Paris – Day #2
Free Man (and Woman) in Paris (Last 24 hours…)
“I was a free man in Paris, I felt unfettered and alive. There was nobody calling me up for favors. And no one's future to decide.” ~ Joni Mitchell
Paris. This destination was circled on the travel calendar since July.
With a full night’s sleep behind us, Lauren and I were ready to (really explore) The City of Light.
Our day started early, enjoying a classic sidewalk cafe breakfast of quiche and croissants at the iconic Cafe de Flore in Saint Germain. If you make it there, you must order their signature hot chocolate. Since our morning temperatures were only in the 50s, this was the perfect warm morning tonic.
Next we headed to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. Early morning runners, dog walkers, tennis and tai chi enthusiasts were enjoying this glorious Parisian morning. So were we!
We wandered through the Latin Quarter until we arrived at the Shakespeare & Company bookstore. This iconic bookstore dates back to 1919 when the original bookstore was owned by Sylvia Beach. It was the regular hang for many 19th century artists and writers including Stein, Pound, Hemingway, Joyce, and Fitzgerald. Possibly the coolest bookstore I’ve ever been in. If these walls could talk?
Lauren and I each bought a book. Having read A Moveable Feast before our trip, I purchased Hemingway’s other novel - The Sun Also Rises. Both books were written while Hemingway resided in Paris. Pro tip: Please no photos within the store. THiS was a tough rule to follow.
Next we headed over to Notre Dame. Talk about historical. You could almost feel a certain reverence as you stood in the hallowed courtyard facing the iconic church. Afterwards we stopped at another cafe across the street each of us enjoying hot tea and macaroons.
I could easily eat at these outdoor cafes on a daily basis. Talk about your upgrade from hoagies at Wawa!
No trip to Paris would be complete without exploring the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. We paid the extra 20 Euros to climb the Arc and enjoy a bird’s eye view of midday Paris. More stairs and steps!
We Ubered to Montmartre (aka the famous artists and bohemians) section of Paris. Home to Monet, Picasso and many other artists. We lunched at the Le Consulat. A brasserie which by the colors of their outside awning could possibly appear in the next Wes Anderson film.
For a couple of hours we explored the hilly terrain of Montmartre including Basilica of Sacré Cœur (aka the Church on the Hill).
Back to our hotel to freshen up.
Tonight was dress up night for our final swan song in Paris.
Drinks at Bar Hemingway located in the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Paying homage to Ernie, the 20 person bar is filled with legit Hemingway artifacts. No reservations. You line up behind the velvet ropes until a table opens up.
Wait staff in perfectly tailored white uniforms attend to every beverage and tapas need. Monsieur and Madame all night long.
We then headed back to Montmartre for a 9pm performance of Moulin Rouge.
A smartly dressed crowd enjoyed 90 minutes of 1920s Paris in the form of talented, beautiful and half dressed women (and men) performing risqué and artistic, athletic and comedic dances and skits to both French and American tunes.
Cabaret performances including Can-Can, Rockettes and Vegas showgirl dances performed where the art form was created back in 1889.
We got the sense of watching a hit Broadway musical in the NYC theater district. The Champagne provided table side certainly helped!
I think Lauren may have been the youngest patron in the joint.
Exiting the venue, the street was alive with celebration and party.
However, with midnight quickly approaching it was time to bid edieu to this wonderful Saturday night.
Tomorrow is an early morning flight to the South of France (and hopefully) warmer temperatures!
Cote d’ Azur awaits.
Thanks for the memories, Paris.
It was indeed a special experience with my favorite (and currently) beret wearing daughter.
9/27/25
Dad & Daughter
Paris, France (day 2)
#liveyourdash
Free Man (and Woman) in Paris (Last 24 hours…)
“I was a free man in Paris, I felt unfettered and alive. There was nobody calling me up for favors. And no one's future to decide.” ~ Joni Mitchell
Paris. This destination was circled on the travel calendar since July.
With a full night’s sleep behind us, Lauren and I were ready to (really explore) The City of Light.
Our day started early, enjoying a classic sidewalk cafe breakfast of quiche and croissants at the iconic Cafe de Flore in Saint Germain. If you make it there, you must order their signature hot chocolate. Since our morning temperatures were only in the 50s, this was the perfect warm morning tonic.
Next we headed to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. Early morning runners, dog walkers, tennis and tai chi enthusiasts were enjoying this glorious Parisian morning. So were we!
We wandered through the Latin Quarter until we arrived at the Shakespeare & Company bookstore. This iconic bookstore dates back to 1919 when the original bookstore was owned by Sylvia Beach. It was the regular hang for many 19th century artists and writers including Stein, Pound, Hemingway, Joyce, and Fitzgerald. Possibly the coolest bookstore I’ve ever been in. If these walls could talk?
Lauren and I each bought a book. Having read A Moveable Feast before our trip, I purchased Hemingway’s other novel - The Sun Also Rises. Both books were written while Hemingway resided in Paris. Pro tip: Please no photos within the store. THiS was a tough rule to follow.
Next we headed over to Notre Dame. Talk about historical. You could almost feel a certain reverence as you stood in the hallowed courtyard facing the iconic church. Afterwards we stopped at another cafe across the street each of us enjoying hot tea and macaroons.
I could easily eat at these outdoor cafes on a daily basis. Talk about your upgrade from hoagies at Wawa!
No trip to Paris would be complete without exploring the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. We paid the extra 20 Euros to climb the Arc and enjoy a bird’s eye view of midday Paris. More stairs and steps!
We Ubered to Montmartre (aka the famous artists and bohemians) section of Paris. Home to Monet, Picasso and many other artists. We lunched at the Le Consulat. A brasserie which by the colors of their outside awning could possibly appear in the next Wes Anderson film.
For a couple of hours we explored the hilly terrain of Montmartre including Basilica of Sacré Cœur (aka the Church on the Hill).
Back to our hotel to freshen up.
Tonight was dress up night for our final swan song in Paris.
Drinks at Bar Hemingway located in the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Paying homage to Ernie, the 20 person bar is filled with legit Hemingway artifacts. No reservations. You line up behind the velvet ropes until a table opens up.
Wait staff in perfectly tailored white uniforms attend to every beverage and tapas need. Monsieur and Madame all night long.
We then headed back to Montmartre for a 9pm performance of Moulin Rouge.
A smartly dressed crowd enjoyed 90 minutes of 1920s Paris in the form of talented, beautiful and half dressed women (and men) performing risqué and artistic, athletic and comedic dances and skits to both French and American tunes.
Cabaret performances including Can-Can, Rockettes and Vegas showgirl dances performed where the art form was created back in 1889.
We got the sense of watching a hit Broadway musical in the NYC theater district. The Champagne provided table side certainly helped!
I think Lauren may have been the youngest patron in the joint.
Exiting the venue, the street was alive with celebration and party.
However, with midnight quickly approaching it was time to bid edieu to this wonderful Saturday night.
Tomorrow is an early morning flight to the South of France (and hopefully) warmer temperatures!
Cote d’ Azur awaits.
Thanks for the memories, Paris.
It was indeed a special experience with my favorite (and currently) beret wearing daughter.
9/27/25
Dad & Daughter
Paris, France (day 2)
#liveyourdash
© Scott Kern