Morning
Begin where the city itself was born,on the Ile de la Cité,surrounded by the Seine. Start with breakfast at the picturesque Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole. Then walk through the oldest-running bird and flower market in the world,Marché Aux Fleurs et Oiseaux to arrive at the foot of Notre Dame Cathedral. Don’t miss Paris Point Zero,the true centre point of the city,depicted by a discreet star within a circle on the forecourt in front of the Notre Dame (most do miss it).
Head to the tip of the island to Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf,you’ll pass the medieval-looking Conciergerie,a former prison that once housed Marie Antoinette. Walk down from Pont Neuf to Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf to pick up one of Paris’ iconic Bateaux Mouches river boats (pre-booking is necessary). A one-hour cruise will take you up the Seine and face to face with some of the city’s most beautiful monuments including the Louvre,the Musee d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tour as well as some of the most picturesque of the Seine’s 37 bridges,returning you back to where you boarded below Pont Neuf. A sightseeing tour offers an observational toe-dip into the city along with a sense of how the city is laid out.
Once back at Pont Neuf,if you fancy a coffee or a fresh juice,head over the bridge to the historic Shakespeare&Co bookshop,Paris’ left bank literary institution (established in 1919) that housed leading writers of the Lost Generation including Ernest Hemingway,F Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein and browse the handwritten notes left by patrons in the upstairs annex.
Afternoon
Walk up Rue Saint Severin to explore the Latin Quartier. Ensure you look to your left whenever passing a big boulevard for a glimpse of the Pantheon in the distance. Continue along Rue Saint-Andres des Arts to arrive at the heart of the left bank,Saint Germain. Stop around here for a seafood lunch at Huguette,grab a quick sandwich at Smith’s Bakery or a blowout meal at the Cafe de Flore. My personal favourite,neighbourhood bistro Comptoir des Saints-Peres,offers delicious,lighter French fare and people-watching that is just as good. If it’s oyster season,continue west and go to Les Antiquaires. Walk it off with an art injection at the Musee d’Orsay.