Start very early from Hertford North on an onward train into London St Pancras International so you can land there around 05:45–06:00 with a proper buffer. The rail ride is usually around 45–60 minutes total with connections and luggage in mind, and at that hour the station is calm but you still want time for security, passport control, and a coffee before boarding. For the Eurostar, aim to be at St Pancras at least 75 minutes before departure if you’ve got bags, because the queue can move fast but the border desks are the thing that slows people down.
Your 07:01 Eurostar from London St Pancras International gets you into Paris Gare du Nord at 10:29, so use the onboard time for a light breakfast, charging your phone, and watching your route into France. Once you arrive, follow the flow out of the station and keep your bags light for the day; Gare du Nord is busy and a bit chaotic, so it’s better to head straight for the metro or taxi rather than hanging around. If you want to save energy, get your first coffee in Paris rather than at the station.
From Gare du Nord, head up to Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre first, because it’s the best way to start Paris with a big, classic view and it keeps the day moving logically south afterward. Budget about 20–25 minutes by metro/walk or a short taxi ride if you’re carrying luggage, and once you’re there, give yourself around 1.5 hours to wander the hill, the steps, and the little lanes around Place du Tertre. The basilica itself is free to enter, while the dome costs extra if you want the full panorama; go early enough and the light is lovely without the worst of the crowds. It’s a good spot for an easy first Paris meal if you’re hungry, but don’t overdo it — you’ve got a check-in later and a proper landmark afternoon ahead.
After Montmartre, move across town to Trocadéro Gardens for that postcard view of the Eiffel Tower. This is one of the best photo stops in Paris, and it’s especially nice if you want a slower, more scenic arrival into the day rather than rushing straight to the tower queue. From Sacré-Cœur to Trocadéro, allow roughly 30–40 minutes by metro, and then spend 45 minutes just taking in the view, walking the terraces, and getting your photos without feeling rushed. If you want a sit-down break, this is also the part of the day where a café stop makes sense before the next landmark.
Then continue to the Eiffel Tower itself in the 7th arrondissement. If you want to go up, book ahead — same-day slots can disappear, and the experience is more relaxed with a reservation. If you’d rather not spend time queuing, the Champ de Mars lawns and the riverside around the tower still give you the full experience without the ticket cost, which is usually the better move after a travel morning. Since your Airbnb near 28 Rue Florian, 75020 Paris has a 3:00 PM check-in, I’d treat this as the moment to head back east, drop bags if possible, and settle in before dinner. For a practical budget, tower access can range widely depending on level and booking method, while simply enjoying the base area is free.
For dinner, go to Black Angus République in the République/10th area — it fits your halal food plan and keeps you on the northeast side, which is convenient after checking in near Rue Florian. From your Airbnb, this is a straightforward metro or taxi ride, usually around 15–25 minutes depending on exactly where you’re staying and the time of day. Expect roughly €25–€45 per person depending on cut, sides, drinks, and dessert; it’s a good “first night in Paris” dinner because it feels special without being fussy. If you still have energy after, the Canal Saint-Martin area is nearby for a short post-dinner walk, but keep it gentle tonight — you’ve done the travel day properly, seen the big icon in the Eiffel Tower, and set yourself up well for the rest of the itinerary.
From Paris 7th arrondissement, head over to Le Marais with the planned Metro transfer and aim to be in the area shortly after breakfast rush. Once you arrive, start gently at Place des Vosges — it’s the kind of square where Paris feels calm for a minute if you get there early, before the café terraces fill up and the dog walkers, runners, and photo groups take over. Give yourself about 45 minutes to stroll the arcades, sit on a bench, and take in the symmetry of the gardens and red-brick façades; it’s one of the prettiest corners in the city and a perfect way to ease into the day.
Then walk a few steps to Carette for breakfast or brunch. This is a polished, classic Paris stop, so expect a slightly higher bill — roughly €15–€30 per person depending on whether you go light with pastry and coffee or sit down for a fuller plate. If you want the most satisfying order, go for a pastry, eggs, and a proper coffee, then linger a little; the location right by Place des Vosges makes it feel like part of the experience rather than just a meal.
