Wandering Paris Alone: Attending That Flowing Feast in a Day

Text & Photos /Happy Moments of Life in the UK

The €65 round-trip Eurostar deal kept popping up in my email, tempting me to go out and explore. Finally, I couldn’t resist and clicked on a date. With no plans, I set off alone to wander Paris.

The weather wasn’t on my side—rain had been falling for days. But since I wasn’t there for work, just to unwind, I told myself to go with the flow.

I put on my rain boots, slung my backpack and camera over my shoulder, and hopped on the first morning metro to St. Pancras to catch the Eurostar. Allot about 45–50 minutes for customs and security here—it’s much less hassle than airport checks. After clearing immigration, it won’t be long before you board. It feels like a magic portal; before you know it, the Parisian sky appears outside the window.

I arrived in Paris a little after nine in the morning. I deliberately lingered at Gare du Nord because I love watching the comings and goings of reunions and farewells here, and I also enjoy the traditional flip-board train schedule. Sadly, this time, they’ve all been replaced by modern LCD screens. I suddenly felt a bit sentimental—not even getting a proper goodbye.

I couldn’t stay too long. At the ticket booth downstairs, I bought a €7 day pass and began this flowing feast. After checking the route I needed, I promptly stashed the metro map in my pocket to avoid looking too much like a tourist and attracting pickpockets.

My first stop was the Louvre. As I exited the metro station, there was no bright sunshine to greet me—only gray, drizzling rain. The crowds weren’t too thick, and the rain added a moody charm. I followed the signs to the museum entrance. The air was cool and damp, and the city felt quiet, almost introspective.

After visiting this “elderly gentleman,” I suddenly decided to wander the alleys near the Palais Garnier to find the beautiful Paris Library. My rain boots splashed through puddles as I strolled down cobblestone lanes, feeling as if I’d stumbled into the midday break of Parisian office workers. Men in suits wandered the alleys filled with Japanese restaurants, hunting for lunch, and I couldn’t help but join them, warming my cold winter stomach with a ramen and gyoza set. After a hearty meal, I continued my rainy stroll through Paris.

One cobblestone alley led to another, and suddenly I found myself at the Palais Royal. The tree-lined paths I remembered from summer visits, which felt like time tunnels, had shed their leaves and stood bare and solitary this season. There was an added touch of loneliness and desolation that suited my mood perfectly. The Palais Royal lacks the “touristy vibe” of the Louvre and is more of a quiet spot for Parisians to stroll and date. Couples sneak out for midday rendezvous, and elderly gentlemen dressed as if they stepped out of the 1950s walk their dogs. The Palais Royal showcases the leisurely side of Parisian life.

After wandering the palace paths and getting lost in the charming side streets for a while, I finally found the Paris Library. Unfortunately, my camera drew attention at the entrance—no photography allowed. I could only commit the grand, round, ancient book house to memory.

Emerging from the alleys, the Palais Garnier stood majestically in the middle of the road, unmoved by wind or rain, like a sentinel. The opera house’s corridors are intricately carved, gleaming with gold. If I weren’t chasing sunset and sights, I could easily indulge my inner princess complex inside.

I hopped back on the metro to the Eiffel Tower station. This time, I got off at Bir-Hakeim, where I could leisurely stroll past the filming location of *Inception* on this quiet afternoon. With no expectations, I simply enjoyed walking at my own pace.

When I stepped off the metro, the rain had stopped. The sky was heavy with thick clouds, making the Eiffel Tower behind them look even more majestic—as if a great figure were about to emerge. The post-rain streets were quiet, with only a few Parisians around. It was the perfect calm for a one-on-one date with the city.

Walking along the riverside path toward the Eiffel Tower, the “master” of this area, a French person actually asked me for directions—in French. That made three people today. I must have blended in as a Parisian quite well. The upside is that it makes you less of a target for pickpockets. Besides dressing like a local, staying calm and avoiding holding a map are also key.

The Eiffel Tower after the rain shimmered mesmerizingly. Perhaps it was the added depth of melancholy. In front of it, you can quietly release everything on your mind. Maybe it’s because everyone can’t take their eyes off this “elderly gentleman,” but even in a crowd, it feels like you have your own little world—just for the two of you—to chat freely.

I hopped back on the metro, heading to the next stop. When I emerged from the Champs-Élysées station, I was greeted by a dazzling sunset, passionately dancing behind the clouds. The sunset over the Champs-Élysées cast light on every cobblestone crevice, vividly bringing to life page after page of history. It would be even more beautiful in summer when the sun’s trajectory changes, shining directly onto the avenue and spotlighting the Arc de Triomphe like a grand entrance for a hero—the entire scene is breathtakingly gorgeous.

But I couldn’t linger too long on this view. The rare post-rain radiance urged me to rush to the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette to overlook the entire city of Paris. As soon as I reached the terrace, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow!”

The setting sun dyed the sky purple-red, complemented by lights flickering on one by one, harmonizing with the returning train tracks. In the distance, there were Parisians embracing and office workers in suits heading home. Everything before my eyes looked like an unreal painting. By then, I’d forgotten how windy the terrace was or how cold the air—the moment was so romantic, I wished it could last forever.

This day deserved a perfect ending with Parisian pastries. Galeries Lafayette is filled with exquisite, professional desserts from various renowned brands—you simply must try them to truly live. My favorite is the Pierre Hermé macaron, especially the passion fruit chocolate flavor (first take a sip of black tea to cleanse your palate, then slowly place the macaron in your mouth). This macaron has a thin, crispy shell and a creamy, rich filling. One bite, and the intense passion fruit aroma bursts in your mouth, its freshness cutting through the chocolate’s sweetness. The sweet, sour, and fragrant flavors combine perfectly, like being in love—utterly intoxicating and unforgettable. Be sure to pair your macaron with unsweetened hot black tea, and take a sip between different flavors to cleanse your palate and fully appreciate this dessert art.

Another favorite of mine is Ladurée’s MF Praline mille-feuille. This MF Praline is made with layers of puff pastry, chopped nuts, and smooth, rich hazelnut cream stacked upon each other.

One bite, and the crispy pastry and velvety, dense hazelnut cream explode in your mouth. The texture is layered and unforgettable. This MF Praline is exquisitely crafted with genuine ingredients, making it feel truly worthwhile. If you visit, you must try it.

Author: Chien Ju-Ling
Currently residing in York, UK, she is a Taiwanese photographer originally from Tainan. Having lived in the UK for 12 years, she uses her lens to tell one story after another. Each photo captures a happy moment, freezing memories with each click and etching her life’s traces. She shares her view of the UK with the public through Facebook.
Chien Ju-Ling’s Facebook Page – Happy Moments of Life in the UK