rent golf carts to explore, which honestly sounds like the most fun way to do it.
Inside the palace, parts were unfortunately closed for restoration, but what we did see was incredible. The Hall of Mirrors was smaller than I expected, but that’s probably because it was packed with people and, well, mirrors play tricks on your perception. Still, standing in a room where so much history unfolded felt surreal.
At the end of the tour, I found a beautiful macaron shop – because of course Versailles has a macaron shop – and bought myself a little box. Overpriced? Definitely. Worth it? Absolutely.
A Night on the Seine: Cold, Chaotic, and Completely Worth It
After returning from Versailles, we had the evening free. Since we only had one full day in Paris, I had booked myself a Seine river cruise for that night and invited anyone in the group who wanted to join. Two ladies ended up coming with me, and the only time that worked was the 10:15 pm cruise. Late? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.
One of the ladies and I took an Uber to meet the third at the Louvre – because why not use the Louvre as your meeting point? While waiting, we wandered around the courtyard, admired the glass pyramid, and even ended up underground while searching for a bathroom. There were carvings in the stone walls down there, and technically… we did visit the Louvre. Chaos method wins again.
From there, we walked to Notre Dame, took photos, and then found a random restaurant for dinner. We were tired, hungry, and not picky, but the food ended up being great.
By the time we reached the boat, it had gotten cold. Add wind + water + nighttime = freezing. But we toughed it out, wrapped ourselves in whatever layers we had, and enjoyed the ride. Our guide told stories, pointed out landmarks, and shared bits of history as we drifted along the Seine.
The highlight was seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle again. The boat didn’t stop – it just turned around and kept going – but as we floated away, the tower started to sparkle. We still got our photos, still had our moment, and still froze half to death. Worth it.
The Taxi Ride That Became a Core Memory
After the cruise, we tried to get an Uber back to the hotel, but after waiting forever and watching our driver never actually approach us, I canceled it. We ended up flagging down a taxi instead.
Pro tip: always carry your hotel’s business card. We handed it to the driver, he nodded, and off we went.
The funny part – the part I want to remember forever – was the seating situation. One of the ladies tried to get in the front seat, but the driver didn’t unlock the door and just stared at her. So… no front seat. That left the three of us crammed into the back of a tiny taxi. The middle seat was basically half a seat, and I was sideways trying to share space like a human Tetris piece.
For some reason, the absurdity of it all made everything funnier. We tried not to laugh, which made us laugh more, which made the whole thing even funnier. It was one of those chaotic travel moments that becomes a cherished memory – the kind you can’t plan, but wouldn’t trade.
We made it back to the hotel around midnight, just enough time to shower, sleep, and pack up for our next stop: Rome.
FAQ: Paris Travel Edition
Is the train from London to Paris easy to navigate? Yes – it’s one of the easiest international transfers you can make. Security is straightforward, passport control is efficient, and boarding is simple.
How long should you spend at Versailles? If you want to fully enjoy both the palace and the gardens, plan for a full day. Tours often rush the experience.
Is the Seine river cruise worth it at night? Absolutely. Seeing Paris illuminated – especially the Eiffel Tower sparkling – is unforgettable. Just be sure to take a sweater!
Is the Champs‑Élysées worth visiting? Yes, even if you’re not shopping. It’s iconic, lively, and full of Parisian energy.
Do you need taxis in Paris or is Uber enough? Both work, but taxis can be more reliable late at night or in busy areas.
Yay! More photos! Click to view full size.
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