One question I often get asked is: “I only have one day to explore Paris, what should I see?”. Obviously, the French capital is so vast and varied that 24 hours in Paris is almost an impossible length of time to capture the magic. However, I would argue that any time in Paris is time well-spent. The city has a unique flavour which you just cannot find anywhere else.
If you’re only spending 24 hours in Paris and want to make the most of it, this is your ultimate quick guide. I’ll go through all the key points and top tips which you need to know to make it an unforgettable trip.
How to Spend 24 Hours in Paris | Your Quick Guide
Planning Your Trip
Getting to Paris
From London, the easiest way to get to Paris is (in my humble opinion) the Eurostar (check out my post on travelling to Paris by Eurostar). Within 2 hours you can go from St. Pancras and be sipping a Spritz in a small Parisian Café. I also think that the security and check-in process is easier with Eurostar – you definitely save time if you live near London. Gare du Nord is also in a central location – I wouldn’t personally recommend staying around there, but the Metro is highly convenient.
Of course, if you are not based around London then plane is the obvious choice. Aéroport de Paris-Charles de Gaulle is a 30 minute metro out of the city and is also very convenient.
Where to Stay
I’ve written quite a fair bit about Paris on my blog. If you are looking at Where to Stay in Paris, check out my blog post. It covers my favourite areas and has some personal recommendations. I seem to end up in Paris at least once a year!
Itinerary – 24 Hours in Paris
Breakfast in Paris
I’ll assume that you’ve arrived in Paris early in the morning, or have one full day exploring. Le petit dejeuner is arguably my favourite mealtime in France. Whilst we all know and love the croissant, pain au chocolate and the baguette, Parisian bakeries hit entirely different. I don’t exactly know what they do, but nothing quite beats a local buttery pastry first thing in Paris.
As you only have 24 hours in Paris, you need to go somewhere special. For the classic Parisian charm (quite mainstream – so forgive me!) you need to head to either Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots. You do pay a bit extra, but it quintessential Paris. Another option is Angelina for more of a brunch option.
Alternatively, if you want to have something on the move, head to a local boulangerie. Each time in Paris I try somewhere different and, to be honest, it is hard to go wrong. That being said, my personal favourite is either Baguett’s Café or La Maison d’Isabelle (the latter of which actually won an award for the best croissant!).
First Morning Stop
The Eiffel Tower is a complete must-do for anyone spending 24 hours in Paris, especially if it is your first time in the city. If you’re a Paris veteran, you probably don’t want to head to the top. As a newbie, though, going up the Eiffel Tower is a complete rite of passage. The views over central Paris have to be seen to be believed, and I’d argue anyone visiting for the first time must go.
Tickets vary depending on which platform you want to climb to. The easiest way to book these is through the official Eiffel Tower website. Given the tower’s popularity, I would definitely recommend booking in advance.
Top Tip: As part of the itinerary, I would suggest allowing 1-2 hours here before you move on.
Second Morning Stop
Rather than jumping straight on the Metro (especially in the summer!), spend the next part of your day walking towards the Louvre along the famous Seine River. The walk takes around 40 minutes and is possibly one of my favourite things to do in Paris. The architecture here is sublime and there are plenty of good and interesting photo opportunities.
At the Louvre, I would suggest stopping and admiring the pyramid. With just 24 hours in Paris, I personally wouldn’t recommend going in. It will take hours to properly explore and the entire thing will feel rather rushed. Instead, take time around the courtyard and take pictures before heading off.
Lunch
You guessed it; after burning off all those calories it is now time for lunch. In Paris, where could be better than a traditional bistro? Paris obviously has an entire range of different cuisines, but traditional Parisian food is undoubtedly the best.
There are so many to choose from, but the nearby Le Relais du Louvre is an excellent choice. Another good option is Bistrot Victoires, but that is slightly further away.
If you are struggling to find places to eat, I’ve written a guide on What to Eat in Paris | French Food you Must Try.
Afternoon Options
For the afternoon you have a few options. I’ve narrowed it down between wandering through Le Marais (a trendy part of Paris) and visiting the Notre-Dame.
Here is a little bit about both to help you decide.
Option 1: Wander Through Le Marais
Le Marais is about a 10 minute Metro journey (or 20 minute walk) from the Louvre. It is a journey well-worth doing; it is one of the most atmospheric neighbourhoods in Paris. The district is a juxtaposition. You have old medieval-styled streets and some of the most stylishly modern boutiques and designers in the city. It is perfect for slowing down and seeing a more authentic side to Parisian life.
One of the standout shops here is Merci, which is perfect for picking up souvenirs. In particular, their tote bags (of which I have many) are the perfect little accessory.
If you aren’t in to shopping, make sure that you visit the Place des Vosges (Paris’ oldest planned square) and the Rue des Rosiers, which is the heart of the ancient Jewish Quarter (perfect for finding little snacks from local shops).
Option 2: Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral
The second option is visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral. As a small side point, this is only a 10 minute walk from Le Marais, so you can always combine the two (but you won’t have time to explore the cathedral if you do this one).
Entrance to this legendary building is free. However, you need to reserve your spot in advance through the Notre Dame Paris website if you want a quick entrance. Regardless of whether you choose to explore or not, this is undoubtedly one of the prettiest buildings in France and is a must-see when visiting.
Early Evening: Optional River Cruise
If you have time after Notre Dame or Le Marais, why not consider an evening river cruise down the Seine? I know what you’re thinking; this is extremely touristy. Give it a go though as it is truly the best way to see the city. What could be better than cruising down the most romantic river in the world, enjoying a glass of wine and seeing Paris pass by you?
Evening in Montmartre
Your final stop of the day is Montmartre, possibly my favourite district in Paris. It feels more like a village within a city than anything else and is actually the best place (I think) to pick up an artistic souvenir.
The star attraction though is the view from the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. It is easily one of the best views in Paris. If you can get here as the sun is setting it is the perfect spot. If you arrive later, then you can still see the beautiful Eiffel Tower sparkle.
End your evening with some dinner or at a small café for some wine and nibbles.
Is 24 Hours in Paris Enough?
24 hours in Paris gives you a flavour of the city, but I think that you do need a little more to truly understand it.
To help you plan a return trip to soak up more of the ambience, I’ve written a few guides which are worth reading. My Ten Things You Must See in Paris post covers the essentials, whereas my Day Trips from Paris: Exploring Paris’ Outskirts post goes over the parts which are lesser seen.
Depending on when you visit, I’ve also written about Visiting Paris at Christmas Time.
Final Thoughts | 24 Hours in Paris
If you want to make the most of just 24 hours in Paris, my advice is to not try and see everything. The places I’ve recommended are just the ones which I would prioritise, but there are also some quite unique things to do in Paris which could take your fancy. If you are still looking for inspiration, check out my My Massive Paris Bucketlist which goes over all the things I want to do / have done in Paris.
I hope that you found this guide useful and if you have any questions please let me know. I always love hearing from you.
