Day 1 Traditional Sightseeing
Breakfast Pain Quotidien, Le Boulanger des Invalides Jocteur or Boulangerie
What is nicer than a copious breakfast in Paris? Well, most of the time we had breakfast at home with fresh baguette, Croissants aux amandes und Bonne Maman jam. Likewise, I would simply start the first day with a fresh croissant at a boulangerie (Eric Kayser is always a good address)- Pain Quotidien is also a very good address for breakfast. What I could warmly recommend is Le Boulanger des Invalides Jocteur and its very delicious hot chocolate to go with mouth-watering Croissanterie and tartes, from where you can look at your next target: the Eiffel tower.
Morning Eiffelturm oder Arc de Triomphe, Palais de Tokyo
Sightseeing can become very exhausting, hence you should not try to cover too much, but fully enjoy fewer ones- Eiffel Tower first! The town’s landmark sparkling always so beautifully in the evening from far away; my visitors always insisted on going to the Champ de Mars. But very few wanted climbing to the top. The Palais de Tokyo is one of my favourite museums and depending on the exhibition just running it is worth visiting. Subsequently I recommend climbing the Arc de Triomphe (without charge for U25) from where I feel you have the best view over Paris.
Noon Marcel And Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur
It is worthwhile riding from the Eighth Arondissement directly to Montmartre. There is a direct bus line (no. 30), from which you can see a lot of Paris. Also, you should definitely have brunch (only served on weekends) or have lunch at my favourite restaurant Marcel . They serve delicious burgers and also the poached eggs are to be recommended. From there you may walk up to Sacré-Cœur and enjoy again a magnificent view over Paris. I am not too familiar with Montmartre itself, but there are some nice shops. However, Montmartre is in my opinion terribly overcrowded by tourists
Afternoon Galerie Lafayette, Operá Garnier, Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre
From Montmartre we go to Galerie Lafayette (Excuse me, if the metro routes are not very logical, but I did these rides normally by bike). You simply must have a look on one of the oldest department stores. Who has not yet had enough views over Paris, may go up to the terrace. From Galerie Lafayette there is a five minute walk to Operá Garnier. Unfortunately I never entered it, but it is said to be marvellous. Opera tickets unfortunately are very expensive, but if you are lucky you may still get some at the box office.
Weather permitting it is worthwhile walking or taking the metro from Opera to Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. About 17:00 – 18:00 hours the sun is at its best in Parc de Tuileries. On your way you may have a glass of fresh wine while enjoying the sunset.
Evening Le Relais de l’Entrecôte or Josselin
After this exciting, but exhausting day you would probably like best dropping into you bed. But especially in the evenings Paris is still offering a lot. At your first visit in my opinion a dinner at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte is a must. They serve only steaks and fries, but their secret sauce is unbelievably delicious. There are always waiting queues outside restaurants in Paris, but waiting is definitely worth your while. If you arrive at 19:00 hours most places are still empty.
Apart from that I can warmly recommend the Creperie Josselin at Montparnasse. Here, too, you have to queue, but their galettes and sweet crepes are so delectable. I have been several times to that place.
Nightlife Canal Saint Martin, Comptoir Général Social Club, Rex, Les Docks And More
You are not yet tired and would like to still plunge into Paris night life? In my opinion the coolest places are around the Canal Saint Martin. I can highly recommend Le Comptoir Général . Thereafter we used to go quite often into the Social Club (I think they closed it now) or the Rex for electronic musique. Some nights I also spent at the super touristic and commercial Le Duplex. My other favorites were the Queen, Chacha Club, Showcase, and Les Docks in the summer…
