- stephenjrountree
Walkable Paris: A Day around The Louvre.
Updated: Aug 28, 2022

Trail-Stop One: Hot Chocolate at Angelina with Views of Paris.

Inside the Louvre, break off from the stampede herding toward the Mona Lisa and follow the signs for Cafe Angelina, or ask the good people who work there for directions.

Ask to sit outside, because Coco Chanel was a regular at cafe Angelina, and now that they have one in the Louvre, order hot chocolate with her and while you look out over the Tuileries Garden and the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

The food here is good and you should eat here, but the hot chocolate and the views are stunning, and worth the wait in the Louvre’s long line. This is why you didn't worry about breakfast and got here first thing when the line was short.
Trail Stop Two: The Actual Museum Part of the Louvre.
Once you're full and fueled with hot chocolate and a delicious bass, and maybe a little rose wine, it's now proper to browse the art at the Louvre. My suggestion is to do the grande gallery first, because let's face it, even though there will be six hundred people between you and the art, it's the reason you came to the Louvre. Then, pick two other exhibits, and get the hell out of this place, because a certain somebody named Paris is waiting outside to spend time with you again.
Trail Stop Three: The Palais Royal.

Outside of the louvre, stroll the Tuileries gardens and actually the ferris wheel is a lot of fun and with great views.

I, however, after the mob of the Louvre, am desperate for peace and quiet. So skip the Tuileries and take a hard right out of the exit doors of the Louvre and head north and cross Rue de Rivoli. Then take a quick right on Rue Saint Honore, and then a quick left on Rue de Valois, and then you're pretty much at Le Palais Royal and its quiet and relaxing garden. There is hardly anyone here on most occasions, except for those in the know.

The garden of Palais Royal is a rectangle that is surrounded by delicious restaurants of your choosing tucked into pretty much every corner bordering this quite post-mob oasis. Under the trees here is a perfect place to eat and to catch up with Paris, who has been waiting patiently for your return from the Louvre.
