01
Rue Montorgueil
Where Paris does its shopping before it performs for anyone. Oysters, flowers, a first coffee standing up.
Morning · 08–10
02
Café de Flore
Order the café crème, take the window seat, and watch Saint-Germain wake up.
03
Les Deux Magots
Come early, before the terrace fills. Sit facing the boulevard and let Saint-Germain do the rest.
Midday · 11–14
04
Jardin du Palais-Royal
Walk the arcades slowly. One of those Paris courtyards that feels removed from the city around it.
05
Jardin des Tuileries
Pull a green metal chair to the edge of the fountain. Sit facing the light. That's the whole instruction.
06
Angelina
The old-world hot chocolate — thick as velvet. Come for the ritual, not the queue.
07
Musée Rodin — the garden
Buy the garden ticket. Roses, bronze, gravel paths and enough shade to stay longer than planned.
Afternoon · 15–17
08
Palais Garnier
Even the staircase is a performance. Go for the gold and the grand foyer, whether or not there's a show.
09
Musée du Louvre
Don't try to see it all. Choose one room, one painting, and let it be enough. The pyramid at dusk is the encore.
10
Shakespeare and Company
Creaking floors, crowded shelves, the Seine at the door. Buy the book you'll always associate with this trip.
11
Le Marais
The neighbourhood to wander without a map. Courtyards, galleries, small shops — turn whenever something looks interesting.
Golden hour · 18–20
12
Pont Alexandre III
The most beautiful bridge in the city, and it knows it. Be there as the lamps come on and the gold turns real.
13
The Seine, from the water
Yes, it's the tourist thing. Do it anyway at golden hour. Paris looks completely different from the water.
14
Champ de Mars & Trocadéro
Not under it — across from it. Lie on the grass at Champ de Mars, or take the Trocadéro terrace for the whole silhouette.
To stay
15
Le Bristol Paris
Step off Faubourg Saint-Honoré and suddenly there's a garden. Stay for the service; go upstairs for the pool.
16
Ritz Paris
The address that turned into an adjective. Even if you only come for a drink at the bar — come.
After dark · 21+
17
Wherever the rain finds you
End it small. A corner bar à vin, one good glass, nowhere else to be.