We’re going to Lutetia this week. Well, we’re not actually going there (we never do literally in these newsletters), but we hope you feel a little bit of the places we write about and end up seeing them in person someday. With that being said, we like to “travel” to the historic versions of the modern places we go.

Lutetia is actually the ancient version of Paris, France. Paris is clearly a modern city with famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and events like the Tour de France but you can feel it’s depth and history.

We read about the history of the region all the way back to the 3rd Century BC. In 52 BC, Caesar started the Roman Republics settlement there. The Franks moved in after the Romans and eventually Paris become the most prosperous city in the region.

The High and Late Middle Ages were a time full of conflict as are many places in the area but the city continued to grow. What would eventually become known as the Avenue des Champs-Élysées was built in the 17th Century. You can still stroll down the avenue to this day.

The late 18th Century saw a revolution that stunted growth for a short time. By the 20th Century, the population was about 2.75 million. The back half of the 20th Century saw a lot of people moving out of Paris to the suburbs so the city seemed to be losing its luster but the most recent century has seen younger people way make there way to the city. These days, it’s as busy and energetic as ever.

We were inspired by the active and connected culture there. The city is very inviting and easy to get to from a lot of places in the region. There are many things to see, great food, and an artistic feel you’ll experience just about everywhere.

There are some cities you visit once and feel like you've seen them all. Paris isn't one of them.

Whether you're seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time, wandering through Montmartre, eating a croissant at a sidewalk café, or watching the city sparkle after dark, Paris gives you plenty of reasons to come back.

You can visit the tower during the day, go up for incredible views, or simply admire it from one of the many viewpoints around the city. Our favorite time to see it, though, is in the evenings during golden hour.

There’s a magical period when the sun is starting to set and the sky has a soft glow to it. It’s the perfect time to have a picnic near the tower. Stop by a grocery store on your way and pick up some sandwiches, cheese, crackers, etc. and some drinks.

Vendors also walk around the tower selling bottles of wine and champagne, but for a steeper price. Spread out a thin blanket, sit down, and relax.

The Eiffel Tower lights up at nightfall, then sparkles for five minutes at the beginning of every hour once it is dark. The exact first sparkle depends on sunset. For example, if sunset is at 8:35 p.m., the first sparkle will be at 9:00 p.m.

The sparkle is created by 20,000 lights, making those five minutes pretty magical.

Check the sunset time for the night you're visiting, find a good viewing spot, and keep an eye on the clock!

The Louvre is massive, so don't expect to see everything in one visit.

Of course, you'll want to see the Mona Lisa, but give yourself time to explore some of the other galleries too.

Even if museums aren't your thing, make sure you walk through the courtyard and see the iconic glass pyramid.

The Arc de Triomphe sits at the western end of the Champs-Élysées.

You can admire it from below or climb to the top for panoramic views of Paris. Seeing the city's streets spread out from the monument gives you a completely different perspective.

The Champs-Élysées connects the Arc de Triomphe with Place de la Concorde.

It's filled with shops, restaurants and beautiful architecture. Give yourself time to walk rather than simply using it to get from one attraction to another.

Notre-Dame de Paris sits on Île de la Cité in the middle of the Seine.

The cathedral has been part of Paris for centuries and reopened to visitors in December 2024 following its extensive restoration after the 2019 fire.

Take some time to walk around the island and admire the cathedral from different angles.

These beautiful gardens were created in 1612 for Queen Marie de Médicis. You can stroll through the gardens, admire the statues and Medici Fountain, relax by the pond, or even rent a miniature sailboat. It is also a great place to read, play chess, tennis, or simply take a break from sightseeing.

Refer a friend using your referral link at the bottom of this email so they can see it too. In addition, you’ll get a copy of our “Wonders of the World” eBook if it’s your first referral.

If you're flying from the United States, Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the major international airport serving Paris.

Orly Airport (ORY) is another option and can be especially convenient for some European and international routes.

Already traveling around Europe? Paris is extremely well connected by train, with high-speed rail connections to cities throughout France and Europe.

Skip the rental car. Paris is incredibly easy to explore by Metro, RER, bus and on foot.

The Metro is usually the quickest way to get between major neighborhoods and attractions. The RER is useful for longer journeys, including destinations outside central Paris.

Walking is another great option. Some of my favorite Paris moments have come from simply wandering between the places I actually planned to see.

ibis Paris CDG Airport - we loved staying here for our morning flight out of Paris and still think about that breakfast

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel - three minute walk from the Eiffel Tower

Hotel del la Place de Louvre - right next to the Louvre, breakfast included

Hotel Mansart - breakfast included

Start with a croissant or pain au chocolat and coffee.

Try a crêpe or a savory galette.

For a traditional meal, look for steak frites, French onion soup, beef bourguignon, coq au vin or quiche.

Visit a bakery and try a baguette, éclair, macaron or crème brûlée.

You really can't go wrong with stopping at a neighborhood café and ordering something you've never tried before.

You will probably walk much more than you expect. Make sure your shoes are ready for this.

You’ll also want to pack layers, a light jacket or sweater, a small umbrella and a secure crossbody bag.

Bring a reusable water bottle. There are public drinking stations throughout the city.

A portable phone charger is essential when you're using your phone for maps, tickets and photos all day.

Leave a little extra room in your suitcase too. You never know what souvenir you might want to bring home, whether it be from shopping along the Seine, bottles of wine, or some delicious chocolates. Paris has a way of sneaking into your suitcase.

Don't try to rush through Paris just to check every famous attraction off your list.

See the Eiffel Tower. Visit the Louvre. Walk along the Champs-Élysées. Stand in front of Notre-Dame.

Then leave some time to wander.

Sit at a café. Walk down a street you didn't plan to visit. Look up at the architecture.

Sometimes the best parts of Paris are the moments you didn't put on the itinerary.

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in Paris. It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob