What to Do with 1 Day in Paris
While 1 day in Paris is really a crime, sometimes long layovers and travel plans call for just one short day in Paris. The good news: you can manage to see most of the major iconic sites of Paris in 1 day. The best news: this agenda even allows a little extra time to breathe and actually enjoy the fact that you’re IN FREAKING PARIS.
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Here’s a quick overview of the stops for 1 day in Paris
- Parisian Sidewalk Cafe Breakfast
- Arc de Triomph
- Notre Dame
- Louvre Museum
- Lunch and shopping in Montmartre
- La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre
- Sunset at the Eiffel Tower
Here comes the note section…
Notes on Time:
Paris is not a one-size-fits-all destination. You may have dream of seeing famous artwork in the Louvre, while another may envision casual shopping in boutiques of Montmartre. This agenda is built to ensure you’ll hit all the major sites, but also allows the space to linger where it feels right for you.
You may also notice that a great deal of time is allotted for dining. Parisian restaurants don’t move at a fast-food pace you may be used to from other places. Service comes at a casual pace, meant for wine and courses and conversation. Embrace it!
Notes on Transportation:
The best way to get around Paris is by metro. While you can absolutely use Lyft/Uber/ taxi in Paris, it’s expensive and definitely not as convenient as you’d think due to the traffic.
1 Day Paris metro passes cost about 23 euro – a steal compared to taking a bunch of taxi rides. You can purchase metro passes and tickets from a vending machine inside the metro station near the turnstiles.
If you’re not familiar with the metro system in Paris (or anywhere for that matter), don’t be intimidated! Simply add all the stops listed here with Google maps. You may have driving or walking selected by default, so be sure to select the “Transit” option. If you don’t have international cell service you’ll be totally fine. Wifi is available in the airport, most accommodations, and restaurants. So while you’re on wifi, look up the route on Google maps and take screenshots. I recommend also downloading offline maps so you can navigate if you get off track.
Notes on Where to Stay
If you only have 1 day to enjoy the city, centrality and convenience will be key. Here’s a link to the Airbnb we stayed in. It was central, and even had a view of the Eiffel Tower!
Itinerary for 1 Day in Paris
Breakfast or brunch at a sidewalk cafe – 2 hours
You only have 1 day in Paris, so start the day off right with breakfast in a dreamy little Parisian cafe. There are gorgeous cafes at every turn through Paris. Make sure you stop at one that speaks to you near your hotel/Airbnb/ starting place, or on your way to our first stop – Arc de Triomphe. Grab a cappuccino and a croissant
Arc de Triomphe – 15 minutes
Now that you’ve had a Parisian breakfast, it’s time to head out for Arc de Triomphe. It’s one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It’s a beautiful sight, but the thing that struck me most is that it’s literally in the middle of traffic. You can take an underground tunnel to walk right up to it and go to the top. However, since you only have 1 day in Paris and there’s a lot to see, I don’t recommend you linger here for long. Stop by, take your pictures, then move on.
Louvre – 20 min to 2 hours
Next up: the world renowned Louvre Museum. The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum, holding priceless works that even those of us who don’t know the first thing about Art History would like to see – like the Mona Lisa. The pyramid outside the museum is well known in it’s own right, but you may also recognize it from The Da Vinci Code or it’s sequel, Angels & Demons.
The time you spend here is up to you. If the art inside the museum is important to you, go in for a while. Keep in mind that there is a line. There are some tactics you can use to speed through, like using the Porte des Lions entrance. Miss Tourist wrote a really helpful article with tips and tricks to avoiding the lines – check it out here. If the art doesn’t especially call to you, don’t spend the time out of your 1 day in Paris going inside.
Notre Dame – 20 -30 min
Next up: Notre Dame. From the Louvre Museum it’s a nice 20 minute walk. The Notre Dame is absolutely stunning inside and out. Unfortunately, after the catastrophic fires in April, you are not able to go inside. Stop by to marvel at the stunning architecture and detail.
Lunch in Montmartre – 2 to 2.5 hours
Head to Montmartre for the afternoon and find a cafe with a patio for lunch. Order some wine and charcuterie, and send a little gratitude to the universe for such a badass day.
Sacré-Cœur and Wandering Around Montmartre – 1 to 2 hours
After lunch, head toward square Louise-Michel and climb the famous steps to Sacré-Cœur. It’s located at the top of a large hill, so if you’re going uphill you’re going the right way. Sacré-Cœur is a beautiful basilica with an incredible view of Paris matched only by the incredible architecture you’ll find inside. You can walk through the inside pretty quickly, so I recommend it if you have a few minutes to spare. Keep in mind that there are restrictions (like absolute silence and no flash photography) as it is a functioning place of worship.
After you’ve seen Sacré-Cœur, take some time to shop at your leisure through the boutique shops around the square and side streets. Pick up some macaroons for later (or now?)
Eiffel Tower / Tour Eiffel – a grand finale for your 1 day in Paris – 1+ hours
When you’ve had enough or it starts to roll toward evening, head back to the metro for the final stop of the best day ever in Paris. Your next stop and grande finale is the Eiffel Tower. It’s particularly lovely to have a picnic, so we suggest stopping in a shop along the way to pick up some wine, cups, charcuterie, and macaroons.
Ideally, you’ll want to be at the Eiffel Tower at least an hour before sunset. If you’re running behind, that’s ok! The Eiffel Tower light-show runs every hour on the hour until 2 am.
Whatever time you make it to the Eiffel Tower, find a nice place to sit. Champ de Mars, the landscaped area around the Eiffel Tower you’ve probably seen in pictures, is the perfect spot for your Eiffel Tower Sunset Picnic.
Pumped about sunset at the Eiffel Tower? Check out our essential guide for Sunset at the Eiffel Tower here.
Can’t wait to hear about your perfect day in Paris! Let me know how it goes in the comments below!
Curious how I afford to travel so much? Check out How to Travel on a Budget, where I spill all my secrets to affordable (and even FREE) travel.
