Day 1 · Wednesday — Arrival in central Paris and the Seine landmarks
Easy first look at the historic core, grand boulevards and river views
5 stops€40 in stops, for two
Morning
- 09:00
Settle into the Opéra / Madeleine area
Check in or leave bags, then orient yourself around the wide boulevards and metro links in central Paris.
€0
TIPKeep the first outing flexible and carry a light layer for the evening by the river.
- 10:30
Walk the Tuileries Garden
This formal garden opens the trip with broad gravel paths, clipped trees, fountains and classic views stretching toward the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. It is one of the easiest places to settle into the rhythm of Paris while seeing how its royal and civic spaces connect.
Free
TIPThe green metal chairs are perfect for a short rest if jet lag hits early.
Afternoon
- 12:30
Lunch around Rue de Rivoli
This central stretch has brasseries, cafés and casual counters that make an easy first meal near major sights. The atmosphere is lively throughout the day, with steady local and visitor traffic and plenty of options for a relaxed sit-down lunch.
€20 per person
TIPMany cafés offer a better-value fixed lunch menu before mid-afternoon.
- 14:15
Stroll Île de la Cité and the Seine quays
The island and its riverbanks gather together some of the city’s oldest streets, stone embankments and postcard views. A slow walk here gives a strong sense of Parisian geography, with bridges, bookstalls and waterside perspectives unfolding every few minutes.
Free
TIPPause on the bridges for the best wide-angle photos toward the river bends.
Evening
- 17:15
Browse Saint-Germain-des-Prés
This Left Bank quarter is a gentle introduction to Parisian café culture, elegant side streets and bookish old-world charm. It is ideal for an unhurried wander, with handsome facades, intimate lanes and plenty of places to stop for coffee or a glass of wine.
Free
TIPSmall streets just off the main boulevard are the most pleasant for wandering.
- 19:30
Evening walk along the Seine near Pont Neuf
As daylight fades, the riverfront becomes one of Paris’s most atmospheric places, with bridges lighting up and the water reflecting the stone facades. It is a simple, memorable first-night outing that lets the city reveal itself at a slower pace.
Free
TIPBring a phone charger or power bank if you plan to linger for night photos.