First Afternoon on the Seine

Direction
From the metro exit, walk into the main courtyard through the arch on Rue de Rivoli. The glass pyramid will be straight ahead.

See
I.M. Pei's pyramid sits oddly beautiful against the old palace wings around it. Most people photograph it from the far corner near the small inverted pyramid, which gives you the full building behind the glass.

Navi Tip
There is no charge to be in the courtyard itself, only for entering the museum, so this is a fine free stop even if you skip the collection.

Time here: 15 min

Direction
Exit the courtyard on the west side and walk straight into the gravel gardens for about 400 m.

See
A formal French garden with gravel paths, trimmed trees, and a pond where kids sail toy boats on weekends. It stretches almost to Place de la Concorde.

Navi Tip
The green metal chairs scattered around the pond are free to use, just move one where you like it.

Time here: 20 min

Direction
Cut south out of the gardens toward the river, cross at Pont Royal, and drop down the stone steps onto the lower quay.

See
From the lower path you see Paris at water level: houseboats, anglers, and the stone arches of the bridges close up rather than from above.

Navi Tip
This lower quay floods after heavy rain, so check it is dry before committing to it; if it is closed, stay on the upper street instead.

Time here: 10 min

Direction
Continue east along the riverbank for roughly 900 m until the large stone facade with the big clock appears across the road.

See
A former train station turned museum, and one of the few buildings in Paris where you can guess its old function just by looking at the roofline and the clock face.

Navi Tip
The queue moves fastest right at opening, but from outside you get the same clock photo for free any time of day.

Time here: 10 min

Direction
Cross back over the river on the pedestrian footbridge just ahead.

See
A plain iron footbridge with one of the best sightlines in the city, the Louvre on one side and the Institut de France's dome on the other.

Navi Tip
Midday sun is flat here. Come back near sunset if you want a proper photo, this crossing is just for the view now.

Time here: 10 min

Direction
From the bridge, walk onto the island and follow signs toward Notre-Dame, about 600 m along the quay and through the small streets.

See
The cathedral is still under long-term restoration work in places, but the square in front and the flying buttresses at the back are worth the detour regardless.

Navi Tip
Walk around to the small park behind the apse, Square Jean XXIII, for a quieter view than the crowded front square.

Time here: 25 min

Direction
Cross Pont au Double onto the Left Bank, then it is right there facing the cathedral.

See
A small, crowded English-language bookshop with a long literary history. Even if you do not buy anything, it is worth stepping inside for a minute.

Navi Tip
It gets genuinely packed after 11:00. Early morning or late afternoon is calmer if you want to browse properly.

Time here: 15 min

Direction
Walk south into the tangle of small streets behind the bookshop for a few blocks.

See
One of the oldest surviving medieval streets on the Left Bank, now full of small Greek and Lebanese restaurants with staff calling out menus.

Navi Tip
Prices here are aimed at tourists. Fine for a quick bite, but save a proper meal for a street one block further from the river.

Time here: 20 min

Direction
Follow the crowd noise back toward the river, about 200 m, to the large fountain square.

See
A dramatic bronze fountain of Saint Michael fighting a dragon, and a long-standing meeting point for locals. From here the Latin Quarter spreads uphill behind you.

Navi Tip
The steps around the fountain are a good sit-down spot to finish, and there is a metro station right underneath if your feet are done.

Time here: 15 min