Paris for one day
We're flying into Paris in July and will have just one night before heading to Nice and Provence for the rest of our trip. We'll also spend our final night in Paris before flying home.
This will be my first time visiting Paris. My husband and I love discovering places that feel authentic and local, we're big foodies and generally try to avoid tourist traps. That said, I'd love to see the Eiffel Tower. With our limited time, I'm not sure whether it's best to go up it, take a cruise to see it from the Seine, or simply admire it from the ground and enjoy some photo opportunities.
We've already decided to skip the Louvre, and while the Musée d'Orsay was on my list, I think I'd rather spend our time wandering Paris, lingering over wine at cafés, doing a little shopping, and soaking up the atmosphere. My husband is especially excited to visit a vinyl record shop in the Saint-Ouen flea market.
We tend to prefer boutique hotels—something with a little character and Parisian charm, though a touch of modern style is always welcome. My husband has been reading about Le Marais and thinks it might be the perfect neighborhood for us: charming, walkable, central, and not overwhelmingly touristy.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on where to stay, what not to miss, and how you'd spend a memorable first day in Paris given our interests.