8:30 am: One of the reasons to visit Paris is to wake up to a pain au chocolat, steaming pot of coffee and hot milk. Linger over breakfast at Paul, a simple, casual bakery started in 1889.
Paul Bakery: Galerie leCarrousel du Louvre, 99 rue de Rivoli;Tel- 01 47 03 98 91; www.paul.fr
9:00 am: Beat the enormous crowds at the pyramid by using the underground entrance to the Louvre at Rue Rivoli (99 rue de Rivoli, “louvre Rivoli” entrance.). At this hour you may have Mona Lisa all to yourself. While the Denon and Richelieu wings are all impressive, the First floor Sully wing (Egyptian art) captures the imagination with massive sarcophagi and tiny spoons in the shape of women.
Métro: Palais-Royal-Musée du Louvre station, Tel.: 00 33 (0)140 20 51 77 ; www. louvre..fr
11:00 am: Walk to La Grand Roue (the famed ferris wheel), constructed for the exposition universelle in 1900, and take a ride for a view of the city second only to the Eiffel tower.
Place de la Concorde, Métro : Concorde
11:30 am: Head to the Place Vendome, to see one of the grands hotels of Paris, The Ritz. You may bump into rock stars, actors of diplomats if you’re lucky. Then, walk along the Champs Elysees stopping in at world renowned boutiques such as: Chanel, Hermes and Dior . Don’t miss the grand department stores such as Galeries Lafayette,Printemps and The Bon Marché.
15 Place Vendome, Tel. 33-01-43-16-30-30, www.ritzparis.com
12:30 pm: a visit to the City of Lights would not be complete without purchasing some treats. Stop in at the historic Ladurée for an assortment of pastel-coloured macaroons-Marie Antoinette would be très envious. Just a few blocks away on the Rue Bonaparte, purchase a few haute-chocolates at the master- chocolatier, Pierre Herme.
Pierre Hermé: 2 locations, 72, rue Bonaparte; 33(1) 43 54 47 77; www.pierreherme.com; Ladurée 3 Locations; Ladurée Bonaparte ; 21 rue Bonaparte el : +33 1 44 07 64 87 ; Métro Saint-Germain-des-Prés. www.laduree.fr
1:00 pm: All of this sightseeing has made you work up quite the appetite. Grab a typical Parisian lunch- a baguette, some fromage and a half bottle of rose.
1:30pm: Hop on the metro, to the Tuileries Gardens. Have your lunch al fresco while people watching (between the Louvre andLa Place de la Concorde).
4:00pm: Take a boat ride on the Ile de Paris, past the medieval stone architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral, drift off and relax.Bateaux Vedettes du Pont-Neuf (prices and schedules on website at: www.vedettesdupontneuf.com; Tel : 33(0) 1 46 33 98 38
6:00pm: Admire the rose windows of the awe-inspiring Notre Dame cathedral, while listening to the chiming bells of the tower.
8:00pm: Treat yourself to a delectable memorable French feast at Alain Ducasse’s signature restaurant, La Plaza Athenee Restaurant, with the skill of chef Christophe Moret. Don’t forget to order the roast pigeon. Avenue Montaigne, ; metro-Alma Marceau;www.plaza-atheneeparis.com/restaurants_bars/index.html
10:00pm: Take a taxi to the lights show at the Eiffel tower and marvel at the symbol of France.
11:30pm: Hop on the metro over to the infamous and uber cool lounge at the Hotel Costes (A Kiwi Collection property). Order a glass of champagne and toast to your glorious day. Santé!
239, Rue St Honoré, Tel. 33 1 40 15 09 69, www.hotelcostes.com; www.kiwicollection.com
City Style and Living offers the best of FREE Admission sites in Paris
1. Maison de Victor Hugo:
Visit the 19th Century French literary giant’s home.
6 Place des Vosges, 4e
Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm
2. Palais Royal:
See the beautiful architecture of what is now that Constitutional Council
Rue St.-Honore, 1er
Metro: Palais-Royal-Musee du Louvre
3. Musee Edith Piaf:
Take a peak at the “La Vie en Rose” singer’s dwelling
5 Rue Crespin-du-Gast, 11e
Metro: Menilmontant
This article was first published in the Winter 2007/2008 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.
