Paris is undeniably one of the most impressive cities on Earth. It has culture, history, great food, romance — the list goes on. Despite its reputation as an overrated destination, there truly is something for every traveler to enjoy. This one day in Paris itinerary hits all of the top tourist attractions and things to do in the City of Light in 24 hours.
This complete guide is especially great for first-time visitors. It includes a full day of sightseeing, so make sure to get an early start. If you only have one day in Paris, you want to make the most of it. Allons-y!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. When you purchase through links on my site, I may make a small commission (at no extra cost to you!).
How to use this 24-hour Paris itinerary
Paris is a massive city, and there’s a lot of ground to cover!
I’ve developed this itinerary to be as convenient as possible re: getting around. Think of it as a free, personalized walking tour — all of the destinations are logically arranged to minimize time spent on public transportation.
This guide focuses on spending one day in Paris, but if you have more time, I’ve also included a list of extra activities and day trips at the end.
How to spend one day in Paris
Eiffel Tower
We obviously need to start with one of the most famous landmarks in the French capital, the Eiffel Tower!
The Eiffel Tower (or Tour Eiffel in French) was built in 1887. At the time, most Parisians hated it and saw it as a major eyesore. Nowadays, it’s arguably one of the most iconic structures in the entire world.
It’s located in the 7th arrondissement, in the Champ de Mars area along the Seine River. There are 3 nearby métro stations: Bir-Hakeim, Trocadero, and Ecole-Militaire.
Riding the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower is a bucket list item for many people. It costs about $50 USD and you can skip the line by buying tickets from GetYourGuide.
In my opinion, going to the top of the Eiffel Tower does not give you the best view of Paris (because the view is missing the Eiffel Tower!). If you’re short on time and only want pay for one, I’d suggest going to the top of our next stop, the Arc de Triomphe.
It’s definitely worth visiting the Iron Lady twice in one day — hear me out! After the sun sets, the Eiffel Tower ✨ sparkles ✨ every hour, on the hour, for five minutes. There is a certain charm to seeing this iconic tower all lit up at night.
Arc de Triomphe
Across the River Seine, stop at the Jardins du Trocadéro for one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower. From there, follow Avenue Kléber until you reach the Arc de Triomphe.
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the top sights to see while in Paris. It sits on the western end of the Champs-Élysées, at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle.
Nowadays, the Arc has become an iconic symbol of French national identity. The Tour de France ends there; the annual military parade on July 14th (honoring Bastille Day) starts there — the building is a representation of the city itself.
From the top of the Arc de Triomphe, you will get one of the best views of Paris. Make sure to buy skip-the-line tickets in advance because otherwise you’ll most likely be waiting in line when you get there.
Champs-Élysées
From the Arc de Triomphe, you can swing around to walk down the Champs-Élysées, one of the most famous avenues in the world.
If you have some time, you can stop for a bit of shopping at one of the many retail stores. Regardless of how much time you have, you should stop at Ladurée and buy a few (or a lot of) macarons. Not to be confused with macaroons, the toasted coconut cookie balls, a macaron is a light French sandwich cookie made with almond flour. They are absolutely delicious and a must-try during your day in the City of Lights!
Louvre Museum
Once you reach the end of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, you’ll hit the beautiful Place de la Concorde. Here, you can admire the Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Garden), a 17th-century sculpture garden, before reaching the Musée du Louvre.
With over 35,000 works of art, you obviously won’t be able to see everything at the Louvre on a day trip to Paris. You’ll want to focus on the highlights, like the Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading the People, and (of course) the Mona Lisa. This post is a great place to get started prioritizing what you want to see.
To maximize the short amount of time you have, you’ll want to purchase a skip-the-line ticket in advance. If you have more time in Paris and know that you’ll be visiting a few museums, a Paris Museum Pass is a great value as well.
For the best chance of getting inside quickly, queue up at the “secret” Porte des Lions entrance. You can find it at the south end of the museum, parallel to the Seine. This entrance is also the closest one to the Mona Lisa (two birds, one stone!).
