Juggling work, parenting tweens, and documenting our adventures on Instagram (and here!) keeps me pretty busy! It took me a few months, but I’m finally back with part 2 of our Spring Break 2024 recap and Paris guide.
After a whirlwind 3 nights in London (link to that blog post here), we headed to Paris for 3 nights before returning to London for our final night before flying back home to Los Angeles. The last time Jason and I were in Paris was for our babymoon, before our first son was born. It felt extra special visiting this time with our two boys.
Day 1 – Travel Day From London to Paris
We took the Eurostar train from London to Paris, traveling through the Channel Tunnel. The journey connects the London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord station. It typically takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. We left London at 2:30 p.m. and arrived in Paris just before 6 p.m. (thanks to the one-hour time change). Tip: Book your Eurostar tickets as early as possible, once you have your travel dates locked in. Eurostar uses dynamic pricing. Tickets tend to be cheaper when bought in advance, sometimes months ahead. They get more expensive as the travel date approaches.
Once we arrived in Paris, we hopped on the metro (subway) to our hotel. We stayed at Hotel Louvre Piemont for the next three nights. After dropping off our luggage, we went in search of dinner. Lucky for us, a popular ramen chain was just steps away from our hotel!
Kodawari Ramen has two locations in Paris: Yokocho and Tsukiji. Kodawari Ramen Yokocho, which draws inspiration from Tokyo’s bustling alleyways, has even earned a Michelin rating for its ramen. Our hotel was close to the Tsukiji location. Dining at Kodawari Tsukiji was a unique experience. The restaurant recreates a vibrant fish market atmosphere, complete with the sounds of seagulls. Ramen is served here with a focus on seafood-based broths. Overall, we enjoyed the ramen, but prefer pork-based broths (available at the Yokocho location).
Tip: You can find a QR code on the front window of the restaurant. Scan it to reserve your spot on the wait list. Since our hotel was steps away from the Tsukiji location, we were able to rest in our room until we were notified that our table was ready.
After dinner, we took a short stroll over to the Louvre. Although the museum was closed in the evening, we enjoyed walking around the Louvre Palace and Pyramid Courtyard. It was so beautiful!
Excited about being in Paris, I had a craving for soufflé (because, Paris, lol). I convinced my family to schlep across town to Le Récamier in St-Germain. The restaurant is cozy and tucked away from the hustle. We ordered the chocolate and Grand Marnier soufflés, and they did not disappoint! The kids especially loved the light, airy texture—it was the perfect sweet end to our first night in Paris.
Eat: 1) Ramen Kodawari Tsukiji – 29 rue Mazarine 75006 Paris France 2) Le Récamier – 4 Rue Juliette Récamier, 75007 Paris, France
Stay: Hotel Louvre Piemont, 22 Rue De Richelieu, Paris, 75001 France
Transportation: Eurostar train
Day 2 – Exploring the Louvre and Foods in the Marais District
The next morning, we visited the Louvre—one of the most famous and visited museums in the world. We joined Liv Tours for their Family Experiences: Private Louvre Tour for Kids, which we were really excited about after having such a fun and educational time with them at the British Museum in London. Once again, the tour didn’t disappoint! I learned and appreciated so much more on this visit than I ever had on previous trips to the Louvre.
Our expert guide kept the boys engaged with fascinating stories and fun facts about the museum’s iconic pieces, including world-famous works like Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. We also explored other highlights, such as the impressive Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo, which captivated the whole family. The tour, designed specifically for kids, made the art and history come alive for all of us, turning what can be an overwhelming museum into a truly enjoyable and memorable experience.
After our tour, we grabbed a quick lunch at the Louvre Food Court. We returned to our hotel to rest a bit before heading out to our next experience.
AFTERNOON tour: 4:30 - 7:30 3 hours Le Marais Food Tour in Paris | Private Experience
That afternoon, we embarked on a 3-hour Le Marais Food Tour. Le Marais is full of charm, with its medieval cobbled streets, picturesque squares, chic boutiques, and incredible food. Our local guide led us through the bustling streets, stopping at cafés, food stalls, and local gems for tastings. She shared the history of the area along the way. We sampled a variety of iconic French treats, including melt-in-your-mouth pastries, sweet treats, and sat down to enjoy a glass of wine (juice for the kids) with cheese and charcuterie! Our oldest son’s favorite tasting was the French onion soup, while our youngest son was all about the chocolate croissants and the macarons. This tour was a perfect blend of culture, history, and indulgence!
