Paris is one of those cities that needs no introduction. You already know it’s beautiful. You’ve seen the photos of the Eiffel Tower, the quaint cafés, the Seine at sunset.
But here’s the thing about Paris: everyone visits the same landmarks, eats at the same touristy bistros, and leaves thinking they’ve “done” Paris.
But what if there’s more?
The real Paris—the one that makes you fall in love, that makes you want to move here and live in a tiny apartment with a view of rooftops and chimneys—that Paris reveals itself slowly, quietly, and only if you know where to look.
Here’s how to spend one perfect day in Paris, beyond the guidebook greatest hits.
Morning: Art Without the Crowds
Start at the Musée de l’Orangerie
Everyone flocks to the Louvre (and yes, it’s incredible, but it’s also overwhelming). Instead, start your day at the Musée de l’Orangerie in the Tuileries Garden.
Why it’s special:
Monet’s Water Lilies—eight massive panels in two oval rooms designed specifically for them. It’s immersive, meditative, and usually far less crowded than the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay.
Pro tip: Arrive right when it opens (9 AM) for the most peaceful experience. Sit on one of the benches in the oval rooms and just… absorb it. This is art has earned your time.
Bonus: The museum also has an excellent collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works downstairs (Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse).
After the museum: Grab coffee and a croissant at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but their hot chocolate is legendary, and the Belle Époque interior is stunning. Or if you want something more local, walk to Café Kitsuné in the Palais Royal gardens for excellent coffee in a gorgeous courtyard setting.
Late Morning: Hidden Passages & Secret Gardens
Explore the Covered Passages (Les Passages Couverts)
Paris has these gorgeous 19th-century covered shopping arcades—glass-roofed passages lined with boutiques, bookshops, cafés, and that old-world Parisian charm that feels like stepping back in time.
Start with:
- Galerie Vivienne – The most beautiful of the passages, with mosaic floors and elegant shops
- Passage des Panoramas – Oldest covered passage in Paris, full of vintage stamp dealers and quirky shops
- Galerie Colbert – Grand neoclassical architecture, often overlooked but stunning
Why this is better than shopping on the Champs-Élysées:
These passages are where actual Parisians shop and browse. You’ll find independent boutiques, rare book dealers, artisan shops, and none of the overwhelming tourist crowds.
Hidden gem nearby: Pop into Bibliothèque Nationale de France – Site Richelieu if it’s open. The reading room is breathtaking—a cathedral of books.
Lunch: Left Bank Perfection
Head to the Latin Quarter
Cross over to the Left Bank and wander into the Latin Quarter. This is historic Paris—narrow medieval streets, the Sorbonne, bookshops that have been here for centuries.
Lunch at Marché des Enfants Rouges
Actually, forget the Latin Quarter for lunch—take the Métro or a taxi to Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Marais (oldest covered market in Paris). It’s a local food market with incredible stalls serving everything from French bistro cuisine to Moroccan tagines to Italian pasta to Japanese bento boxes.
Why it’s perfect:
You get to eat like a local, the vibe is authentic and lively, and you’re surrounded by Parisians doing their daily shopping. Grab a table at one of the communal seating areas, order from multiple stalls, and soak in the atmosphere.
Alternative if you want a sit-down meal:
Le Comptoir du Relais in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It’s beloved by locals, reservations are nearly impossible for dinner, but lunch is more accessible. Classic French bistro done right.
Afternoon: Neighborhoods Over Landmarks
The Marais: Medieval Charm Meets Modern Cool
After lunch, explore the Marais. This is one of Paris’s most charming neighborhoods—medieval streets, historic mansions, trendy boutiques, art galleries, and some of the best falafel outside of Israel.
What to do:
- Place des Vosges – Paris’s oldest planned square, elegant arcades, perfect for people-watching
- Rue des Rosiers – Historic Jewish quarter, incredible falafel at L’As du Fallafel
- Vintage shopping – The Marais has some of Paris’s best vintage and consignment shops
- Musée Carnavalet – Paris history museum in a gorgeous mansion, and it’s free
Detour if you’re feeling it:
Walk along the Seine from the Marais toward Île Saint-Louis. This small island is impossibly charming—quiet residential streets, the famous Berthillon ice cream shop, and views of Notre-Dame (currently being restored but still impressive from the outside).
Secret spot: Find a bench along the quai on Île Saint-Louis, grab a Berthillon ice cream (or a bottle of wine from a nearby shop), and watch the boats on the Seine. This is peak Paris, Sabrina-style.
