One day in Paris

Our one-week trip to Paris was an unforgettable experience filled with fun exhibitions, great outings and delicious food. After our trip Andy asked me if I had only one day in Paris how would I spend it. Only one day in a city as big and as diverse as Paris is an impossible task I said to him.

Later that day a friend asked me the same question.  She wanted to know what I would recommend to someone who only had one day to spend in Paris. So it got me thinking. If I could squeeze all of my favorite Paris experiences into just one day, this is how I would tackle it.  I would begin in the first arrondissement. This posh district  in the heart of Paris is where you will find the Louvre and all the impressive buildings that go with it.

Morning

Definitely start the day with a flaky croissant or perhaps two. We were fortunate to have our pick of amazing patisseries. Before window-shopping along the rue Saint Honoré, or raiding the fresh food markets on the rue Montorgueil. Enjoy breakfast at Claus – La Table du Petit-Déjeuner, which is nestled in a narrow shopfront with a plush upstairs area. The food is delicious, the service is excellent and the prices are affordable.

After a delicious breakfast walk down Rue Saint-Honoré where Luxury boutiques line the street. Every major fashion house has a store on Rue Saint-Honoré. Even if you can’t afford shopping here, the window displays are fabulous and a lot of fun to window shop.

You can also catch a glimpse of the famous Place Vendôme.

If you are a chocolate aficionado like me, you cannot skip Angelina. Stop here to refuel.

This famous tearoom “built a reputation as a place of sophistication and indulgence”. It also has the reputation of serving the best hot chocolate in Paris and it definitely lives up to it. If there is a line outside take my advice and get the hot chocolate and pastry to go.

If you have more than one day in Paris I would highly recommend having breakfast here at least once. You have to try the truffle omelet, smoked salmon benedict or the French toast with caramel syrup. Simply delish. Remember calories don’t count on vacay. Eating at Angelina costs a pretty penny. But as you can tell from the smile on my face it is worth the once in a lifetime experience.

Don’t forget to buy a bottle of hot chocolate to take home. You will regret it if you don’t.

Sip your heavenly hot chocolate and enjoy your walk to Rue Montorgueil in the 2nd arrondissement.  Rue Montorgueil is a few blocks away from Les Halles — the former wholesale food market for all of Paris. Paris is a fantasy food destination. It’s many markets are a key source for fresh ingredients and a stamping ground for the country’s finest producers.

If you are tired of walking rent a bicycle. Renting a bicycle is easy and they are available everywhere including hotels. There are designated bicycle lanes and I felt safe riding on the streets. 

Afternoon

Be warned the sights and smells in the market will make you hungry. So grab a picnic and head to the most picturesque spot in the city – Jardin des Tuileries. Enjoy your picnic in this beautifully manicured formal garden that was created by Catherine de Medici in 1564.

Jardin des Tuileries stretches all the way from Concorde to the Louvre. It’s also where a lot of the shows during Paris Fashion Week take place.

The gardens separate the Louvre from the Place de la Concorde. This is a cultural walking place and picnic area for Parisians and tourists. You can also admire the works of Monet at the Musée de l’Orangerie, which is located in the west corner of the Tuileries Gardens next to the Place de la Concorde.

In June and August you can enjoy candy floss (cotton candy), rides and thrills at the Fête des Tuileries.

Evening

After visiting the  Louvre, enjoy dinner in the Palais Royal neighborhood.

Dine at Chef Yannick Lahopgnou’s latest restaurant Zébulon, where you can enjoy exotic flavor combinations in a boutique setting OR try Verjus. You will love the cheese course and wine pairing at Verjus is excellent. This restaurant owned by ex-pats boasts a delicious seasonal tasting menu that will not break the bank. We regret not taking any food pictures. We could not restrain ourselves from digging in as soon as our meals appeared.

I would end the evening at the Eiffel Tower. Call me romantic, but the Eiffel Tower melts even the most cynical of hearts.

Paris is  divided into twenty arrondissements. If you only have one day in Paris explore two  surrounding arrondissements because you don’t want to spend a lot of time traveling from one area to the next.  You will just have to make another trip to explore more of this beautiful city of love.

Paris jetaime

Photo Credit: Andrew Swaine

Published by Nikki

58 thoughts on “One day in Paris”

    • Nikki says:

      Thank you Violette ?. It was our first trip to Paris and we had the best time. We enjoyed the historic and charm of the 6th arrondissement which I know is your favorite ? I took tons of pics. Will share more in another post.

