Back in 2023, I was training for the Paris-Brest-Paris, a grueling 1,200 km bike ride across France. Unfortunately, I got injured during my final qualifier. But since our flights were already booked, we pivoted and turned the trip into a French vacation instead.

Haley and I flew with Addie and met up with Katie and her mom in Paris. We had a fantastic time exploring the city—visiting the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie, enjoying incredible food, and taking a scenic ride on the Bateaux Mouches.

From Paris, we drove to Giverny to see Monet’s studio and his iconic water lilies before continuing to Normandy. Along the way, we made stops in charming seaside villages like Étretat and Honfleur before settling in Bayeux. We spent the next day visiting the Normandy American Cemetery and exploring the historic D-Day beaches.

On our way from Normandy to the Loire Valley, we made a detour to Mont Saint-Michel, the breathtaking tidal island that looks straight out of a fairytale. We also stopped at the legendary Le Mans racetrack, where we caught some car and motorcycle racing action.

In the Loire Valley, we stayed in a stunning château. One of the highlights was a bike tour that took us to several wineries, including some tucked inside caves. Of course, no trip to the region would be complete without visiting a few of its famous châteaux—Villandry, Chambord, and Chenonceau were among our favorites.

On our final day, we ended the trip on a high note—literally—with a magical hot air balloon ride over Amboise. It was the perfect way to cap off an unforgettable adventure.

Overall it was a fantastic vacation and so happy I got to do it all with my ladies!

Photo Gallery