24 Hours In Paris- Cover Everything Worth Seeing In Paris In A Day

Paris has arguably the highest amount of recognizable monuments in the world. Starting from its iconic buildings through the charming boulevards and romantic bridges, all the way to the incredible museums and beautiful parks. Personally, I can’t get enough of the city and if you asked me I would tell you to spend at least one or two weeks in the French capital but at the same time, I’ll also do my best to help you plan spending 24 hours in Paris.

So if you want to make the most out of your time in Paris, make sure to check out this itinerary. Take a look at this post if you want more information about visiting France on a budget.

For starters, save yourself a lot of time and buy a 10-ride ticket for the metro. It should be 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. Additionally, you can also book online tickets for the sights you will want to visit. This will also save you a lot of time you would otherwise spend waiting in long queues. Alternatively, you can also rent a car in Paris and this special offer gets you 15% off on all car rentals in town.

Now, before we start, I’d like to give you a few tips to make your whole Paris experience even better.

Don’t Act Like A Tourist And Parisians Will Be Nicer To You

Parisians are often a target of travel writers for their notorious arrogance. I must say that I disagree with that. Parisian politeness has its own rules and you should learn some of them before visiting Paris. If you are polite with them, they will be polite to you, just like everywhere else in the world. However, Parisians might seem distant because the “instant friendship” is not a thing here.

But that’s not just Paris. That’s the case with most of the western hemisphere and it’s easy to forget this if you spent a lot of time traveling around South Asia, Africa, or South America. Greet people before asking anything and make an effort of learning a few basic French expressions. It will be appreciated and make your experience much better.

Don’t Try To Do Too Much

Paris is a huge city with so many things to do and see and discover and you can’t possibly expect to cover everything in one day. That’s okay, there will be other opportunities. Keep reminding yourself that it’s impossible to see everything in 24 hours in Paris. Just try to enjoy the time you have at the moment to discover as much of the city as you can.

Make a list of your favorite attractions and prepare a plan because your time is limited and you don’t want to waste it on unnecessary things. Alternatively, if you’re in for a longer stay, I would suggest you get off the beaten path and discover some of the best hidden gems in Paris. And if you stay for longer, you’ll need accommodation. Use my discount code to save 15% on all properties in Paris.

Getting Around Paris In A Day

Paris, the heartthrob of France, isn’t just a feast for the eyes; it’s super accessible too! If you’re jetting in, you’ll land at either Charles De Gaulle or Orly Airport. Now, you could grab a taxi, but remember, this is Paris – expect a bit of a splurge on the fare. For a wallet-friendly option, public transport is your buddy. Trains from Charles De Gaulle whisk you right into the city at regular intervals, and there’s a handy shuttle bus from Orly to the train station for easy access to the heart of Paris​​.

1. Embrace Public Transport: Paris’ metro is like the city’s lifeline. It’s fast, reliable, and surprisingly easy to navigate. Each ticket works for the metro, buses, and RER trains, so you’re sorted for most of your journey. Pro tip: Keep an eye on the metro map, but don’t worry about memorizing it. There’s an app for that!
2. Walking is Your Secret Weapon: Paris is more than its metro. It’s a city meant to be savored on foot. The streets are like open-air museums, each with its own story. Wander around, and you might stumble upon a quaint café or a hidden street art masterpiece.
3. The Art of Scooting and Cycling: For shorter distances, nothing beats the charm of whizzing around on an electric scooter or cycling through the scenic lanes. It’s not just eco-friendly but gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Plus, it’s fun!
4. Timing is Everything: Like any major city, Paris has its peak hours. Avoid traveling during rush hours if possible (typically 8-9:30 AM and 6-7:30 PM). You’ll thank yourself for dodging the bustling crowd.
5. RER Train – Your Ace for Longer Distances: When you need to leap across the city, the RER train is your best bet. It’s like a metro, but with fewer stops and more ground covered. Ideal for when you’re trying to get from one end of Paris to the other, pronto.
6. Taxi or Not to Taxi: Taxis are plentiful but can be pricey. They’re great for late-night returns when public transport has called it a night. Just be mindful of the meter and maybe avoid them during heavy traffic.

With that being said, let’s start planning the ultimate itinerary for spending 24 hours in Paris.

The Morning In Paris

In my opinion, the best way to start your 24 hours in Paris is by observing a 360-degree panorama of the famous Place de la Concorde from the southern bank of the Seine. After all, what’s a better way to start your day than seeing the most famous landmarks of the City of Light, including the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées. It was at this square that most of the important beheadings in French history happened. To be specific, I’m talking about Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, and one of the leaders of the French Revolution, Danton.

You should also consider prebooking your Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Seine Cruise Tickets to save time and make the most out of your trip.

10 AM: Champs-Élysées & Eiffel Tower

From here you can take a walk through Champs-Élysées to the Eiffel Tower and feel the morning atmosphere of one of Paris’ most bustling avenues. The distance between the two is around 20 minutes. Next, you can make a quick stop and get some groceries and some pain au chocolate and have a picnic while looking at the Eiffel Tower. After that, head straight to the elevator and climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower and enjoy an amazing view of the city.

12:30 PM: Hôtel des Invalides

Take a 10-minute walk and you will reach this grandiose complex from the 17^th century. This architectural masterpiece is one of the most beautiful buildings in town and it’s no surprise that it’s included in most private tours in Paris. The place is surrounded by beautiful green gardens and it has its own impressive military museum. Finally, this magnificent sight shelters the grave of one of the greatest French leaders, Napoleon. While Hôtel des Invalides might not be one of the most famous Parisian landmarks, it’s certainly a one worth visiting.

