How To Spend Your First Day In Paris: Even If 24 Hours Is Simply Never Enough

Published on

August 2, 2024

The inherent charm of les Quais de Seine, quaint boulangeries and priceless atmosphere makes Paris a favourite destination for so many of our Homeowners, be that for a long weekend away or for longer come the summer months. When you have the convenience and comfort of an August Pied À Terre or of a Grand Pied À Terre apartment, you are never merely visiting Paris, you are living in Paris.

The glistening Seine, Eiffel Tower and a vibrant atmosphere on every corner, Paris is the perfect place to spend every season, and especially the summertime. “I always just get excited when it starts to get warmer in Paris,” shares Athénais Dunod, August’s Director of Real Estate who lives in a beautifully central Paris apartment. “It’s just such a good city to be in during the sunny days because Paris is a terrace city, Paris is one big terrace.”

In one of the most alluring and romantic of European destinations, 24 hours is simply never enough. In the same breath, when you know exactly where to go, you can immerse yourself in the Parisian lifestyle in as little as a day…

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‍How To Spend Your First Day In Paris

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For the most glorious introduction to La Ville D’amour, we caught up with Athénais Dunod as well as some of our Pied À Terre Homeowners for their best recommendations and addresses to bookmark so that you can capture the best of the city from your very first visit.

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Starting your day

A morning in Paris often starts with an espresso on a terrace, followed with a delicious pastry. You will certainly find your own favourites in due course.

“In Paris, you always have your one boulangerie on your street. Then if you want really nice ones, you have a few addresses to visit. I would say that the best croissants for me are Cyril Lignac,” shares Athe. Naturally, there are several options for pastries in Paris, but those at Cyril Lignac are not short of exceptional. “They have very very good croissants.”

Then a little more quaint but delicious nonetheless is Boulangerie Poilâne. “It is in the 6th arrondissement, on Rue du Cherche Midi. They have delicious chausson aux pommes and croissants,” the former of which is Athé’s regular order. “Those two are my favourites.”

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Mid-morning

Comfortable shoes are a must here, where leisurely cycling and meandering through an open museum is all part of the experience. “I would have a stroll in the 9th arrondissement,” says Athé. “In that neighbourhood, you have plenty of little art galleries and vintage shops that are really cool. And then I would go to the river bank.”

Though the full Louvre experience deserves an entire day, it is magical to walk through and experience it from different angles. This is just the start of an open museum experience. “You can go see the Louvre, walk by the Jeu de Paume, you can see the Eiffel Tower on the other side then you go a little down the river bank and there you have all the little stores too.”

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Midday

Lunchtime is the perfect occasion to launch further into French gastronomy and food culture. Book restaurants in advance where possible, especially in peak season and, of course, find a terrace if you can. If you are in the 9th, consider a little lunch at Cafe Coucou.

For a bistro with a unique twist, head to the third arrondissement, Le Marais: “For the first 24 hours in Paris, for lunch I would go to Les Enfants Rouges, it is very good and it's super Parisian. You can then grab a drink in the market. If it's open, it's nice and atmospheric.” A seven minutes walk away you will find the Picasso Museum too, for a dose of art and culture that will let you relax into the afternoon.

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Afternoon

Leisurely is the mood, take the opportunity to explore at your own pace. Weather-permitting, continue exploring the architecture, or pop into a museum or gallery for a taste of the vibrancy that awaits in all seasons. Our Homeowners Jeff and Suzanne share some of their favourite spaces beyond la Tour Eiffel and the Louvre that are always a must. “The Paris Catacombs are a unique option, if you love Monet, the Musee de l’Orangerie is a must, and for History buffs, don’t miss Napoleon's tomb at The Dôme des Invalides. In other words, stay more than a day and come back often!”

In cooler moments or for those that want a more tranquil afternoon, Paris is full of beautiful bookstores where you can browse the most iconic literature. “The one that I always go to is L'Épume des Pages,” recommends Athenais. “It's in the 6th arrondissement next to Café de Flore. It's a very nice bookshop, they give very nice advice and I could spend hours there just reading.”

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Evening

Come dusk, you will be able to spot La Tour Eiffel glitter for five minutes on the hour, every hour, from just about anywhere. This is when you will notice Parisians spill onto the streets enjoying good food, wine and company - not just in the summertime. “Even when it’s super cold, Parisians will be in their big coats on the terrace, but in the summer, it takes another dimension; everybody is outdoors. Even on a Monday until midnight, all the terraces are full,” continues Athénais. Join them at a restaurant that has caught your eye to indulge a little, or while away the evening like a true Parisian in your own Pied À Terre with some local produce. “We have so many special spots, but our favourite is hands down our August home,” continue Jeff and Suzanne. “Nothing is better than ending the day with a glass of wine, luxuriating in our Pied a Terre, with our windows open enjoying the energy of Paris. Amongst our two August collections, Paris is our go-to and has a special place in our hearts.”

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How long should I spend in Paris?

Paris is France’s beating heart and can be a playground for every generation, bringing families and friends together in a sea of art, cafe culture, architecture and, of course, an indescribable gastronomic scene. To make the most of Paris, spend a weekend there as a minimum and return often when you can to feel like a true local. 24 hours is never enough in Paris and if longer stays and more square footage will elevate how you explore this city and beyond, consider the Grand Pied À Terre Collection.

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What should you always pack for Paris?

You do not need much to enjoy Paris, it is enough in itself and has everything you should need if a little retail therapy calls. Still, think of comfort and style. “I would say comfy shoes are a must in Paris because you’re always cycling and walking everywhere,” continues Athé. “Paris is small and so comfy shoes for sure. You’ll go by the river bank, you will walk for a while, then you’ll stop for a drink, then you’ll walk a little more then you’ll stop for another drink.” In warmer months, pack light but not without flair: “I would say for summer, Parisian’s love a little cool detail in your outfit and you can wear whatever you want in Paris. So that would be the moment I would bring my, you know, coolest hat and make sure I show off, “you don't need much to be there.”

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