A Perfect Day in Paris: Notre-Dame, the Seine River Cruise, and the Eiffel Tower

Karen Hand Allen
12 minutes ago
10 min read

Point Zero, the Center of Paris- Île de la Cité!

Woman with gray hair and glasses leans over a balcony, overlooking a Paris street with buildings, cars, and scooters. Evening glow.

You know the story, just like Groundhog Day, it’s 4:30 AM, I’m already awake, can’t return to sleep, and am in my polka-dot pajamas standing on my balcony. We’ve seen this movie before. After of days and days of not adjusting to European time, I’ve given it up. Besides, I like it out here on my balcony at this time of morning, I can look down and see the little store where last evening we bought breakfast fruit, plump apricots, cherries and fat raspberries, all under the little canopy, three stories below.

Street view at night of Sebastopol Market with fruit stands. Bare trees and a blue-lit window create a calm urban atmosphere.

My family remains fast asleep, our Airbnb warm and comfortable lies in darkness behind me as I stand glimpsing Paris in all its regalia. It is romantic, that magic at work everywhere, it’s the allure of stunning architecture and historical significance of its Landmarks, known round the world. The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral, now those are backdrops for love! This trip has unfolded around us in due fashion, far exceeding our wildest expectations, we wouldn’t change a thing.

Person with white hair and glasses smiling in front of the Eiffel Tower. They're wearing a black jacket with a blue scarf. Cloudy sky.

Not sure how long I stood there, I noticed an uptick in traffic playing out below me. Foot traffic and motorcycles buzzed by occasionally, reminding me that Boulangeries (bakeries) were busy at work, preparing petite dejeuner, (breakfast). These notable pastries were becoming addictive, Pain au Chocolat (chocolate croissants), Pain aux Raisins, (spiral dough filled with pastry cream and raisins), a tartine (baguette with butter and jam), or flaky Chausson aux Pommes (apple turnovers) were our top four favorites. There were savory items that made us swoon, too: Jambon-Beurre, (ham and butter baguette sandwich), and Croissant Jambon-Fromage (buttery croissants sliced open and filled with ham and Emmental cheese). Devine!

We gathered round the table after someone made a bakery run, discussing yesterday’s travel and closing our eyes in pleasure as we ate from some of Paris’s finest Boulangeries. (References: Wikipedia).

No, we never made it to the Paris School of Architecture (52 Rue Bichat), instead, we were dropped off in the middle of a trendy area where we met our Parisian Guardian Angel, a distinguished older lady who we stopped and asked for directions. Unbelievably, she invited us into her home and onto her terraces that seemed to go on and on with the most incredible exotic plants from around the world. We were astounded by blooming and fruit laden-lemon trees, variegated blooming ginger, red flowering oleanders, and lime trees, amongst many others. We named her Ms. F, as we shared stories of our families and hers. She was the standout of the trip; someone we will never forget for her kindness, her grace and her radiance.

Wall display of numerous copper pots, pans, lids, and kitchen tools hanging on a white pegboard inside a cookware or antique shop. The polished copper pieces vary in size and shape, including saucepans, skillets, and decorative molds. Some stainless-steel-bottom pans are mixed in. Additional copper utensils, thermometers, and kitchen tools are arranged on nearby racks and shelves under bright shop lighting.

E. Dehillerin, Julia Child’s favorite shop for cookware, was our next stop, as we combed through the shop looking for that perfect something to carry back for the kitchen. Established in 1820, it was a couple years older than me, and most famous for its splendid classic copper cookware, French kitchen equipment and carbon steel pans. We could have spent a lifetime there coveting every item in the place.

Copper cookware and kitchen tools displayed on a tiered counter and pegboard inside a cookware shop. Polished copper pots, pans, and lidded vessels with brass handles sit on the counter, alongside several stainless-steel pans. More copper pots hang on the wall to the right. Behind the display, a glass door and windows look out onto a rainy courtyard with outdoor tables and leafless trees. A poster and notices are pinned on the wall above the counter.

