Paris For The Weekend

Paris is a city packed with wonderful things to see and do. There may be a temptation to spend the trip in a cafe letting the French way of life wash over you, but it would be a shame to miss such treasures. Here are the best of the city's must-dos. Energetic sightseers should manage everything on these itineraries, but this selection can also be dipped into for ideas. All are reachable by public transport. Price guides are for two adults, excluding meals.

Retail Therapy

• Buy foody treats at Le Bon Marché
• Lunch at a top department store restaurant
• Drinks and dinner at Kong

Two adults allow at least €25.

Morning

One-stop shops for gourmets and gluttons include Fauchon, Hediard and La Grande Epicerie at Le Bon Marché. In fact, anything that is edible - as long as it's delicious - can be found here. Specialist shops include Poilâne for bread, Richart for chocolate, Legrand for wine and Pierre Hermé for cakes. Or head down the Rue Mouffetard, one of the city's best market streets.

Lunch

Shopaholics can eat in one of the main department stores. The World Bar at Au Printemps , designed by Paul Smith, is a super-cool eatery, for example. The surrounding area is a busy shopping and eating hub, so you can combine the two with no difficulty.

Afternoon

Either shop on till you drop, or go esoteric and visit the Musée de la Mode at the Louvre; a true temple to fashion, dedicated to beautiful clothes and accessories. Boutique lovers should go to Claudie Pierlot, Agnes B, Isabelle Marant, Vanessa Bruno.

Evening

Head for restorative drinks and dinner at Kong on top of Kenzo’s flagship store and fashion shrine.

The Great Outdoors

• Boat trip on the Seine
• Lunch on the Rue de Rivoli
• A walk to Luxembourg Garden
• Take a balloon ride

Two adults allow at least €65.

Morning

For today’s trip the metro is banned, so instead take the hop-on-hop-off bateaubus up the Seine. The first "stop" is near the Eiffel Tower so a quick look around the Champ-de-Mars underneath Gustave Eiffel's monument is recommended. Continue on the bateaubus to the Louvre stop, jump off and wander around the Jardin des Tuileries.

Lunch

The tea salon Angélina is a cut above other cafés on Rue de Rivoli. Leave space for the famous Mont Blanc cake of chestnut purée and cream.

Afternoon

Reboard the boat and head up to Notre-Dame, then it's a good walk down the Boulevard St Michel to the Jardin du Luxembourg. There's lots to see - chess tables, beehives and donkey rides - and the Musée du Luxembourg , which hosts blockbuster shows. For a final blast of fresh air, cross the city to the Parc André Citroën and take a tethered balloon ride.

Photos © Paris Tourist Office - Jacques Lebar/Alain Potignon/David Lefranc

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