A quick stopover in Paris? A weekend getaway from work or a study abroad? No worries! This guide will provide you with several options to have the BEST time in Paris in just a day.
Photo of Sainte-Chapelle early in the morning.
The first time I visited Paris, I had less than 24 hours in the city. This build-your-own guide is inspired by that trip. It was an exhausting but well worth the effort day.
MORNING AT PARIS’ CHURCHES
Begin the morning with a croissant and a coffee at a boulangerie. Quickly head to Sainte-Chapelle for the earliest time slot, both to beat the crowds and to begin the morning as early as possible. For this chapel, a reservation is needed.
Notre Dame is nearby, so head there to visit the church whose restoration has been completed. This location is an option if you would rather pass by, but it is free to visit; just make sure to dress accordingly.
Sainte-Chapelle
10 Bd du Palais, 75001 Paris, France
+33153406080
Mon - Sun, 9 am - 5 pm
Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris
6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
+33 1 42 34 56 10
Mon - Wed/Fri, 7:50 am - 7 pm, Thurs, 7:50 am - 7 pm, Sat - Sun, 8:15 am - 7:30 pm
View of the Louvre and the iconic Lovre Pyramid from a balcony.
MUSEUMS
Head to the Louvre to browse for a few hours. You will need to book ahead so make sure to do this before you arrive. While at the Louvre, feel free to grab lunch at the cafeteria and get a table on the balcony. To be efficient at this museum, it’s a good idea to come in with a few works or styles of art that interest you so you can make sure to see everything you want. You could spend days exploring this museum, so prioritizing is key.
If the Louvre is too much, the Petit Palais or the Musée d’Orsay are great alternatives. The Petit Palais is the smallest collection of the three, but it still has a great diversity of works, especially with some interesting modern pieces. The Musée d’Orsay is another large museum; however, it is still smaller than the Louvre, and it is home to fantastic French Impressionist paintings.
After this exhausting morning and early afternoon, its time to relax. Take time to return to your hotel and freshen up. With the evening promising to be just as jam-packed, this is a necessity.
Louvre Museum
Visit - Everything you need to know before visiting the museum - Reserve in advance
+33 1 40 20 53 17
Wed/Fri, 9 am - 6 pm, Mon/Thurs-Sun, 9 am - 6 pm
Petit Palais
Av. Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris, France
+33 1 53 43 40 00
Tues - Thurs/Sun, 10 am - 6 pm, Fri - Sat, 10 am - 8 pm
Musée d’Orsay
Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris, France
+33140494814
Tues/Wed/Fri-Sun, 9:30 am - 6 pm, Thurs, 9:30 am - 9:45 pm
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A summer day in the Luxembourg Gardens.
Four Options for the Evening
Head to the Luxembourg Gardens to wander and rest on the iconic green chairs. Nearby, the Pantheon (Mon - Sun, 10 am - 6 pm, 5:15 pm is the last enterance) is ready to be visited. Slip in before closing and tour this gem with the last of the late-night stragglers. This is one of my favorite buildings in Paris. In fact, I actually (controversially) prefer it to Notre Dame and Sacré-Cœur. This building is a must-see.
Watch the sunset and listen to live music at the Sacré-Cœur (Mon - Sun, 6:30 am - 10:30 pm). This is another church that you can visit if you wish. Typically, there will be a late-night service occurring, so make sure to be respectful while visiting these churches during Mass. Montmartre is known for its charming shops, and it has plenty of dining options, so be sure to enjoy the atmosphere here.
Option three is to do what I did during my first trip, which is to relax, grab dinner and a drink, and soak in the last rays of light in the city.
Go visit the Eiffel Tower (Mon - Sun, 9 am - 12 am) to enjoy views over the city. Make sure to get a ticket - an elevator ticket would be the best - because you absolutely need a reservation. It is well worth it to visit this iconic landmark. From here, the rest of Paris’ most famous sites can be seen.
For dinner, check out Le Jules Verne to dine in the Eiffel Tower with views of the city below.
Frame Brasserie is a restaurant just around the corner of the Eiffle tower. It does not have views of the tower, but it does have very pretty and tasty cocktails.
Another option is to grab some picnic supplies from a grocery store- perhaps with some wine or champagne - and enjoy a meal while looking at the Eiffel Tower at Champ de Mars.
Cocktails from Frame Brasserie.
Finally, end the night with a cocktail at the rooftop bar of your hotel (or another hotel close to your location) so you can watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle.
Tip: If museums are not your cup of tea, feel free to swap them out for a food tour of the city, a river cruise, the catacombs, or even spend a few hours shopping.
Have so much fun in Paris! It truly is such a great city to visit.
