4. Next, head north-east for Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés on foot or via taxi. Then, stroll this delightful avenue where all of Paris passes by. You’ll find some of the most famous literary cafés along the way like Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. Many creatives frequented these places including Ernest Hemingway, Jean-Paul Sartre, Pablo Picasso, and James Joyce. Take a photo or stop for coffee if you need a boost; I wouldn’t recommend the food, however, as it is mediocre these days; but the people watching is divine.
5. Wander (or take a taxi) further east on Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés until you see Boulevard Saint Michel. Head south. Go a few blocks until you see Rue Soufflot and turn east. Here you’ll see the magnificent Pantheon standing before you. Inside this marble-
domed former church are some of the most exquisite statues in Paris. Down below are the tombs of such legends as Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Madame Curie, and Émile Zola. Be sure to go to the end of the chamber where there is a delightful room with a video detailing the history of the building and its famous residents.
6. Be sure to have a reservation at Bistro L’Estrapade nearby. (Call first to reserve since seating is limited.) This is one of the finest tiny bistros in Paris. The chef’s menu is always superb and the staff are charming.
7. After dinner, wander further south into the Latin Quarter to see more of Old Paris. Or head north and finish your evening at the River Seine, gazing at Notre Dame. You’ll find many cafés and bars open for an after-dinner apéritif or in meandering avenues off the Seine. The lights are dazzling, and the boats drifting up and down the Seine make for magical photography!