How to spend a day in Paris? Itinerary
Paris, known as the ‘City of Lights’, is the most romantic city in the world. It is known for its exquisite palaces, monuments, elegant architecture, and the beautiful Seine River.
Visit Paris in 1 day? I think that’s the perfect amount of time to witness the top sights and attractions in Paris and really get a feel for the capital. Visiting Paris in a day sure sounds like a mission impossible. But with a perfect itinerary and good planning, it’s possible to have a nice trip to enjoy the most beautiful places in a day in Paris.
To help you with your planning, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know to spend a day in Paris. Here’s a complete “a day in Paris” itinerary which includes the most famous attractions which you should definitely explore while vacating in the city.
Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe is situated at the far end of the Champs-Élysées. Arc de Triomphe is adorned with high-relief sculptures depicting sword-wielding soldiers and inscribed with the names of generals and battles, remembers all those who have fought on behalf of France. The flame is lit on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the Great War every evening. The terrace provides superb views of great sweeping avenues across the city. It is a must and easy squeeze in your itinerary for a day in Paris.
Tip: If you buy a Museum pass it may include your admission up the monument.
Time: It is open in the summer, April 1 to September 30 from 10 AM to 11 PM, and in the winter from October 1 to March 31 from 10 AM to 10:30 PM
Entry fees: 9 Euros for adults and free for children under 18
Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées is the best-known shopping street in Paris, particularly for luxury items. You will find everything here from clothing stores to french macaroon shops. Have a walk on a lovely street and enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Tuileries Gardens, across the Place du Concord, and up the full length of the Champs-Élysées. I suggest you take the metro to the Champs-Élysées stop. Metro Line 1 runs directly between the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées. Metro is the most convenient option to rome around especially when you have a day in Paris.
Tip: To access the area, the easiest option is to take Metro line 1 to any of the following stops: Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau, Franklin D. Roosevelt, George V, or Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile.
Time: Sun It’s best enjoyed in the early morning or the evening. The preferred time is 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM.
Entry fees: Free
Place du Concord
Located on the eastern end of the Champs-Elysées, the Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris. All the main avenues of the French capital either pass through this square. Place du Concord is aged over 3,000 years, makes it by far the most ancient monument in Paris. Place du Concord is most famous for being the spot of the French Revolution’s guillotine executions. Right next to it is the Tuileries Garden so it become easy to explore two places in one go when you only have a day in Paris.
Tip: Don’t forget to browse Concept Shops & Boutiques on Rue St. Honoré. The street has many museums and shops.
Time: Monday to Sunday | 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The last entry is 30mins before closing.
Entry fees: You don’t need any tickets to visit the Place de la Concorde.
Tuileries Gardens
Tuileries Garden is a lovely public park between Louvre and Place de la Concorde. Going along rue de Rivoli, this garden links two very famous places in Paris, the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. It features several walkways, pools, and sensuous nude sculptures by Aristide Maillol. Have a lovely walk through the gardens and relax by the beautiful pond.
Tip: You will not be allowed to sit on the grass so be prepared to rush and to grab a green chair
Time: They are open year-round and open at 7.00 AM. Depending on the time of year, they close between 7.30 PM (in the winter) and 11 PM (in the summer).
Entry fees: It’s free!
The Louvre
Musée du Louvre in Paris, France, is one of the largest museums in the world. The Louvre showcases about 35,000 works from diverse cultures, times periods, and in various forms. I was mesmerized seeing the extraordinary works of art that have been gathered over the centuries. The collections of The Louvre include sculptures from Antiquity until the Middle Ages, paintings from the Middle Ages until 1848, and antiquities from all regions. More than 8 million people pass through the halls of this museum every year.
Tip: I suggest you purchase your tickets online and avoid long lines. Use the Passage Richelieu entrance. An escalator takes you directly into the entry hall. In order to avoid the long queue the best way is to book in advance so you can see plenty in a day in Paris.
