This morning started with the kind of view that never gets old: the Eiffel Tower, rising proudly into the sky, kissed by that soft spring sunlight Paris does so well. Even though I’ve seen it in movies, pictures, and on postcards, there’s something grounding about standing right by it. It’s almost like the city is telling you, You’re really here.
From there, we began a long but beautiful walk through the heart of Paris: Champ de Mars, Grand Palais, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, and the Arc de Triomphe. Each spot carries so much weight historically, but walking through them today, I couldn’t help but reflect on how different they must have looked just a year ago during the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Now, the crowds are gone, the banners are packed away, but something lingers, this unspoken pride. The Grand Palais, which hosted fencing and taekwondo, still feels grand in every sense. At Les Invalides, where archery once drew international attention, there’s an almost poetic stillness. And Place de la Concorde, once filled with music, BMX freestyle flips, and breaking battles, now hosts quiet tourists and school groups. But if you close your eyes, it's like you can still hear the echoes of cheers and the rhythm of competition.
Lunch today was exactly what I needed after all the walking. We stopped at L’Alsace, a lovely restaurant along the Champs-Élysées. I had a Scottish salmon steak with buttery mashed potatoes. Simple, rich, and delicious. We sat at an outdoor table, people-watching and soaking in the Parisian rhythm. It felt nice to just be for a moment, surrounded by good food and good conversation.
But the highlight of the day, without question, was heading to Roland Garros for the French Open. There’s something magical about walking into that stadium. Maybe it’s the red clay, maybe it’s the legacy, or maybe it’s knowing that not long ago, this exact court was a stage for Olympic tennis greatness. Watching the matches today was a whole experience. The precision, the focus, the power of each serve. It reminded me of why the world falls in love with sport over and over again. And being there, in the stands, after all the history that took place last summer, made it even more special.
What struck me most throughout the day was how Paris didn’t just host the Olympics, it embraced them. The Games came and went, but their spirit clearly didn’t fade. Instead, it melted into the city’s streets, buildings, and people. You can feel it if you pay attention. It’s in the pride of the locals, the quiet stories shared by tour guides, and the kids kicking soccer balls along the Seine.
Walking through Paris today wasn’t just sightseeing, it was retracing the footprints of a global moment, one that the world will remember and that Paris now carries with quiet grace.
I came to explore. I left feeling connected to the city, to its history, and to the legacy of something much bigger than just a few weeks of sport.
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