Sundays brings out the best of Paris. People go to parks, markets and spend hours having brunch with their friends and families. The pace is low, the vibe is chill. Every Sunday many streets are reserved for pedestrians, and neighbourhoods come alive in a different way than during the rest of the week. What’s not to love, I’rather say. Still, Sundays are the day when most travellers leave the city to go home, because they need to get back before work starts again Monday morning. Oh, what they are all missing out on. Here are some of my Sunday favourites in Paris.
1. Sunday Brunch
In Paris, Sunday brunch is far more than just a culinary event; it’s a cherished ritual with your friends or family. A Parisian Sunday brunch is a leisurely affair that can last for hours, usually starting around 11 a.m. Note that you should not show up any later than this if you want to get a table at a specific place, as they usually fill up really quick.
Parisian brunches often take place in cafes and bistros, and most places have special weekend brunch menus. Poached eggs, avocado sandwiches and pancakes with fresh fruits, maple syrup and strawberries are always popular. It is also common to indulge in cakes or other sweet favourites, one of my personal coups de coeur (meaning – things I love) is the lemon merengue tart at Le Loir dans la Théière in Le Marais. You will never forget it. It is the biggest and most delicious Tarte au Citron Meringuée you can ever imagine.
Want some more insider recommendations? Check out oubrunchher.com, an excellent guide to brunch in Paris and several other cities. It is in French, but don’t worry. The only words you need to understand to navigate, are Paris and Dimanche – meaning Sunday. Choose the Dimanche category, and you are good to go with Google Translate for the rest.
Bon dégustation!
2. Treasure-hunting at Brocantes
Sundays in Paris are perfect for exploring the city’s vibrant brocantes, which is the French (and considerably more elegant) word for flea markets. where you can discover unique treasures such as furniture, art, silver cutleries, vintage postcards and glasses, jewellery, watches and clothes.
Whether you’re a collector or simply looking for something nice to bring home, brocantes offer something for everyone. Here you can read more about 9 of the best flea and antiques markets you can choose from.
3. Reading or Running in a Parisian Park
When I visited Paris in the beginning of April, I was lucky to experience the first summer temperatures of 2024. It was a Saturday, I went to Jardin du Luxembourg and did something I haven’t done in years. All the chairs around the park were taken, so I found myself a bench in the shadow of the trees. Then I remembered I had my book with me in my bag.
I ended up lying on the bench for probably two hours, and it felt as if I had rediscovered an old love of mine. For sure, it won’t be long until next time – it was so wonderful just to lie there reading, listening to the calm background sounds from the park. Highly recommended, I hope you have time to do it too, sometime.
If you feel more like being active, parks are obviously great for that too. Have an early morning run and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Read about the best Parisian parks for running, reading and relaxing in my recent post.
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