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In Paris On A Sunday? This City Guide Is For You

The city all but shuts down one day a week, but here's some ideas of things to do.
Shakespeare and Co is open on Sundays.
Sabri Beny
Shakespeare and Co is open on Sundays.

Oh, Paris. The city of love. The city of light. The city of striped tops and baguettes and cheese and champagne. There are fewer cities more worth exploring in the whole world.

Except when exploring comes to a grinding halt on Sundays because most of the city shuts down for a day of rest. Sure, it's good in theory, but as a traveler if you've only got a few days in Paris, wasting a whole one seems like a shame.

That's why Sundays in Paris -- City Guide was compiled.

"The concept behind Sundays in Paris was born while wandering the streets with a dear friend one Sunday, only to be confirmed with an abundance of closed signs," writes author Yasmin Zeinab.

"What I discovered is that while Sundays in Paris appear to be deserted, behind the facade of closed signs on every corner is a bustling scene waiting to be discovered."

Here, three gems from the book.

La Petite Table

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, La Petite Table is a chic diner in the heart of Le Marais.

The restaurant is impeccably designed and serves a simple yet fresh menu, including an array of salads and indulgent desserts displayed on the marble counter by the door. Start the day here with breakfast options such as granola, fresh fruit, eggs and French pastries, all reasonably priced between 2-12 euro.

For lunch and dinner Italian produce and flavours take centre stage with a variety of antipasto, salads and more substantial choices which change regularly depending on produce. The attention to detail is evident in the quality of the food and the decor, including the bathroom, which is just as chic as the restaurant and stocked with Santa Maria Novella products.

La Petite Table
Marjorie Preval
La Petite Table
Marjorie Preval

La Chambre aux Oiseaux

Resembling a refined version of a trendy grandma's living room, La Chambre aux Oiseaux is a quaint cafe a stone's throw away from canal Saint-martin.

A trove of mismatched objects from mirrors and dainty teacups to retro mugs and battered armchairs all add to the comfort of this cafe. La Chambre aux Oiseaux's tranquil ambiance makes you feel like you're at home, with free WiFi it's easy to lose track of time here, especially when nestled into the embrace of a comfy chair. As well as an extensive choice of drinks, La Chambre aux Oiseaux also offers breakfast and lunch as well as brunch on weekends.

Faye Bullock
Faye Bullock

Shakespeare and Co

Shakespeare and Co, the famous English bookshop, has been a fixture of the left bank since the '50s when it was opened by American expat George Whitman.

Now managed by George's daughter Sylvia, Shakespeare and Co's old world decor and dense literature collection are a refreshing sight in our digital age. Upstairs, tucked away round the poky corners are makeshift beds for those affectionately known at Shakespeare and Co as 'Tumbleweeds' -- writers, artist and travelers from all walks of life who work in the bookshop in exchange for a place to stay.

In 2015, Sylvia decided to expand by converting the stationary shop next door into a cafe, partnering with Bob's Bake Shop to supply to food and Cafe Lomi for the coffee. The original yellow tiles from the 70s have been preserved, giving the cafe the same authentic feel as the bookshop. Pop in with a book or sit by the window to enjoy the views of Notre Dame and the Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre park.

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Sabri Beny
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Sabri Beny
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