Sunday started with crepes for breakfast before boarding the train to Versailles. Even after all the places we’d seen, nothing quite matched the scale of the Palace of Versailles — endless gold, mirrored halls, and gardens stretching farther than we could see. Before touring the palace, we watched the equestrian show at the Royal Stables, a reminder that precision and grace have always been part of French tradition.

Returning to Paris, we hosted a painting activity inspired by Monet’s water lilies, a quiet creative moment that felt like a tribute to the Impressionists who changed art forever. In the evening, we boarded a Seine River cruise and watched the city light up from the water. Passing under its bridges, we saw the Eiffel Tower sparkle at the top of the hour — a postcard moment that somehow felt personal after everything we’d experienced.

Monday brought an unexpected twist: a train strike in Germany meant our trip home became a multi-leg puzzle. We pieced together a route with a regional train to Metz, a bus, a scooter ride, and finally a rental car to reach Kaiserslautern. It wasn’t the smoothest travel day, but it became part of the story — the kind of travel memory that makes you laugh later.

From solemn history at the American Cemetery to art, food, and a chaotic journey home, Paris reminded us why travel is worth it — not for perfection, but for the stories you bring back. 🇫🇷