Day 1 in Paris: Olympic-Size Adventures and Eiffel Tower Vibes 🇫🇷
Bonjour from Paris, where we started our adventure in true jet-setter fashion—by surviving a super quick flight and then landing at Charles de Gaulle, slightly disoriented but ready to take on the City of Lights. The first thing we did? Made our way to our charming little hotel, where we were greeted by Adel, our fabulous receptionist-turned-instant-BFF (though he gave us the side-eye for choosing to visit during the Olympics). Yes, we’re those Americans, and yes, we knew it was a questionable decision, but hear me out: the upside? Tourism is down, meaning the locals are extra happy to see us.
After a much-needed freshen-up (because airplane chic is a myth), we headed straight to Le Recrutement in the 7th Arrondissement. This spot is nestled in one of my absolute favorite areas to stroll through in Paris—seriously, the architecture here is like something out of a dream.
We took our sweet time wandering around, eventually making our way to the Champ de Mars for that essential, “OMG we’re really here” moment with the Eiffel Tower. And circle it we did—literally, we walked in circles to soak it all in, checking out the Olympic setup, complete with beach volleyball courts, Olympic rings, and all the festive signage.
Next up, we ventured over to Montparnasse and strolled through the Jardin du Luxembourg—my personal favorite park in all of Paris. This place is pure magic, with gardens so beautiful and unique that it feels like you’ve stepped into a painting. We even found a quiet spot to just sit and take it all in because sometimes you just need to pause and appreciate where you are, you know?
Our day wasn’t over yet, though. We headed to the top of the Paris Montparnasse Tower for a sunset that I’ll never forget. This building might be known as the “middle finger of Paris” (classy, right?), but it boasts some of the most breathtaking views in the city. We stayed on the observation deck for hours, watching the sun dip behind the Eiffel Tower—an Instagram moment if there ever was one.
“If there [are two things you do in Paris, this would be one.” - Anthony Bourdain
To cap off the night, we dined at Le Dôme, one of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite Parisian haunts.
Since seafood is a big no-no for me, Evan got to experience it for the both of us. As for me? I stuck to the burrata, and let me tell you, it was chef’s kiss perfect. The old-school vibes and top-notch service just added to the experience.
After that epic day, we headed back to our hotel to catch some much-needed Zzz’s, ready to see what Paris had in store for us tomorrow.