À bientôt, Paris.

Time for cafe cremes to be replaced with drip coffee and to swap almond croissants for toaster waffles. Sadly, we must bid adieu to La Ville-lumière (the City of Light) and begin the long journey home.

It's easy to get into your groove in Paris, meandering through many a kilometer from one historical delight to another. But all good things must come to an end—such as our yogurt and baguette breakfasts in the Jardin du Palais Royal each morning, butchering the French language with our pals Didier and Fred, and watching in horror as our hard-earned American dollars pale in comparison to the Euro...

À bientôt, Paris!

Wide-eyed wonder at the Musée du Louvre

Open to all since 1793: From the outset, the Louvre has embodied the concept of a truly universal institution. Universal in the scope of its collections; universal in its appeal to some 6 million visitors (and a finger puppet named Foo) each and every year.

It is quite possible that Musée du Louvre Director Henri Loyrette is questioning "open to all" after our visit.

Chantilly (not just a topping for your tartin anymore)

After our 3-day excursion to Belgium, it was back to France for one last adventure outside the Parisian city limits. Whereas you can't go wrong with a palatial crib like Versailles, we were looking for something slightly less endorsed by every travel guide, website and blog about France.

A 30-minute RER train ride later, we found ourselves walking toward our answer: The Domaine de Chantilly, home to many an illustrious French Duke and Prince in its heyday; soon to be our 240-hectare playground for the afternoon.

Our stroll through the Château's painting gallery, chapel and library was nothing short of delightful—but it was our walk through the romantic curves of the English Gardens that unveiled unlikely surprises: an unsolicited wildlife tour guide in an old blue truck and a bevy of kangaroos.