One Day in Paris
Paris, the City of Lights, is one of the most iconic destinations in the world thanks to its unquestionable charm, countless things to do and extraordinary cultural background. It is easy to see why someone would choose to visit Paris, but for travelers with little time here it can be challenging to make the most of the trip. If you are planning on spending just one day in Paris, read these tips and make sure that you visit the top places in the French capital!
First thing’s first, to start your visit off well, you will need to think about an itinerary. Planning a route is the best way to add the places that interest you the most and check if it is possible to see them all in the available time. We have planned the ultimate Paris itinerary through the charming streets so you don’t have to (you can thank us later!)
Admiring some of the best views over the city sounds like a great kickoff. That is why we suggest starting your day in the Montmartre neighbourhood. This bohemian area was once home to artists such as Picasso and Dalí, and many consider it village-like due to its calm atmosphere, countless bistros and cobblestone streets. A romantic terrace here is the perfect place to have breakfast and get ready to explore Paris.
After the mandatory croissant and café au lait you should visit the Sacré Coeur Basilica. Besides admiring this Romano-Byzantine building dedicated to the heart of Christ, you must spend some time at the forecourt of the building which offers a panoramic view of Paris. You can wish the whole city a good day from here! Before leaving the area, and if you are feeling romantic (and who doesn’t in Paris!), you can visit the Wall of Love, or Mur des Je t’aime. This wall of 40 square meters is located at the Jehan Rictus garden square and it has over 311 written declarations of love in 250 different languages! Ah, l’amour.
While we do enjoy exploring streets by foot, we would recommend taking the subway to the next stop: the fashionable and unique-in-its-kind district of Le Marais. The easiest way to get there is by taking line 4 and riding 6 stops, from Barbès Rochechouart to Étienne Marcel. Just five minutes away from the station you can find the iconic Centre Pompidou, which will impress you with its style of high-tech architecture. It’s when you leave this building behind that you enter the area of Le Marais, known as the trendiest district of the city. Full of quirky boutiques, it is also considered a foodie paradise thanks to the variety of restaurants and food shops. Grab a snack to have on the go, and do some window shopping for a while. It is a must in Paris!
If the weather allows you to, we would recommend buying lunch on your way to Notre-Dame, located to the south of Le Marais, and eating it right in the square where the iconic cathedral is found. It is difficult to get a better background for a meal, and you can spend as much time as you want here.
After a well-deserved break, you should head to Pont Neuf. The oldest standing bridge across the river Seine will take you out of L'île de la Cité and back to solid ground. You will then find yourself right at the Louvre Museum. Visiting this unique place is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Paris! A general ticket costs 17 euros, but don’t worry, fellow budget travelers: there are always tips to visit main attractions for free. Entrance is free for visitors under the age of 18 and residents of the European Economic Area between 18 and 25 years old. The museum also holds a free-admission night on the first Saturday night of each month, but you should make sure to book ahead on their website. You’re welcome!
As soon as you feel that you’ve had enough of world-renowned masterpieces by acclaimed artists such as Théodore Géricault, Eugène Delacroix or Leonardo da Vinci, you can exit the museum and have a walk through the lush gardens of Jardins des Tuileries and Jardins des Champs-Élysées. If you follow a straight line, you will find yourself in front of the Galeries Lafayette in half an hour. These upmarket department stores are known for the high-end shops that offer the most exquisite items, so if you like fashion and French glam, you can’t miss this site!
You will probably need extra energy to continue the afternoon, so make sure to enjoy a traditional bite. You can choose to have a crepe, a croissant or pain au chocolat: there are many bakeries or boulangeries in the area so it won’t be difficult to find a delicious snack.
When the sugar kicks in, you can complete your way through the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, considered the most beautiful avenue in the world by many, to get to the Arc de Triomphe. As one of the most famous monuments in Paris, it is visited every year by hundreds of travelers, attracted by the stunning building that honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Its top is used as a panoramic terrace, so you can also see the city from a privileged viewing site.
We can’t think of a better way to finish one day in Paris than admiring the Eiffel Tower. You can get there by foot as it is a half-hour walk from Arc de Triomphe, or take a bus (Line 2). As the most symbolic attraction in Paris, the Tour Eiffel will surely impress you. This wrought-iron lattice tower was built as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, and it is today one of the most recognisable structures in the whole world. If you are lucky enough to catch the sunset here, you will enjoy an unforgettable sight!
We hope that this step-by-step guide will help you plan how to spend one day in Paris. If there are any attractions that interest you more, you can change the route and customize it accordingly. Also, if you want to explore a particular area of the city you can always join a free walking tour in Paris to get to know the streets’ history and best-kept secrets. Check out all the options on our website, read other travelers’ reviews and book your favourite one! Et voilà!
