Two banks and the Tuileries

A day in Paris — 6 stops, about 3.55 km on foot, 51 minutes walking.

A museum-heavy day along the Seine, starting with the Louvre at opening and ending on the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es end of the Tuileries. It suits anyone who wants Impressionism and older collections in one go, with a pastry break in between. About 2.5 km of walking, nearly all of it flat.

The route, in order

  1. Louvre Museum

    Opens 09:00

    Start here at opening, when the galleries are at their emptiest and you can pick a wing rather than the whole palace.

  2. 8 min walk — Head west toward Pass. de Richelieu Take the stairs

    Domaine National du Palais-Royal

    Opens 08:30

    A short walk north out of the Louvre for gardens and arcades \u2014 daylight and quiet after the crowded halls.

  3. 17 min walk — Head west on Gal de la Cr d'Honneur toward Gal de Chartres

    Musée d'Orsay

    Opens 09:30

    Cross the Seine to the other bank for the Impressionists; the old station interior is a change of scale after two palaces.

  4. 12 min walk — Head northwest on Pl. Henry de Montherlant/Quai Valéry Giscard d'Estaing toward Esp. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing Continue to follow Quai Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

    Angelina

    Opens 08:00

    Recross the river towards rue de Rivoli for hot chocolate and a Mont-Blanc, timed for the mid-afternoon dip.

  5. 9 min walk — Head northwest on Rue de Rivoli toward All. de Castiglione

    Musée de l'Orangerie

    Opens 09:00

    A few minutes into the Tuileries to the Orangerie, small and focused \u2014 the right size for a day already full of art.

  6. 5 min walk — Head northwest toward Terr. de l'Orangerie

    Place de la Concorde

    Opens 00:00

    Walk west through the garden to the obelisk and fountains; open sky and the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es ahead as the light drops.

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