A Guide to Living Your Best Parisian Life

My Perfect Day in Paris

Whether you choose to go down the tourist-slash-cliché route or find something that’s known only to the locals, there is always so much you can see and do in Paris.

After spending three weeks in the City of Love, I developed a habitual routine for visiting the places I thought were the coolest of cool. On my final day, I decided to make it the most perfect trip by seeing them all before I left.

Image credit: Jordan Turner

7AM: JARDIN DES TUILERIES

The best time to see Paris is first thing in the morning. There is nobody around and you practically have the Gardens all to yourself - it feels as though it could all be your own. Nothing quite prepares you for seeing the first golden rays of sun hit the water features, topiary, and sculptures that are artfully placed around the Tuileries. Walk around, sit by one of the fountains, read a book, and watch Paris slowly wake up.

RECOMMEND: A very Parisian thing to do would be to go for a run through the gardens at this time. You won’t regret seeing Paris this way.

9:30AM: CAFE DI FLORE

A cafe nestled in one of the most picturesque parts of Paris. Iconic green tables line the street, and every plate, saucer, cup, and glass, boast the cafe’s name. Take a table outside and people-watch as the best dressed of Paris slowly leave their Saint-Germaine apartments for work.

RECOMMEND: The omelettes here are some of the lightest and fluffiest you’ll have in Paris. If you’re dairy inclined: try the Omelette Fromage.

Image credit: Jordan Turner

11:00AM SHAKESPEARE & CO CAFE

A quaint and contemporary cafe that is situated next to one of the coolest bookstores in the world. The cafe has a different cake and pie baked daily - hopefully, by chance, you’ll be able to taste their incredible key-lime pie. This is where to go for your three-quarter full flat white that you’ve been missing from back home. Arguably the best coffee in Paris - this is where you need to go to truly satisfy your coffee cravings.

RECOMMEND: Order to stay in. You’ll get your cake and coffee on a tray with paper lining, on which you’ll find 30 philosophical and life-altering questions inspired by Marcel Proust. I folded mine up to keep - it makes incredible conversation.

Image credit: Jordan Turner

12:00PM SHAKESPEARE & CO BOOKSTORE

A stone-throw away from the Notre Dame, this bookshop is a Paris literary institution. There are ceiling-to-floor shelves in rooms - that are more like alcoves - books haphazardly stacked next to chairs, and a cat that lives there named Auggie. The Bookies say not to wake her if she’s asleep as she plays the piano located on the second floor all night.

There are daybeds upstairs that writers and artists are invited to sleep on overnight. Since the bookstores opening in 1951, there have been an estimated 30,000 literary types that have all stayed - including Ernest Hemingway and Anais Nin.

RECOMMEND: Head upstairs and meet Auggie the cat, roam the shelves, find a book to read, and write a message or poem to stick on the communal board.

Image credit: Jordan Turner

3:00PM ROOFTOP BAR

You can’t visit Paris without having a cool beverage on a rooftop overlooking the city. This petite rooftop bar located on the top floor of Printemps L’Homme in the Opera gives you a gorgeous view of the hustle and bustle of Paris while still letting you enjoy conversations with friends.

RECOMMEND: Order their best rosé and try to spot the Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe and Madeline.

Image credit: Jordan Turner

6:30PM PLACE DE LA CONTRESCARPE

This is a complete Parisian vibe. Pick a spot on one of the four street corners surrounding a small roundabout, all of which contain a bustling café at this time of the evening - sometimes two - full of people talking, and people watching.

There’s an empty water fountain in the centre of the roundabout, usually full of locals catching up on their day. Quite often there will be musicians there filling the air with sounds of beautiful live instruments for all cafes to hear.

RECOMMEND: Visit La Contrescarpe as they have a happy-hour special from 6-8pm, and sit as close to the street as possible to enjoy the scene!

Image credit: Jordan Turner

9:30PM BISTROT VICTOIRES

A sweet, local restaurant hidden away from tourist spots with witty and charming waiters who will love any bit of French you throw at them. A really affordable and tasty dinner selection that will make you want to go back every single night you have in Paris.

RECOMMEND: Try something traditionally French and have their steak tartare!