After that, it’s a short and easy walk to Musée Carnavalet, which is one of the best museums in Paris if you want the city’s story without doing something too heavy. Budget around 1.5 hours here, and the good news is it’s often less overwhelming than the big-name museums — more intimate, more Parisian, and very well matched to a Le Marais day. It’s also a nice way to balance the café time with something cultural before the day gets busier.
From there, continue on foot to Centre Pompidou. The contrast is the point: you go from old Paris to bold, modern architecture in just a few minutes. Spend about 1.5–2 hours if you want to see a few galleries or simply enjoy the exterior, the plaza, and the atmosphere around Beaubourg. If you’re not planning a full museum deep dive, it’s still worth pausing here for the energy around the square and the street performers, bookshops, and city views nearby.
Later, make your way to Maison Louvard in the 10th for the viral crookie and a sweet reset. This is a great mid-afternoon stop because it breaks up the day nicely without making you commit to another full meal; expect to spend about 45 minutes and around €6–€15 per person depending on whether you just grab the signature pastry or add coffee and a few extras. It’s the sort of place where you want to go in with one main goal: try the thing everyone talks about, then enjoy the sugar high as you wander onward.
Finish with Krush for your halal-friendly lunch-or-dinner stop, keeping the pace relaxed and flexible. Plan for 1–1.5 hours and roughly €15–€30 per person, depending on what you order. It works well as a closing meal because you can arrive hungry, sit down without feeling rushed, and choose comfort-food options that suit whatever mood you’re in after a day of walking. If you want, I can turn this into a timed hour-by-hour version for the entire 14–18 September trip, including train departures from Hertford North and your Eurostar connections.
Leave Le Marais early and be on the RER A before the crowds build — ideally around 7:00–7:30 AM if you want a proper full day at Disneyland Paris. From Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, it’s a short, very clear walk into the resort, and once you’re through security you’ll want to head straight into Disneyland Park first, because that’s where the classic atmosphere and the biggest queues build fastest. If you’re doing one park at rope drop, this is the one to prioritize: go for the headline rides first, then let the rest of the morning flow naturally. Budget roughly €5–€7 for the train each way if you’re using standard Paris transit, and expect the resort to feel busiest from late morning onward, especially around the entrances and the most famous lands.
After you’ve done your main Disneyland Park hits, cross into Walt Disney Studios Park while your energy is still good — usually late morning into afternoon is the sweet spot. This park is more compact, so it’s easier to pair with show stops, newer attractions, and a quicker pace without feeling like you’re constantly backtracking. Keep lunch simple so you don’t lose too much time: a fast halal-friendly option in Disney Village or a nearby halal takeaway around Val d’Europe is the most practical move, especially if you want to stay within your €15–€35 per person food range. If you want to sit down, check for clearly marked halal dishes or vegetarian options rather than assuming every place has a full halal menu; in the Disney area, flexibility matters more than chasing a fancy meal when you’ve got two parks to cover.
As the parks start to wind down, keep your final meal efficient and close to the station so you’re not rushing. A halal-friendly dinner in Disney Village or a quick bite in Chessy / Marne-la-Vallée is the easiest way to finish the day without eating into your return journey. After dinner, head back via RER A toward Paris and allow 60–90 minutes door-to-door once you factor in walking, platform changes, and evening crowds. For your Airbnb near 28 Rue Florian, 75020 Paris, it’s worth leaving a little earlier if you’re tired — late-night transit after a full park day can feel longer than the timetable suggests. If you’ve still got a bit of energy, the stretch around your stop is usually best kept low-key: grab water, reset your bag, and call it an early night before the next Paris day.
