Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Are you looking for ideas on how to spend 24 hours in Paris? Whether you are visiting Paris for the first time or coming back for the 10th time Paris is a great place to stop even if you don’t have a lot of time. We’ve put together suggestions and an itinerary of how to visit Paris for a day. With just 24 hours, you have just enough time to choose a few attractions, map out a great walking tour and save some time for sipping a drink in a café.
If you are looking for more travel ideas, make sure to check out our destinations page – you can find incredible itineraries, outdoor adventures and more to help you plan your next trip. If you are traveling to Paris as a family, check out: 15 Amazing Things to do in Paris with Tweens, Teens, and Kids.
Overview of How to See Paris For a Day
Paris is a huge city with so many things to see and do that coming up with a Paris trip plan can seem completely overwhelming. To make this more difficult to plan, Paris is also an incredible place to simply wander about and stop to eat, or drink, or shop whenever you feel like it. The goal for your one day in Paris is to come up with a loose plan that hits the major sites and gives you time and flexibility to enjoy the city.
Based on our experience visiting Paris multiple times, here’s how I would plan to see Paris in a Day:
- Using the list below, come up with a list of the things to do in Paris in 1 day that interest you the most – you can choose a few attractions to see and one or two longer activities like doing a boat tour or visiting an art museum.
- Map out a walking tour of the city that includes these attractions.
- Get an early start and give yourself time and flexibility to stop and take a break along the way to soak in Paris!
Things to Know about Seeing Paris in a Day
Can you do Paris in a Day?
You can absolutely see Paris in 1 day as long as you know that you won’t see everything Paris has to offer. One day in Paris still gives you time to see some of the major sites, check out an activity or two, take a long walk, and enjoy some delicious food.
Can you Walk Paris in a Day?
Paris is a huge city and you should plan to walk for part of your day in Paris, so wear a good pair of shoes. Even with a long walk, you should be able to see many, but not all, the main attractions.
What is the Best Way to Get Around Paris?
Walking is often the best way to get around Paris. You can also take a taxi, the city bus, the metro, or even the hop on-hop off tour bus.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Paris?
Paris is one of those cities that can be visited all year long. The best time to visit Paris is Sept and Oct when the temperatures cool off and some of the crowds go home. Summer can be a wonderful time in Paris, but is also the most crowded. We also love Paris in Nov and Dec when the city gets all decked out for the holidays. The spring months are beautiful as well, especially when the flowers come out.
Can you visit Paris on a Layover?
If you are flying in and out of Paris, you may be considering spending your layover exploring Paris. You should know that getting into Paris from the airport takes at least an hour each way, so you would need a long layover to make this work. With just a few hours, you may want to consider a Paris layover tour. You can find some amazing options for tours ranging from just a few hours to a full day online and you can easily book these tours in advance. The best tours will include transportation from the airport to save you time.
What are the absolute best places to visit in Paris in 1 Day?
If you are trying to decide the best way to use your time in Paris, you will want to prioritize seeing the Eiffel Tower, visiting an art museum, walking along the Seine, and doing a River Boat Cruise
Where to Stay in Paris for One Day
Paris is full of fun places to stay from classis hotels to modern rooms. Below are a few options that we’ve either stayed at or heard great things:
Map of Things to See in Paris in 24 Hours
The Best 13 Things to do with a Day in Paris
Below you can find suggestions of 13 things to do in Paris in a day. There is no way you can do everything on this list, so you should choose a few of the top things and plan your day around these activities.
Eiffel Tower
Nothing is more Paris than the iconic Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is visible from across Paris, but a trip to the base or the top of the Eiffel Tower is a must if you are in Paris for a day. If you are short in time, you can simply walk around the park at the base of the tower, but if you have more time, it’s worth going up the tower.
There are 3 levels to the Eiffel Tower. The bottom two floors can be reached by either the stairs or the elevator, but the only way to reach the top floor is by elevator. The line to take the elevator up the Eiffel Tower can be VERY long (like several hours). Since you only have 1 day in Paris, you should plan to take the stairs, or book your ticket in advance.
Especially in the summer, ticket can sell out up to a few months in advance, so book your tickets early so you don’t waste time on your 24 hours Paris itinerary.
Notre Dame Cathedral
This medieval Catholic cathedral is currently under construction after the recent fire but is still worth visiting. Built in the 1300s, this Gothic styled cathedral is very impressive. The church is currently blocked off, but is surrounded by beautiful artwork focused on this building.
