Paris

Looking at the Place Du Pantheon with a French Flag on top.

Traveling around Paris.

We didn’t need a car while staying in Paris, as the city’s extensive public transportation system made getting around easy and efficient. The Paris Métro connects nearly every neighborhood and major attraction, with frequent trains and clear signage that made navigating the city straightforward, even for first-time visitors. We relied on it for daily sightseeing and also took the Métro to Gare du Nord when it was time to head to London aboard the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel. Like any large, busy city, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, keep personal belongings secure, and watch for pickpockets and common scams—especially in crowded stations, trains, and popular tourist areas.

Parvis Notre Dame

Close up of the Paris Notre Dame church figures.

Parvis Notre Dame

Seeing Notre-Dame while it was still under construction was a powerful reminder that even icons evolve. Scaffolding wrapped much of the cathedral, yet the soaring Gothic architecture still commanded attention—the flying buttresses arcing outward, the towers rising above the Île de la Cité, and the famous rose windows hinting at their brilliance beneath layers of restoration. Along the exterior, the statues lining the façade and the sides of the building—kings, saints, and biblical figures carved in stone—stood quietly watchful observing Paris change around them.

Nearby, the Charlemagne et ses Leudes statue anchored the moment in even deeper history, connecting medieval Paris to its imperial past. It wasn’t the postcard-perfect Notre-Dame, but something more intimate: a living monument in the midst of renewal, where architecture, history, and time itself were clearly visible.

Notre Dame

Charlemagne et ses Leudes

Eiffel Tower

Rue Saint‑Jacques—the road that sparked my Cardo Maximus passion

Looking down a Paris street with is The Cardo Maximus of Paris

The Cardo-Decumanus Series: Paris (Lutetia) medallion featuring a Roman groma, cardo, and decumanus. AI-generated.

The Cardo-Decumanus Series. Original AI-Generated iconography for gordoneaton.com

The road that would lead me to a new travel passion appeared almost by accident. While walking back along Rue Soufflot from the Panthéon, I noticed a street that seemed to stretch on endlessly. I snapped a few quick photos and didn’t think much of it at the time. Months later, while reviewing my images, I found myself wondering: what was this road, and why was it so long?

I discovered that it was Rue Saint-Jacques, the Cardo Maximus of the ancient Roman town of Lutetia. That moment of happenstance sparked a new travel obsession—seeking out the Cardo Maximus in other cities I would visit in the future.

Discover all the Cardo Maximus streets I’ve explored across Europe on my interactive Cardo Maximus Map. This map shows preserved, traced, and reconstructed north–south Roman streets, letting you see how ancient urban grids shaped modern cities. Use it as your guide to explore the Cardo Maximus in historic cities — and remember to do your own research before visiting these fascinating locations.

Learn more about the ancient streets of Lutecia and their Roman grid layout on the official site: Ancient Lutecia Streets

Musee du Louvre

First, it’s important to understand just how massive the Louvre Museum in Paris truly is. Most photos online highlight the iconic glass pyramid, but that structure is only the main entrance. The historic palace buildings surrounding the pyramid are all part of the Louvre, making it the largest art museum in the world. It could easily take weeks—if not longer—to see everything inside the Louvre.

We only had a few hours to explore, focusing on some of the museum’s most famous paintings, sculptures, and Egyptian antiquities, including works that make the Louvre one of the top cultural attractions in Paris. Tickets are required to enter the Louvre Museum. To plan your visit, purchase tickets, and learn more about hours and exhibits, click here: Musee du Louvre

Required Mona Lisa Photo

Venus de Milo

The Diana of Versailles

Roman Emperor Trajan

Ancient Egyptian statue of the Grand Sphinx

Grand Sphinx of Tanis

Dark ancient Egyptian figure in the Louvre Egypt

Egyptian sarcophagus at the Louvre Egypt exhibit

Ancient Egyptian statues at the Louvre Egypt exhibit

Musee d'Orsay

Painting titled Heavy Sea in Etretat. By artist Monet

Musee d'Orsay

“And this is the mighty Musée d’Orsay, home to many of the greatest paintings in history,” as Doctor Who famously declared. I’ll admit that my desire to visit the Musée d’Orsay was sparked by the emotional Doctor Who episode “Vincent and the Doctor.” While the museum holds an incredible collection of Vincent van Gogh’s work, it offers so much more beyond that. Masterpieces by artists such as Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, Manet, and Monet fill the galleries, making it a must-visit for art lovers. Housed in a beautifully restored former railway station, the Musée d’Orsay is an unforgettable experience, and purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended to avoid long lines.

Learn more about visiting here: Musee d'Orsay

Gordon standing in front of The Church at Auvers by Vincent Van Gogh

I confirmed there is no Krafayis

Van Gogh Self Portrait paining in red frame.

Vincent Van Gogh Self Portrait

Les quatre parties du monde soutenant la sphère

Madame Alphonse Daudet

Musee de la Magie

Paris is the birthplace of modern magic and many of the special effects we see in movies today. The best place to experience this history is the Musée de la Magie. Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, who is featured in the museum, is considered the father of modern magical entertainment and inspired the young Erich Weiss to adopt the name Houdini. The museum displays props and memorabilia from Robert-Houdin, Houdini, Thurston, and many others, along with artifacts from Georges Méliès—a magician and the father of cinematic special effects, famous for A Trip to the Moon. While visiting, you can also enjoy one of the daily magic shows. Learn more at their website: Musee de la Magie