Paris, France

Paris has one of the most fascinating and layered histories of any city in the world, stretching back over 2,000 years. It all began around 250–225 BC when a Celtic tribe called the Parisii settled on an island in the Seine River (today's Île de la Cité). They named their village Lutetia (or Lutèce), meaning something like "midwater dwelling." In 52 BC, the Romans conquered it during Julius Caesar's campaigns in Gaul, turning Lutetia into a proper Roman town with forums, amphitheaters (you can still see ruins like the Arènes de Lutèce), baths, and aqueducts. 

By the 4th century AD, the name shifted to Paris, and it became an important city in the late Roman Empire.After the Roman Empire fell in the 5th century, Paris came under Frankish (early French) rule. In the late 5th century, King Clovis made it his capital, helping establish the foundations of France. The city faced tough times with Viking raids (notably a long siege in 885–887), but it grew stronger. In 987, Hugh Capet was crowned king, starting the Capetian dynasty, and Paris officially became the capital of the Kingdom of France. 

The Middle Ages were a golden era: Notre-Dame Cathedral began construction in 1163, the University of Paris (one of Europe's oldest) emerged around 1150, and the city expanded with grand Gothic architecture, markets, and walls for defense.The 16th–18th centuries brought religious wars, the Renaissance (with kings like Francis I adding elegant châteaux influences), and absolute monarchy under Louis XIV (who moved the court to Versailles in 1682 but kept Paris as the cultural heart). 

The big turning point came in 1789 with the French Revolution: Parisians stormed the Bastille prison on July 14 (now France's national holiday), overthrew King Louis XVI (executed in 1793), and ushered in radical changes, including the Reign of Terror. Napoleon Bonaparte rose from the chaos, crowning himself emperor in 1804 at Notre-Dame and modernizing Paris with grand boulevards and monuments like the Arc de Triomphe.

The 19th century saw revolutions in 1830 and 1848, plus Napoleon III's massive transformation under Baron Haussmann (1853–1870): wide avenues, uniform stone buildings, parks, sewers, and the grand opera house. The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair to celebrate the Revolution's centennial. The 20th century included two World Wars (Paris was occupied by Nazis 1940–1944 but liberated in 1944), post-war rebuilding, student protests in May 1968, and growth into a global cultural and fashion capital. 

Today, Paris blends its ancient roots (Roman ruins, medieval churches) with Belle Époque glamour, modern art (Centre Pompidou), and iconic landmarks, remaining a symbol of romance, revolution, and art—home to about 2.1 million in the city proper and over 12 million in the metro area.

FOOD TOURISM

The family and I plan on eating our way through Paris. We've been reading blogs, watching videos, and getting tips from friends who’ve been there, and now we're buzzing with excitement about all the iconic things we're hoping to try. People rave about how Paris turns simple ingredients into something unforgettable. We have created a list of all of the "must eats" while we are there. These are all on our checklist:

• Flaky, golden croissants and pain au chocolat that are supposedly life-changing when fresh and warm.
• A perfect baguette: crispy outside, soft inside, often torn and shared on the go.
• Cheeses like creamy Brie, sharp Comté, or whatever looks good at a fromagerie.
• Escargots swimming in garlic-herb butter 
• Comforting classics like French onion soup with that cheesy top, tender duck confit for Darrel, steak frites for Finn, boeuf bourguignon, or even coq au vin, a special chicken soup I think Penny will love.
• For sweets we will be trying macarons, éclairs, crème brûlée, Paris-Brest (choux pastry ring with praline cream) and baba au rhum (if the rum has been burned off).

Paris is also famous for its viennoiseries (buttery pastries), incredible breads, and desserts that are almost too pretty to eat. It all sounds so quintessentially French! Here are some of the spots we've heard glowing recommendations about.  We're crossing our fingers for good luck with lines and I plan on making reservations to some of the special spots.

Cafes and Pastry Shops 

• Du Pain et des Idées — Everyone talks about their legendary escargot-shaped pistachio-chocolate pastry and top-notch croissants.
• Pierre Hermé — Supposedly the master of macarons with wild, delicious flavors—we plan to grab a bunch.
• Stohrer — The oldest patisserie (from way back in 1730), and their baba au rhum gets mentioned all the time.
• Cédric Grolet or similar spots like Yann Couvreur — People say the tarts and mille-feuille here are stunning and worth seeking out.

Mid-Range Places 

• L'Avant Comptoir — We've heard it's lively with small plates, great wine, and a fun vibe for sharing bites.
• Breizh Café — Everyone recommends the buckwheat galettes (savory crepes) and sweet ones—perfect for picky eaters too.
• Bouillon Chartier — Classic, affordable, old-school Parisian atmosphere with dishes like escargots and steak frites that people love.

Nice / Special Places

• Le Jules Verne — Up in the Eiffel Tower with incredible views
• Septime — Modern takes on French food that get rave reviews; fingers crossed we can book it.
• Alain Ducasse at Le Meurice — Ultra-luxurious and world-famous—maybe for a big splurge if it feels right.

CATACOMBS? YES, PLEASE!

So, anyone who knows us knows Darrel and I love creepy things. Darrel is a homicide detective and I often start and end my day with true crime podcasts. Horror is my favorite genre and you will rarely find any of us watching a RomCom. Booooring. Medical oddities are particularly fascinating to us. Is it pathological? I mean....I don't think so? I think many people are fascinated by creepy things, we just don't pretend like we aren't. So, the family and I have delved into the history of the Paris Catacombs, and what we've uncovered has only heightened our anticipation for seeing them firsthand. Who wouldn't want to go into dark, dank tunnels under a bustling city to look at 6 million human remains? 

