Words by Sue Gough Henly
9am
Beat the crowds with an early museum visit at the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay. Alternatively, see Monet’s Water Lilies at the Orangerie, or explore the Rodin Museum and gardens.
11am
Shop til you drop at Galeries Lafayette and Rue Saint Honoré on the Right Bank, or Boulevard Saint-Germain on the Left. Go on, treat yourself!
1pm
Savour a long lunch at a classic French bistro such as Juveniles, Aux Lyonnais, Allard or La Fontaine de Mars. Our favourite dishes to eat when in Paris are Croque-monsieur and of course, Steak frites.
3pm
Do as the French do and stroll like a flâneur in the Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens. Or walk around the Île de la Cité while licking an ice cream from the Berthillon Glacier.
5pm
Avoid the hordes and take a snap of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro or the gold-encrusted Pont Alexandre over the Seine. There are some great viewing spots dotted around the city – find your favourite!
6pm
Enjoy an early evening aperitif at one of the city’s many sidewalk cafés while watching the world go by. If Champagne isn’t your thing, try a Kir Royale or Pernod instead.
