I was fortunate. I lived in Italy between for seven years until I was 16 and during that time, I was able to visit several countries and cities. One of those cities was Paris during a Spring Break trip when I was 15 years old. If you were to ask my 15-year-old self if she enjoyed Paris, she would say, "meh."

Fast forward several decades and my husband and I decided that our next European trip would be to Paris. We booked our Delta flight as well as a Marriott branded hotel and the next thing we needed to do was plan what to do. We debated breaking up our trip to take a train to England, Amsterdam, Germany or maybe even Belgium but instead, we settled on doing all six days in Paris.

So ... what do I do? I googled "how to spend six days in Paris" and stumbled across a blog post by World in Paris. And voila ... we had a plan! We didn't follow it exactly but it was pretty close. We also had to re-arrange some of the days based on museum and tour availability but it all worked perfectly.

Day 1 - Montmartre

We landed in Paris that morning and much like any of our other international trips, we attempt to push through the day without taking a nap. This day wasn't an exception. After checking into our hotel, we headed to the Metro station to go to Montmartre. Montmartre was a charming town and one that anyone should add on their must-visit list if they ever come to Paris. Final day step count: 15,042 steps

Sacré Coeur in Montmartre neighborhood of Paris.Sacré Coeur in Montmartre neighborhood of Paris. Saint-Pierre Church in Montmartre neighborhood of Paris.Saint-Pierre Church in Montmartre neighborhood of Paris. Sacré Coeur in Montmartre neighborhood of Paris.Sacré Coeur in Montmartre neighborhood of Paris. Le Consulat in Montmartre neighborhood of Paris.Le Consulat in Montmartre neighborhood of Paris. Rue Cortot street in Montmartre neighborhood of ParisRue Cortot street in Montmartre neighborhood of Paris Rue du Mont-Cenis street in Montmartre neighborhood in ParisThis street was a steep path in the 12th century and linked the Abbey of Saint-Denis to the Abbey of Montmartre Le Lapin Agile in 22 Rue Des Saules in Montmartre neighborhood iTraditional cabaret established in the second half of the 19th century Rue de l'Abrevoir in Montmartre neighborhood in ParisRue de l'Abrevoir in Montmartre neighborhood in Paris Maison Rose in Rue de l'Abrevoir in Montmartre neighborhood in PMaison Rose in Rue de l'Abrevoir in Montmartre neighborhood in Paris Place Dalida in Montmartre neighborhood in ParisPlace Dalida in Montmartre neighborhood in Paris Villa Léandre in Montmartre neighborhood in ParisVilla Léandre in Montmartre neighborhood in Paris Moulin of the Blute-Fin in Montmartre neighborhood in ParisMoulin of the Blute-Fin in Montmartre neighborhood in Paris Le Vrai Paris, colorful bistro, in Montmartre neighborhood in PaLe Vrai Paris, colorful bistro, in Montmartre neighborhood in Paris

Day 2 - Normandy

My husband was a former Army Ranger at 2/75 and at Ranger Regiment, so there was no question that we would take a trip to Normandy. We booked a small group tour, no more than eight people, with Blue Fox Travel called Normandy D-Day Tour from Paris. If you love history, Normandy is a must. It was tragically beautiful. Even getting up at the crack of dawn was worth it since the meeting spot was right around the corner from the Arc de Triomphe and there were no cars around it. Final day step count: 12,308 steps

