BLACK IN PARIS — HOW I ACCIDENTALLY ENDED UP IN PARIS AND MADE IT A WHOLE VIBE 🫶🏾

Because it’s never too late to join JetLife Vacations — when you Travel Now, Pay Later.

By Marie, CEO of JetLife Vacations
Voted Best Travel Agency 4 Years in a Row

Great service, every time I go on vacation I will use jet life. Thank you.

Dannon Chance

Jet Life is "IT " HUNNY I have traveled to GREECE, DUBAI AND BALI everything I needed was on point with no problems. ALL EVENTS AND PARTIES WERE AWESOME TO SAY THE LEAST.I WAS LIVING MY BEST LIFE for only a fraction of the cost.Go ahead and booked with JetLife you will not be disappointed.

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Fred Winters

This is my second time traveling with Jetlife and I have always had an amazing experience. From the Sneaker Ball to the All-White Souree to the Beyonce-themed Western, Marie provided a first class experience and I won’t travel any other way. Looking forward to our next adventure!🥰

Michelle Bolden

Let me tell you how Paris just kind of… happened. 🗼

Back in 2017, I had a flight to Greece all booked and ready to go. I’m excited, bags packed, outfits pressed. Then the airline hits me with, “Ma’am, your flight day is cancelled… but you can fly out two days earlier or two days later.”

I’m sitting there like, WTF?!

Then she says, “We could fly you into Paris for two days instead, all expenses paid.”

Excuse me? Ma’am… you should’ve led with that. Now look, Paris wasn’t even on my bucket list. But FREE? I’m there

FIRST TIME IN PAREEE 🥐🍷🖤

Next thing you know, I’m in Paris, feeling fancy. First stop: Eiffel Tower.

But on the train, I meet this really nice guy traveling solo. (Sir, if you’re reading this, call me — we’ve got unfinished business at the Tower.) We end up going together.

I’m sitting at a little café, eating escargot, sipping wine, taking selfies… and let’s just say Paris had me in a chokehold for 48 hours straight. The trip ended kinda weird (that’s another blog for another day), but Paris stayed on my mind.

My 1st Time in Paris

BLACK IN PARIS IS BORN 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

Fast forward — I’m back home like, “Anybody wanna go to Paris?”

Everyone’s like, “Yesss!”

My ancestors must’ve been on the line with Air France because I kept getting these dreams and signs like, “Do this, do that…” So I named it Black in Paris and put it together for a small group.

Here’s the gag: I needed a legit Black in Paris tour. I email this lady who runs one, and she takes FOUR MONTHS to respond. I was sweating because what’s “Black in Paris” without a Black in Paris tour?

Then I meet Malik from Australia, who points me to Francis, a Black Parisian. I tell him exactly how I want it to flow. He’s never done anything like this before, but he delivers. Nervous and all — but he nailed it.

THE BLACK IN PARIS EXPERIENCE 🍷

The Girls Killed it At Moulin Rouge and Eiffel Tower Dinner

This wasn’t just a trip — it was a full-blown JetLife Production:

• Dinner at the Eiffel Tower — Paris city lights glowing like Beyoncé’s skin.
• Moulin Rouge with champagne — yes, I felt rich.
• Lunch at a local Black-owned restaurant — support the culture!
• Night out at a Black bar in Paris — vibes were immaculate.
• Black Cat Restaurant — where I had the BEST escargot of my life. (I ordered seconds. No shame.)

And because we’re JetLife, I got everyone matching T-shirts and little berets. Baby… we were cute.

THE TRUTH ABOUT PARISIANS🙄

People love to say Parisians are rude. Nah, they’re just… efficient.

Americans? We’re the rude ones. We rush through meals, expect instant everything. In Paris, they take their sweet time.

Matter of fact, my dinner in Paris was the FIRST time I ever sat down for a 3+ hour meal. We talked, laughed, sipped wine, and yes — I ordered escargot again.

MARIE’S PARIS PSA: HOTELS

Everybody pictures themselves in some tiny boutique hotel in Paris. Don’t do it.

Those hotels are small. The rooms are small. The beds are small. Europeans are built for walking and tight spaces. Americans? We like king beds, big bathrooms, and room to breathe.

If I ever take y’all back, we’re doing Best Western or Holiday Inn. Yes, I said it. Because:

• American-sized rooms
• American breakfast (eggs, bacon, waffles — not just croissants and tea)

FINAL THOUGHTS 📚

Looking back? I killed it.

Black in Paris wasn’t even supposed to be a thing — but it became a whole JetLife moment. And if I bring it back… you already know, we’re doing it bigger, better, and still in berets.

MARIE’S TIPS FOR PARIS

• Don’t overpack shoes — Paris is for walking, not for impressing strangers with your stilettos.
• Learn a few phrases — “Bonjour,” “Merci,” and “Où est le vin?” will take you far.
• Dinner takes time — It’s an experience, not a drive-thru.
• Don’t expect iced drinks — Order water, you’re getting it room temp. Period.
• Bring comfortable currency — Euros (and maybe a credit card without foreign transaction fees).
• Hotels: Bigger is better — Stick to chains with American-sized rooms if you want space.
• Be open to trying escargot — Just do it.

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