Late Afternoon: The Magic Hour
Montmartre at Golden Hour
Take the Métro to Abbesses and walk up to Montmartre. Yes, the area around Sacré-Cœur can be touristy, but if you go in late afternoon and wander the quieter streets, you’ll find the bohemian village that artists like Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec once called home.
What to see:
- Place du Tertre – Artists’ square (touristy but charming)
- The side streets – Wander away from the main drags and you’ll find hidden staircases, ivy-covered buildings, and that storybook Paris feeling
- Sacré-Cœur steps at sunset – The view over Paris from the steps is stunning, especially as the city lights start to glow
Skip the inside of Sacré-Cœur (unless you’re particularly interested). The real magic is the neighborhood itself and the views.
Insider tip: For a quieter, equally beautiful view, go to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont instead. It’s a local favorite—dramatic cliffs, a temple perched on an island, waterfalls, and far fewer tourists.
Evening: Dinner with Parisians
Ditch the Tourist Traps, Eat Where Locals Eat
Paris has thousands of restaurants. The trick is avoiding the ones with English menus displayed outside and aggressive waiters trying to lure you in.
Great neighborhoods for dinner:
- Canal Saint-Martin – Hip, local vibe, younger crowd, lots of great bistros and wine bars
- Belleville – Diverse, artistic, authentic, excellent Chinese and North African food
- Oberkampf – Trendy but not touristy, great cocktail bars and restaurants
Specific recommendations:
- Septime – One of Paris’s hottest restaurants (reservations months in advance, but worth trying for cancellations)
- Le Chateaubriand – Innovative, ever-changing menu, more casual than Septime
- Bistrot Paul Bert – Classic bistro, steak frites, that old-Paris atmosphere
- Le Baratin – Neighborhood gem in Belleville, natural wines, daily changing menu
Can’t get reservations?
Honestly, some of the best meals in Paris happen at wine bars (bars à vin) where you don’t need reservations. Order a bottle, share a cheese plate, try whatever the chef made that day. It’s casual, delicious, and very Parisian.
Night: Paris After Dark
Stroll, Don’t Rush
After dinner, walk. Paris is one of the most beautiful cities at night—monuments lit up, café terraces glowing, the Seine reflecting lights like a moving painting. It’s not called the City of Lights for nothing!
Where to wander:
- Along the Seine – From Notre-Dame toward the Eiffel Tower, the riverside paths are romantic and alive at night
- Through the Marais – The streets take on a different character after dark—quieter, more intimate
- Past the illuminated Eiffel Tower – Yes, it’s touristy. It’s also undeniably magical, especially on the hour when it sparkles
Final drink:
End your night at a rooftop bar or a classic cocktail bar.
Rooftop options:
- Le Perchoir – Multiple locations, casual-cool vibe, city views
- Madame Rêve rooftop – Gorgeous views of Paris monuments
Classic cocktail bars:
- Little Red Door – Speakeasy vibe, inventive cocktails
- Experimental Cocktail Club – Dark, moody, excellent drinks
- Candelaria – Hidden behind a taqueria, one of Paris’s best cocktail bars
Getting Around
Paris’s Métro is efficient, extensive, and honestly the best way to get around. Buy a carnet (book of 10 tickets) or get a Navigo Easy card that you can reload. Just make sure you hang onto your purse or bag! Or pick up a bag from one of our favorite travel brands: Pacsafe. We never travel without them and it takes all the worry away that someone might slash your bag on the Metro or snatch your purse off the back of a cafe chair.
But also: walk.
Paris is incredibly walkable, and some of the best moments happen when you’re wandering and stumble onto a hidden courtyard, a perfect bakery, or a neighborhood square you didn’t know existed.
Pro tip: Download the Citymapper app—it’s the best for navigating Paris public transit and will tell you the fastest routes.
When to Go
Best times for Paris:
- Spring (April-May): Blooming gardens, perfect weather, outdoor café season begins
- Fall (September-October): Beautiful light, fewer crowds than summer, still warm enough for outdoor dining
- Winter (December-February): Magical holiday lights, fewer tourists, cozy café culture
Summer (June-August): Warm and lovely, but also peak tourist season. Parisians flee the city in August, so some restaurants close, but it also means quieter neighborhoods.
One Day Is Never Enough
Of course you can’t “do” Paris in a day. You can’t even do it in a week. Paris is a city that reveals itself slowly, through repeated visits and aimless wandering.
But one perfectly curated day? That’s enough to understand why people fall in love with this place. Why they keep coming back. Why Paris isn’t just a city—it’s a feeling.
If you want help planning a Paris trip that goes beyond the obvious—finding those hidden passages, scoring impossible restaurant reservations, building in time to just wander and get lost—let’s talk!
