A Bright & Early Parisian Reset
Our arrival in Paris around 8:00 AM came with a bit of check-in confusion at the desk. With official check-in still hours away, we made a quick pit stop in the toilette to freshen up, change into fresh clothes, and hit the ground running. By 10:00 AM, we were navigating the turnstiles of our very first Paris Metro ride, heading toward the Opera House to catch the Big Bus tour.
Cruising Past Paris’s Greatest Hits
The energy in the city was electric—and incredibly busy! With France gearing up for Bastille Day celebrations, street closures and crowds were everywhere. We snagged seats on the top deck of the bus and rolled past iconic landmarks, taking in breathtaking views of the Louvre, the winding River Seine, and Notre Dame as it continues its restoration.
Champs-Élysées & A Sidewalk Café Pivot
As our bus made its way down the famous Champs-Élysées toward the Arc de Triomphe, the sheer scale of the city really hit us. Upon reaching the Eiffel Tower stop, we found the tower grounds closed for evening event prep. We happily pivoted to the most classic Parisian backup plan possible: finding a charming sidewalk café right nearby.
We refueled with a delicious lunch—sausage with creamy mashed potatoes, fish & chips with side salad, and a much-needed cold drink—all while enjoying an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower right from our table!
Gliding Down the Seine (and a Heatwave Scare)
After lunch, we redeemed our river cruise passes and boarded a boat to view Paris from the water. Floating under the intricate stone bridges gave us a whole new perspective of the city.
However, a sudden European heatwave had temps climbing into the upper 90s. As we rounded the bend near Paris’s mini Statue of Liberty, an older passenger on our boat collapsed from the heat. Thankfully, the boat crew acted fast and took great care of him until we docked. By 2:00 PM, the soaring heat and travel exhaustion caught up to us as well, so we decided to skip our planned pastry tour and head back to the hotel to finally claim our room.
A Surprise View & Front-Row Seats for Fireworks
Back at citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon, we relaxed in the lobby for about an hour while housekeeping finished up. When we finally unlocked our door, our jaws dropped: Gary had secretly booked us a room with a direct, unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower!
Before relaxing, Jorene jumped in the shower and made the classic discovery that European hotels don’t provide washcloths! It had me in tears laughing, immediately reminding me of Wanda Sykes’s hilarious comedy bit about showering in France.
After a much-needed catnap and a casual dinner downstairs, we watched the sky turn a dramatic burnt orange over the Seine. At 11:00 PM, the night sky erupted as brilliant Bastille Day fireworks launched off the Eiffel Tower—giving us a front-row, air-conditioned show right from our bedroom window.