The story begins in the late 18th century, amid a profound urban crisis in pre-Revolutionary Paris. By the 1770s, the city's ancient cemeteries, particularly the notorious Cimetière des Innocents near Les Halles, had become catastrophically overcrowded after centuries of continuous burials. Graves were piled high, walls collapsed under the weight, and putrid odors permeated entire neighborhoods, contributing to outbreaks of disease. Worse still, structural failures in the saturated soil led to dramatic sinkholes that swallowed homes and streets whole. 

In response, royal authorities initiated a sweeping project in 1785–1786 under the direction of Inspector General Charles-Axel Guillaumot. They selected a network of abandoned limestone quarries which were interconnected tunnels excavated since Roman times to supply building stone for the city above. These subterranean galleries, stretching across southern Paris, offered a macabre but practical solution. From 1786 onward, in nocturnal processions to minimize public unrest, workers exhumed remains from the cemeteries and transported them underground. The transfer continued intermittently through the early 19th century, eventually encompassing bones from dozens of sites and totaling the remains of approximately six million individuals. 

Under the supervision of Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury, appointed in 1809, the ossuary was transformed into an orderly, almost architectural space: long femurs stacked as supporting walls, skulls arranged in decorative motifs including crosses, hearts, and geometric patterns, and plaques inscribed with somber Latin and French reflections on mortality, such as "Arrête! C'est ici l'empire de la Mort" ("Stop! This is the empire of Death"). We are genuinely thrilled at the prospect of descending into this haunting underworld. We've read accounts describing the profound quiet, broken only by dripping water and distant echoes, and the way the bone arrangements evoke both artistry and solemnity. 

The children are particularly intrigued by the macabre yet methodical displays, while the rest of us are drawn to the sheer scale of human history preserved there. It promises to be an unforgettable, slightly chilling highlight amid Paris's more conventional attractions. From firsthand traveler reports, we've gathered several practical insights that should help us prepare. The accessible portion of the ossuary covers roughly 1.5 kilometers (nearly a mile) of the estimated 300+ kilometers of tunnels, forming a carefully curated circuit that takes about 45–60 minutes to complete. Visitors descend 131 steep steps to a cool and humid at around 57°F, with high humidity that can feel clammy. I have read that layers and perhaps a light jacket are advisable, even in summer. 

Photography is permitted without flash, but tripods are banned to avoid crowding the narrow paths.Only a limited number of people (around 200 at a time) are allowed inside to preserve air quality and prevent congestion, so advance online booking through the official site is strongly recommended. Tickets often sell out weeks ahead during peak seasons. Key things to watch for include the poetic bone sculptures near the entrance to the ossuary proper, the elaborate arrangements in the "Port-Mahon" gallery (carved by an 18th-century quarry worker), and the intriguing WWII history.  The Resistance used secluded sections as a secret headquarters, while German soldiers reportedly held concerts in others. Currently, the site has been closed since November 2025 for extensive renovations, including upgrades to ventilation, lighting, flooring, and accessibility features, along with enhanced educational displays. It is scheduled to reopen in spring 2026, right before our arrival. We are so excited to visit this subterranean chapter of Parisian history.

PLACES TO SEE

Eiffel Tower Iconic landmark offering stunning city views via elevator or stairs; magical at night with hourly light shows. A timeless must-see for photos and panoramas.

Louvre Museum World-famous art collection including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Book timed entry to navigate crowds; focus on highlights for shorter visits.

Catacombs of Paris Underground ossuary with millions of arranged bones in historic tunnels — eerie and fascinating. Currently closed for renovations until Spring 2026; plan for later reopening with timed tickets.

Seine River Cruise Relaxing boat ride past major sights like Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Family-friendly with audio guides; evening options sparkle beautifully.

Notre-Dame CathedraRecently restored Gothic masterpiece with stunning architecture and history. Admire the exterior, rose windows, and interior; tower climbs offer great views when available.

Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens) Central park with playgrounds, puppet shows, pony rides, and toy sailboats on the pond. Perfect for families to picnic, relax, and let kids play freely.

Jardin d'Acclimatation Charming amusement park in Bois de Boulogne with rides, mini-train, animal farm, and water play. Less crowded than big theme parks; great local family vibe.

Disneyland Paris Magical theme parks with classic rides, characters, parades, and fireworks. Easy RER access; the new World of Frozen adds extra appeal for fans.

Promenade Plantée (Coulée Verte René-Dumont) Elevated linear park on an old railway — peaceful stroll through gardens, tunnels, and city views. A quiet, green escape away from crowds.

Canal Saint-Martin Trendy neighborhood with scenic locks, bridges, street art, and picnic spots. Rent bikes or relax in cafes for an authentic, laid-back Parisian feel.

Musée d'Orsay Stunning Impressionist collection in a former train station. Less overwhelming than the Louvre; family-friendly with audio guides and beautiful architecture.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont Hilly park with waterfalls, a temple folly, and playgrounds. Lesser-known gem for picnics, views, and adventure play in a dramatic landscape.

Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie Interactive science museum with hands-on exhibits, planetarium, and IMAX. Engaging for kids of all ages; explore submarines and experiments.

Musée de la Magie et des Automates Quirky museum of magic tricks, illusions, and vintage automata. Unique, enchanting experience; perfect for families who love wonder and surprises.

Parc Zoologique de Paris Modern zoo with 180 animal species in natural habitats. Feeding sessions and biozones make it educational and fun for animal-loving families.