    • Nikki says:

      Definitely on the cooler side Vaishali. It was between 60 – 65 when we were there with sporadic rain showers through the day for 2 days. Definitely carry a few sweaters. Have fun in Paris and safe travels! Xx

  9. Yasmin says:

    I haven’t been to Paris since I was a kid. I totally need to visit. The cafes, the chocolate, and the beautiful architecture in your post make me swoon. I would love to visit Versailles as well. Love the graphic t-shirt distressed jeans look the most! Looks like you made the most of this wonderful city.

    xx Yasmin
    http://banglesandbungalows.com

    • Nikki says:

      I’ve heard wonderful things about Versailles. Will save that for another trip. This was our first trip to Paris so we stuck with the iconic landmarks and touristy areas. Definitely worth a return Yasmin ? So much to see and do ?

    • Nikki says:

      Lol, yes I hear you girl. Andy did plan our stay around food. There was always good food close by. I think I need to do just one day on macarons on my next visit ? ?

    • Nikki says:

      Thank you so much Ester. I hope to do more exploring the next time ? ? Enjoy your week as well beautiful. Xx

    • Nikki says:

      We enjoyed every minute of it and can’t wait to go back. Thank you for stopping by Kim. Have a fab week. ?

  14. Vyom says:

    We just visited Paris a month ago and even 5 days didnt seem enough. You have so beautifully captured the essence of Paris for one day visit and your pics are beyond words. It refreshes all my memories and wanna makes me go back again. Such a splendid job Nikki. Keep travelling and keep posting. ?

    • Nikki says:

      Thank you beautiful lady. I am so glad to hear you enjoyed your stay in Paris. Your Paris Instagram posts are beautiful. Xx

    • Nikki says:

      Yes, we tried to fit in as much as we could during the time we were in Paris. So glad you like the pics. Thank you for stopping by. Xx

  20. Marieta (ootd_in_style) says:

    OMG, Nikki!!

    You are making me want to return to Paris in the summer time. I have only visited in January and would love to see the city while it is still warm and green. I agree it would be heard to see Paris in one day, but squeezing in some delicious treats while sightseeing as much as possible would be the way to go.

    I love all of your outfits too. The tee, ripped jeans, and those rocker booties are so edgy together and make up a an outfit I would love to try!

    xoxo,
    Marieta
    http://www.ootdinstyle.wordpress.com

    • Nikki says:

      Aaawwww, thank you Marieta ? I am sure Paris is just as romantic in January. I squeezed in a lot of treats, lol. When I got home my bathroom scale told me so. But it was so worth it! Hopefully we both we get to return to this beautiful city for another visit! Xx

  22. Jovita Antanovich says:

    One day in Paris is quite challenging, since I never get enough of this beautiful city! 😀 The pictures are amazing dear Nikki, I wish I could go there soon. I have never been to Angelina, thanks for sharing these beautiful photos, I will definitely check this place next time I am in Paris. Oh.. and Fête des Tuileries is one of the places I need to see as well..

    Have a great day 😉
    Jovita
    http://www.b-vanilla.com

    • Nikki says:

      Yes, the next time you are in Paris, enjoy a treat at Angelina and then go have some fun at Fête des Tuileries ? So glad you like the pics beautiful lady. Have a super week ?

  25. Rina says:

    You just took me back to my trip to Paris this past June. I also visited Angelina’s and really enjoyed a beautiful eclair from there. I also took home a bit of chocolate. I can still remember one of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at called Firmine. I think we ended up going there 3 times in 6 days lol. They had the best pizza and pasta you could imagine! Loving the outfits you wore too!

    xoxo
    Rina Samantha
    http://www.andshedressed.com

    • Nikki says:

      Ohhh, will have to check out Firmine the next time. So many great places to eat at and see. Thank you for sharing babe ?

  27. TING says:

    Love all your recommendations for one day Paris trip. I visited paris 8 years ago and this is so refreshing memory. Yes, Visiting Louvre after 3pm is a great idea. we were there around 11am and waited in line for over 80 minutes. Again you look parisian chic in every single picture! XX Ting

    • Nikki says:

      Wow, next time get the Paris Museum Pass ahead of time Ting and skip the waiting. We got the 2 day pass which lets you enter as many times as you wish, and allows you to check out 50 museums and monuments in and around Paris. Thank you for stopping by babe. Enjoy your week ?

  28. Caroline Flowers says:

    Such great tips for this post! Everything is so brilliant. I love your white lace dress, it is so beautiful and works really well with your environment. You look beautiful! Truly a magical day! I will look back at these tips before my next trip to France! Have a wonderful weekend.
    Xx Caroline
    http://www.foreverdolledup.net

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