Relax & Enjoy - Activities and Highlights

First 4 days in Paris...​

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Day 1: Arrive in Paris, check-in, light exploring and dinner at Le Reminet

 

Arrival in Paris unfolded with gentle anticipation as we checked into our hotel and set out for a relaxed afternoon of discovery. A walk along the Seine offered first glimpses of the city's quiet elegance, before the Eiffel Tower emerged—an ever-iconic welcome. Dinner at Le Reminet brought the day to a close with refined Parisian flair, nestled in an intimate space just steps from the river.

 

​Day 2: Morning trip to Versailles, afternoon stroll Champs-Élysées, evening at Le Procope

An early journey to Versailles introduced us to the regal scale of French history—ornate halls, mirrored light, and expansive gardens that spoke in whispers of the ancien régime. Returning to Paris, we strolled the Champs-Élysées beneath summer trees and sunlight, ending the evening in the storied walls of Le Procope, whose walls have echoed with ideas and appetites for centuries.

 

Day 3: Musée d'Orsay, Notre Dame, Latin Quarter, Seine cruise, dinner at Bel Canto Paris

The morning began at the Musée d'Orsay, where Impressionist masterpieces breathed life into timeless halls. Afterward, we visited the solemn beauty of Notre Dame and wandered the Latin Quarter’s narrow lanes—each one layered with centuries of literature and. A cruise on the Seine in the golden hour offered a slow-moving panorama of the city’s façades, followed by dinner at Bel Canto Paris, where opera and gastronomy entwined beneath vaulted ceilings. Our final morning in Paris moved at a gentler pace.

 

Day 4: Leisurely breakfast and leaving hotel,  and Afternoon train to Lyon (2h)

Over a leisurely breakfast, we reflected on days filled with light and layers. After checkout, we lingered at Gare de Lyon for a relaxed lunch boarded a two-hour train bound for Lyon—leaving behind one city of wonder with hearts open to the next.​

 

Paris Highlights:

The revisit to Notre dame Cathedral was without a doubt the highlight of our parisien experience. It never ceases to amaze us both of the effect this supurb building has upon all who visit. The restoration, since the fire damage has thoroughly enhanced its place of significant religious heritage and architectural splendour.​

​My first visit to the Palace of Versailles was a journey into elegance and history. The palace’s golden exterior gleamed under the sun, while inside, every room revealed fine details—ornate ceilings, polished floors, and grand mirrors that stretched into the distance. The Hall of Mirrors was especially striking, filled with light and reflections that gave a real sense of the past. It was a beautiful and memorable experience.

​And of course three days shopping with my beloved Vivienne in and around the Champs Elysees, Paris cannot be overstated.

 

Travel Tips:

Day Trip to Versailles by Train

• Morning Departure:

  • Take RER C from central Paris (e.g., Saint-Michel Notre-Dame or Musée d’Orsay) to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (~45 mins).

  • Train fare: €2.50 one-way (~$4 AUD); use a Navigo Easy pass or buy at the station.

• At Versailles:

  • Arrive by 9:00–9:30 AM to beat crowds.

  • Visit the Palace, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens, and Trianon Estate.

  • Consider renting a golf cart or bike for the gardens.

• Lunch:

  • Eat at La Petite Venise (inside the grounds) or Chez Tiouiche in town.

• Return to Paris:

  • Late afternoon train back.

  • Light dinner or wine bar near your hotel.

Tips:

• Book a timed-entry ticket to the Palace in advance.

• Wear comfortable shoes — the estate is vast.

• Bring water and snacks; food options inside are limited and pricey.

 

Next 3 Days in Lyon

     

Day 5:  Arrive in Lyon, explore Old Lyon, relax at riverside cafés, dinner at Le Boeuf D’Argent 

Arrival in Lyon welcomed us with golden light spilling over Old Lyon’s pastel facades. We wandered its Renaissance alleyways,ducking into courtyards and admiring centuries-old architecture that quietly resists modern haste. The afternoon eased into a riverside reverie—café chairs angled just so, espresso in hand. Dinner at Le Boeuf D’Argent brought an elegant close to the day, where local flavours met fine technique.

 

Day 6: Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Parc de la Tête d’Or and Lunch at Le Musée

We began at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Lyon’s hilltop guardian, gazing out across rooftops and the twin rivers below. A peaceful descent led to the lush expanse of Parc de la Tête d’Or—part botanical haven, part local gathering ground. Lunch at Le Musée introduced us to the earthy authenticity of traditional Lyonnais cuisine, served in the kind of unpretentious setting that only the French can make feel effortlessly timeless.

 

Day 7: Morning at Les Halles de Lyon, shopping, Afternoon train to Milan 

Our final morning was spent tasting our way through Les Halles de Lyon—a gourmand’s paradise and tribute to Paul Bocuse’s culinary legacy. A bit of last-minute shopping (and one or two “necessary” indulgences), then aboard the train to Milan, lulled by the rolling countryside and the promise of another chapter just across the border​.

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