Home > Paris Sample Itinerary Day 1, 2

Day 1

9h > Le Louvre (1st arrondissement)

Begin your day at the Musée du Louvre (www.louvre.fr), which houses over 35,000 works of art drawn from eight departments and displayed in over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space. Before your departure, go to the Louvre’s site and print out one of several thematic trails - The Art of Eating at Table: the Rituals and Symbolism of the Meal, Italian Renaissance Painting, or An Ancient Egyptian God or choose to book an insightful walking seminar with a local art historian.

12h 30 > Lunch, Jardin des Tuileries, Musée de l’Orangerie (1st arrondissement)

After the museum, lunch at the Café Marly, (Cour Napoléon, 93, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris; +33 (0) 1 49 26 06 60; open daily from 8 am to 2 am). Located in the the Richelieu wing of the Louvre Palace, the café’s outdoor terrace offers a stunning view of the Cour Napoléon and the pyramid. Or stroll over to the upscale bar, restaurant, La Fumoir, located within a short walking distance of the museum (6, rue de l'Amiral-Coligny, 75001 Paris; +33 (0) 1 01 42 92 00 24; open daily from 11 am to 2 am). Two course menu € 17.50.

Use the rest of the afternoon to wander through the Tuileries garden, taking time to stop and visit the museum chosen and arranged by Claude Monet to showcase his “testamentary” masterpieces the Nymphéas, “the haven of peaceful meditation.” (Musée de l’Orangerie, Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris; +33 (0)1 44 77 80 07; closed Tuesdays, open daily from 12:30 pm to 7 pm).

19h30 > Dinner, Saint Germain des Prés

Enjoy a meal at Au Gourmande, a French gastronomic delight located near the Luxembourg Gardens (22, rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris; +33 (0)1 43 26 26 45; closed Saturday and Sunday). Chef Christian Courgeau and partner Hervé de Libouton offer a menu which changes daily. After dinner, stroll down rue Bonaparte until you arrive at Place Saint Germain des Prés. Enjoy a digestif at the mythic café, Les Deux Magots (6, place Saint Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris; + 33 (0)1 45 48 55 25; open daily from 7:30 am to 1 am)

Day 2

10h 30 > Morning Shopping (The Golden Triangle)

You will begin your itinerary on rue Faubourg-Saint-Honoré where you will discover some of Paris's most luxurious shopping addresses.

At Place de Beauvau and rue Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, you will find the Presidential residence, the Palais Elysée. Public visits are only permitted on certain specified days.

Continue down rue Faubourg-Saint-Honoré and take the time to shop and visit the following boutiques.

Boutiques rue Faubourg-Saint-Honoré:

Roger Vivier 29, rue Faubourg-Saint-Honoré

Extravagant shoe designer, Roger Vivier pioneered the stiletto in 1954 and went on to design the sexy black vinyl high boot. Often referred to as the "Heal King," Vivier worked with many French designers including Yves Saint-Laurent, Christian Dior, Nina Ricci and Guy Larouche.

Institut Lancome 29, rue Faubourg-Saint-Honoré

Shop Lancome's full selection of skin care products, perfumes, and cosmetics.

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche (Women) 38, rue Faubourg-Saint-Honoré

New designer Stefano Pilati has chosen to recreate the YSL classics by making them staples of the eveningwear and ready-to-wear collection.  

Jean Louis Scherrer 36, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré

Designer Stéphane Rolland has revamped the label creating pieces which are more contemporary and modern.

Hermès 24, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré

This legendary French luxury goods house offers a selection of watches, classic accessories, perfumes, a complete home-line, silverware, crystal and porcelain, and office accessories.

Just after the Hermès boutique, you will take a left on rue Boissy d'Anglas.

 

next > part 2 Paris Sample Itinerary