Day 3 started exactly how every Parisian morning should: a good breakfast and a taxi ride straight to the Louvre.

Now, if you know us, you know we like to do things a little differently. We decided to skip the madness of the Mona Lisa crowds . Instead, we spent our morning getting lost among the stunning French sculptures, and I finally made it over to the Apartment of Napoleon III. If you haven’t seen it, the opulence is just next-level—gold, velvet, and chandeliers for days!

After about three hours of wandering the halls, we realized the jet lag and those long weeks of call were still winning. We decided to listen to our bodies and took an Uber back to the hotel.

Finding Quiet Moments

While Roy leaned into a serious “vacation nap,” I took advantage of the downtime. It was so refreshing to have a moment of peace to dive into my current book A Prescription for Caring in Healthcare Leadership by Joshua D Hartselle MD Colonel (Retired) US Army. I love books by military leaders. One of my other Favorites is Leading from the Front: No Excuse Leadership Tactics for Women. I also read that on a vacation.

I also managed to finish up my Day 2 post and even started sketching out a new post specifically on leadership. It’s funny how being away from the daily grind of meetings gives your brain the space to actually think deeply about the work we do.

Neighborhood Vibes at Café Fleurus

We ended the day at Café Fleurus, another lovely neighborhood restaurant just a short walk from the hotel. Located in the heart of the 16th arrondissement and just steps from the Golden Triangle, it perfectly combines elegance and authenticity.

I was not aware of these facts when I booked the hotel but I am so glad we chose to stay in this area. I was not aware that the 16th is one of the most prestigious districts in Paris—home to grand architecture, embassies, and the Trocadéro. It is such a relief to be away from the intense hustle and bustle of the tourist-heavy hotels around the Louvre. It feels much more peaceful here—truly a lovely neighborhood vibe.

With Day 3 in the books, we’re resting up for a big day tomorrow. We’re tackling Notre Dame and I have a few surprises up my sleeve!

Au revoir for now!