April 2, 2026

After a very uneventful airport experience and flight, we arrived in Paris on time at 7:30 AM.

We already had TSA precheck and I read that there is now a touchless TSA precheck so we both enrolled. We walked right through to the baggage screening, I needed an alternate screening due to my hip replacement and that went fast too. We did see longer than usual lines in the regular check in but it didn’t seem too chaotic.

Got a little sleep on the flight and we were met on arrival by our driver to take us to the Hotel du Louvre, right next to the Louvre Museum. Immigration was speedy at this time of the morning, so we were on our way pretty quickly.The traffic was just terrible – don’t know how these drivers handle it – but we got there in one piece.

We were very lucky to find that our room was ready, so we could get organized, have breakfast and head out to our first “must do” sight, the renovated Notre Dame Cathedral. It was about a 20 minute walk from our hotel. The day was cloudy and cool so we really enjoyed the walk.

We made advance reservations but they were for entering at 1 PM. It was only about 10:30, but the attendant let us in once he saw the passes. The line for those who did not get advance tickets was very long.

They have done a remarkable job in the renovations. We visited about 25 years ago and remember it being very gray inside. It is much lighter and brighter.

The stained glass is still so beautiful.

The fences outside the cathedral were just covered with the locks we have seen at so many other places.

We tried to get in to see the Saint-Chappell but the line looked like it was 3 blocks long and they were not letting anyone in without advance tickets and none were available until April 10. Later we got some through the hotel concierge, so will go there tomorrow. So, back to the hotel to take a nap since we didn’t get much sleep on the plane.

After our refreshing nap, we headed out to the Tuileries which is also very close to our hotel concierge- it is a great location. It was a lovely walk and a very relaxing place. As you can see, lots of flowers and trees are in bloom. It was created in 1564 for Catherine de Medici, wife on Henri II and has been modified several times over the years.

It is adjacent to the Louvre and just around the corner from our hotel.

We went back to the hotel to have a small dinner in the bar where we were entertained by a singer who played the guitar. Lovely. And I had a French Martini, of course.

We have two more days before we board the river boat. We have lots of plans so stay tuned. Ah, Paris in the spring.