One Day In Paris: How To See the Greatest Hits

Is Paris worth visiting only for one day? The city of love is at the top of everyone’s bucket lists, famous for its art museums, food, metro, fashion, culture, and scenery. But what if you only have 24 hours in Paris? Like an overnight layover or a day trip from a neighboring country. Is it worth the potential rushing around? Well, one day in Paris is better than none.

The nice thing about travel is that you can plan how fast or slow you want to go. If you set your expectations right, you’ll have an amazing day. You might not get to see everything or even a lot. But you’ll never be this age, in Paris, at this time, ever again! So, if you have the opportunity, why not take it?

Knowing how to plan one day in Paris isn’t easy, especially if you haven’t been before. Luckily, this guide is here to help! Read on to discover how you can see all the icons in a day in the best way. Plus, other one day in Paris itinerary suggestions and how to customize it to your preferences.

Can You Do Paris in One Day?

Yes, you can do Paris in one day. Will you get to spend lots of time at the famous attractions? No, but that shouldn’t be the expectation.

In one day, you’ll realistically get to spend an hour in each attraction or area you go to, which is about 4 or 5 total. You’ll spend about 2 hours a day transiting between destinations and eating meals. Then, maybe an hour of downtime total in the day. This assumes you’re giving yourself the entire day in Paris, from morning to night.

But even if you don’t want to go all out, you can still do Paris in a day and be content. You may prefer sitting at a cafe, spending lots of time at one attraction, strolling around a new neighborhood, and ending the day peacefully. The point is, one day is a lot of time!

One Day in Paris At a Glance

This full-day itinerary is best for those who want to see all the icons. The itinerary’s first half includes the must-dos, and the second half has three great options for a sunset view and dinner. This itinerary has instances where you can also slow down and take in the ambiance.

My one day in Paris itinerary is merely a sample of how you could plan your day. Follow it, edit it, or use it as inspiration. It is here for you! If you want to spend more time at an attraction, do it!

This is the best way to experience the greatest hits in one day:

Breakfast at Carrette
Enjoy the Eiffel Tower, and it’s Gardens
Louvre + Musee de L’Orangerie
Lunch in Le Marais
Saint Chappelle + Notre Dame
Arc de Triomphe + Champs Elysees + Le Relais Entrecote (Dinner)
OR Sacre Ceour + Montmartre + Dinner
OR Galeries Lafayette + Dinner in Pigalle + Bar
Admire the Eiffel Tower at Night

One Day in Paris Ultimate Itinerary: Greatest Hits

Follow me as I show you how you can cover Paris in one day!

Morning in Paris — 7 AM

Breakfast and Hot Chocolate at Carrette

Carrette is the cafe to go to in Paris. It was started in 1927 by a husband and wife as a tea room and patisserie. The first location is in Trocadero, which is the best location because it’s right behind the Eiffel Tower. It’s extremely popular with tourists for its hot chocolate, which is to die for if you’ve never had French hot chocolate.

French hot chocolate is a thick, basically liquid version of semi-sweet chocolate that is so delicious and indulgent. Carrette has a basically perfect version of it, and you have to get it with their whipped chantilly cream.

It is more expensive, but it’s the pinnacle of what most people think a touristy French brunch is. I recommend getting their brunch set, which includes your choice of a hot beverage, juice, pastry, toast, jam, and scrambled eggs, for 38 Euros. This is a place you try once for fun! The brunch is extremely filling and worth it for the quality and ambiance.

Tip: If you’re lucky, the patio seats are the best because you’ll get a view of the Eiffel Tower! Carrette also usually has a line, but it’s very short if you go early in the morning. You’ll get seated even faster if you’re alone (I waited literally like 5 minutes max for my table.)

Walk Around the Eiffel Tower

After breakfast at Carrette, across the street to the Place du Trocadero, a public square with a stunning, clear view of the Eiffel Tower. There are sculptures around the square and a huge palace on both sides. It’s popular for photos of the tower, as you can’t get that view anywhere else. It can get crowded, so go during off-peak hours.

Afterward, walk through the Trocadero Gardens between Place du Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower. It was built for the Paris World Fair and has a huge central water fountain with jets. Snap a couple of shots here, then walk on the Pont d’Iéna (bridge) towards the Eiffel Tower, which will lead you to the base of the tower.

I don’t recommend going up the tower because it’s expensive and you can find better (free) views of Paris later! Walk under or around the tower and through the Eiffel Tower garden, a popular green space in front of the tower for picnics and relaxing. Snap a couple of pics here of sitting on the grass!

Note: Don’t spend too long here because we’ll see the tower again at night when it sparkles!

