A True Parisian Market Right Outside Our Door
One thing I really wanted the girls to experience was a true Parisian market. Lucky for us, the famous
Aligre Market was just steps from our apartment. We wandered through colorful stalls, sampling fresh fruits, crusty breads, and tempting treats. After picking up some goodies to take home, we dropped them off before heading to a special bakery experience I’d booked.
Behind the Scenes at Miss Manon Bakery
Originally, I booked the “Paris French Bakery Behind the Scenes Experience” through a travel site, but then realized it was available on our credit card rewards portal — score! The value was $342 when we booked it, and we got assigned to
Miss Manon, a cozy bakery nearby.
Our host welcomed us warmly (and with plenty of delicious samples), then took us downstairs to watch baguettes being made. Soon, it was our turn to shape some dough — let’s just say our attempts didn’t quite match the professionals’ flawless rows! Upstairs, we learned about financier cakes, baked some from scratch, and even rolled croissants. We left with boxes full of everything we’d made — the perfect edible souvenirs.
When Protests Become Part of Your Travel Story
On our way to the bakery, we noticed armed military gathering in the streets. We asked our host if we should be worried, but she said protests are just a normal part of Parisian life. True to form, on our way home we walked right through a protest.
At first, it was calm, but as the crowd grew tighter and the chants louder, the nervous energy rose — especially since we had no idea what the protest was about. Thanks to Google Translate, we figured out it was about immigration. Once we passed through the thickest part, all was fine — but next time, we’ll definitely take a different route with kids in tow.
Exploring Without a Plan — A City Seen Differently
After dropping off our bakery treasures, we hopped on the Metro with no real plan — something wildly unlike me! We visited the iconic
Louvre Pyramid and took photos, including a fun family project: spelling “Lyons” with pictures of objects shaped like letters. It gave us a fresh way to see the city and kept the girls engaged throughout the trip.
Notre Dame Rebirth & Artisan Stories
Greg and I had visited Paris last time right before the Notre Dame fire. This time, just weeks before its reopening, we arrived during an event featuring artisans who had helped with the restoration — sculptors, woodworkers, craftsmen. We got to meet them, see photos of the restoration work, and hear their stories. It was an unexpectedly moving moment.
Ending the Day on a High Note
We wrapped up the day with an incredible meal at a little restaurant we stumbled upon, practically dancing our way through every bite. A perfect Parisian evening.