At E. Dehillerin, one of the kids wanted a fillet knife, but as we all discussed, we weren’t sure we could bring it back, perhaps we should mail it before we left Paris for London? The guilty party, not me, slipped it into my bag, asking me to “store it in my luggage.” What a nightmare on Elm. Never, Ever do that. It got me in real hot water. The long and short of it was that if we hadn’t been traveling back by Eurostar, we could have checked it in our luggage, but on a train, all luggage had to be secure and examined for weapons, etc., it was with you all the time. Later, on our trip to the train station, the Police singled me out, rooted through my luggage like I was a jewel thief and confiscated said knife. As they questioned me, I wondered if I was going to be in a police line-up where someone identified me for some other crime. I was separated from my family, sent to a special area. I’m not a good criminal, I guess. I was like a cat on a hot tin roof. Trying to remember a few French phrases, the Police ask me my intentions for the knife. I said, it was “to clean fish, it was benign.” The main Police Inspector gave me a look, where I tried not to go shifty-eyed, but not stare him down. “No, we’ll keep it,” he said in the smoothest English accent ever, handing it over to a younger policeman who looked like the cat that ate the canary, toting it away with a kind of gotcha walk. I tried to appeal to the Police Inspector, throwing a few French phrases in but he said, “move along,” in clear English. I also thought he rolled his eyes but couldn’t be sure. So, the moral of the story, mail the knife home, or risk being humiliated, they aren’t letting you pass go and collect $200. But I digress…

Close-up of a knife with a yellow tag labeled "740106" in a drawer with silver utensils and other kitchen tools.

Our next stop, Le BHV Marais, The Julia Child Department store is the epitome of Parisian life and known as the place where Julia Child spent hours, an interesting, lovely, and eye-opening place.

The Eiffel Tower, the high spot of the day came with our family’s visit to the Eiffel Tower, a beacon of beauty and testament to engineer Gustave Eiffel in 1889 when it was built. It was massive and stood the test of time, as we walked on the second floor, north, south, east and west, viewing each little jewel as we went, Jardins du Trocadero, Palais de Chaillot, Bois de Boulogne, Pont de Grenelle, Pont de Bir-Hakeim, and Champ de Mars, each one providing a bird’s eye look from the near-top of the Tower, enriching our appreciation of untold beauty at the Parisian landscape below.

Eiffel Tower glowing in yellow lights at night, with a dark sky and river below. Blue-lit trees and streetlights are visible nearby.

It was getting dusk as we got ready to leave the tower, walking away when we saw tremendous light behind us, The Eiffel Tower was lit with 20,000 lights, as the tower sparkles every hour for five minutes at night, illuminating the sky for miles and transforming my pitter patter heart as it missed a beat.

Our last stop was Metro Jussieu, a flea market with vintage jewelry, toys, clothing and homewares, treasures and lucky finds for all who searched.

Today’s Itinerary: Monday, January 6 — Seine River Cruise, Square du Vert Galant, Notre-Dame, Louvre, and City Pharma.

Our family bounded out of our Airbnb, it was raining and cold, 49 degrees outside as we pulled our raincoat hoods over heads, determined to make the best of it. Younger family members thought nothing of it, forging ahead and anxious to get on the boat. We learned that the Seine flows more than 480 miles, and that Paris contains 37 bridges crossing the river. I looked up at the grey drizzly sky, not knowing quite what to expect, but I knew that cruises operate year-round, even in winter, so we were good to go. Our Seine River cruise was departing from the picturesque Square du Vert Galant. This peaceful park at the tip of the Île de la Cité, named after King Henry IV, was known for its stellar views of the river.

Getting aboard the cruise there helped us savor the experience even more as we took off to a boat filled with Parisian music piped overhead, sitting inside for the first bit; rain falling at a steady pace. It did not matter though, the whole boat was glass, we could see everything in front, and both sides, awed by gorgeous historical surroundings as they drifted by. This painting that I purchased, with the glass boat in the middle, looks just like the boat we were on.

