“Mais les vrais voyageurs sont ceux-là seuls qui partent
Pour partir; cœurs légers, semblables aux ballons,
De leur fatalité jamais ils ne s’écartent,
Et, sans savoir pourquoi, disent toujours: Allons!”
– Charles Baudelaire
But the true travelers are those who depart – Simply for the sake of leaving, hearts light as balloons. They never turn aside from their destiny, And without knowing why, they always say: Let’s go!
—Charles Baudelaire
Today marked the end of my Globus tour through Paris, Normandy & the Châteaux Country, and while it’s always a little bittersweet to say goodbye to a great group of fellow travelers, I wasn’t ready for the journey to end just yet. I am really going to miss my new friends!
Instead, I’m staying on in Paris for two more nights before beginning a new adventure: an Avalon Waterways river cruise through Burgundy & Provence. I’m currently at the beautiful Hotel du Collectionneur – Arc de Triomphe, a stylish Art Deco hotel located near Parc Monceau and the Champs-Élysées. It’s a lovely retreat in the heart of the city.
This afternoon, I had plans to see Le Roi Lion (The Lion King) at the Théâtre Mogador, but the performance was unexpectedly canceled due to a staff strike. Not ideal—but travel has a way of offering silver linings when plans go sideways.
So I pivoted and made the most of the day.
I headed to Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, one of Paris’s most fascinating and peaceful landmarks. Established in 1804, it’s the largest cemetery in the city and serves as the final resting place for some of the world’s most celebrated figures—including Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, Chopin, and Jim Morrison, whose grave I made a point to visit. The entire cemetery feels like a sculpture garden, with beautiful stonework, centuries of history, and a calm that contrasts with the bustle of the city.
After that reflective experience, I made my way to Notre-Dame Cathedral, recently reopened to the public following years of restoration after the 2019 fire. The work that has been done is absolutely incredible. Although some areas are still under repair, the iconic rose windows and vaulted ceilings are once again visible—and stunning.
The crowds were heavy, but my friend Bill (from the Globus tour) had given me a helpful tip: just join the “no reservation” line. I followed his advice and was inside in just 15 minutes. I’m so glad I went. After everything this building has been through, stepping inside felt like a moment of quiet triumph.
I returned to the hotel just in time for Avalon’s welcome reception, where I was welcomed with a glass (or three) of wine 🍷 and had a chance to meet some of my fellow river cruisers. The energy was warm and friendly, and I can already tell this part of the journey is going to be something special.
Later in the evening, I decided to walk up to the Arc de Triomphe in search of a boulangerie—but I quickly remembered there was a Burger King just around the corner from the Arc. And I couldn’t resist going back for another Master du Chef Poulet sandwich. How I wish we had this sandwich back home in the States… though maybe it’s for the best that we don’t!
Now I’m back in my room for the night, getting ready for tomorrow’s Bastille Day celebrations and organizing my suitcase for the next leg of the trip. I’m planning to wind down with a good book and a little quiet time before the festivities begin.
On July 15, we’ll board the TGV high-speed train to Dijon, where we’ll begin our Avalon river cruise along the Rhône, sailing through the heart of Burgundy and Provence.
Today was the perfect blend of Parisian detours, thoughtful reflection, a little bit of indulgence—and a toast (or three) to what’s still to come.
Cleared For Take-Off! 