Let's Plan a Trip to Paris

Let's Plan a Trip to Paris

Lesson #5 (last lesson)

Day 9: Easy to Evolution

Morning

Have a chill morning. In good weather, go to the Paris Plages for Seine River urban beach-combing, take a bicycle tour or stroll the Latin Quarter. In poor weather, make tracks to the industrial-design-themed Musée des Arts et Métiers (60 Rue Réaumur, Metro: Arts et Métiers.

Afternoon

After lunch, proceed to the Natural History Museum’s Gallery of Evolution (57 Rue Cuvier, Metro: Jussieu). You’ve never seen a stuffed animal collection like this one. It’s a solid two-hour visit and literal jaw-dropper.

Evening

From the museum, go left on Rue Cuvier until it dead ends at Rue Linne. Take a quick left on Rue Linne, followed by a quick right on Rue Lacépède. Follow this road to Place de la Contrescarpe, a circle surrounded by bustling restaurants and cafes. Go left on to Rue Mouffetard, a classic Parisian market street that was originally a Roman road. Pick a cafe or brasserie with an ambience and menu to your liking.

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Day 10: Meandering Montmartre

Morning

From Blanche Metro station in Montmartre, take a picture in front of the Moulin Rouge’s iconic windmill. Then walk up, and I do mean up, Rue Lepic until it hits Rue des Abbesses. Take a right. Get baguette sandwiches for lunch and pains au chocolat for now at Grenier à Pain – arrive by 8am. Yes, there will be a line. Yes, it’s worth the wait.

Devour those ridiculously tasty pains while walking down Rue des Abbesses. Cross through Place des Abbesses to Rue Yronne le Tac, continue to Rue Tardieu and on to Place Saint-Pierre. Ride the funicular (spare Metro tickets work) up the hill to just below Sacré-Cœur.

At the gleaming white basilica that’s been lingering in the distance your whole trip, tour the interior, then line up for the dome climb, located down the stairs to the left of the main entrance.

Afternoon

Enjoy the epic view and eat your sandwiches – made with baguettes named the best in Paris in 2015 – on the steps in front of Sacré-Cœur.

Take touristy, meandering backstreets down – first back past Sacré-Cœur then left at Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, left at Rue du Mont Cenis and right at Rue Norvins toward world-famous Place du Tertre (peruse paintings, have a drink) before descending Rue du Calvaire. Explore Montmartre’s side streets. Shop. Get lost. Head back to Place des Abbesses to ride the carousel.

Evening

Eventually make your way back to Rue Lepic – where it makes a big dog-leg turn – for dinner atLa Mandigotte (68 Rue Lepic), an authentic haven in Montmartre’s touristy restaurant scene. Return to Blanche station for the Metro home.

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