Paris Avec Famille Todd
Charlie and Seve were finally reunited for a four-day Paris adventure filled with laughter, bonding, and unforgettable moments. From the moment they saw each other, the chatter never stopped. Rafa's excitement to reunite with Luke was so sweet, and catching up was a joy for all of us, even Luke and Sophia seemed happy to talk about all things All Saints. Our time together was nothing short of awesome. We explored Paris with enthusiasm, making the most of every moment. It was the Todd's first time in Paris, so we made sure to strike the perfect balance between sightseeing and savoring the experience. The first night set the tone with a dinner at Le Coq et Fils (really good dinner) in Montmartre, followed by catching the full view of Paris from the Sacré-Cœur, albeit cloudy.
The following day, we met up at the Marché des Enfants Rouges where we ordered sandwiches from Chez Alain Miam Miam before heading to Versailles. We hopped on the C line. As we neared our stop, an older man asked us, if it was time to get off. We told him it was in two more stops. In the station, he and his wife followed, saying with a chuckle, "We're not stalking you, but we plan to follow since we don't know where to go." We laughed and said it was fine. Charlie and Gabe needed a bathroom, so we paused on the sidewalk. Suddenly, the man and his wife rushed to us. He exclaimed, "My wallet was just stolen!" He seemed frantic, but something felt off about the whole situation. We all sensed it immediately. I quickly told him, "Go into the station and find a police officer to report it. There are cameras everywhere." With that, we continued on our way to Versailles, leaving the odd encounter behind.
As we walked toward the Chateau, the grandeur of Versailles took our breath away. The palace is a masterpiece, every room more opulent than the last. We loved the Hall of Mirrors. The gardens were equally stunning, stretching out endlessly with perfectly manicured lawns and ornate fountains. Hidden speakers played classical music, creating an ethereal atmosphere throughout the gardens. The fountains were even synchronized with the music. So cool. We found a bench, enjoyed some snacks, and drank a bottle of wine. It was the perfect way to spend our time at Versailles.
We got back on the train to Paris, and it was packed. Among the crowd, I spotted the same man whose wallet had supposedly been stolen earlier. He was chatting up the couple next to him, and I swear, he talked nonstop the entire hour back to Paris. It was so strange. We started texting Mac and Alessandra, who were on the opposite side of the train car, tossing around possible scenarios for this guy. Swinger? Swindler? Who knows. When we finally got off at the stop near the Eiffel Tower, we were still baffled by the whole encounter. We walked the perimeter of the Eiffel Tower, had an apero at a nearby brasserie, and then made our way to our 8 PM dinner at La Banquette.
Monday's adventure began with a meet up at L’Avant Comptoir du Marché in St. Germain de Prés. We found some cute shops and Sophia found her two favorite stores as well. Then we strolled through Luxembourg Gardens, where the boys had a pickup basketball game. Even Rafa got in there! Afterward, we arrived at the Grand Bassin, where the kids were nudging their boats with long sticks to guide them across the water. We watched as Seve's boat with the Mexican flag, Charlie’s with the Belgian flag, and Luke and Rafa’s with the Netherlands flag sailed around the pond. They ran around, giggling and chasing after their boats. They had so much fun. I'm just glad no one fell in—there were moments when we were all holding our breath.
We stopped for crepes in the Latin Quarter and walked back to the Todd’s airbnb taking in all the sites. We planned for the kids to stay at the Airbnb, have dinner together, video chat with friends back home, and wind down with a movie. Meanwhile, we adults had a culinary adventure at Frenchie, nestled on a side street in the 2nd arrondissement. (Sidenote: Gabe and I decided to ride Lime bikes back to our hotel instead of walking from Todd's Airbnb. It was a blast, zooming through the streets of Paris, but I have to admit, it felt a bit sketchy without helmets.)
Frenchie is a Michelin-starred gem with only five tables. With no menu, each course was a surprise, showcasing veggie-centric courses. The wine pairing was spot-on, enhancing every flavor on the plate. The four of us had the most incredible time together. As the meal unfolded, it felt like we were the only ones in the restaurant. It was as if everyone else had disappeared, leaving just us—laughing, indulging, and sharing funny stories in our little world.
Tuesday kicked off with a falafel lunch at Miznon in the Marais. We meandered through the neighborhood, taking in the atmosphere before immersing ourselves in art at the Picasso Museum. Later, we made a stop at a gallery to admire the work of Ali’s childhood friend. We had drinks in front of the Pompidou, taking in the scene there. Then, to conclude our time together, we had a classic Parisian dinner at Poulette.
We had a great four days together. We bonded, we laughed, and we made many memories. As we said our goodbyes, there was a collective feeling among us: "When is our next family trip together?" It was that good.
We hopped on a train bound for Biarritz, while the Todds set off for San Benedetto.
