Montmartre — The Artistic Heart We Missed Last Time
One part of Paris we completely missed on our first visit was
Montmartre, and it kept coming up as a “must-see” for this trip. The night before, I found a walking tour with a few spots left, so we booked it and had a plan.
We took the Metro to the meeting point… and somewhere along the way, a small black bag disappeared forever. (Parenting tip: maybe don’t let your 8-year-old carry valuables unless you’re ready to track their every move!) That bag had her little phone — basically a camera and game device — plus her allowance card. As we waited for the tour to start, she realized it was gone. Checking through photos on my phone, I saw it sitting on the orange subway seat at our previous stop.
Thankfully, the Paris Metro has a lost-and-found system. We filled out a report just in case, but realistically, it was probably gone for good. We chose not to let it derail our day and moved on.
Croissants, Moulin Rouge & Stories from the Streets
Breakfast croissants in hand, we stood right in front of the iconic
Moulin Rouge — such a surreal moment to see it in person! We passed the café from Amélie, refilled our water bottles at one of the cleanest fountains in the city, and wandered through streets dripping with artistic history.
Our guide shared the story of
Dalida, a legendary French-Italian singer with a beautiful but tragic life. According to tradition, rubbing her bronze bust brings good luck in love. Of course, Reese jumped right in on that!
Montmartre’s charm was completely different from the rest of Paris — with its winding streets, unique architecture, and hidden corners. We stopped by a tiny vineyard where the wine is auctioned every year for a local celebration. The guide admitted the wine isn’t great, but the tradition certainly is.
Sacred Beauty: Sacré-Cœur Basilica
The tour wrapped up at the
Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The line looked intimidating but moved quickly, and the inside was absolutely worth the wait. We snapped tons of photos on the steps, with Audrey literally dancing her way down to the street below.
Unplanned Adventures: Lunch & Dinner on the Seine
We grabbed lunch at a spot recommended by our guide, then wandered a bit more, soaking in Montmartre’s unique vibe. Since we had no plans for the evening, I decided to book a
Seine River dinner cruise last minute through our credit card rewards — my favorite travel magic trick!
Sipping wine and strolling by the river, the girls tried crème brûlée for the first time. Audrey’s mind was blown — it’s now a staple at home, even if Costco’s version isn’t quite the same!
When we boarded the boat, we found our table beautifully set with rose petals — a romantic touch for the four of us. The girls loved the tomato appetizer, and the views of Paris at night were simply unbeatable. The food was a bit touristy, but the experience was priceless. The cherry on top? A chocolate Eiffel Tower dessert that Reese raved about for months.
The Scam Cart Ride: A Not-So-Romantic Ending
After our dreamy dinner cruise, we spotted a line of pedicab-style carts waiting by the river. Greg thought it would be a fun way to end the night; I argued the Metro was just across the bridge. But with those big, sad eyes looking at me, I caved.
The driver promised a 15€ total ride up the hill to the Metro. We squeezed into the tiny cart—clearly overloaded—and chugged along, laughing all the way. But then, surprise! We ended up at a different Metro station, and suddenly the fare was 15€ per person. What?!
We stood our ground—60€ for a one-block ride was a no-go. The driver suddenly didn’t understand English and started yelling. A nearby woman intervened, scolding him and threatening to call the cops. He snatched the 20€ we’d offered and sped off.
Just when we thought it was over, Greg spotted the scammer trying the same trick on another family. After some shouting and threats to call the police (or toss him in the Seine), the scammer finally fled.
We were done. An Uber later, we headed home, exhausted—but with one unforgettable Parisian story to tell.
Tips & Takeaways from Montmartre & the Seine Cruise
- Track your valuables: Kids love carrying things, but keep an eye on important items—especially on crowded public transit.
- Explore with a guide: A walking tour can bring hidden stories and traditions to life.
- Don’t fear unplanned evenings: Spontaneous bookings like a dinner cruise can add magic to your trip.
- Try local treats: First-time experiences like crème brûlée can become lifelong favorites.
- Remember, it’s about the experience: Sometimes the setting and moments mean more than the meal itself.
- Every trip has its stories: The mishaps often become your best tales later!
