Day five was a powerful mix of Parisian history, reflection, and magnificent architecture. It was a day we won’t soon forget!

We started by taking our transportation pass to the Le Marais district for a fascinating walking tour. While exploring this historic area, we came across the Mémorial de la Shoah (Holocaust Memorial). It was a deeply moving experience. I took a moment to walk through the Wall of Names, remembering a colleague who had told me his family was unfortunately represented there. It was a sobering reminder of history woven into the fabric of this city.

From Le Marais, we took in a few more landmarks before reaching our main destination: the Cathédrale Notre Dame. Even amidst the ongoing restoration, what a magnificent structure! I must admit, I was immediately struck by the lingering smell of smoke, a poignant reminder of the fire. But as I made my way through, I was truly in awe of all the spectacular paintings and statues inside. It really felt like a miracle that so many of those treasures were spared. And the stained glass? Just spectacular.

We enjoyed a beautiful stroll across the Seine River, watching the bateaux mouches glide past and soaking up those iconic Parisian views along the water.

Our next stop was a must-see for any book lover: the iconic Shakespeare and Company Bookstore! I couldn’t resist—I happily browsed the crowded shelves, made a perfect purchase, and then got the best souvenir imaginable: my book was officially stamped with that classic bookstore seal. It’s a treasure!

After soaking up that incredible history, we crossed the street to Le Crème de Paris. They have a huge variety of crepes, and we decided to go with the savory ones—a perfect, satisfying Parisian lunch!

The walk back to the subway took us past a fun row of local shops, and we made our way back home, happily exhausted once again. Despite the full itinerary, we truly enjoyed every single moment of this incredible day.

Stay tuned for our final adventures!