Arc de Triomphe before sunriseArc de Triomphe before sunrise “Atlantic Wall” built by the Third Reich in Normandy“Atlantic Wall” built by the Third Reich in Normandy “Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves”Chrystal and Lilton trip to Paris, France in February 2023. Lilton at the Normandy American CemetaryLilton at the Normandy American Cemetary Omaha Beach at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in FrChrystal and Lilton trip to Paris, France in February 2023. The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France is locatedThe Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France is located in Colleville-sur-Mer The monument Les Braves is located on the center of Omaha BeachThe monument Les Braves is located on the center of Omaha Beach Pointe du Hoc in NormandyThe World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument is located on a cliff eight miles west of Normandy American Cemetery, which overlooks Omaha Beach, France. Pointe du Hoc in NormandyThe World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument is located on a cliff eight miles west of Normandy American Cemetery, which overlooks Omaha Beach, France. The monument Les Braves is located on the center of Omaha BeachThe monument Les Braves is located on the center of Omaha Beach Ranger Memorial inside bunker at Pointe du HocThe World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument is located on a cliff eight miles west of Normandy American Cemetery, which overlooks Omaha Beach Dog sleeping in front of family owned Cider House in NormandyDog sleeping in front of family owned Cider House in Normandy
 

Day 3 - Louvre and surrounding 2nd arrondissement followed by Seine River Dinner Cruise

Louvre Museum is always top of everyone's lists to visit and even if you do, there's no way you'd be able to see it all in one day. We heard that if you were to look at every piece of artwork for only 30 seconds, it would take you six months to see it all! After spending several hours at the Louvre, we walked to the Tuiileries Garden and then through Rue de Rivoli and along Rue Castiglione to Place Vendôme. We finished the evening with a Seine River Dinner Cruise. There are multiple cruises to select but we went with La Calife since their menu matched what we were looking for. What was perfect is that the cruise timed itself to be next to the Eiffel Tower at the exact moment of the nightly light show. Final day step count: 15,842 steps

Louvre Museum in ParisLouvre Museum in Paris Onlookers marveling over the Mona Lisa at Louvre Museum in ParisOnlookers marveling over the Mona Lisa at Louvre Museum in Paris Crowds walking around the Winged Victory of Samothrace in LouvreCrowds walking around the Winged Victory of Samothrace in Louvre Museum in Paris, France Eiffel Tower through the gates surrounding the Luxor Obelisk inEiffel Tower through the gates surrounding the Luxor Obelisk in Paris, France. Luxor Obelisk in Paris, FranceLuxor Obelisk in Paris, France Dinner on the Le Calife Seine River Dinner CruiseDinner on the Le Calife Seine River Dinner Cruise Dinner on the Le Calife Seine River Dinner CruiseDinner on the Le Calife Seine River Dinner Cruise Dinner on the Le Calife Seine River Dinner CruiseDinner on the Le Calife Seine River Dinner Cruise Dinner on the Le Calife Seine River Dinner CruiseDinner on the Le Calife Seine River Dinner Cruise Eiffel Tower while on the Le Calife Seine River Dinner CruiseEiffel Tower while on the Le Calife Seine River Dinner Cruise

Day 4 - Ile de la Cite and Le Marais

Ile de la Cite is an island in the river Seine in the center of Paris. The most notable thing to see is Notre Dame but there are other things to see and by far my favorite two were the Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie. Notre Dame was still under reconstruction from 2019 fire and the Archeological Crypt was closed the day we went. After leave Ile de la Cite, we crossed Pont d'Arcole to visit Le Marais. Walking back to the hotel, one of the most surprising and gorgeous finds was the La Madeleine church. It has a classic Greek design from the outside and just absolutely breathtaking on the inside. We finished the evening with a birthday celebration and six-course meal at L'Arome. Final day step count: 16,827 steps

