A French Detour: Three Days of Cheese, Châteaux, and Champagne Moments

France wasn’t supposed to be the star of this trip. It was a beautiful afterthought — one of those “why not?” additions made possible by the speed and simplicity of the Chunnel. But as it turns out, a few spontaneous days in Paris (with a little side of history and rosé) ended up being pure delight.

Day One: Bonjour, Paris

Taking the Eurostar from London was effortless. In Standard Premier, I stretched out in roomy seats that rivaled business class comfort, sipping tea and nibbling breakfast as the train sped through the countryside at 186 mph. By the time we rolled into Gare du Nord, I’d already fallen in love with the idea of traveling this way — quick, calm, and chic.

A short taxi ride later, we arrived at the Marriott Champs-Élysées, my last-minute swap from the Opera property — and it couldn’t have been more perfect. The hotel sits right on the famed avenue, just steps from the Arc de Triomphe, and its grand glass-domed lobby feels like stepping inside a Parisian dream. The staff were wonderful, the daily breakfast delicious (and complimentary for Marriott Bonvoy Gold members — yes, please), and the location unbeatable.

After checking in, we followed a tip from the front desk to a small, locals-only café tucked away from the crowds: Le Sens Unique. Two bottles of rosé later, a platter of cheese between us, and the melodic hum of French conversation swirling through the air, I was reminded why I’d fallen in love with this language years ago. There’s something magical about that first Parisian afternoon when you simply sit, sip, and let the city unfold around you.

As the sun began to set, we wandered back toward the Arc de Triomphe, where the sky turned shades of lavender and gold, a Monet come to life. Cars zipped around the circle in organized chaos while the monument stood serene and timeless above it all.

Day Two: Castles, Conspiracies, and Rosé in the Countryside

The next morning, fueled by croissants and cappuccinos, we set off on a day trip that I can’t recommend enough — a guided visit to Vaux-le-Vicomte and Château de Fontainebleau.

Stop 1: Vaux-le-Vicomte

If Versailles is the headline act, Vaux-le-Vicomte is the masterpiece that inspired it. Built by Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s finance minister, its opulence ultimately led to his downfall — proof that in 17th-century France, outshining the king was never a good idea.

The château’s symmetry and manicured gardens are breathtaking, the history even more so. For fans of the BBC’s Versailles, this was the filming location that stood in for the Sun King’s palace itself.

Travel Tips:

1. Climb the bell tower for sweeping views of the grounds.

2. Rent a golf cart — trust me, the gardens stretch for miles.

3. Stop at the courtyard café, grab a chilled bottle of rosé and some cheese, and soak in the scene before heading to your next stop.

Stop 2: Château de Fontainebleau

Older than the Louvre and home to centuries of French monarchs, Fontainebleau is a living timeline of royal life. Every ruler from the 1100s onward left their mark — from Henri II’s secret “D’s” carved for his beloved Diane de Poitiers, to Napoleon’s dramatic abdication in 1814.

For a history lover like me, this place is intoxicating — its gilded halls whispering of power, passion, and the ghosts of kings long gone.

Dinner with a View: Les Ombres

Back in Paris, I wanted one unforgettable meal — something with history, romance, and of course, a killer view. Enter Les Ombres, a glass-roofed restaurant perched atop the Musée du Quai Branly with the Eiffel Tower practically leaning over your table.

Reservations are essential (I booked a month in advance), but it’s worth every bit of planning. The evening felt cinematic: the hum of conversation, the golden hour glow, and then — as if on cue — the Tower twinkling above us.

I started with ravioles de tourteau aux aromates (crab ravioli in a light fennel and chive emulsion) and followed with filet de volaille fermière (farm chicken with aromatic potatoes and a farmhouse bacon foam). Every bite was exquisite, every moment infused with that untranslatable French word: joie.

Day Three: Art, Aimless Wandering, and Onion Soup Therapy

The next morning began with a Hop-On Hop-Off bus stop just outside the hotel — the perfect way to glide through Paris at your own pace. My first destination was the Musée Rodin, a hidden gem tucked into leafy gardens that somehow feels worlds away from the bustle. Standing in front of The Thinker beneath a cloudless sky, I couldn’t help but pause and just breathe it all in.

From there, we let the city carry us — past gilded bridges, riverside bookstalls, and flower markets — until eventually returning to the Champs-Élysées for one final dinner. My craving was pure comfort: French onion soup and a Croque Monsieur, the kind of simple perfection that reminds you why French cuisine never goes out of style. I found both at Brasserie Baroche, a friendly, unpretentious spot where the soup comes bubbling over with Gruyère and the wine flows easily.

Day Four: Sweet Goodbyes

Before heading to Charles de Gaulle, I made one last essential stop — Ladurée, conveniently across from the hotel. Because no Paris trip is complete without a pastel box of macarons tucked safely in your carry-on.

As our car pulled away, I looked back at the Arc de Triomphe glowing in the morning light and whispered, Au revoir, Paris — à la prochaine.

Next stop: Edinburgh, the city of my heart.