Time: Opening time is 9 AM every day except Tuesday when the museum is closed
Entry fees: Entrance to the Louvre is 15 euros
Notre Dame
Notre-Dame is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. Notre-Dame de Paris is a historical landmark, the foundation of spirituality, and a pillar of the Arts. This Cathedral has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important sites. Situated ahead of the Eiffel tower, it is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.
Tip: Go early if you can, because, by 10 AM, the crowds begin to form. Try to get in line early in the morning to be able to move around the church. Also, this way you will save time as you only have a day in Paris.
Time: Official hours are 8 AM to 6:45 PM closing time is on Saturdays & Sundays.
Entry fees: There’s no entrance fee
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower, one of the most visited attractions in the world, is an immense structure of exposed latticework supports made of puddle iron, was erected for the Paris Exposition of 1889. On the second floor, you will see a breathtaking view of Paris’ buildings and monuments. Climb up to the 3rd floor, the top of the Eiffel Tower, and enjoy beautiful 360° panoramic views from the skies, with a glass of champagne as a reward. In the evening, the prestigious Eiffel tower sparkles with golden lights, a magical display that happens for 5 minutes every hour, on the hour, until 1 am.
Tip: Go twice so you can see it both in daylight and lit up at night. Leave plenty of time for Level 2 as you may find the panoramas over there. If you book in advance you can easily skip the long queue and get quick access to the tower. Make sure to make the most of a day in Paris.
Time: From 9.30 AM to 11 PM and from 9 AM to midnight in summer
Entry fees: 16 to 25 euros maximum for adults and 4 to 12 euros € for children
Seine River Cruise
What can be better than a romantic dinner with your spouse/boyfriend on a lavish cruise! Make this possible in reality with extravagant Seine River Cruises on the famous Seine River. Seine River Cruises will take you under superb bridges and past romantic spots, transporting you into another world as Paris comes to you. Enjoy exceptional views of the illuminated Eiffel Tower, and splendid museums and monuments as you voyage along the Seine River. As you only have a day in Paris, you can always choose to walk by the Seine River and enjoy the view.
Tip: Be patient when onboard the cruise ship, as the Seine is a busy river, and passage past other boats and under bridges can be slow going
Time: General timings of cruises are 2 PM to 8 PM. The best time to enjoy beautiful aerial views is at night.
Entry fees: from €10 per person for a basic boat tour to upwards of €200
Tour Montparnasse
The Tour Montparnasse is a high-rise building facing the district of Montparnasse in the 15th arrondissement and borders the 6th and 14th arrondissements. The roof-top garden is detached slightly from the main body of the Tour Montparnasse which visually breaks the height of the Montparnasse tower up. Climb to the summit of the tower to see Paris from a whole new perspective. Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the city from the Tour Montparnasse. You will travel 196 meters vertically in just 38 seconds with the fastest lift in Europe, much needed when you just have a day in Paris. 🙂
Tip: Best time to visit the Montparnasse Tower is at sunset and night. Enjoy the 360 degrees view of flickering lights from the city.
Time: Daily 10 AM to 10:30 PM
Entry fees: 18 euros for adults, 9.50 euros for children 4-11 years, and free for children under 4.
Paris Itinerary Map
Begin your day with a hearty French breakfast and head to Arc de Triomphe, an iconic Parisian landmark in Paris. Then take a scroll on the historic spots such as Champs-Élysées, Place du Concord, Tuileries Gardens, The Louvre, and Notre Dame.
Then make your way to the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the stunning views of Paris from the summit of the tower. Once you’ve visited the Eiffel Tower, head for a sightseeing cruise on the Seine River that will show you important highlights and landmarks of the city. Finally, end your day at the Tour Montparnasse to admire the most beautiful panoramas of Paris.
To help you visualize a day in Paris itinerary I’ve put together this Paris itinerary map which depicts a tour of the attractions mentioned in this article.
How to get around in Pairs?
Paris has a good transport network to get you around all the major parts of the city at a minimum cost. All this sitting around on buses and boats is great for getting oriented, but at some point, you’re going to need to put your feet on the pavement. Paris is a wonderful city to explore on foot, and a guided walking tour is an excellent way to do that.
