We boarded the early train from Kaiserslautern to Paris Gare de l’Est, ready for a weekend in one of the world’s most iconic cities. After dropping our bags at a storage facility, we went straight out to explore. Our first stop was a walk by the Eiffel Tower — even with all the photos we’d seen over the years, nothing compares to standing beneath it.

Next, we made our way to the Suresnes American Cemetery, just west of the city. The cemetery overlooks Paris from a quiet hill, and walking among the rows of white crosses was deeply moving. The caretaker shared stories of the American soldiers who fought and died in both World Wars, many of whom never made it home. Some of those buried here helped liberate France from Nazi occupation, a powerful reminder of how deeply connected the U.S. and France remain through shared history and sacrifice. This cemetery is unquie as it was not by a battlefield but a hospital.

As evening approached, we climbed the Arc de Triomphe — nearly 300 winding steps to the top — just in time for sunset over the Champs-Élysées. The view stretched across the city, and as the lights came on, Paris truly lived up to its nickname. We stayed for the daily rekindling of the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a ceremony that has continued every night since 1923. Watching veterans and soldiers carry the flags and lower their heads in silence was one of the most powerful moments of the trip.

It was a full first day — from the quiet reverence of American graves to the glowing celebration of French resilience — and the perfect start to our time in Paris.