Notre Dame under reconstruction on Ile de la Cité in Paris, FraNotre Dame under reconstruction on Ile de la Cité in Paris, France Notre Dame under reconstruction on Ile de la Cité in Paris, FraNotre Dame under reconstruction on Ile de la Cité in Paris, France Notre Dame through the branches on Ile de la Cité in Paris, FraNotre Dame through the branches on Ile de la Cité in Paris, France Spire on the Sainte Chapelle on Ile de la Cité in Paris, FranceSpire on the Sainte Chapelle on Ile de la Cité in Paris, France Sainte Chapelle on Ile de la Cité in Paris, FranceSainte Chapelle on Ile de la Cité in Paris, France Sainte Chapelle on Ile de la Cité in Paris, FranceSainte Chapelle on Ile de la Cité in Paris, France Sainte Chapelle on Ile de la Cité in Paris, FranceSainte Chapelle on Ile de la Cité in Paris, France Conciergerie on Ile de la Cite in Paris, France.Conciergerie on Ile de la Cite in Paris, France. Square du Vert Galant, garden at the tip of Ile de la Cite in PaSquare du Vert Galant, garden at the tip of Ile de la Cite in Paris, France La Madeleine Church in Paris, France - one of the most surprisinLa Madeleine Church in Paris, France - one of the most surprising churches in Paris. Inside La Madeleine Church in Paris, France - one of the most suInside La Madeleine Church in Paris, France - one of the most surprising churches in Paris. La Madeleine - One of the Most Surprising Churches in Paris, FraLa Madeleine - One of the Most Surprising Churches in Paris, France.
 

Day 5 - Orsay Museum, Petite Palais, Eiffel Tower

I vaguely remember going to the Orsay Museum when I was 15 years old since I remember that it was a highlight of my trip. I still am in love with this museum. From the museum, we strolled over the massive Alexander III Bridge to the Petite Palace but unfortunately, the Grand Palais was under reconstruction, like so much of Paris. Afterwards, we walked along the Seine River to see the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero Gardens, but the gardens were also under reconstruction. Final day step count: 16,262
 

Onlookers looking athe Vincent Van Gogh Portrait of the Artist iOnlookers looking athe Vincent Van Gogh Portrait of the Artist in the Orsay Museum in Paris, France. The young and the old marvel over Vincent Van Gogh's The StarryThe young and the old marvel over Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night in the Orsay Museum in Paris, France. Onlookers passing by the The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer culChrystal and Lilton trip to Paris, France in February 2023. Young artist in Petite Palais drawing a sculpture in Paris, FranYoung artist in Petite Palais drawing a sculpture in Paris, France Orsay Museum Clock in Paris, FranceOrsay Museum Clock in Paris, France Eiffel Tower in the shadows of barren trees along the Seine RiveEiffel Tower in the shadows of barren trees along the Seine River in Paris, France Eiffel Tower from along the banks of the Seine River in Paris, FChrystal and Lilton trip to Paris, France in February 2023.

Day 6 - Versailles

There's no picture that truly captures the awe of Palace of Versailles. This was a short train trip ride from Paris and the only thing I wish is that I could see this during the Spring or Summer to truly get a feel of the gardens. Once again, there was reconstruction and only one of the fountains outside was on but it was still a lovely place to visit on our last day in Paris. Final day step count: 20,978

Gates on the Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France, 12 mileGates on the Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France, 12 miles west of Paris. Sculpture on top of one of the gates at the Palace of VersaillesSculpture on top of one of the gates at the Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France, 12 miles west of Paris. Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France, 12 miles west of ParPalace of Versailles in Versailles, France, 12 miles west of Paris. Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles in Versailles, FrancChrystal and Lilton trip to Paris, France in February 2023. Someone admiring the Gallery of the Great Battles in the PalaceSomeone admiring the Gallery of the Great Battles in the Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France, 12 miles west of Paris. Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France, 12 miles west of ParPalace of Versailles in Versailles, France, 12 miles west of Paris. Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France, 12 miles west of ParPalace of Versailles in Versailles, France, 12 miles west of Paris.
 

My 15-year-old self truly missed out and no wonder she thought the trip was "meh." This was a completely different experience and despite the numerous construction and restoration as the city begins preparing for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, it was truly a magical city. Although I came to Paris at the age of 15, I can say that I truly visited Paris in 2023 the right way. There was so much more of the city that we didn't get a chance to explore and we look forward to returning one day.

Vacation in Paris, February 2023Chrystal and Lilton trip to Paris, France in February 2023. Vacation in Paris, February 2023Chrystal and Lilton trip to Paris, France in February 2023. Vacation in Paris, February 2023Chrystal and Lilton trip to Paris, France in February 2023. Vacation in Paris, February 2023Chrystal and Lilton trip to Paris, France in February 2023.