Timeline
08:00
Grab a coffee at Café de Flore. This legendary spot was the favored haunt of Surrealists and Existentialists in the mid-20th century. The interior still attracts an artistic crowd, and it serves breakfast early enough to start your day right.
08:15
Walk to Shakespeare and Co. Just a short stroll away, this eccentric bookstore has been crammed with books since 1951. Wander through the three rambling floors of new and second-hand titles in a space that feels suspended in time.
08:30
Visit Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois. This Gothic church was the parish church of the kings of France. While it played a gruesome part in history with the bell that launched the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, today it is a peaceful, active parish church open to the public.
08:50
Head to the Centre Georges Pompidou. Located a short walk east, this iconic building houses a vast collection of modern art. Note that the center closed its doors in 2025 for major renovations expected to last until 2030, so check if the exterior or surrounding area is accessible for your preferred view.
09:20
End your morning at Les Deux Magots. Situated right next door to Café de Flore, this literary café was a regular spot for Sartre and Hemingway. It confirms its prestigious connections with an annual book prize, making it the perfect place to linger over a final drink or digest your thoughts.
Local tip
The literary cafés are busiest in the late morning. Arriving early, around 08:00, helps you secure a seat without waiting in the queue that often forms later.
Check before you go
- Café de Flore is open from 07:30 daily.
- Les Deux Magots is open from 07:30 daily.
- The Centre Georges Pompidou is currently closed for renovation until 2030.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Paris (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).