Tip: While we enjoyed all the stops on this tour, we HAD to grab a falafel from L’As du Falafel. Both Jason and I had recalled it independently as one of the best falafel pitas we’ve ever had, and we were excited to share this with our kids. Unfortunately, in our hurry to catch the twinkling Eiffel Tower, we left it in our Bolt car 🙁 .
The Eiffel Tower lights up every evening, but the real magic happens when it sparkles for 5 minutes on the hour after dusk, until 10 or 11 p.m. We didn’t make it all the way to the base of the tower. Instead, we found the perfect spot on a bridge along the Seine to take it all in. It was a simple, free moment, but easily one of our favorite memories from Paris.
Eat : Lunch At the Louvre food court. Other options to consider Le Cafe Marly, Pastries at Stohrer , Dinner: Marais Food Tour, L’As du Falafel
Day 3 – Eiffel Tower and a Flytographer Photoshoot
We started our day with another Liv Tours experience. After booking tours with them in both London and Paris, we can confidently say their tours are top notch experiences! We opted to see the Eiffel Tower via their private guided tour.
Our tour guide met us at the base of the iconic tower. She swiftly whisked us past the long lines and straight to the elevator for the second floor. Although it was rainy and windy during our visit—and the elevator to the top was closed—we still had an incredible time taking in 360-degree views of Paris from the second level.
Our guide shared the history of the Eiffel Tower and interesting trivia, including how it was originally built for the 1889 World Fair and was only meant to stand for 20 years. Now, over 130 years later, it’s still standing tall! Our guide shared stories about its construction and pointed out key sights from the view.
We planned to cruise the Seine River after visiting the Eiffel Tower. However, all cruises were on hold for a few days during our visit due to the rain and high water level. I have good memories of the cruise from prior trips and would highly recommend it as a beautiful way to see the historic monuments along the river. I would love to do the cruise with the boys, so we’ll have to do this and try the falafel we missed out on next time :).
Lunch: We grabbed some crepes from a street vendor—simple, delicious and inexpensive!
Being a photography enthusiast, I usually take out my family’s photos, and/or use a tripod on trips. But Paris is so photogenic, and since it’s our 15th wedding anniversary year, I booked a Flytographer session for us. Olga is one of the most recommended photographers in Paris (thanks to many doctor mom friends in a Facebook group). Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to take our photos, but her husband Kirill (who is also a photographer) stepped in instead. Despite the rainy forecast, he suggested some great locations to optimize the shoot, and we were thrilled with how our photos turned out! If you want a special keepsake from your trip to Paris, I highly recommend booking a photoshoot.
Dinner: We had our hearts set on steak frites at the famous Relais de l’Entrecôte, but when we arrived, the line was so long that we would’ve been waiting well over an hour. With the kids in tow and the rain coming down, we searched for alternatives nearby. We stumbled upon Combo Restaurant – Traiteur 29 Rue Dauphine. This dinner ended up being our favorite meal of the entire trip! Everything we ordered, from appetizers to entrees, was absolutely decadent. As we strolled back to our hotel, we enjoyed the Notre Dame lit up at night.
Day 4: Squeezing in more highlights of Paris
Before heading back to London that evening (fun fact: round-trip flights from LAX to London were cheaper than LAX to London, Paris, then back to LAX!), we squeezed in a few more must-see spots in Paris. We traveled by metro and made several stops, starting with the stunning Sainte-Chapelle. Famous for its 13th-century stained glass windows that tell biblical stories, this Gothic chapel is a true masterpiece.
Next, we strolled down the bustling Champs-Élysées, often called “the world’s most beautiful avenue,” lined with theaters, cafes, and luxury shops.
We couldn’t miss a photo op with the Arc de Triomphe, one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, built to honor those who fought and died for France in the Napoleonic Wars. Lastly, we made our way to La Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre and rode the charming carousel nearby, soaking in the atmosphere of this picturesque hilltop neighborhood with sweeping views of the city.
After exploring these Parisian highlights, it was time to head back to the train station and return to London to wrap up our European Spring Break. Though there were a few moments when our lively, chatty kids drew some glances (Paris is a place where children are often seen but not heard), they were welcomed everywhere we went, and they absolutely loved the city.
Have you been to Paris? If yes -what are some of your favorite things to see, do or eat in the city? If not, is it on your list of places to visit?
Additional resource to help plan your trip: My TripAdvisor Paris Page
Disclaimer: All opinions and recommendations in this post are entirely my own. While the Louvre, Marais and Eiffel Tower tours were hosted by Liv Tours, my experiences and views are shared honestly to provide helpful insights for fellow travelers.