View from a boat on a river looking toward a row of classic multi-story Parisian apartment buildings along the waterfront. Several long houseboats are moored along the stone embankment beneath leafless winter trees and a drooping willow. The water appears choppy under a partly cloudy blue sky, while the white railing and wooden seats of the boat are visible in the foreground.

The movement of the boat, rain, and winter breeze created a relaxing atmosphere as we drifted down the Seine. Everyone was warm, smiling, sitting inside the enclosed boat, enjoying the city from a new perspective. After about ten minutes, the rain dissipated, as younger adventurous members charged outside, pointing here and there at wonderous sites as they rolled by. From the deck, iconic monuments appeared one by one:

Rainy cityscape through a window, droplets on glass. A stone bridge and buildings are partially submerged in a swollen, muddy river.

Here, Pont Neuf, the oldest standing Parisian bridge, is situated by the western point of the Ile de la Cite, the island in the middle of the river that between 250 and 225 BC was the birthplace of Paris.

View from a boat window of a grand building by a river. Raindrops on glass. Overcast sky, with a mix of gray and blue tones. Calm mood.

The Musée d’Orsay, Art Museum with its grand clock.

Pont d’Lena, a Bridge spanning the River Seine.

Palais Bourbon, Seat of the French National Assembly.

Pont Alaxandre lll, Bridge that spans the Seine.

Jardin du Palais-Royal, Urban Park in Paris.

Eiffel Tower, Tower located on the Champ de Mars.

Eiffel Tower stands against cloudy sky, viewed from a boat on the Seine River. A life preserver marked "Paris" visible in foreground. Moody vibe.

Pont Saint-Louis, Footbridge in Paris & Bassin de l’Arsenal, a Port in Paris.

Liberty Enlightening the World, statue in Paris & Pont de Grenelle Bridge

Statue of Liberty replica by a river, with a green bridge and graffiti in the background. Cloudy sky and bare trees add to the serene mood.

Pavillion de Flore, Pavillion of the Louvre Palace, part of the Louvre Palace in Paris

The cruise was much more than sightseeing; it was where our family shared memories along the Seine that we would remember for always. It was outstanding, one of our favorites of the trip!

Leaving our little boat, we had lunch in a bistro, where rich, beef-broth hot onion soup, slow roasted chicken, beef Bourgoin, and beef burgundy welcomed us. We lingered, drinking hot tea and coffee, as warmth seeped into our bones after our delightful river cruise.

Next, we were off to what felt like a sense of reverence as our family made the journey to Notre Dame Cathedral, one of Paris’s greatest masterpieces. Traveling together through the Île de la Cité, the very heart of Paris, brought a sense of peace. The island’s quiet streets and elegant stone buildings with centuries of history, made us contemplative as we reached the Cathedral.

Notre-Dame Cathedral with people gathered in front. A police van is parked nearby. Gray sky and bare trees frame the historic façade.

Approaching Notre Dame was breathtaking. Even with ongoing restoration efforts following the 2019 fire, its towering façade and intricate sculptures immediately captured us. We paused beneath the iconic twin towers, taking in the stories carved there, saints, biblical figures, angels, and creatures that have guarded the cathedral since the 12th century, construction began in 1163 and took nearly 200 years. Standing before nearly nine centuries of history was powerful; it is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, we marveled at its untold perfection.

Ornate wooden door with intricate floral and vine carvings in a symmetrical pattern. Antiqued brown tones create an elegant, historic feel.

Even though interiors remain under renovation; the exterior alone was beyond fascinating. The grandeur of the rose windows, each containing hundreds of pieces of medieval glass, took my breath away. I immediately got goose bumps that never seemed to go away. It was the most beautiful building on the planet, one that I wish I could visit every day.

People inside a cathedral admire stained glass windows. The setting has high arches and intricate stone details, creating a solemn atmosphere.

The precision of Gothic arches, and the delicate stonework all reflected medieval craftsmanship beyond compare.

People gather in a grand cathedral with tall arches and decorative columns. Blue patterned tapestries hang on the stone walls. Warm lighting.

Together, our family, as many others were, felt the sacred spaces that Notre Dame held, quietly moving through the massive Cathedral, in awe of generations of work there. Notre Dame stands at “Point Zero,” the center of Paris!

