With Sam Bhandari | Trips With Sam
Paris Day 5 :
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Morning – The Intellectual Heart of Paris
My final full day began with breakfast at Café Verlet, a historic roastery just steps from The Westin Paris – Vendôme. The scent of freshly ground beans and the calm morning rhythm of Rue Saint-Honoré made it an inspiring start.
I then made my way to the Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement) — the city’s bohemian soul and the home of centuries of art, philosophy, and romance. The Panthéon stood proud on the hill, its neoclassical dome guarding the tombs of France’s greatest thinkers — Voltaire, Rousseau, and Marie Curie.
Optional Morning Stops:
• Luxembourg Gardens – Fountains, statues, and a touch of royal serenity.
• Sorbonne University – The timeless center of French intellect.
• Rue Mouffetard Market – Colorful local stalls with cheeses and fresh flowers.
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Afternoon – Art, Bridges & the Soul of the Seine
After a light lunch at Les Deux Magots — the legendary Saint-Germain café once frequented by Hemingway and Picasso — I headed to the Musée d’Orsay (7th Arrondissement). Inside this former railway station, Monet’s water lilies and Degas’ dancers glowed in the golden afternoon light.
Crossing the Pont des Arts, I stopped to browse the bouquinistes — old bookstalls that line the Seine — each one filled with vintage Parisian prints, postcards, and poetry.
Sweet Pause:
• Carette at Place des Vosges — for a Parisian pastry and people-watching in one of the city’s oldest squares.
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Evening – Michelin Dining & A Twilight Cruise
For my last night in Paris, I wanted something extraordinary — the kind of dinner that captures Paris’s essence in every detail.
I chose Le Gabriel (2 Michelin Stars) at La Réserve Paris, an intimate sanctuary near the Champs-Élysées. Chef Jérôme Banctel’s artistry blends classical French with seasonal innovation — think blue lobster with citrus, or truffle-laced foie gras. The experience was more than dinner — it was poetry on a plate.
Alternative fine-dining picks:
• L’Arpège (3 Michelin Stars) – Chef Alain Passard’s vegetable-driven haute cuisine, creative and soulful.
• Le Clarence (2 Michelin Stars) – Set in a historic mansion, offering refined French gastronomy with wine pairings that surprise you in every sip.
If you prefer a more relaxed yet scenic farewell, Chez Bernard by the Seine remains a beautiful option — chic, modern, and full of life.
After dinner, I took a Bateaux Parisiens evening cruise from Port de la Bourdonnais. The city glowed under the stars — the bridges, the Louvre, and finally, the Eiffel Tower sparkling like a final curtain call.
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Where I Ate & Drank:
• Breakfast: Café Verlet (1st)
• Lunch: Les Deux Magots (6th)
• Dinner: Le Gabriel (8th) or Chez Bernard (Seine Riverside)
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Hidden Gems:
• Rue Mouffetard Market – Parisian street life at its most authentic.
• Pont des Arts – The bridge where time slows down.
• Bouquinistes – Vintage books and romantic keepsakes.
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Transport Tips:
• Metro Line 4 – For Latin Quarter & Panthéon.
• Metro Line 12 – For Musée d’Orsay.
• Seine Cruise – Port de la Bourdonnais (near Eiffel Tower).
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Tip:
Your last night deserves a little magic — don’t rush it. Paris always rewards those who linger. ✨to be continued……..