Visit the Louvre

Once you’re done admiring the Eiffel Tower, head to the nearest station near you, which is either the Champs de Mars Eiffel Tower station or Ecole Militaire station, and take either the RER C to Musee d’Orsay station or Metro lines 7 or 1 to get to the Louvre or Palais Royal station (closest stations to the Louvre).

However, I only recommend doing the Louvre if you only want to see the most popular items, which take about an hour and fifteen to see using the Louvre’s self-guided tour (it’s great).

If there are a lot of things you want to see at the Louvre, or you want to spend a lot of time there, skip it and visit it next time. The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world, so it’s impossible to see it all in a short amount of time. If you also don’t have a ticket, skip the Louvre. The ticket line is long.

To see the Louvre during your one day in Paris, buy tickets ahead online and take the secret (not so secret) Carrousel entrance. It’s in the underground Carrousel du Louvre shopping center and connects with the metro. This entrance is specifically for people with tickets and/or memberships. There’s usually no one at this entrance, and you’ll enter the museum within 5 minutes, seriously!

Important: Whatever you do, do not line up at the glass pyramid to get in.

Musée de l’Orangerie

After you finish the Louvre, or if you decide not to do the Louvre, go to Musée de l’Orangerie. It’s a smaller, beautiful art museum with impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, with its highlight being 8 large paintings of Monet’s water lilies. This museum has an upper and lower floor that you can see quickly (although, if you have the time, definitely take your time).

The museum is across the Jardin des Tuileries, which you can walk across from the Louvre on its East side. The Tuileries Garden is a garden you have to walk through—it’s stunning, with dozens of leafy trees, a beautiful water fountain, walking paths, flower bushes, and more.

Musée de l’Orangerie is in the West corner of the garden, which is about a 15-minute walk from the Louvre. You have to get tickets ahead of time and select a time slot. Once you show up, you must go through a metal detector. Then, head straight in for the water lilies!

Tip: Get up close and admire Monet’s brush strokes. This is the best opportunity to study and appreciate his work up close.

Afternoon

Lunch in Le Marais

After two museums, you’ll probably be hungry. Luckily, you’re right next to one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Paris, Le Marais!

This neighborhood has terrific food, boutiques, bars, galleries, shops, and cute cafes. You can take the metro or bus to this area from the museum, which takes about 10-12 minutes.

You can find all sorts of cuisine in Le Marais, including French, Vietnamese, Turkish, etc. Paris has amazing food, but the standouts are those three cuisines. For Turkish food, go to L’As du Fallafel, which has some of the best falafel I’ve ever tried.

For French, Creperie Suzette is a great, homey French crepe cafe with mouthwatering savory and sweet crepes. Les Philosophes is a famous French bistro serving great French classics like beef bourguignon and onion soup. All three restaurants are near each other, so you can check them out in person before you choose.

After lunch, wander the streets for picturesque views and stumble upon a cute boutique or two.

At this point, you’re probably thinking, who has the energy for this? Depending on if you’re feeling tired, you can totally skip items on this itinerary. This one day itinerary for Paris is for your inspiration, which you can use if you like.

Visit Sainte Chappelle

After exploring Le Marais, walk 15-18 minutes or take the bus to Saint Chappelle, the most beautiful royal Gothic chapel. Sainte Chappelle is famous for its collection of stained glass windows, which are a treat.

Saint Chappelle is my favorite attraction in Paris and is a must-visit for everyone coming to Paris. The complex is quite small, and takes about 30-45 minutes to walk through the entire thing.

But if you have no idea what it looks like, keep it that way! You’ll be blown away once you see the inside. I almost missed the actual chapel because you first enter through the bottom floor, which is essentially the chapel crypt.

Buy your tickets online ahead of time. Otherwise, you’ll stand in the ticket queue for at least 30 minutes. You’ll select a time you want to go and then queue in the line for your timed slot when you show up. Dress modestly for the chapel and listen to their free audio guide, which is available on their website.

See Notre Dame

Unfortunately, this iconic cathedral is still closed from the 2019 fire, so you can only see it from outside. However, it’s super close to Sainte Chappelle, so it’s convenient to pass by and see. The entire cathedral is fenced off along all sides, so you’ll only get to see the middle and top portion of Notre Dame.

Despite its partially blocked view, dozens of tourists are still visiting to get a glimpse of Notre Dame, so it gets very crowded. It’s best to see the cathedral from a higher point by sitting on stairs or stepping on flower bed siding.

Late Afternoon Options

After a packed morning and early afternoon, you’ll feel a little tired, and your feet may hurt after all the walking. So, depending on how you feel, here are three options for how to spend the late afternoon and evening in your one day in Paris.

