A Birthday Trip To Remember - Part 1

When I knew by big 5-0 birthday was approaching I wanted to share an adventure with my friends and what better place than Paris! We had a week there and with a mix of some Paris "newbies" and others who've been there before I wanted to curate a trip that would blend seamlessly for everyone with a mix of new experiences and group dinners to share our stories from the day.

image 1: Pic of me with the pig from Au Pied Du Cochon

Image 1: Pic of the ladies is at the top of the Eiffel Tower ; Image 2: Cafe Dog

Bateaux Parisiens is a great option for your first night when trying to fight off jet lag. They have multi course dinner cruises - the food and wine are excellent and its a great way to get your bearings of the city from the Seine.

Hemingway Bar at the RITZ feels like an exclusive club and with only 25 seats you'll need to line up about 30 minutes prior to its opening- but its well worth the wait- trust me!

Au Pied De Cochon is a fantastic restaurant not far from the Louvre (walkable). My favorite is the little pig themed dessert they give you with the cheque.

Monet's house at Giverny is about an hour and a half outside of the city and well worth the trip to see the waterlilies that inspired his paintings

A visit to see the Monet's works in person is a must. The museum has them housed in 2 separate oval shaped rooms. Take a seat on one of the benches and take in the nuances of all Monet's colors of his beloved waterlily ponds. Pro Tip: Buy tickets early and try and get the first time of the day as crowds will be less.

image 1: Bar Hemingway

The peak of Paris busy season is of course the summer months and with the 2024 Summer Olympics there it will be VERY busy. But don't ignore a later fall or winter trip. There's nothing like seeing Paris covered in holiday lights and decorations will sipping on a mulled wine.

Driving in Paris is INSANE! There's no need to rent a car- just call an UBER or explore the famous Metro system

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Paris. In need of further inspiration? Check out Tarika Richter’s guide, Paris Je T'aime: A Guide to Paris for Families.