Check out some more 24-hour European city itineraries!
Amsterdam, NetherlandsDubrovnik, Croatia
Frankfurt, Germany
Reykjavik, Iceland
Eat some traditional French food
By now, you’re probably ready to stop for some lunch. There are a number of traditional French restaurants located around the Louvre, including Au Vieux Comptoir, Au Terminus du Châtelet, and MARGÚS.
Here are some classic must-try French foods:
- Coq au vin: Chicken stew braised in wine
- Soupe á l’oignon (French onion soup): Onions, cheese, and croutons or bread
- Escargot: Snails, usually cooked in garlic and butter
- Pain au chocolat: Chocolate-filled croissants that can be found in most boulangeries
- Crêpes: Thin pancakes with sweet or savory fillings
Sainte-Chapelle and Cathédrale Notre-Dame
A quick 10-minute walk from the Louvre will bring you across the Pont Neuf bridge to Île de la Cité, the isle in the middle of the Seine River. Here, you’ll find Sainte-Chapelle chapel and Notre-Dame cathedral, two intricate 13th century buildings.
Entrance to Sainte Chapelle Chapel costs 10€ ($10.40 USD) and includes the upstairs chapel with beautiful stained-glass windows. Because of the 2019 fire that destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral, the inside is still closed to the public.
Latin Quarter
From Île de la Cité, head south across the Pont Saint-Michel bridge to reach the Latin Quarter. This area, also known as the 5th arrondissement, is a vibrant and trendy neighborhood that’s home to Sorbonne University. You can find lots of quaint cafes and bookshops, including the famous Shakespeare & Company.
Other attractions in the Latin Quarter include the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens and the Panthéon, an 18th-century mausoleum. Just adjacent to the Latin Quarter, you’ll find the Luxembourg Gardens, a sprawling park with manicured trees and sculptures.
Seine River cruise
Once you’re done exploring the Latin Quarter, you can either walk or take the metro back to your hotel to relax and freshen up. By now, the sun should be setting, which means it’s time for one thing: a Seine River cruise! Most cruises start and end near the Eiffel Tower, so you’ll be able to see it sparkling once the sun goes down.
Just like in Amsterdam, Paris is famous for its river cruises. The boats offer panoramic views of the city from the water. You’ll pass under famous bridges, see a bunch of landmarks, and get commentary from an audio guide. Some cruises even include dinner and/or drinks, creating an extremely romantic atmosphere.
Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
After your peaceful river cruise, take the number 6 metro line from Bir-Hakeim station to Charles de Gaulle – Étoile, where you’ll transfer onto the number 2 line to Anvers metro station. Trust me, all this post-dinner public transportation is worth it!
Montmartre, the 18th arrondissement, is a retro neighborhood that famous artists like Picasso and Dalí used to call home. Set on a hill above the city, Montmartre boasts incredible views of Paris, especially at night. It’s filled with gardens, cafes, cabarets, and street art that can be found on almost every block.
Start out by exploring the winding streets — Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Rue du Chevalier de la Barre are good places to start. Eventually, you’ll run into Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the iconic white-domed church. Take in the view of the city below from Square Nadar, the park near Sacre Coeur with an overlook.
If you still have the energy, you can keep the night going by stopping at one of the many Montmartre bars and clubs that come alive after dark. Les Darons Wine Bar and Cabaret Au Lapin Agile are popular places to go for a fun night out.
If you have more time in Paris
Catacombs
The Catacombs of Paris are one of the creepiest and most off-beat activities you can do in the city. Made up of the skeletal remains of over six million people, the Catacombs were created to ease the load on the city’s overflowing cemeteries. Nowadays, you can walk through the labyrinth of bones and skulls as a tourist attraction.
If there’s one place on this Paris itinerary to buy tickets in advance, it’s the Catacombs. Tickets regularly sell out day-of and because of the narrow tunnels, capacity is limited. I’d highly recommend purchasing skip-the-line tickets in advance from GetYourGuide.
