A model sightseeing itinerary for Paris, France, taught by a local writer. Enjoy the "true charm of the city" in one day

We asked a local writer who has lived in Paris for 30 years to share a model itinerary that will allow you to fully enjoy Paris, a city that continues to fascinate people from all over the world, in one day. Why not add this plan to your itinerary, which includes not only the standard tourist spots but also the hidden spots that locals visit to highlight their true charms?

Interview and photography: Noriko Hanyu

*Prices in Japanese yen are calculated based on the exchange rate at the time of writing (February 2024).

A map of Paris sightseeing itineraries you can enjoy in one day

<morning>

First, take a commemorative photo with the Eiffel Tower in the background, which is a must

It takes about 60 minutes to get from Charles de Gaulle International Airport to central Paris using public transportation such as buses and taxis.

The symbol of Paris is the Eiffel Tower, which was completed in 1889. However, even if you get close to it, you can't see the whole of the gigantic tower.

So let's go to the Place des Humanes, located next to the famous Trocadero Square, which is located on a hill across the Seine. From the Place des Humanes, which is sandwiched between the two wings of the Palais de Chaillot, you can see the entire Eiffel Tower and the surrounding scenery.

It's a popular spot for taking commemorative photos, so it's always crowded, but it's a good time to go in the morning, when it's relatively quiet.

If you look at the Eiffel Tower from the front, you will find the "Maritime Museum" and "Anthropology Museum" on the right, and the "National Theatre of Chaillot" and "Museum of Cultural Heritage" on the left. If you have time, be sure to check it out!

Place du Trocadero

Human Rights Square

Visit the Impressionist museum, the Musee D'orsay

After seeing the Eiffel Tower, take bus number 63 through Trocadero Square to the Musée d'Orsay. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the Solferino-Bellechasse stop, which is the closest stop to the Musée d'Orsay.

When it comes to art museums in Paris, the Louvre, which displays the Mona Lisa, is famous, but if you're looking for Impressionist masterpieces, you can't miss the Orsay!

Naturally, it is a very popular spot, and you may have to queue up to get in. Therefore, we recommend making a reservation in advance on the website. In addition, specify the entry time as 9:30, right after the museum opens. This way, you can enjoy the world-famous masterpieces at your leisure in a relatively quiet place.

The best way to explore the vast museum is to head straight to the Impressionist Exhibition Room on the 5th floor, which is the museum's biggest attraction. Enjoy Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, and others first. You might think, "I'll do the main event last," but if you put it off, it will be crowded and you might get tired by the time you get there.

Of course, the ground floor is also filled with masterpieces of Symbolism and Neoclassicism, so if you would like to take your time and see everything, we recommend setting aside at least half a day.

Musée d'Orsay

<noon>

Simple and delicious lunch at "Cafe Murot" and "Victor Hugo Memorial Museum"

When you start to feel hungry, why not take the subway to the Marais district? In the middle of the Marais district, a historic street lined with aristocratic mansions during the Renaissance, you'll find the Place des Vosges.

The building in the corner of the corridor surrounding the square is the Victor Hugo Memorial Museum, a renovated mansion of the great writer Victor Hugo. I decided to check out the exhibits later and had lunch at Cafe Murot inside the museum.

If you are going from the Musee D'orsay, cross the bridge over the Seine in front of the museum, cross the Tuileries Garden, and take the subway from the Tuileries station on the Rue de Rivoli.
Take line 1, get off at "Saint Paul" and it is a 10-minute walk to the Victor Hugo Museum.

This is a branch of Maison Murot, a famous bread and patisserie in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, and all the bread is homemade. The quality of the ingredients is good, and even a simple sandwich with just ham and cheese is delicious. The salads include scallops and meat.

The patisserie's most popular item is the "Amaryllis," a large macaron filled with vanilla cream and raspberries. It serves brunch on weekends, so reservations are required. By the way, you can enter without an admission ticket to the museum. In warm seasons, we recommend sitting at one of the tables in the garden.

Café Mulot

If you come to the Hugo Memorial Museum, you should also take a look at the exhibits. The museum displays the impressive furniture and artworks that Hugo created, and allows you to experience his rich talent that went beyond literature.

Victor Hugo House

<afternoon>

Stroll through the Marais district and visit the natural cosmetics shop "Officine Grennes de Pastel"

After lunch, let's take a look at a nice natural cosmetics store near the museum. Its name is "Officine Grennes de Pastel (Pastel Seed Apothecary)". The main ingredient is oil extracted from the seeds of the "pastel" plant, which has been used as a blue-purple dye since ancient times. In France, the ingredients in this pastel are gaining attention. The moisturizing hand and body creams are apparently popular among Japanese people.

Most skincare products are labeled with a high percentage of natural ingredients and/or are certified organic.

The main store is in Toulouse, a city in southwestern France where pastels are grown, and this is the only branch in Paris. It makes a great souvenir for your family and friends.

Officine Graine de Pastel

Experience the cutting edge of contemporary art at "Thaddeus Ropac Paris Marais"

Paris, the "City of Art," does not live by clinging to the past. The Marais district is home to many world-famous contemporary art galleries. One of these is the Thaddeus Ropac Paris Marais.

Galleries that have branches all over the world and have a major impact on the art world are called "mega galleries," and Thaddeus Ropac is one such example. In addition to the Paris Marais, the gallery also has branches in London (UK), Salzburg (Austria), Seoul (Korea), and more.

It hosts exhibitions of artists who are popular in Japan, such as Tom Sachs.

