This left-bank original, with its unhurried pace and opera music, bears little resemblance to the American chain it inspired. Sandwiches like the "Ines" (ricotta, … walnuts and Parma ham) are made momentous by fresh hot focaccia. Take your lunch a few blocks north and cross over to the island. The Square du Vert Galant, a triangle-shaped park just below the Pont Neuf, is a calm oasis in tourism central. [link]

When the day finally comes that you are sick to death of croissants, drop in at the Bagel Store for a taste of NYC. With a host of sandwiches on H&H bagels … flown in from the Big Apple, this place is a near-perfect nostalgia emporium. You and you pastrami should head to the nearby Place des Vosges -- you can marvel at its symmetry while grease dribbles down your chin. [link]

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Kayser's two-course take-away menu costs about a euro more than in other bakeries. However, a sandwich on this bread (the olive is particularly nice), and a … treat from this top-rated pastry kitchen are together worth far more than a measly 7€. Take your bag to the Jardin Marco Polo at the southern tip of the Luxembourg Gardens. There's a fountain and plenty of benches lined with lycéens in love. [link]

In the spot that formerly housed the famous Poujauran bakery, Stéphane Secco is now making quite a name for himself. People whisper with reverence about his macarons, … and the salade niçoise has a loyal following. Pack your treats and head east to the Esplanade des Invalides. [link]

The delightful Clotilde of the blog Chocolate and Zucchini turned us on to this Vietnamese sandwich joint. Their delicious Bánh mì sandwich (with meat, crudités, … and dressing on a lightly textured baguette) is a perfect partner for the Parc de Belleville. Climb up to the top for a little exercise and one of the best views in Paris. And here are more of Clotilde's Paris favorites. [link]

The lawn sloping down from the wedding-cake cathedral Sacré-Coeur is another great place to gaze at the city. Sitting on the grass here requires hopping a small fence, … but the guards seem to never lift their whistle. Coquelicot -- a dream bakery in Abbesses -- is the place to stop for sandwiches. Their Piccola baguette is feast-worthy on its own, and the pear-walnut-Roquefort sandwich makes us giddy. [link]