Let’s rewind to January 2024. I get a text from my parents to call them. They had read an article that said that you could go to Paris for the Olympics at a reasonable price-think flights, hotel, and tickets to events. Since Jermaine and I were going to be celebrating five years of marriage In June and we normally take our annual trip in July, why not take a once in a lifetime trip to the City of Love and see the Olympics?! So over the next few weeks, I started learning French on Duolingo and I researched all things Paris. #1 was: Where to stay? Paris is divided into 20 arrondisements and Jermaine and I decided that the 7th was the best since I wanted to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. My Dad taught me at a young age to not be out at dark in cities you aren’t familiar with. Now, has time gotten away from us and it’s happened? YES! Think New York City when I insisted, we see Matilda on Broadway, but we were staying by Central Park! Did anything bad happen? No, but it’s a good rule of thumb.
Fast forward to July 2024 and we are at MCO waiting for our flight to JFK. On this flight, we sat in row 2 because we had 40 minutes between flights. When we boarded, there was only enough overhead space for Jermaine’s duffel, so I squished mine by my feet with my backpack. Let the adventure begin!
Yes, we wore matching On shoes. We bought them months before and saved them for this moment.
We made it to JFK and hustled through the airport to make our connecting flight. We had been up since 7:30 AM (checking our bags one last time and adding any last-minute items to our suitcases), flight to JFK was at 1:15 PM, and it was now 4:00 PM. I packed a Ziploc bag of toiletries in my duffel so I could wash my face and get ready for bed before I got on the next flight. I did that and then they started boarding. Perfect timing!
We flew JetBlue. & we were treated to the best. Unlimited drinks, food, snacks, and entertainment for the duration of the flight. The food was delicious. Jermaine and I both ordered the vegetarian option- cauliflower with lentils, citrus fennel salad, and snap peas. Then, vanilla ice cream for dessert. YUM! It was then time to put in earplugs and put on the sleeping mask (provided by JetBlue) and get some sleep. Another win was no one sat next to me, so I could lay down!! Paris is 6 hours ahead of Florida, so we were going to have a full day ahead of us once we landed. About an hour before we landed, they served us pain au chocolat. (No, I did not misspell the word chocolate! That is how you spell it in French.) It was SO French and so delicious!
Another travel tip: buy the extra legroom seats on long international flights. The cost is per seat and per flight but it is worth it.
We landed at Charles de Gaulle at 6:00 AM, went through Border Control, added another stamp to my passport (all the heart eyes!), and headed to baggage claim. Jermaine and I each brought a backpack, a duffel and a big suitcase. (TRAVEL TIP: In our duffels, we each packed several outfits (in case our luggage got lost) and toiletries. We also put Apple AirTags on our luggage and I would check at each gate AND once we got on each flight to make sure our suitcases were near us.) As soon as we got to baggage claim, I got a WhatsApp message from our driver saying that he was waiting for us. We got our bags, found the driver, and were off! Our driver was really great. He showed us the Olympic Village and several of the stadiums that were on the outskirts of Paris as he drove through the countryside into the city. He dropped us off at our hotel and our room was the only one ready. God was definitely looking out for us!! I washed my face, put some dry shampoo in my hair, and we headed back out to the door to explore PARIS.I had a full itinerary for us.
First stop? The Eiffel Tower!! Absolutely stunning. It was only a block from our hotel (you could actually see the Eiffel Tower from some of the rooms in our hotel).
Remember when I said that you could go to Paris for the Olympics at a reasonable price? We headed to the metro. Normally, a weeklong metro pass is 35 euros. During the Olympics, a 7 day metro pass costs 70 euros. BUT it’s the Olympics and you are in the City of Love, life is great!
To start, we bought a single day ticket to see how easy the metro was to use. Like all things in Paris, I LOVED the metro and wanted to ride it every chance we got.
Second stop? The Pantheon and ALL things EMILY IN PARIS! (Yes, I’m a big fan!)
There were many advantages to going to Paris during the Olympics, but the big one was: The Paris Transport app- it told you the exact lines to take based on the address entered. They created this app just for the Olympics!! Traveling around the city was easy. There was also a TON of security and armed military, so we felt very safe.
Next stop? Rue Mouffetard. We looked at a few shops and then decided to stop at a cafe for a drink and sweet treat. I had fresh squeezed juice and it was delicious. Everything in France is made the morning of or to order.
It started to drizzle and it felt like we were in a movie. So romantic! It is such an amazing feeling being in another country, with your best friend, and no worries or responsibilities. (THANK YOU Mom & Dad for holding down the fort back home and taking the best care of Ella and Oliver!)
We then stopped for some lunch. We both ordered an acai bowl! Down the street, I found a Starbucks and of course needed a France mug (I collect the state mugs in the US) and a canvas tote. Carrying a canvas tote is a Paris fashion trend. We visited a Lululemon store and Eglise Saint Germain des Pres, the oldest church in Paris, and it happens to be Catholic.
Growing up, we always visited a Catholic church when we traveled and my Dad would give my Mom, my brother, and I money to light a candle for someone. I lit 3 candles in Paris. One for each of my grandparents in heaven- Grandma and Grandpa Muth and Grandpa Luke.
Finally, we walked through Jardin du Luxembourg. It was beautiful!
Now, it was time to head back to the hotel, shower (it had been over 24 hours since we had showered and put on clean clothes), and rest! While I rested, J decided to run and gain a better understanding of the streets and where things were located.
Once I got up, we walked down the street from our hotel and ate at an Italian restaurant (it became one of our favorite dinner spots). I had a salad and J had pasta. Then, we got on the metro and went to Pont Alexandre III (this is on the Seine so there was heavy security due to the Opening Ceremony) and the Arc de Triomphe.
The Eiffel Tower with the Olympic rings on it!
Captured this gem while we were on the metro. Dreamy!
The metro is mainly underground unless you are going over the Seine, etc. Line 6 has the best views.
Stay tuned for Day 2!
Au revoir!
Molly
Molly Lamar 