A candid smartphone photo taken from a slightly elevated hotel room window, looking down on a narrow Parisian street just before dawn. The scene is wet from recent rain, with reflections of streetlights on the dark pavement. A few blurry figures with umbrellas walk on the sidewalk. Classic Parisian rooftops with chimneys are visible across the street. The composition feels slightly cramped and authentic, not staged
A spontaneous shot of a simple hotel room interior in Paris, featuring a small wooden table by a window. A plain ceramic mug of coffee sits on the table, steam rising. Outside the window, the pre-dawn light reveals silhouettes of rooftops and a glimpse of the Seine in the distance. The photo has the slightly imperfect composition and lighting of a real smartphone capture
Early morning view down a typical Parisian street in the 5th arrondissement, captured from an upper-floor window. The bakery across the street has just turned on its lights, creating a warm glow in the cool morning light. A street cleaner is visible hosing down the sidewalk. The image has a grainy, authentic quality with natural morning colors and no dramatic filters

Paris, just before dawn: hello from a new chapter

The soft patter of rain against my hotel window woke me around 5:30 this morning. Rather than fight it, I embraced the early hour, made a cup of instant coffee (a poor substitute, but it'll do until I find a proper café), and watched Paris slowly emerge from darkness.

I arrived late last night after saying goodbye to Bruges. The train journey was smooth – Belgian and French railways run with impressive efficiency. By the time I checked into my modest hotel in the 5th arrondissement, it was nearly midnight, and I was too exhausted to do more than shower and collapse into bed.

Now, sitting by the window with my mediocre coffee, I'm watching the city come alive. The streetlights still glow against the pre-dawn gray, and occasional umbrellas bob along the sidewalks as early risers brave the drizzle. According to my weather app, we'll see some sun later today after these morning showers pass.

My hotel room is small but functional, with a narrow window that offers a slice of Parisian rooftops and a glimpse of the Seine if I crane my neck just right. The ceiling is high enough that I don't feel cramped – a welcome relief after some of the doorways in Bruges that required strategic ducking.

It feels strange to be in such a massive, iconic city after the intimate scale of Bruges. The contrast couldn't be more stark – from medieval tranquility to one of the world's great metropolises in just a few hours. That's the magic of Europe, I suppose.

Plans taking shape

I've learned that today is quite special in Paris – it's both Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine) and a car-free Sunday in the city center. The timing couldn't be better for my first full day here. With over 350 historic sites open to the public, many exclusively for this weekend, I'll have plenty to explore.

My tentative plan is to start with a proper breakfast at a local café once they open, then perhaps visit Notre-Dame (or at least the reconstruction site) since it's not far from my hotel. I've read that while the cathedral itself remains closed for rebuilding after the 2019 fire, there are special exhibits about the restoration process.

After that, I might wander toward the Luxembourg Gardens – the weather forecast suggests the rain will clear by mid-morning, and I'm eager to see what tree species they have in their collection. Then perhaps the Louvre in the afternoon, though I expect it will be crowded with weekend visitors.

The car-free initiative also means I can walk along normally busy streets without traffic. I've always found that walking is the best way to get a feel for a new city, especially one as layered and complex as Paris.

Reflections at dawn

It's now 6:30, and the sky is lightening. More people are appearing on the street below – bakery workers arriving for early shifts, street cleaners hosing down the sidewalks, a few joggers undeterred by the drizzle.

Twenty-six days into this journey, I'm starting to find a rhythm to my travels. The initial anxiety of departure has faded, replaced by a growing confidence in my ability to navigate new places. I'm learning to trust my instincts more – like choosing Paris as my next destination rather than Berlin, which had been my other consideration.

Bruges offered such peaceful beauty that I worried Paris might be overwhelming in comparison. But I remind myself that this 500-day journey isn't about finding one perfect place – it's about experiencing the full spectrum of what the world has to offer.

I check my watch – 6:45 now. The bakery across the street has just turned on its lights. Perhaps they'll open at 7:00, even on a Sunday? I might venture out for a fresh croissant soon, my first authentic Parisian pastry of what I expect will be many.

Day 26 of 500. Paris, I'm ready for you.

![View from my hotel window of Parisian rooftops in early morning light]()

P.S. I've discovered that today is also the day of La Course des Cafés, where Parisian waiters race through the streets balancing trays! And apparently there's a LEGO tournament on the Champs-Élysées. This city never ceases to amaze with its endless activities. I'll report back on whatever I end up experiencing today.