1. Arc de Triomphe + Champs Elysees + Dinner (Le Relais Entrecote)

If you have lots of energy, or even if you don’t, and you want to see more iconic Paris landmarks and attractions, then head to the Arc de Triomphe. Ideally, the sun should be setting soon, which is the perfect time to go to the top of the arch. If it’s not, walk along the iconic Champs Elysees first to kill time!

How to get to the Arc de Triomphe: The Arc de Triomphe is in the middle of a large roundabout. Don’t cross the roundabout road, as it’s dangerous, and you will get honked at and/or hit. There is a tunnel you can walk through on the Champs Elysees. The tunnel entrance is in front of this building: 11 Rue de Tilsitt, 75017 Paris, France.

Inside the Arc de Triomphe:

You can buy tickets onsite, but I recommend buying them beforehand. Then, once you get to the base of the arc, you’ll scan your ticket and go through security.

To get to the top, walk up 284 stairs on a spiral staircase. There is an elevator, but only for disabled and elderly folks. It can get narrow at some points, but it is worth it! You get an amazing birdseye view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower!

Once you come down, and if you haven’t already, walk along the Champs Elysees, one of the most beautiful avenues in the world. It’s a huge shopping street with all the luxury and chain brands. The trees light up at night, and it’s a spectacular shopping avenue to walk down. Visit Saint Honore for some of the best macarons in Paris!

For dinner, head to Le Relais de l’Entrecote for delicious steak and fries (Steak frites). You can find a location off the middle of the Champs Elysees. It’s probably the most famous steak in town, but for good reason.

They only have one thing on the menu: the steak, fries, and starter salad. There’s a side menu for desserts and drinks, but everyone is served the same main food.

The green sauce is to die for. The steak is soft and buttery, and the fries are crispy yet soft inside. I highly recommend getting their profiterole dessert, cream puffs with ice cream, chocolate sauce, and almonds.

2. Sacre Coeur + Montmartre + Dinner (lots of small places)

If you want to see a more romantic part of the city, head to Montmartre, an artistic neighborhood on a hill. The geography and narrow, cobblestone streets make it feel like a small village nestled in the mountains. Its most famous attraction is the Sacre Coeur Basilica, which is free to enter.

To be honest, the inside of the basilica is just okay, but it’s the exterior that wows everyone. It’s a huge white basilica that sits on the highest point in Paris, and the stairs right in front are the perfect place to watch the sunset.

To the left of Sacre Coeur are small streets filled with small boutiques and souvenir shops. If you keep walking, you’ll find the heart of the Montmartre village, where you’ll see dozens of artists painting and drawing.

This village also has a handful of cafes, bars, and restaurants, which all have a rustic, romantic vibe. If you’re hungry, stop by the brasseries or restaurants here, and you’ll be guaranteed a good meal and a great atmosphere.

After eating, you’ll get to walk down lamppost-lit cobblestone streets that are just so dreamy.

Tip: Find the vintage camera photobooth (Fotoautomat) in Montmartre for an extra special souvenir. It uses real film and develops your photo on the spot. It’s so cute and one of my favorite souvenirs from Paris.

3. Galleries Lafayette + Dinner + Bar in Pigalle

If you want a chill end to a hectic day in Paris, head to the Galleries Lafayette for sunset, then hang around for dinner and maybe visit one of the famous bars in Paris.

The Galleries Lafayette is a luxury department store that has luxury brands but also more affordable and local brands. So, if you love shopping, this is the place to be.

But you want to go here for the free rooftop, which has one of the best views of Paris. It’s spectacular for sunset and, like at the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll see a great view of the Eiffel Tower. Take the escalators to the top floor and climb two or three stairs until you reach the rooftop door.

There are some lounging chairs on the rooftop where you can sit and enjoy the view! If you go during fall or winter, it might get windy, so dress somewhat warm. Then, after you’ve watched the sunset, you can peruse around the store or head to dinner in Pigalle, the nightlife district in Paris.

Pigalle used to be the red light district, but now it’s more for entertainment. The famous Moulin Rouge is there, but you’ll also find dozens of bars within a 3 street radius. There are lots of hip and trendy restaurants and bars in this area, so you can go for a bite and for a nice cocktail in the same area.

Eiffel Tower at Night

Last but not least, you have to catch the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night—it’s simply magical. Every day after sunset, the Eiffel Tower lights up and sparkles for 5 minutes at the start of each hour until 1 AM, when it sparkles for 10 minutes, then ends.

You can see the Eiffel Tower from almost anywhere in Paris, but it’s best on one of the streets closer to the tower. Rue de l’Université is a popular place to get clear views of the tower, especially at night. You could also go back to Trocadero or the Eiffel Tower garden to see it as well.

