Paris
A day in the City of Light
August 22, 2025
I’m in Paris, a city captivating with its romantic ambiance and rich legacy of art. Yesterday we saw the Eiffel Tower, a structure originally intended to be temporary but saved by its conversion into a radio antenna—a purpose it still serves today.
Our walking tour today included a stop at Notre Dame, another icon nearly lost to history after the French Revolution and, more recently, a devastating fire. Though repairs are still ongoing, it has thankfully reopened to the public. Thinking of how Paris has been saved multiple times reminds me of the German General who chose to defy orders and surrender rather than destroy the city during WWII—a powerful example of how a single decision can dramatically alter the future.
We continued through the courtyards of the Louvre, which I must come back to visit properly one day. With time being short, we moved on to our second tour in Montmartre. The walk from the Moulin Rouge up the hill felt like a mobile art history class. We passed 54 Rue Lepic where Van Gogh lived and saw places where Picasso and many others lived and worked. It’s astonishing to think so much renowned art emerged from this small community.
In total, we had two two-hour walking tours today, the second of which was uphill. Thankfully, a cool breeze and temperatures 25 degrees cooler than previous weeks made the eight miles we walked quite pleasant. In August, many locals are on holiday, so the crowds were manageable. Dinner was reasonably priced, and the ride back to our hotel was easy enough, though the signage can sometimes be confusing. Having a veteran Paris visitor with a strong French vocabulary was invaluable. Thank you for sharing your time with me; it was a gift.
We were in Paris once in the fall and once in December. I liked it especially in December. Fewer crowds, wonderful Christmas decorations, and markets.