Paris

Atelier des Lumières immersion

Klimt ten metres tall on every wall. Book the first slot of the day.

Canal Saint-Martin evening

Apéro on the iron footbridges as the locks fill. Paris at its most local.

Canal de l'Ourcq kayak

Paddle east from Stalingrad into the city thinning out. Rentals by the hour.

Catacombs skull tunnels

Empire of the dead, timed entry essential. Chills guaranteed.

Duck confit in Paris

Crispy skin, sarladaises potatoes, corner bistro setting.

Eiffel summit at dusk

Top of the tower as the city lights come on. Book the summit slot ahead — it sells out.

Falafel in the Marais

L'As du Fallafel line moves fast. Extra aubergine always.

Le Bon Marché food hall graze

Taste everything, buy cheese. Weekday lunch is calmest.

Le Marais gallery crawl

Small galleries, vintage shops and courtyard surprises between falafel stops.

Louvre Wednesday late opening

Mona Lisa with elbow room, Denon wing nearly empty after 6pm.

Luxembourg garden chair hour

Claim an iron chair by the pond, watch the sailboats, do gloriously nothing.

Montmartre stair climb

Rue Foyatier's 222 steps at dawn. Sacré-Cœur empty, city pink.

Musée Rodin garden hour

The Thinker outside, roses everywhere. One calm hour beats three rushed museums.

Musée d'Orsay clock view

Impressionists plus the giant clock window over Sacré-Cœur.

Opéra Garnier tour

The Phantom's chandeliered palace: grand staircase, Marc Chagall ceiling, velvet everything.

Atelier des Lumières immersion

Klimt ten metres tall on every wall. Book the first slot of the day.

Catacombs skull tunnels

Empire of the dead, timed entry essential. Chills guaranteed.

Duck confit in Paris

Crispy skin, sarladaises potatoes, corner bistro setting.

Falafel in the Marais

L'As du Fallafel line moves fast. Extra aubergine always.