day6

 

The day began in the pitch-black stillness of 4 a.m., when most of the world was still fast asleep. We groggily gathered our bags, checked we hadn’t left anything behind, and made our way out into the quiet streets. At the station, the atmosphere shifted. Our train to Paris departed at 7:30, and as soon as we settled into our seats, we could finally relax.  Somewhere under the Channel, we crossed from one country to another,and Paris was ahead of us. We arrived at 10 a.m., stepping off the train into the busy, vibrant energy of the city. There’s something about Paris that feels instantly different—the smell of fresh pastries drifting from cafés, the sound of rapid French conversations, and the mix of elegance and history in the architecture all around. Without wasting any time, we headed to our main destination for the day: the Louvre.We wandered through rooms lined with marble statues, delicate ceramics, and centuries-old tapestries. Seeing the Mona Lisa in person was surreal; no reproduction really captures the way her gaze seems to follow you. Around every corner was something unexpected: Egyptian artifacts, Renaissance portraits, even intricate crowns glittering under the lights.

By late afternoon, our feet were letting us know they’d had enough for one day. We took our time strolling back toward the city streets, enjoying glimpses of the Seine and the bustle of Paris in the summer. At 7 p.m., we found our way to Flam's Lombards for dinner. The restaurant had a warm, inviting feel—wooden tables, the smell of fresh bread and cheese in the air. We ordered a mix of dishes, each one comforting and full of flavor. It was the perfect reward for a day packed with travel and exploration. When we finally stepped back outside, the Paris evening had transformed the city.