Today I want to share my guide to a 6-hour layover in Paris with you. There’s a lot to do and see in the French capital on a layover, and here’s how I chose to spend mine.
6-Hour Layover in Paris
I was modeling at a photography workshop in the French countryside last week. It was everything I could have wanted in a five-day photo shoot, except that it didn’t involve any time in Paris.
Since I’m completely unable to travel to France without stopping in my favorite city in the world, I scheduled a long layover in the City of Light en route from London to Poitiers.
Things to Do in Paris
On Sunday morning I hopped on the Eurostar at St Pancras. After discovering I’d been mysteriously upgraded, I spent the trip watching the yellow pools of tiny mustard flowers out the window of the train.
I arrived in Paris around noon, the perfect time to start doing my favorite Parisian activity: eating.
The fact that it was a Sunday complicated things a bit, but I managed to compile a list of new-to-me dining establishments in Paris that were open for lunch on Sundays.
The first stop on my 6-hour layover in Paris was Le Marche Couvert Saint-Quentin, a large covered market near the Gare du Nord.
I’d read good things about the food there, but upon entering the dimly-lit building I found the interior a bit depressing.
Add to that the backpack and heavy bag I was carrying around with me, and I was in need of a place where I could sit down to eat.
Moving on, I headed towards Rue des Martyrs, one of my favorite foodie streets in Paris. After stumbling upon a random market selling what looked like old cinema equipment, I made my way south down to a cafe.
Jutting out from the tiny facade were small wooden tables that were perfect for lunch and people-watching.
My meal was good, but not amazing, so afterwards I walked a few blocks to a place I knew would have excellent food: Arnaud Delmontel patisserie.
Well aware that I had a week a modeling work ahead of me, I bought just one chocolate macaron, savoring every tiny bite as I made my way to the metro.
The next stop on my 6-hour layover in Paris was St Germain, where again my back was in need of a break. I stopped by Les Editeurs, one of my favorite cafes in Paris, where I drank a pot of Mariage Freres Earl Grey.
While sipping, I finished re-reading The Remains of the Day, a book I haven’t read since high school, and which I got much more out of after living in England.
Once my tea was gone, the next stop on my 6-hour layover in Paris was the Jardin du Luxembourg, one of my favorite Paris landmarks. I schlepped my bags over to the garden for some more reading and relaxing.
Seemingly all of Paris had the same idea, and it took a while to find an empty chair among the throngs of people reading, sunbathing, and chatting.
When it was time to head to the Gare Montparnasse for my train to Poitiers, I gathered up my bags once again and made my way to the Boulevard du Montparnasse.
The neon-signed cafes were bustling with people enjoying the sunshine and sipping their cafes au lait.
With a bit of time to spare before my train, I spent the last of my Paris layover taking a stroll through the art stalls at the open-air Marche de la Creation, then through a small food market right outside the Gare Montparnasse.
6-Hour Layover in Paris: The Verdict
When it was finally time to go, I printed my tickets, got on the train to Poitiers, and waved good-bye to my Parisian afternoon.
I hadn’t had nearly enough time to hit all my favorite spots, but my 6-hour layover in Paris was sufficient to hold me over until next time.
Besides, I was so excited for the week in Poitiers it was hard to be too sad about leaving Paris for a while.
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