Musée d’Orsay
The Orsay Museum houses a huge collection of 19th- and 20th- century European art. You can find famous Impressionist pieces from artists like van Gogh, Monet, Gaugin, and Degas — it’s one of the largest collections of famous paintings in the world!
If you’re there on the first Sunday of the month, entrance is free! Otherwise, skip-the-line entrance tickets can be bought online from GetYourGuide.
Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge (meaning Red Windmill) is a famous cabaret slash dinner theater on the outskirts of Montmartre.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to a fun night out, seeing one of the elaborate performances at the Moulin Rouge is the perfect place to do it. Talented dancers and singers wearing feathers, rhinestones, and glitter give nightly performances. These tickets from GetYourGuide also include champagne (score!).
Les Invalides
Les Invalides is a series of military museums that feature the tombs of many of France’s greatest officers, including Napoleon Bonaparte. The Dôme des Invalides, the building with the gold dome, is famous for hosting mass during Louis XIV’s reign and for providing shelter for Allied pilots during World War II.
Priority entrance to the military and art musuems can be bought online in advance.
If you have time after visiting Les Invalides, check out the neighboring Musée Rodin. The Rodin Museum houses a ton of the artist’s most famous sculptures, including The Thinker!
Best day trips from Paris
Château de Versailles
Located just 19 km (12 mi) outside of Paris, the Palace of Versailles is a must-do day trip if you have the time.
Built in the 17th century, the ornate palace famously housed several French Kings, including King Louis XIV. During the French Revolution, the king was forced to move back to Paris, leaving the palace empty. It lost its status as royal residence and then became a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nowadays, it’s a massive complex with gilded rooms and impressive gardens.
To get to the Château from Paris, take the RER C train from Austerlitz station to Château Rive Gauche station at Versailles. The journey takes between 1 hour and 90 minutes, depending on the time of day.
Normandy
Normandy is a region along France’s northern coast that’s famous for being the site of several World War II beach landings. Places like Utah Beach and Omaha Beach carry a lot of history and are haunting to see in person.
Mont-Saint-Michel is another popular destination within Normandy. This abbey on an island is surrounded by white-chalk cliffs and is stunning.
A lot of tourists prefer taking a guided tour to Normandy because the transportation is taken care of and you get a knowledgeable guide to explain the historical significance to you. This full-day tour takes you to the most important D-Day landing sites and includes lunch and a cider tasting.
To get to Normandy from Paris independently, take the direct train from Gare Saint-Lazare station. You’ll need to rent a car when you arrive in Bayeaux if you want to see the surrounding beaches more easily.
Disneyland Paris
If you’re a theme park fan, visiting Disneyland Paris is a must. There is honestly nothing cuter than experiencing all of Disney’s classic rides and songs in French!
I’d recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to avoid long lines. You can either buy a one-day ticket or multi-day entrance tickets if you know you’ll be coming back.
To get to Disneyland Paris from the city, take the RER A from Gare de Lyon train station to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy. The park is a short 2-minute walk from the station.
How to get to Paris
By plane
Paris has two major airports, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly Airport (ORY). Charles de Gaulle Airport is the second-largest airport in Europe and has connections to virtually every country on Earth. Orly Airport is also a good option and you can often find cheaper tickets.
Budget airlines like Ryanair will fly into Beauvais Airport (BVA), which is actually over 100 km (62 mi) away from Paris! If you’re buying tickets on a budget airline, make sure to add on the price of actually getting to Paris. Sometimes, it ends up costing more once you factor in the additional transportation costs.
If your one day Paris itinerary has you transferring from CDG to ORY (or vice versa), you can take the RER B train to the Antony station, then connect to the ORLYVAL (Orly Airport light rail).
By train
You can get to Paris by train from most other neighboring European countries, like the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany. Trains are generally more expensive and take longer than flying, but the experience is usually more pleasant.
