To my girlfriend. To my love. To Holly.

Around it

• Planned Eat a proper dinner at Manchester before we fly. Late food in Paris is not a sure thing.
• Planned Official taxi rank at the airport. It is a fixed fare to our side of the river. Ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal.
• Booked Our hotel in Montparnasse. The address is in your messages.

Tonight

• Planned Check in, one drink if the bar is still open, then sleep.

Good to know: the airport trains are off late tonight for works, which is why it's a taxi.

Around it

• Optional A very slow breakfast.
• Optional Photos across the river at Trocadéro.
• Optional A one-hour river cruise from the foot of the tower as it gets dark. The boats are glass-covered and heated, and if we time it right we'll see the tower sparkle.

Tonight

• Planned Cosy south-west French dinner near the hotel at La Cantine du Troquet. Map

Wear: a warm coat and flat shoes. It's windy at the top.

If it rains or the top is shut: the second floor still has the view, then the heated cruise.

Skip without guilt: the cruise.

Around it

• Optional Lunch at Juveniles, a little seasonal bistro near the Palais-Royal.
• Optional Galerie Vivienne, a covered arcade with mosaic floors.
• Planned Back to the hotel to rest and get ready.

Tonight

• Planned Dinner at Maxim's at 19:00. Red velvet, stained glass, mahogany and live music. Crêpes Suzette, obviously. Map

Wear: your most glamorous outfit. Their dress code is chic and elegant.

If it rains: everything today is indoors.

Skip without guilt: the arcade.

Around it

• Optional Merci, a concept store laid out like a big house.
• Optional Odetta for curated vintage and designer pieces. It opens at 14:30.
• Optional Lemon tart at Bontemps.
• Planned Taxi back to the hotel late afternoon to drop the precious cups and get changed.

Tonight

• Planned Oysters and shellfish at L'Îlot, a tiny seafood room.
• Planned Cocktails at Bonnie, sixteen floors up with Paris below us.

Wear: shopping shoes by day, something dressy for the bar.

If it rains: the shops are all indoors and we'll taxi between them.

Skip without guilt: Odetta.

Around it

• Optional Croissants at La Maison d'Isabelle. On Sundays it closes at 15:00.
• Optional A wander across the two islands in the river.
• Planned A long lunch at Lapérouse, candlelit little rooms on the Seine.
• Planned Back to the hotel for a rest.

Tonight

• Planned Your pick. Either the Crazy Horse cabaret, all light and silhouettes, at 20:00 (we'd need to be there by 19:15 and eat before), or swing jazz in a candlelit cellar at Caveau de la Huchette from 21:30. Tell me which and I'll sort it.

Wear: whatever makes you feel incredible.

If it rains: the cathedral and lunch are indoors.

Skip without guilt: the islands walk.

Around it

• Planned I'll do a bit of work in the morning. You get a lie-in.
• Optional While I work: La Galerie Dior, gowns, sketches and theatrical rooms in Dior's old house. Galerie Dior
• Optional The hotel has a gym, if you fancy it.
• Planned Pack in the afternoon so tomorrow is easy.

Tonight

• Planned Steak frites at Le Relais de l'Entrecôte in Montparnasse. No booking, open on Mondays. This is where we swap our cups.
• Planned Early night. Alarm at 05:00.

Wear: the comfiest thing you packed. Bring swimwear for the spa, just in case.

Around it

• Planned Taxi from the hotel at 05:45, booked the day before.
• Planned Breakfast and that last coffee at the airport.