BREAKFAST ON THE BOULEVARDStart your day with breakfast in a street café on the Champs-Elysées. The buzz of activity on the boulevard with the Arc de Triomphe as a backdrop makes the ideal starting point for a stroll through Paris.
JOURNEY TO THE IMPRESSIONISTSTake bus no. 73 from here, which travels down the boulevard past the glass palaces of the Grand and Petit Palais. While you cross the Place de la Concorde (photo), noted for its obelisk and giant fountains, take in the sheer size of this square. Before the bus turns off, take a look at the Tuileries – the city’s oldest park, connecting the square with the Louvre. Your journey continues over the Seine, where you get off at the bus stop at the Musée d’Orsay.
MUSEUM STOPYou’ll be inspired by the aesthetic architecture of this revamped railway station and the comprehensive collection of works by the French Impressionists. End your museum visit with a snack in one of the two museum restaurants, both of which have a fantastic view of the Seine. Take the RER C – not far from the museum – and three stops down the line you’ll arrive at the Eiffel Tower
ON THE SEINEAfter a short stroll on the Champs de Mars with the compelling view of the Eiffel Tower from below, board a ship from the Batobus line at the Pont d’Iena. The Seine provides a unique panorama. Your journey on the water will guide you under numerous bridges, among which are the gilded Alexandre III and the famous Pont Neuf whereupon you reach the islands at the heart of the city. To the left, the extensive façade of the former royal residence which later became the Louvre the largest museum in the world, stretches out in front of you. While you amble around the islands, admire the Gothic buttresses of Notre-Dame (photo).
THE MARAIS DISTRICTAlight the ship at the city hall, Hôtel de Ville, and you will find yourself in the middle of the lively Marais district within a few minutes. This area has a huge variety of shops. Nostalgic cafés in the Jewish district are the perfect place for a break and a visit to the exquisite Place des Vosges on the site of a former royal residence is a must.
CITY OF LIGHTSTake the Métro in the direction of Montmartre before the sun sets. (M 8 to Strasbourg, M 4 to Barbes, M 2 to Pigalle). After a short walk to the Place du Tertre (photo), sit on the steps in front of the Sacré-Cœur. It is an exhilarating experience to witness the city’s sea of lights starting to glimmer beneath you – its crowning glory being the myriad of lights emanating from the sparkling Eiffel Tower.
DINE IN STYLEBy this time you will have worked up an appetite and – hopefully – already made a reservation in one of the atmospheric Belle-Époque restaurants, for which Paris is so famous, such as Bouillon Racine in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The quickest way there is via the RER B to Saint-Michel. Revel in the restaurant’s Art Nouveau floral décor and whimsical mosaic work. Your meal will also be served with decorative flair. But take your time: the evening is far from over.
NUIT DE JAZZWhy not seek out one of the jazz clubs in the area if you’re not too tired after dinner ... A particularly rustic venue is the Caveau de la Huchette, situated in a medieval vaulted cellar on the lively Rue de la Huchette.