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Upon Arrival: Paris

However exciting it may be to have reached your destination, the first day of a trip can be taxing. Long flights are tiring, and hotels don’t always have rooms ready for check-in before mid-afternoon. Few travelers care to leap into their trip bleary-eyed, embarking on a full-day excursion, nor do they want to waste the day completely. In the spirit of finding a happy medium, we have outlined an ideal arrival day in Paris, depending on where you are staying.

Contact Indagare for assistance planning a trip to Paris. Our specialists can book you at the property that is right for you, plan seamless travel transfers and arrange great activities, meals and special experiences.

Hotel: Hotel Le Bristol or La Réserve

  • Late Breakfast: Enjoy a lovely breakfast at your hotel (in the gardens, if weather permits)
  • Restore: Take a dip in Le Bristol's rooftop pool or La Réserve's subterranean one
  • Perfect Lunch: Have a bite at Le Camondo, the restaurant at the Nissim de Camondo museum, which is renowned for its collection of decorative arts.
  • Culture Moment: Walk to the nearby jewel of a museum, Musée Jacquemart André.
  • Shop Around: Hit the designer stores on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
  • Caffeinate: Stop into classic tea salon Ladurée for a sweet treat and coffee or tea
  • Lovely Stroll: Discover the impressive gardens and beautiful colonnade at nearby Parc Monceau

Hotel: Ritz Paris or Le Meurice or Hôtel de Crillon

  • Late Breakfast: Take in the grandeur of your hotel’s dining room over a quiet breakfast
  • Restore: Stretch out on a deck chair at Le Meurice's Spa Valmont or go for a swim in the Ritz or Crillon's beautiful pools
  • Perfect Lunch: Settle into Parisian life at classic restaurant Le Soufflé.
  • Culture Moment: Take in just one exhibit at the sprawling Musée du Louvre.
  • Shop Around: Pop into Rue Saint-Honoré’s many boutiques, including the Louis Vuitton flagship store, which has great contemporary art exhibitions
  • Caffeinate: Stop for a sweet and pick-me-up at the iconic Ladurée or Angelina (but beware of crowds)
  • Lovely Stroll: Lose yourself in the magical Tuileries gardens.

Hotel: Hôtel Lutetia

  • Late Breakfast: Enjoy a post-flight breakfast (not to mention excellent people watching) at the historic Café de Flore, which serves the world’s best club sandwich and a great omelette et salade.
  • Restore: Relax at the hotel's Akasha Spa, which has a serene pool and offers pampering treatments.
  • Perfect Lunch: Pop into Aux Prés, a jewel box of a restaurant from famed French chef Cyril Lignac that serves delicious international fare like crispy salmon rice and caramelized eggplant with miso.
  • Culture Moment: Step into the nearby Saint-Sulpice, one of the lovelier small churches in Paris.
  • Shop Around: Check out the ridiculously charming Rue de Seine, littered with small galleries and boutiques, and Le Bon Marché, the oldest department store in Paris and a must-visit for fashion lovers.
  • Caffeinate: Post up at buzzy old-time Saint Germain bistro, La Palette.
  • Lovely Stroll: Go for a walk en plein air at the exquisite Jardin du Luxembourg.

Hotel: Hotel Plaza Athenée

  • Late Breakfast: Order scrambled eggs in the hotel's iconic red geranium–filled garden.
  • Restore: Book a massage under twinkling ceiling lights at the hotel’s Dior Institut.
  • Perfect Lunch: Eat delicious Middle Eastern fusion at the uber-stylish Shirvan.
  • Culture Moment: Check out what’s on at Grand Palais or get inspired at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, which is dedicated to the late fashion designer (buy tickets ahead of time).
  • Shop Around: Stop into some of the many high fashion boutiques on Avenue Montaigne. Don’t miss the home boutique at Christian Dior.
  • Caffeinate: Nothing beats high tea in the hotel's La Galerie.
  • Lovely Stroll: Take the 20-minute walk to the L’Arc de Triomphe

Hotel: Pavillon de la Reine

  • Late Breakfast: Take in the charm of Places des Vosges from a table at famous tea salon, Carette.
  • Restore: Check out Les Bains du Marais for a classic hammam experience.
  • Perfect Lunch: Head to Breizh Café for crêpes or the über-stylish Carbon for Argentinian cuisine.
  • Culture Moment: Visit the beautifully renovated Musée Picasso.
  • Shop Around: Meander down the storied boutique-filled street, Rue Vieille du Temple.
  • Caffeinate: Stop into the charming teashop and café, the Mariage Frères.
  • Lovely Stroll: Every street in the Marais is picturesque, but if you want to venture further, arrange for a private boat ride along La Seine—it’s the best way to take in the splendor of the city.
Contact Indagare for assistance planning a trip to Paris. Our specialists can book you at the property that is right for you, plan seamless travel transfers and arrange great activities, meals and special experiences.

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