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A Perfect Day in Paris
There was something unspoken in the early light as I arrived in Paris—a subtle tension just beneath the city’s sparkling surface, promising surprises yet to come. After an overnight bus from London, I arrived at Quai de Bercy in Paris before dawn. The bus station was full of travelers leaving Paris, but the surrounding area was shadowy and quiet, not the most inviting spot for a solo traveler at 6 a.m. Undaunted, I was looking for a perfect day in Paris before I headed home to Canada.
My son had insisted it was a short 15-minute walk to Gare de Lyon, but the area felt a bit questionable in the early dark hours. As I hesitated by the exit, I spotted a young woman who’d also been on my bus—a mom from Liverpool coming to Paris for the day to attend a protest. Sensing we both felt uneasy, I asked if we could cross the park together, and she gladly agreed. Sometimes, joining forces as solo travelers is the smartest move.
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As we walked and chatted, I offered to show her around if she was interested. No real plan, but I’m no stranger to the City of Light; I lived here forty years ago (and visited a few more times) and still carry a few Paris secrets in my pocket. My new companion graciously accepted, and so our perfect Paris adventure began as we made our way to Gare de Lyon to store my luggage and find a good coffee to launch the day.
My son, back in Canada, had found out that on the first Sunday of every month, many of the major public museums in Paris (owned or operated by the municipality or national government) are free to enter. Gems like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée Cluny, and Petit Palais all participate—check in advance, as big names often require reservations during high-demand periods (we learned the hard way: we missed out on Musée d’Orsay this time). Next time, I’ll plan ahead to make the most of this Parisian perk.
Getting Around Like a Local
Our first task of the day was to buy a day pass for Paris’s public transit. For €12 (plus €2 for the Navigo Easy card), you can ride as much as you want on to buses, the legendary Metro, and the far-reaching RER trains. From Bercy metro station, we headed to Gare de Lyon, where my first stop was the opulent Le Train Bleu. Even if you’re not splurging on haute cuisine, a good coffee (yes, it’s €7—but the gilded Belle Époque setting is worth every cent) sets the perfect Parisian tone.
After getting lost a few times in this massive train and metro station, I was finally able to ditch my luggage and head off on a tour of Paris. My absolute favourite way to see Paris in motion—the #72 bus. This route is an unsung hero for visitors, gliding from Gare de Lyon all the way out to the foot of the Trocadéro and beyond.
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It’s not just a commute for local Parisians; it’s a sightseeing tour for the price of a city bus ticket. Along the way: Rue de Rivoli, glittering with iconic shops; views of the Louvre and Tuileries Gardens; Place de la Concorde’s magnificent fountains, and glimpses up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. You’ll pass the understated (but oldest!) Pont Neuf and the truly stunning Pont Alexandre III, with its Art Nouveau lamps and gilded statues. You’ll also catch glimpses of the Conciergerie, Petit Palais, Palais de la Découverte, and Palais de Tokyo. Many of these museums were on the ‘free entry’ list’. We got off at Pont d’Iéna, the bridge at the base of the Eiffel Tower, and at the foot of the Place de Trocadero. This is no ordinary bus route and remains my favourite way to spend a day in Paris.
Savouring the Sights, Skipping the Lines
We lingered near the Eiffel Tower (note: these days, even the grounds require a ticket for access). With time and budget tight, we admired the metallic marvel from the outside and ambled through the Champs de Mars, heading toward the golden dome of Les Invalides—home to Napoleon’s tomb.
We opted to return to the centre of the city and took a quick bus ride east to the Île de la Cité for views of Hôtel de Ville and the reborn Notre-Dame Cathedral. The lines were daunting (a note for future me: go early, and go straight there!), so we skipped the wait and instead wandered over the bridge to the famous Shakespeare & Co. bookstore—closed Sundays, but always worth seeing in person.
Determined to see at least one free museum, we wandered past the Sorbonne and headed to Musée Cluny. If you love medieval history, tapestry, or secret-quiet museums, Cluny is a must. Housed in a 15th-century Gothic abbey, it holds the world-famous Tapisseries de la Dame à la Licorne (The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries) and centuries of French history under vaulted stone ceilings. It has been renovated since I last visited, so it was like discovering a whole new museum!
As we were approaching midday, we took advantage of the facilities (they are few and far between and public toilets are a pay-for-use deal). We continued towards the next large transit hub – she caught a bus going to Porte de Versailles.
People-Watching, Treasure-Hunting, and a Taste of Parisian Tradition
After the Cluny, we went separate ways—my friend to a meeting, me toward a much-needed pause in the Luxembourg Gardens. There’s nothing quite like sinking into a green metal chair, watching kids launch model sailboats on the pond, as locals pose, chat, and let the afternoon drift by.
Hunger hit, and I craved classic Paris comfort food. Enter the bouillon—these bustling, historic restaurants are beloved for inexpensive, hearty French fare served with brisk efficiency. Bouillons cater to everyone from students to seniors, offering steak-frites or pot-au-feu without sticker shock. For Parisians, it’s a taste of tradition and nostalgia with every meal. I found the nearest one to my location—Bouillon de l’Ile—in search of an inexpensive traditional meal.
Serendipity struck in the form of a sprawling marché aux puces (flea market) en route. I strolled rows of stalls, losing myself among scarves, silver, quirky brooches, and old books. A battered, butter-soft Longchamp satchel called my name—forty euros for the find of the trip (a little TLC will see it right). I snagged earrings, eyed vintage scarves, and talked myself out of a bold paisley tie my husband might have hated. Maybe.
Every great Paris day should end with a surprise: mine was a full-blown Valentino fashion show held at the Arab World Institute. There were paparazzi, police, fans, the works, all waiting for the celebrities to arrive. I only learned later that Lana del Rey, Coleman Domingo, and Pamela Anderson were among the stars inside!
Wrapping Up With One More Look
I walked right by with thoughts of good food and a better look at my flea market score as I headed to Bouillon de L’Île. After a delicious late lunch (under €25, another unbeatable bouillon deal), I detoured back toward Notre-Dame hoping for a late afternoon visit, but alas, it was still mobbed – not a good day in Paris to see Notre Dame! I hopped on a bus and retrieved my luggage at Gare de Lyon and began the trek north to my airport hotel at Charles de Gaulle.
Ninety minutes later, I checked in and hunkered down for the night. I was exhausted, with little sleep on the eight-hour bus ride and walking almost 15 km that day; all I wanted was a long, hot shower. I repacked, crashed, and woke the next morning with plenty of time for pain au chocolat and coffee from Monoprix (IYKYK) and a smooth airport run. One day in Paris, but a full trip’s worth of new stories.
I will not soon forget my completely unplanned, unstructured day in Paris. There are few things I would change; the luck of free admission to a museum, coming across a large flea market, and enjoying the long walk through the Luxembourg Gardens was magical. If you have just one day in Paris, follow the locals, embrace a little flexibility, and always—always—leave room for the unexpected. Next time, that Musée d’Orsay ticket will be mine.
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