Bonjour again, from The Ladies Who Voyage! Day one of official sightseeing is in the books, and what a whirlwind it was.

First things first: can I just say that the French transportation system is absolutely amazing? Seriously! We navigated the city like pros, starting with a smooth bus ride to the rail station, and then connecting seamlessly to the metro (subway) system. It’s so efficient and clean – it made getting around a breeze but we had the seasoned traveler that mapped out our entire day. She is amazing.

Our day kicked off with a brilliant Latin Quarter Walking Tour. Our guide was wonderful – a true local who had been educated right there in the historical schools of the area. Talk about getting the insider’s perspective!

Before meeting him, we got a glimpse of authentic Parisian life when we stumbled upon a bustling Paris Flea Market. The sights, the sounds, the treasures – it was a fantastic, unexpected way to start the morning. The Latin Quarter itself is simply fascinating; it’s the educational heart of Paris, home to the iconic Sorbonne and the prestigious Universities of Paris. The history just oozes from every cobbled street. We ended the tour in the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. It is a beautiful oasis in the city. There were toy sailboats, beautiful statues and the Medicis Fountain. Hard to believe it is a free public park and it was brimming with families enjoying a Sunday afternoon.

We broke for a truly perfect Parisian treat: coffee and macaroons! That sweet, colorful indulgence was the little boost we needed before tackling the next major stop: the magnificent Louvre Museum.

Making our way inside, we were on a mission. Naturally, our first stop was the iconic smile of the Mona Lisa. From there, we soaked up the classical beauty of the Venus de Milo, and then stood in awe beneath the powerful Winged Victory of Samothrace. We managed to spot many of the famed Greek Gods and goddesses, too!

I have to be honest, the Louvre was packed. It was so crowded that, after hitting the major highlights, we decided to make a tactical retreat. We made our way back to the efficient subway system, connected with the bus, and were home in time to relax our tired feet.

And how did we end this epic first day? With the best food ever at a little gem called Daol Bailey! Surprisingly, it wasn’t traditional French – we decided on incredible Korean food. What a perfect, satisfying cap to a truly unforgettable day.

Stay tuned for Day 2 adventures! We have a feeling Paris is just getting started with us