Dubbed as the city of love and romance, Paris sees the convergence of fashion, art, culture, and gastronomy. In this short stay, I sit down in an authentic French brasserie located close to the opera house, Palais Garnier, and immerse myself in some of the most famous impressionist masterpieces in the Musée d’Orsay.

Founded in 1875, Le Grand Café Capucines (4 Boulevard des Capucines) is an Art Nouveau-style brasserie that opens around the clock. Decked out with red velvet chairs and a stunning glass roof, the historic restaurant offers a wide range of traditional French cuisine and some of the freshest seafood in town. An attentive staff leads us to the table at the corner next to an American couple. ‘You have to try their French onion soup! It’s so good and it’s as big as a meal.’ The American lady sitting next to me is so excited and eager to give us recommendations even before we are handed the menu. It seems that she’s very satisfied with the courses she has just finished. I like taking advice when it comes to food, so my first meal in Paris turns out to be a zesty onion soup covered by a rich, thick layer of baked cheese. And, the lady is right; the soup is too fulfilling for me to sample any other dishes.

My companions go for the restaurant’s signature lunch set (€24,00), which includes an appetizer and a main course. They opt for a half dozen of fresh oysters before savoring a silky fish fillet with spinach. They give a thumb-up for the set.

Being in a city with an amazing culinary scene, it’s easy to forget about calories and fat. To keep yourself in shape, the best way is to go hit the gym, but if this is not something you can imagine, how about enjoying a walk in a museum? Well…going to a shopping mall is also an option if you want to rid yourself of fat and money in one go. As I had visited the Louvre Museum – and took a selfie with the Mona Lisa – a few years ago, this time, I decide to get a ticket (€12) into the Musée d’Orsay, which houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world.

Situated on the left bank of the Seine River, the Musée d’Orsay was converted from a railway station and officially opened in 1986. Dating from 1848 to 1914, the French art in the museum ranges from paintings and sculptures to furniture and photography. But the most popular areas have to be the exhibition rooms that showcase the incredible work by world-renowned names including Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Sisley.

Because of a dinner date with friends, I only spend around three hours in the museum. If art is your thing, reserve at least a half day for the visit. Don’t forget to spare some time to capture a perfect silhouette photo on the fifth floor, set against the backdrop of the magnificent vista of the Seine.