1:30 PM: Place de la Concorde and Louvre

Your 24 hours in Paris wouldn’t be complete without Place de la Concorde. From the Hôtel des Invalides, you can get on metro number 8 to the Concorde station. Once you go out you’ll see another one of Paris’ most famous squares: Place de la Concorde. From here you can take a cup of coffee to go and walk through the Jardin des Tuileries, the biggest garden in the city, to the Louvre (use this skip the line ticket to save some time you’d normally spend waiting in queues).

On the way, you can admire the amazing Musee de l’Orangerie, Musee d’Orsay, and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Now, when you get to the Louvre, you can literally spend your whole day here because there are so many things to see. I would recommend not to spend too much time here but if you want to see the Mona Lisa and friends, I suggest you come here first thing in the morning to avoid the rush.

3 PM: Place Saint Germaine

You can take a short walk through the Pont Royal, one of the oldest bridges in Paris to Place Saint Germaine. Here you can see the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which is more than 1500 years old. This was a burial palace of all Merovingian kings of Neustria and today is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated sights in Paris. Another reason to visit this amazing abbey is the fact that it is the last remnant of Romanesque architecture in Paris.

Near the church, the Place and Boulevard Saint-Germain, Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots were the regular meeting places for the Parisian writers, sculptors, painters, musicians, and other artists in the 20th century. They all came in these places to work, chat, share, and find inspiration.

4 PM: Notre Dame & Lunch On The Seine

Next, it’s time to go back to the metro. Take line number 4 and get off at Saint Michel. It’s time to admire the gothic perfection that is Notre Dame. The cathedral is a perfect representative of French Gothic architecture, a style that became popular in the late medieval times. Today, Notre Dame is the most visited place in Paris, even topping the Eiffel Tower so you can say that no visit to Paris is complete without Notre Dame and if you want to visit, I recommend this VIP ticket that will save you hours of waiting in queues.

The best part about it: the admission is free and the cathedral is accessible to people with reduced mobility. After you’re done, you can sit down and relax in some of the famous bistros along the Seine and have your lunch with a beautiful view of Paris’ most famous river.

6:00 PM: Montmartre

The best way to complete your 24 hours in Paris is to climb to the top of Montmartre and visit the breathtaking Sacré-Cœur. You will need to switch 2 metro lines to get there as it’s a bit far from the other top attractions mentioned in this article. First, you will need to take the number 4 from Saint Michel and get off at Marcadet. From here, take line number 12 and get off at Lamarck-Caulaincourt. Warning: there will be a lot of stairs but Sacré-Cœur will be worth it.

This basilica devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ was built in 1914 and today is still sitting at the highest point in Paris. I’m suggesting this place for the end of the day because the scenic view of the sunset is simply stunning. You can end your tour with a glass of good French wine while you admire the sunset over one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Where else will you get a better view of the City of light if not at its highest point? 

Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our guide to spending 24 hours in Singapore and 24 hours in Venice.

Different Ways to Spend 24 Hours in Paris

In this section, we’ll cover a few different ways to explore Paris in a day on a long layover, designed for different kinds of travelers, starting with…

#1 For The Cultural Traveler

• Morning: Start at the Louvre. Trust me, it’s not just about the Mona Lisa. There’s a ton to see.
• Midday: Head to Montmartre. It’s got this cool artsy vibe and amazing views.
• Afternoon: Stroll through the Latin Quarter. It’s quirky and full of history.
• Evening: Catch a show or a concert if you can. Paris at night is something else.

#2 For The Foodie

• Morning: Grab a coffee and a croissant at a cute café. Parisian breakfasts are simple but amazing.
• Midday: Food tour in Le Marais? You’ll love the variety.
• Afternoon: Check out some gourmet shops in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
• Evening: Splurge on dinner at a nice place. French cuisine is worth it.

#3 For The Nature Lover

• Morning: The Jardin des Plantes is peaceful and beautiful. Perfect start.
• Midday: Luxembourg Gardens are great for a relaxed stroll.
• Afternoon: Bois de Boulogne is huge and great for a walk or even a boat ride.
• Evening: A Seine river cruise at sunset? Can’t beat those views.

#4 For The Luxury Traveler

• Morning: Pamper yourself at a luxury spa. You’re in Paris, after all.
• Midday: Hit the high-end shops. Paris is fashion heaven.
• Afternoon: Galeries Lafayette for more shopping, plus that rooftop view!
• Evening: Dinner with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Perfect end to a luxury day.

#5 For The History Buff

• Morning: Notre-Dame is a must. It’s steeped in history.
• Midday: Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle are next. The architecture is incredible.
• Afternoon: Musée d’Orsay for some art and history combined.
• Evening: Le Marais for a historic walk. The area’s got a fascinating past.

Which one of these approaches would work the best for you if you had 24 hours in Paris? Let us know.

Helpful Tips For Spending 24 Hours In Paris

With so much to see in Paris, it is impossible to cover everything in a single day. If possible, extend your stay while taking advantage of post-covid remote working options and book affordable short to mid-term Airbnb-style accommodations in Paris. Doing so allows you to live like a local for a few months.

Get the cheapest flights to Paris using this Qatar Airways special offer. Yes, this is an affiliate link, but the flights are so affordable, even I use it when booking my flights.

If you want to rent a car in Paris, this special offer gets you 15% off on all car rentals in town.

And last but not least, if you want to save on all booking.com rentals in Paris, use my discount code.

Did you like this article? What would you do if you had 24 hours in Paris? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

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