France’s intercity high-speed rail service is on TGV trains. You can check the schedules and timetables on the SNCF website.
By car
If you’re renting a car in France, note that city driving can be a bit hectic if you’re not used to it. All around Paris, there is a large circular highway called la Périphérique. This highway is has connections to every other major city in France.
Once you’re in the city itself, keep in mind that Paris is a limited traffic zone. Every car needs to display a Crit’Air sticker from 1-5, denoting their pollution levels. On days with high pollution, even lower-numbered cars might be banned from driving.
Additionally, it’s important to look for hotels that have on-site parking available if you’re going to have a rental car while in Paris. If you’re spending 24 hours in Paris at the beginning or end of a French road trip, it might be better to not have a rental car for the days you’re in the city — it makes things a bit easier.
Driving times from:
- Brussels: 3 hours 30 minutes
- London: 5 hours 50 minutes
- Aix-en-Provence: 7 hours
Best places to stay in Paris
Budget
Mid-range
Bougie
Find a hotel in Paris
Things to know before visiting Paris
- Buying a Paris Visite pass is a good way to save money on metro tickets. It gives you unlimited metro and bus rides for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days.
- Certain museums offer free admission for young people or on specific days. If you’re visiting during these times, plan your visit in advance to save a bit of money!
- Try brushing up on a bit of French before your visit. Parisians don’t take kindly to people that assume they speak English. Even if you butcher the pronunciation, they’ll appreciate the effort!
- Pickpockets and scams are common, especially around the main tourist attractions. Don’t get distracted by people wanting you to sign petitions and be wary of anyone offering you things for free.
Paris FAQ
When is the best time to visit Paris?
There’s really no bad time to visit — Paris is beautiful no matter the season. Summer (May through July) will be warmer and busier, while winter (December through February) will be emptier and less expensive. Autumn and spring are also great times to visit because the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds.
Be aware that the entire month of August is when Parisians generally take their yearly vacation. It’s not unusual for stores, hotels, and restaurants to completely shut down for the month. You may find the city a bit emptier than normal. If you’re okay with the possibility of certain places being closed, August is otherwise a great time to visit because the weather is wonderful!
How long should I spend in Paris?
At a minimum, I’d recommend spending at least 3 days in Paris. (Four or five days would be even better!) Paris is a large city and there is so much to do — even with five days, you’ll only be scratching the surface.
Is one day in Paris enough?
To be honest, not really. You can see a bit, but you’ll need more time if you want to feel like you’ve “done” Paris. If one day is all you have, though, it’s absolutely worth still going! One day in Paris is enough to do a lot of walking, soak in a bit of French culture, and eat a tasty meal.
Can I visit the city on a layover?
Yes! Keep in mind that you might need a transit visa if you hold a passport from a non-Schengen country.
I’d recommend having at least an 8 hour layover to visit the city between your flights. This factors in going through customs, travel time to/from the airport, picking up/rechecking your bag (if you’re on two separate airlines), and going through security again. Anything less and you might be very rushed!
To get to Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), you can either take the bus (RoissyBus, Bus 350, or Bus 351) or the RER B train. The journey takes anywhere between 40 minutes and an hour and a half depending on your route.
What’s the best way to get around Paris?
The metro is hands-down the best way to get around Paris — it’s quick, efficient, and not too expensive. As a tourist, you can buy a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 5-day Paris Visite pass, which will give you unlimited use of the metro, bus, tram, and RER train networks. A 5-day Paris pass costs 38.35€ ($39.91 USD), which is an absolute steal for how far you’re able to go with it.
Take a tour in Paris
You’ll also love:
- How to Prepare for Initial Flight Attendant Training (Advice for CJO Holders)
- Dubrovnik Travel Guide: How to Spend 24 Hours in King’s Landing
- The Only San Francisco Travel Guide You’ll Ever Need
Thanks for reading this guide to spending one day in Paris! If you’ve been and have any other recommendations, pop them in the comments below.
xoxo Niki