Take the RER A from Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy back into central Paris and aim to be around the Louvre / Palais Royal edge by late morning, when the area feels lively but not yet completely jammed. Start with a slow walk through the Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre gardens: the striped columns, neat gravel paths, and arcade cafés make a calm buffer before the museum rush, and it’s one of the nicest places in Paris to ease into a big sightseeing day. Budget about 30–45 minutes here, and if you want coffee before going in, grab it nearby rather than waiting until museum queues get long.
Head straight into the Musée du Louvre and don’t try to conquer everything — do a highlights route instead, ideally Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and one or two French masterworks. Give yourself around 3 hours, including security and a short pause in the courtyards; tickets are usually about €22 if booked online, and the best move is to enter with a timed slot so you’re not wasting energy in line. From there, a simple walk brings you into the Jardin des Tuileries, which is exactly the right reset after the museum: sit by the green chairs, wander the fountains, and just let Paris breathe for a bit. This stretch is very walkable, and you can spend 45 minutes here without feeling rushed.
Continue west to Place de la Concorde, where the scale opens up and the whole historic axis starts to make sense — this is one of those spots that’s better enjoyed standing still for a few minutes than ticking off quickly. From there, follow the Avenue des Champs-Élysées toward Arc de Triomphe; it’s a classic Paris walk, but the trick is to take your time, step into a side café only if you actually need a break, and save your energy for the top of the arch. If you want the viewpoint, book ahead or be ready for stairs; the terrace is worth it on a clear late afternoon, especially around golden hour. The whole stretch from Place de la Concorde to the arch usually takes about 2 hours if you pause for photos and a little shopping without hurrying.
Finish at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli for the famous L’Africain hot chocolate and a Mont Blanc — it’s rich, old-school, and exactly the kind of Paris ending that feels properly indulgent after a landmark-heavy day. Expect around €12–€30 per person depending on whether you only do dessert or also have tea/small plates, and if the main tearoom queue is long, the takeaway counter is the faster option. After that, head back toward your Airbnb near 28 Rue Florian, 75020 Paris using the Metro; it’s worth leaving the central area before the evening crush fully settles, especially if you want a calmer ride home and a proper rest before your final day back to Paris Gare du Nord.
Start with a calm Bastille-area wander before the day gets swallowed by stations and luggage. From your Airbnb area in the 11th/20th side of Paris, this is the easiest kind of Paris morning: grab a coffee, stroll past Rue de la Roquette, peek into the edges of Place de la Bastille, and let yourself have one last “real Paris” walk without rushing. If you want to keep it easy, aim for about 45 minutes, and keep it mostly on foot so you’re not burning energy before the train day. Small bakeries and corner cafés here usually open early, and you’ll pay roughly €4–€8 for a coffee and pastry if you want a light start before your next stop.
Head to Chorok in the 11th arrondissement for a final breakfast or dessert stop — it’s a nice change of pace if you want something a bit more playful than a standard café. This is the kind of place where you can order a drink, a sweet plate, or something more filling without needing a big sit-down meal, so it works well before a travel day. Expect around €10–€20 per person, and give yourself about an hour so you’re not rushed. After that, make your way toward the center for Confiserie Pâtisserie; think of this as your “Paris sweet shop finale” for pastries, chocolates, or a box of treats to carry home. It’s a good place to pick up small takeaway gifts, and 30–45 minutes is enough unless you start browsing too much.
Keep the rest of the day deliberately close to Gare du Nord so you’re not fighting the city before your departure. This is the time for a simple halal lunch or a quick snack near the station — practical is better than fancy now. In the 10th arrondissement, you’ll find lots of easy options around Boulevard de Magenta, Rue La Fayette, and the streets just south and west of the station, with lunch usually landing around €12–€25 depending on whether you go for a sandwich, rice plate, or a proper sit-down meal. Build in a buffer and aim to be at the station with time to spare: for an 07:02 Eurostar, I’d personally want to arrive by 05:30–05:45 so passport control and platform checks feel calm rather than frantic. If you have a few extra minutes near the station, use them for snacks, water, and a final check of documents — once you’re through, the rest is easy.