Laurence and Jessica Norah from Findingtheuniverse suggest buying a pack of ten tickets, known as a Carnet. This currently costs €16.90. If you have a Paris Pass, it comes with a free walking tour that focuses on famous filming locations in Paris, which is a lot of fun.
Pro tips for one day in Paris:
Unless you’re planning on visiting a specific museum or monument, forget about waiting in any lines. It’s best just to stay on foot and visit the main sites from the outside.
Save your time by buying a 10-ride ticket for the metro. It is enough for the whole day and it will save you a lot of time you would spend if you have to buy every ticket separately in the crowded Paris metro stations.
How safe is Paris?
Paris is the most visited tourist destination and the most beautiful city in the world and is considered to be a quite safe city. You can wander in almost every district without being afraid of a mugging or any other serious crime. But still, you should remain cautious as in any other tourist destination in the world.
Be aware of pickpockets as they are likely to be found in any area with large crowds, such as train stations and large department stores.
What is the best time to visit Paris?
You can visit Paris at pretty much any time of year, and a day in Paris itinerary would work at any time of year. Summer brings sunshine and warmth, although of course, the city is a lot busier at this time of year. If crowds aren’t your thing, you can skip the summer months.
Ultimately, I think Paris is worth visiting whenever you can.
Where to Stay for one day in Paris?
There are so many Hotels spread around the central core and no district in Paris has a monopoly on quality accommodations. Based on this Paris itinerary, I recommend finding somewhere as central as your budget will allow, to reduce the time spent traveling to and from your accommodation.
How to Save Money in Paris?
There are so many ways that you can stick to your budget while travelling in Paris.
One of the best ways to save money in Paris is to always order tap water at restaurants and cafes. If a location you’re headed to is too far to walk, consider taking the metro or a bus, rather than a taxi.
Plan your trip on the first Sunday of every month when the museums and monuments around Paris provide free entry. If you’re looking to save money in Paris, then never pay for WiFi. Most of the restaurants, cafés, bars, and shopping centres throughout the city offer WiFi completely free of charge.
Many bars in Paris offer happy hour daily. Make sure to head out for beers, cocktails, or even non-alcoholic drinks at Happy Hour.
How much does it cost for a day in Paris?
Food in Paris:
The average cost of food in Paris is €29 per day as meal prices in Paris can vary. An average meal in Paris costs around €12 per person based on my spending habits.
Accommodation in Paris:
The average price of accommodation for one person is €104.
Transportation in Paris:
The cost of public transportation in Paris is less than taxi rides. On average, I have spent €16 per day on local transportation in Paris.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Paris is famous for?
Paris is famous for the iconic Eiffel Tower and the majestic Arc de Triomphe.
Why is Paris called the ‘city of love’?
Paris is called the ‘city of love’ because of the romantic atmosphere it exudes.
Is Paris expensive?
- Yes, Paris is expensive. But it is worth the price.
How much does a trip to Paris cost from India?
A trip to Paris from India costs around Rs 80,000 to 1 Lakh per person.
What is the cheapest time to go to Paris?
The cheapest time to go to Paris is early December, January, and February.
Is one day enough for Paris?
Yes, one day is enough for Paris. If you having a tight budget and discovering other parts of Europe along with Paris.
Can you walk around Paris in a day?
Paris is not so big, so you can walk around the city.
Is it safe to walk in Paris at night?
Yes, it is safe to walk in Paris at night. Just take care of your belonging like wallets, bags, cameras etc while walking on streets.
What should you avoid in Paris?
Avoid going to museums on Mondays or Tuesdays in Paris.
With only 1 day in Paris, you must plan your itinerary carefully to make the most out of your Paris trip. This 1-day itinerary in Paris consists of all the major attractions that ideally define Paris. If you are in Paris for longer, this one-day itinerary is also a great way to get familiar with the layout of the city.
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