Luckily, Paris is quite safe! Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. But for the most part, it’s safer than many American cities.

One Day in Paris Map

Here’s a map of all the sites mentioned in this itinerary. You’ll also see how far or close things are to each other. To see the late afternoon options, click the map and toggle them on the lefthand side.

Other One Day in Paris Suggestions

There are so many things to do in Paris, so here are some more options to consider instead of the ones listed in this itinerary:

Musee Rodin — If you’ve ever wanted to see The Thinker in real life, you have to go to Musee Rodin. The museum features all the work of French sculptor Auguste Rodin and has a beautiful outside courtyard with his sculptures. It’s one of the cheaper museums in Paris but one of the most tranquil.
Pompidou Centre — Head to the Pompidou Centre for modern and contemporary art. This place is GIGANTIC and has a really cool, contained outdoor escalator that goes all the way to the top. The architecture is a mishmash of industrial tubes and glass, with a great view at the top.
Jardin du Luxembourg — This vast park has acres of green space, walking paths, a beautiful fountain, a lake, statues, and more. It’s a calming space for people looking to relax or exercise and is perfect for escaping the city.
Musee D’orsay — Musee D’orsay is an art museum in the old Gare D’orsay with French painting, art, and sculpture. It also has photography exhibits! It’s a really cool museum with famous works from Degas, Van Gogh, Picasso, Morisot, and more.
Picnic by the Seine — Humans love sitting by the water! The Seine is the river that splits Paris in half, and although the water isn’t the cleanest, there are plenty of spots to picnic, eat, or drink by the water. You’ll see people sitting by the river at all hours of the day, and it’s a great way to rest and relax.

Is it Worth Going to Paris for 24 Hours?

Yes, one hundred percent yes! One day in Pairs is better than none. Who knows when you’ll get the opportunity in the future? Paris is such a well-planned city that it’s super easy to get around and explore—especially on foot!

You will be tired at the end of the day, but that’s the expectation. You won’t regret spending a day in Paris, even if it’s stressful or tiring. If you had the opportunity to go, would you regret not taking it?

However, the only time it might not be worth it is if your type of vacation is relaxing. But then again, you could have a very relaxing 24 hours in Paris.

How to Get Around Paris

Paris has amazing public transportation. You can take the bus, metro, train, or tram. Additionally, walking in Paris is amazing. Streets and attractions are well connected, and you can easily walk from place to place, even if it’s 20 or 30 minutes away.

How to Take the Paris Metro: Now, navigating the Paris metro is easy! For one day in Paris, you should get the one-day Navigo travel card, the public transportation card used to pay for all public transport in Paris. The card is valid for one day, from midnight until 11:59 PM the same day. You also select the zones you want to travel between, but for this itinerary, you only need it for zones 1-2, which costs 8.65 Euros.

You can buy it online or at metro/train stations. I believe you can also get it from the airport as well.

Once you have your card, you can hop on and off all public transport! Tap in and out when necessary. What’s great about the card is that you don’t have to think about how much to pay; buy once and go!

Seasonal Specialties in Paris

Depending on what season you visit Paris, there are some unique festivities you can experience:

Spring: Cherry Blossoms, Paris Marathon, French Bread Festival
Summer: Bastille Day, Tour de France
Fall: Festival d’Automne à Paris, Fall Foliage
Winter: Christmas Markets, Paris Fashion Week

Tips for Paris in a Day

Here are some tips for visiting Paris for a day:

Accept that you can’t see everything!
Watch out for common scams—don’t let any stranger holding anything approach you, especially clipboards. They’re trying to distract and pickpocket you. You’ll see scammers around the tourist sites like the Eiffel Tower or Louvre.
Keep belongings close to you—only bring your essentials. Also, don’t leave your phone on the table or propped up for a photo; someone will walk by and take it.
Greet everyone with ‘bonjour!’ it’s the culture in Paris, and if you don’t, people will think you’re being rude.
Most people speak English, so asking for help or ordering is easy.
Get tickets ahead—you and hundreds of others want to visit the same sites, so plan ahead.
Pack a snack. Just in case you get hungry!
Wear comfortable shoes, you’ll be walking a lot.

Have the Best One Day in Paris

Whether you’re going to Paris for a layover, a day trip from another European city (like London), or as a stop in your Europe trip, it’s possible to explore Paris in a day! It will be easy and less stressful now that you can use this one day in Paris itinerary, which you can customize and use to your liking. Paris is one of those cities that you can’t help but fall in love with, and it is so easy to navigate and explore. I hope you have an amazing day in Paris! Happy travels!