rex

So, we arrive at Gare Austerlitz at 7:10 am, and we figure that we need to leave again by 11 am (from Gare de Lyon).

I figured that we would just walk to Sainte Chapelle (and back), and not really much else.

But the Paris Monuments web page says that it doesn't open until 10 am. So, is there any one thing... close? (i.e., to the 12th/13th) or to Ile de la Cite that would be a nice little <i>simple</i> attraction? We'll want to have some breakfast, no doubt - - though I imagine that we will carry something with us on the train, obtained the night before in Spain...

We've never been to Angelina's - - and while I'm not opposed to going that far (Metro: Tuileries), I'm having trouble finding confirmatory info on what time it opens. One post here said &quot;I think it opens at 9 am&quot; - - the website www.angelina.fr is &quot;momentanement indisponible&quot;. Maybe a Laduree's instead? which location?

Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any replies... and...

Best wishes,

Rex

111op

Hope it's ok to say this (ahem) -- Frommers says Angelina is open from 9 to 7.

But best to call and check 33 1 42 60 82 00.

Don't really know breakfast spots all that well. But I suspect Le Pain Quotidien may be open early (it's a Belgian chain that's been recommended here, and I've been to nearly all of their outlets here in NYC).

Checked Laduree's website for you.

The one on Champs-Elysees purportedly opens at 7:30 (but didn't check to distinguish between weekday and weekend, so don't take my word for it).

http://www.laduree.fr/univers.htm#

111op

ok -- &quot;est ouvert tous les jours.&quot;

(re Laduree's Champs-Elysees)

Intrepid1

I see you decided to take the couchette..should be an adventure for you given your usual &quot;fly everywhere&quot; mindset..hopefully my boast about guaranteeing you'll never set foot in a train again will turn out to be unfounded.

Assume this foray into the city environs will be after you take the shower at Austerlitz and luggage storage.

After the night on the train I would treat myself, and your wife, to a cab ride to wherever you go...I think you'll feel you deserve it and do have a great trip on the train.

ira

Hi Rex,

If you take the no. 10 metro to Mabillon you can be at the Cafe Flore or the Deux Magots for breakfast in 20 min.

I think that they open at 08:00.

Flyboy

Besides the traditional (and obligatoire) stop at a Paris cafe at that time of the morning, a sure-fire thing that's open and fun at that time of the day (on the right day) is a steet market. Here are a few listed:

http://www.bonjourparis.com/pages/paris_markets.php

They're not all listed, by any means. Since you were talking about being in the neighborhood anyway, the market at the Cite metro stop is interesting; flowers on most days, but the famous &quot;Bird Market&quot; on Sundays.

SAnParis

Find a cafe w/a good view &amp; watch the world go by...

rex

Wow - - thanks to all for such quick replies...

&lt;&lt;Cafe Flore or the Deux Magots&gt;&gt;

so... I take it that you rate these as on par with Angelina's?

&lt;&lt; I would treat myself, and your wife, to a cab ride to wherever you go...&gt;&gt;

This will be a definite to get back to Gare de Lyon - - but for &quot;coming back alive&quot; - - and because we have usually enjoyed early morning walks as a city &quot;wakes up&quot;... I really did think we would walk along the Seine to get to Ile de la Cite (in the absence of rain, of course). But I don't think I have walked &quot;down there&quot; (i.e. beyond Ile de la cite, along the river).

111op

For the record I thought Angelina is overrated -- but I've not been back in a few years (was there in 2000 or 2002, I forget).

But then didn't think that Laduree is that great either (went to the one on r. Royale).

Have fun.

ira

&lt;&lt;Cafe Flore or the Deux Magots&gt;&gt;

so... I take it that you rate these as on par with Angelina's?

Are you actually going for the food?

rex

Well - - is it on par for the food, or the service, or the &quot;experience&quot;? We'd be seeking any one or two (or all) of the three.

Beatchick

I've never been to Caf&eacute; de Flore or Les Deux Magots but Caf&eacute; de Flore's chocolat chaud is supposed to be comparable to Ang&eacute;lina's if that's why you were headed there. I was going to suggest the Ladur&eacute;e on the Champs Ely&eacute;es because they open so early but 111op beat me to it! While 111op didn't care for Ang&eacute;lina, I loved it and I've been twice. But then again some people love Mariage Fr&egrave;res but I was underwhelmed (except for the tea - the tea is fabulous - but the pastries - ehh!). Different tastes.

N&ocirc;tre Dame opens at 8:30am.

111op

That's funny, Beat -- we agree on Mariage Freres. I also was underwhelmed.

I think that it was some time last summer when I went to MF and Laduree (?). I just remember wanting iced tea and they both served me boiling hot tea. With no a/c, I kept asking myself, didn't I ask for &quot;the glace&quot;?

Lord.

Maybe my expectations were just unreasonable.

But I like the tea salon above the Hevin chocolatier for a quick lunch. And I remember enjoying lunch at Fauchon as well. (Not that any of this helps rex, really.)

ira

Hi rex,

Go there for the experience.

These two restaurants, opposite each other on the Boul St Germain at the corner of Rue Bonaparte, are where the literati, glitterati, fashionistas, and hoi polloi go to see and be seen.

Look for Sartre, Hemingway, Baldwin, Ellington and Baker.

JeanneB

Rex,

Early morning is my favorite time in Paris. If it's still dark the streets will be glistening from cafe workers hosing down their sidewalks.

I recommend taking a cab directly to Pont Neuf...enjoy the view of the bridges and monuments as you walk along the river. Notre Dame is especially beautiful at that time of day when no crowds have gathered. On Ile de la Cite and Ile St. Louis you'll find many cafes open by 8am. Find one with a river view, pick a sidewalk table, and watch Paris come to life while you have your coffee and pastry.

If you can work in one &quot;attraction&quot;, I agree St Chapelle would be a good choice. The lines are usually short, but be sure the sun's up enough to appreciate the windows.

mamc

Skip Deux Magots and Cafe Flore and go around the corner from Deux Magots to the Cafe Bonaparte. Delicious croissants and cafe and a wonderful place to people watch early, especially on a week day. And you can always cross the street and visit St. Germaine des Pres. If it is open, Laduree is about two blocks north on rue Bonaparte.

elaine

hi rex
the Laduree on the Champs opens at 7:30 am per website. If weather is good,
you could take the metro to Etoile, walk down the Champs a bit, and then stop in Laduree, which is on the south (towards the Seine) side of the Champs at #75. You could finish your stroll at Concorde, or veer off the Champs for a little browsing on rue Faubourg St Honore. Not a bad way to start a day.

Madison

If you do decide on Angelina's the Tuileries is right across the street where you can enjoy the beauty of it without the crowds. I start out every morning in the Tuileries feeding the birds, ducks and fish that are around and in the pond.

Underhill

Angelina's is in the process of being sold, and it's definitely been slipping. So for breakfast, head for the Paul's near Rue de Buci or Le Pain Quotidien on the Place du March&eacute; St-Honor&eacute; (in the first). The latter opens at 7:00 a.m., or perhaps even earlier, as it's partly a bakery.

elaine

rex
see also this recent thread on
Breakfast in Paris

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34588267