5 a.m. - The Woman who Launched a Thousand Grains

Take to the water at Pont de la Tournelle and begin the day with a blessing from Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. Since 1928, her statue has sat atop a pylon on the eastern side of the bridge, keeping a watchful on her city. In 464, when the city was starving thanks to a blockade by a Merovingian king, Geneviève somehow managed to pass through the lines of boats and bring grain to the city. Showing their true appreciation of food, Parisians made her their patron saint.

Statue of Saint Geneviève: Metro: Pont Marie.