Walk the Bridges over the Seine
Another classic thing to do in Paris is to stroll along the Seine River and admire the many bridges. There are 37 bridges that cross the river starting with the oldest, Pont Neuf built in 1578 up to Pont Alerxandre III built around 1900. If you are planning a long walking tour of Paris, make sure to include a few of the bridges into your walk. See a map of the Paris bridges.
Some of the most beautiful bridges in Paris include:
- Pont Neuf
- Pont Alexandre III
- Pont des Arts
- Passerelle Debilly
- Pont de Bir-Hakeim
- Pont de Grenelle
One of the best ways to learn more about the bridges and sites in Paris is to take a guided tour.
Eat Some French Food
France is known for its amazing food, and your day trip to Paris isn’t complete until you’ve enjoyed some classis French food. You don’t have to eat out at a fancy restaurant to enjoy excellent French cooking (although this is a great option for dinner). To get amazing French food, stop at a sidewalk stand for fresh crepes, visit a café for some pastries and a coffee, or explore a market to get some produce or freshly baked bread.
Take a Boat Cruise
A great way to see Paris is by taking a boat trip down the Seine River. Paris was built around the river and most of the best attractions can be seen from the water. There are many boat operations that offer tours ranging from one hour to a full day or dinner cruise. Each tour offers a different experience, but many of the tours give you an overview of the history and sites you will see along the way.
If you have to prioritize one tour, this is the tour I would recommend.
Explore an Art Museum
Paris is a center of art and there are many art museums around the city with some of the most famous artwork in the world. The Louvre alone houses 35,000 pieces of artwork including many famous pieces including the Mona Lisa. You will need a minimum of 2 hours to explore any of the art museums, and could easily spend your entire day visiting one of these museums.
For the most popular museums, it’s worth buying your tickets in advance and some of the museums with still have a line at the entrance. Below are some of the most famous art museums:
- Louvre
- Musee D’Orsay
- Paris Museum of Modern Art
- Musee Marmottan Monet
- Rodin Museum
- Picasso Museum
- Palace of Versailles
Stroll through Montmartre
The charming neighborhood of Montmarte is the perfect place to wander. The cobblestone streets are the perfect place to wander through classic Parisian shops complete with ivy hanging from buildings and charming cafes. This is a great place to shop and since it sits on a hill over the city, you can enjoy beautiful views out across the city.
Learn more about visiting Montmarte.
Watch the Sunset
Paris seems to come alive at night and watching the sunset almost anywhere in Paris is magical. One of the best places to catch the sunset is the Sacre-Coeur Basilica and we also love walking along the river and across the bridges as sun is going down. If you really want the city to yourself, consider heading out in the early morning hours to watch the sunrise!
Sit at a Café
While eating delicious food is something you should do in Paris, you should also make sure to set aside some time to simply sit as a café – drink a coffee, a glass of wine, or a soft drink and watch the world go by. You can see a café from almost anywhere in Paris and it is common for people to simply take a break and stop for a drink at almost any time of day.
Arc de Triomphe
Located in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, the Arc de Triomphe marks the western end of the Champs-Élysées. Built in the first half of the nineteenth century, this impressive structure honors those who fought for France during the Napoleonic wars and other. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Memorial Flame are both found at this Arch.
You can see the Arch from the outside or take the stairs or elevator to the observation deck for views of the city.
Walk Along the Champs-Elysses
This 1.2 mile road connect the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. This famous commercial street has high end shops, cafes, and is a beautiful walk and interesting place to people watch and soak in this side of Paris.
Versailles
Located about 1 hour via train from Paris, Versailles is challenging to visit is you are only visiting Paris for a day. That said, this incredible palace is worth visiting for the grounds, the art and the history. If you are planning to visit Versailles on your one day in Paris, consider a half day tour so you have the rest of the day to see other parts of the city.
Visit the Catacombs
Under the streets of Paris, a labyrinth of tunnels is the final resting place of over 6 million Parisians. The bones of these Parisians were moved to these tunnels in the 18th Century. Today you can tour these tunnels. You can book your tickets online directly, or join a guided tour so you can skip the lines. There can be long lines to get into this one of a kid site, so book a skip the lines tour or visit late in the day.
