We started the day with a leisurely brunch at Le Petit St Benoît, where we indulged in two classic French dishes: Duck Leg Confit and Clam Linguini. Rich, comforting, and full of flavour, it felt like the perfect introduction to Parisian dining. Staying in Saint-Germain-des-Prés meant we were spoilt for choice when it came to cafés and restaurants—every street seemed to offer another tempting option.
After brunch, we made our way to the Louvre Museum. To make the most of our time in Paris, we purchased a 4-Day Paris Museum Pass for €62. The pass gave us free entry without having to queue for tickets and allowed unlimited access to over 50 museums and monuments in and around Paris. Passes are available for 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days, making it an excellent option for museum lovers. You can find more details on the Paris Museum Pass website.
This is what the Museum Pass looks like:
and here we are, standing in front of the magnificent Louvre. 
While we didn’t have to line up to buy tickets, there was still a fairly long queue for the security check (yes, museums in Paris require security screening). The photo below was taken while waiting, and I love how it captures the Louvre from a different angle, framed by blue sky and soft clouds.
After around 30 minutes, we finally entered the museum. Inside, it was just as crowded, but we slowly navigated our way through the galleries toward the most famous artwork of all—the Mona Lisa. Seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s original painting in person was pretty cool. Heavily protected and can only be viewed from several metres away, it took some patience to reach the front. Eventually, I managed to capture this precious photo:
We spent the entire afternoon exploring the Louvre, and even then, it felt nowhere near enough. I could easily imagine spending an entire month wandering these halls, appreciating the countless masterpieces at a slower pace. But we had to move on to our next destination Arc de Triomphe. 
Climbing to the top was more tiring than expected—the spiral staircase is narrow and steep—but we made it. Standing at the summit, the reward was breathtaking: a sweeping panoramic view of Paris, with its grand avenues radiating outward in every direction.
And this was the view—absolutely worth every step.