By Georgina Blasco
First thing’s first, to start your visit off well, you will need to think about an itinerary. Planning a route is the best way to add the places that interest you the most and check if it is possible to see them all in the available time. We have planned the ultimate Paris itinerary through the charming streets so you don’t have to (you can thank us later!)
Things to do in Paris
Admiring some of the best views over the city sounds like a great kickoff. That is why we suggest starting your day in the Montmartre neighbourhood. This bohemian area was once home to artists such as Picasso and Dalí, and many consider it village-like due to its calm atmosphere, countless bistros and cobblestone streets. A romantic terrace here is the perfect place to have breakfast and get ready to explore Paris.
After the mandatory croissant and café au lait you should visit the Sacré Coeur Basilica. Besides admiring this Romano-Byzantine building dedicated to the heart of Christ, you must spend some time at the forecourt of the building which offers a panoramic view of Paris. You can wish the whole city a good day from here! Before leaving the area, and if you are feeling romantic (and who doesn’t in Paris!), you can visit the Wall of Love, or Mur des Je t’aime. This wall of 40 square meters is located at the Jehan Rictus garden square and it has over 311 written declarations of love in 250 different languages! Ah, l’amour.
While we do enjoy exploring streets by foot, we would recommend taking the subway to the next stop: the fashionable and unique-in-its-kind district of Le Marais. The easiest way to get there is by taking line 4 and riding 6 stops, from Barbès Rochechouart to Étienne Marcel. Just five minutes away from the station you can find the iconic Centre Pompidou, which will impress you with its style of high-tech architecture. It’s when you leave this building behind that you enter the area of Le Marais, known as the trendiest district of the city. Full of quirky boutiques, it is also considered a foodie paradise thanks to the variety of restaurants and food shops. Grab a snack to have on the go, and do some window shopping for a while. It is a must in Paris!
If the weather allows you to, we would recommend buying lunch on your way to Notre-Dame, located to the south of Le Marais, and eating it right in the square where the iconic cathedral is found. It is difficult to get a better background for a meal, and you can spend as much time as you want here.
After a well-deserved break, you should head to Pont Neuf. The oldest standing bridge across the river Seine will take you out of L'île de la Cité and back to solid ground. You will then find yourself right at the Louvre Museum. Visiting this unique place is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Paris! A general ticket costs 17 euros, but don’t worry, fellow budget travelers: there are always tips to visit main attractions for free. Entrance is free for visitors under the age of 18 and residents of the European Economic Area between 18 and 25 years old. The museum also holds a free-admission night on the first Saturday night of each month, but you should make sure to book ahead on their website. You’re welcome!
As soon as you feel that you’ve had enough of world-renowned masterpieces by acclaimed artists such as Théodore Géricault, Eugène Delacroix or Leonardo da Vinci, you can exit the museum and have a walk through the lush gardens of Jardins des Tuileries and Jardins des Champs-Élysées. If you follow a straight line, you will find yourself in front of the Galeries Lafayette in half an hour. These upmarket department stores are known for the high-end shops that offer the most exquisite items, so if you like fashion and French glam, you can’t miss this site!
You will probably need extra energy to continue the afternoon, so make sure to enjoy a traditional bite. You can choose to have a crepe, a croissant or pain au chocolat: there are many bakeries or boulangeries in the area so it won’t be difficult to find a delicious snack.
When the sugar kicks in, you can complete your way through the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, considered the most beautiful avenue in the world by many, to get to the Arc de Triomphe. As one of the most famous monuments in Paris, it is visited every year by hundreds of travelers, attracted by the stunning building that honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Its top is used as a panoramic terrace, so you can also see the city from a privileged viewing site.
We can’t think of a better way to finish one day in Paris than admiring the Eiffel Tower. You can get there by foot as it is a half-hour walk from Arc de Triomphe, or take a bus (Line 2). As the most symbolic attraction in Paris, the Tour Eiffel will surely impress you. This wrought-iron lattice tower was built as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, and it is today one of the most recognisable structures in the whole world. If you are lucky enough to catch the sunset here, you will enjoy an unforgettable sight!
We hope that this step-by-step guide will help you plan how to spend one day in Paris. If there are any attractions that interest you more, you can change the route and customize it accordingly. Also, if you want to explore a particular area of the city you can always join a free walking tour in Paris to get to know the streets’ history and best-kept secrets. Check out all the options on our website, read other travelers’ reviews and book your favourite one! Et voilà!
By Georgina Blasco
