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Sunrise

Golden Light on the Hôtel de Ville

Watch the morning sun ignite the roofs of Paris' town hall before the city fully wakes.

Best time: 15 JanuaryAbout 90 min

Timeline

  1. 15:44

    Marché aux fleurs Reine-Elizabeth-II

    Pick up a coffee or pastry at the flower market while the air is still cool and the stalls are fresh.

  2. 16:09

    Le Relais de l'Hôtel de Ville

    Walk to the café Le Relais de l'Hôtel de Ville. Find a seat with a view toward the WSW to watch the light change on the Hôtel de Ville's towers.

  3. 16:29

    Le Relais de l'Hôtel de Ville

    Enjoy the moment. The golden light hits the Hôtel de Ville's roofs and towers, creating a striking contrast against the sky.

  4. 16:59

    Shakespeare and Co.

    Head to Shakespeare and Co. to browse the eccentric, rambling floors of books now that it is open for the day.

Local tip

The golden light starts at 16:29 on 15 January, but the early morning golden hour around sunrise offers a softer, quieter atmosphere for your coffee.

Check before you go

  • Shakespeare and Co. opens at 12:00. If you visit before noon, the shop will be closed. Consider swapping the bookshop step for a different breakfast spot if you arrive earlier, or time your visit to arrive just after 12:00.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Paris (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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