A woman in glasses sits in a cathedral with stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings. People gather, creating a serene atmosphere.

Outside, Gargoyles function as both waterspouts and symbolic protectors. Notre Dame receives over 12 million visitors per year, and its restoration involves artisans from across France and Europe. This stands in my top beautiful buildings of all time.

We did not visit The Louvre, except to go by it and marvel at the world’s largest art museum. It was originally built as a fortress in 1190, receiving around 10 million visitors per year. Its sheer scale is breathtaking: over 650,000 square feet of galleries and thousands upon thousands of artworks spanning Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Renaissance, and global history! It needs its own week or more to appreciate its remarkable history.

To end the day, we visited CityPharma, Paris’s most famous and bustling pharmacy located in the chic Saint-Germain district. Known for its impressive prices and wide selection of French skincare, beauty products, and wellness items, CityPharma had both locals and visitors from around the world searching for beauty staples, natural remedies or French lotions. It is known for having the lowest skincare prices in Paris, and stocks over 10,000 product types, but is often considered a cultural experience as much as a shopping trip.

The atmosphere was energetic as staff moved between crowded aisles, guiding shoppers through shelves of bestselling serums, creams, and treatments, speaking multiple languages. The store offered the chance to pick up French classics such as Bioderma, La Roche-Posay, and Caudalie at a fraction of typical prices. Our family left with treasured finds and stories from the bustling environment. It was the perfect way to end a day full of history, architecture, art, and joyful exploration.

Today’s Itinerary: From our Airbnb to the Seine River Cruise at Square du Vert Galant, to Notre-Dame, by the Louvre, and back to our AirBnB.

Map of Paris with a blue walking route marked, noting landmarks like Louvre and Notre Dame. Estimated time: 32 min, 10.3 km.

That evening, everyone was getting packed up, as we would be taking the Eurostar back to London to fly home, but as we reached the Airbnb, someone discovered a broken suitcase, so the whole crew went into the streets of Paris to find one. Not me, unaccountably, I couldn’t keep my eyes open, so one of the younger kids stayed behind to read a new book. I sat on the couch, hunched over, falling into the deepest sleep I’ve ever experienced. I simply could not wake up or move. Even when the whole crew came back, I could not shake my coma. I heard everyone come in, but I sat there for hours, unable to engage. My sleeplessness finally caught up with me. I can’t explain it except that finally, we were leaving Europe, and I just got used to the time change. Great going!

On our final full morning in Paris, we prepared to check out of the hotel, gathering the last of our belongings and taking one final look at the view outside our window. The neighborhood, with its familiar rhythms of cafés, corner bakeries, bicycles, and the distant sounds of morning deliveries felt comforting. This morning there was excitement in knowing one more cross‑country ride awaited, as we prepared to return to London!

The trip from Paris Gare du Nord Train Station to London St Pancras International Train Station was smooth and effortless, the station itself, bustling yet organized, reminding us how central rail travel is to European life. Boarding the train at 13:12, our family settled into seats as the countryside passed before us, northern France with its open fields, clusters of small towns, and winding village roads that held families much like our own.

Crossing the English Channel was a quiet thrill. The journey slipped by from France into England, and before long the landscape of London appeared once more. Arriving at St Pancras International at 14:30 brought a sense of pleasant familiarity. From the station, the transfer to the Radisson Blu Hotel near Heathrow signaled the beginning of the final phase of our European journey as bags were organized and boarding passes checked, we took a moment to appreciate how far we traveled, and the astounding beauty of Europe.

London Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, buzzed as travelers headed toward destinations across the globe. Standing inside such a massive international hub reminded us of our journey, from Houston to London, London to Paris, Paris back to London, across city streets, through markets, monuments, palaces, and riverbanks, and now our return home.

Touching down in Houston brought the journey full circle. There’s no place like home! The streets, cafés, and marketplaces of Europe left a lasting impression, a memory to revisit, retell, and cherish for all time.

Highlights and trip favorites!

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