Paris

Paris — seeing it through first-time eyes was like falling in love all over again.

My brother and sister-in-law were visiting for the very first time, and I got to play tour guide of all things French (cue my inner “ooh la la” energy).

We ticked off the icons, one by one — climbing the steps to Sacré-Cœur, pausing to catch our breath and soak in that sweeping view over Montmartre’s rooftops.

It always feels like a dream up there — artists sketching, buskers singing, and the sacred dome glowing in the light.

Then came the Tour Eiffel, shimmering as the sun began to set — and yes, it still takes my breath away every. single. time.

We hopped on a Seine river cruise, got completely fleeced for coffee outside the Louvre, and, naturally, took far too many photos (scroll down).

Le Marais was next — eating our way through the district like it was a full-time job. Fresh baguettes, still warm from the boulangerie, escargots (not bad!), frog legs (surprisingly delish), pâté, steak frites, and buttery croissants that flaked everywhere — basically a full-on French food assault.

Charcuterie boards kept magically appearing and disappearing (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Pastel-hued macarons from Ladurée — soft, sugary clouds and my absolute go-to when in Par-ree.

And then, hours spent strolling the Champs-Élysées, wine and Parisian beer in hand, soaking up the glorious chaos around l'Arc de Triomphe.

I got to share all my favourites, but seeing Paris through their wonder-filled eyes made it feel brand new.

A city I already adored — yet somehow, this time, it gave me even more.