Thaddaeus Ropac Paris Marais

This is the spirit of Paris! Eco-conscious women's fashion store "Soie Paris"

Leaving the gallery, it is a two-minute walk to the store of the fashion brand "Soie Paris." The brand was launched by two sisters, one of whom is in charge of design and the other is in charge of business.

The company has attracted attention from the media as a fashion manufacturer that promotes the SDGs by being eco-conscious, not using materials that pollute the environment (such as dyes), and improving conditions for people working in factories.

The colorful products are made from natural materials such as silk, cotton, and wool. There are also scarves and accessories such as hair accessories made from upcycled scraps.

The spirit of Parisian fashion is to focus not only on the appearance but also on the materials!

Soi Paris

If you're looking to buy souvenirs, this is the place! The long-established gaufre shop "Mer"

Mer is a famous confectionery and chocolate store founded in the 17th century in Lille, northern France. This is one of two branches in Paris.

The specialty is undoubtedly the "vanilla gaufre." Vanilla cream is sandwiched between thin, oval-shaped gaufres, and the aroma of vanilla gently spreads in your mouth. The combination of the soft texture of the gaufre dough and the crunchy texture of the granulated sugar in the cream is irresistible!

Besides vanilla, there are seven other flavors, including "apple cinnamon." Both the regular size set of six (19.9 euros / approx. 3,200 yen) and the mini size set of six (9.5 euros / approx. 1,500 yen) come in a beautiful presentation box.

Email

Enjoy the Parisian vibe on the terrace at Cafe Fika

If you get tired of walking, head to the cafe inside the Swedish School, a spot where you can experience Swedish culture. The courtyard terrace is also lovely.

All the sweets are handmade by the staff, including the authentic "Cinnamon Roll" (3 euros / about 480 yen) and "Lemon Cake" (4.5 euros / about 720 yen). If you're feeling a bit hungry, the Scandinavian-style sandwiches with smoked salmon and other fillings and soups are also delicious.

Generally, in Swedish cafes, you can have as many refills of filter coffee as you like. Many people don't know this because it's not advertised, but this shop also offers unlimited refills of "filter coffee" (3.5 euros / about 560 yen). You can enjoy your cafe time at your own pace.

Café Fika

<evening>

From here, it's a 25-minute walk through Bastille Square to the east of the Arigle district, where a popular morning market is held. If you take the subway, it's an 8-minute walk from Chemin Vert station to Line 8, and then get off at Ledru Rollin, the second stop.

A drink before your meal, French style! Long-established wine bar "Le Baron Rouge"

The French way is to enjoy an alcoholic drink before a full-fledged dinner. Let's raise a glass at a wine bar in the Aligre district. "Le Ballon Rouge", which is crowded with casually dressed locals, is one of the most famous wine bars in Paris and is known as "a heaven for wine lovers". The store is lined with barrels and packed with bottles of wine.

You can drink while chatting with the locals at the counter, or sit at a chair and relax while eating snacks. Snacks include "cheese platter," "ham and sausage platter," and "mix of both" for 10 to 18 euros (about 1,600 to 2,880 yen). Single dishes such as boiled conch shells are 7 to 9 euros (about 1,120 to 1,440 yen). Fresh raw oysters are also available on weekends from mid-September to the end of April.

There are 40 to 50 kinds of wine, starting at 1.5 euros (about 240 yen) per glass. The highest price is 7 euros (about 1,100 yen) for champagne, which is a bargain. If you can't decide which one to choose, the owner will recommend one after asking your preferences.

Le Baron Rouge

<night>

Dinner at La Ruche a Miel, a Moroccan restaurant popular with local regulars

As a former colonial power, France has many immigrants from the western North African countries, and naturally the ethnic cuisine they brought with them has become integrated into French life.

So let's try the traditional North African dishes "couscous" (13.5-21 euros / approx. 2,160-3,360 yen) and "tajine" (16-18 euros / approx. 2,560-2,880 yen) at the Moroccan restaurant "La Ruche a Miel", which is a 2-minute walk from Le Baron Rouge. It is introduced in guidebooks as one of the "best couscous restaurants in Paris", but it is a casual restaurant that is crowded with local regulars.

"Couscous" is made by pouring light vegetable soup over tiny smorgasbord (a type of pasta) and eating it with meat.

The red wine is also rich and flavorful, and is from Morocco. The final dessert is homemade Arabic sweets (2.5 euros/about 400 yen). They are carefully made in the kitchen one by one using almonds and dates.

La Ruche à Miel

A ticket that is appreciated by tourists. Explore the charms of Paris in one day

We have introduced a course that will allow you to enjoy Paris in one day, from classic attractions to hidden gems and the latest spots.

By the way, a one-day pass that can be used on the subway, buses, and suburban express lines is convenient for exploring Paris. Prices range from 8.65 euros (about 1,380 yen / subway, local buses, and trams) to 20.6 euros (about 3,300 yen / can go to Charles de Gaulle Airport and Versailles) depending on the zone you use it in, so it's a good idea to buy a different pass depending on your destination.

The great thing about Paris is that you can enjoy it by public transportation and on foot, without having to use taxis or rental cars. Use this article as a reference and enjoy walking around Paris!

Related article

"Mont Saint-Michel and its Bay", a World Heritage Site in France. Explaining its history and tourist attractions

Mont Saint-Michel is a World Heritage Site in France. This beautiful monastery, which has a strange history, is still a popular tourist destination today. We will explore the history and charm of Mont Saint-Michel, from the majesty of the building, the surrounding scenery, to the famous omelette.

ontrip.jal.co.jp