How To See Paris In A Day: My Advice After 18 Visits!

Can you truly visit Paris in a day?

Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world. It is a big transportation hub in Europe. Of course people want to visit to see it, even if it’s a quick stop on the way to somewhere else.

If you’re short on time, fear not! You can see and do A LOT in just 1 day in Paris!

I will warn you: this isn’t an itinerary for those who want to take their time. This one is action packed to give you the biggest bang for your buck in a super short visit to Paris.

I’m not saying you can’t just roll up, sit at a cafe, do a little shopping, and then peace out (you do you!), but if you want to leave Paris and feel like you’ve seen the highlights, this is what you’re going to want to do-so stick with me!

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Planning a trip to Paris? Get the Ultimate Guide to Paris with everything you need to know before your trip including where to stay, itineraries for 1-7 days, a packing list, hidden gems, travel tips, and more!

Things To Do In Paris For A Day

While there are hundreds of options to fill your Paris one day itinerary, these are the top ones to choose from.

1. Les Deux Magots For Breakfast.

If you’re able to, I highly recommend spending the night before in Paris so that you awake refreshed and ready to hit the ground running for your one day in Paris.

And to kick off your visit you should grab breakfast at an iconic café: Les Deux Magots.

This café was a famous haunt for writers, artists, philosophers, and other creative types back in the day. You would have seen the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, and more as patrons many years ago.

Of course, they mostly grabbed dinner and cocktails while here…so why am I telling you to get breakfast at this historical establishment? The ancient hot chocolate!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve raved about this hot chocolate, especially on my other travel blog and podcast, World Wide Honeymoon.

Essentially, my husband, Chris, and I loved their ancient hot chocolate so much that we both agree it is one of our favorite beverages that we’ve ever had. It was like drinking a not-too-sweet, melted candy bar. It was warm, delicious, and perfectly creamy. If you go to Paris for a day, you must get this drink and have breakfast at this café.

They give you a huge pot of it too, so it is perfect for splitting. I also recommend their coffee as well as their bread with butter and jam (tartine).

And if you are visiting Paris in the summer, you’ll love sitting outdoors looking at the gorgeous Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres and watching the world go by in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood.

Go early to avoid crowds and get your day started early! I recommend for just 24 hours in Paris to go when it opens!

Les Deux Magots Address: 6 Place Saint-Germain-des-Pres, 75006 Paris, France

Les Deux Magots Hours: Open daily 7:30 am-1 am.

2. Musée de l’Orangerie

You can’t have a Paris 1 day itinerary without a stop at an art museum (or two!). One of my favorite art museums in Paris is Musée de l’Orangerie. Full of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, this smaller museum is great to check out if you are short on time. 

Plus, the reason this is one of my faves is that it has the full-size Water Lily paintings by Monet. Two rooms are full of these delightful paintings with natural light filtering in. The paintings and room are in an elliptical shape to make one feel as if they are right there sitting by the lovely water lilies.

Once you’ve had your fill of these water lilies, I recommend checking out the remainder of the impressionist and post-impressionist paintings at the museum. And, as this is a small museum, you likely won’t need more than an hour or so to take it all in.

If you go to one museum during your one day in Paris, this is the one to visit.

Musée de l’Orangerie Address: Jardin Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France

Musée de l’Orangerie Hours: Wednesday-Monday 9 am-6 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

Musée de l’Orangerie Entrance Fee: €12.50. Book it here! I would book in advance–there is no time to waste in a long line!

3. Tuileries Garden

After visiting the museum, I recommend walking along through the Tuileries Garden on your way to the next stop on your Paris 1 day itinerary.

This sprawling garden stretches from Place de la Concorde to the Louvre and is full of lovely trees, fountains, and is the perfect spot for sunbathing and strolling. So wander along as you head toward the next museum stop.

It is only about a 15-20 minute walk through this garden.

4. A Must-Stop: The Louvre

While you’ve seen plenty of art already this morning, I also recommend checking out a classic museum, and a must-visit for first-time visitors to Paris: The Louvre.

Known for the Mona Lisa among many other notable Renaissance pieces, the Louvre is massive. However, if you only have one day in Paris, I recommend spending only about 2-3 hours here. Trust me, that is plenty and you can see a lot during that time.

One time when I visited the Louvre, I checked out the Mona Lisa, many other paintings and sculptures, the Greek and Egyptian art exhibits, and more within 3 hours and felt like I had seen the gist of it. The museum itself is a work of art on its own, and if you are visiting Paris for the first time, I highly recommend going.

But the biggest advice I can give you is to plan what you want to see ahead of time. Check out the map on the Louvre’s website and map out the places you’d like to see most.

I also highly recommend purchasing timed entry tickets ahead of time. This is the most visited museum in Paris, and if you go in the height of summer, you may not even be able to get in. Plus, when you only have a day in Paris, there isn’t a lot of time to waste waiting in line to purchase tickets. Instead, get it online and try to aim for the 11:30 am ticket.

Then, once you’ve spent time admiring the famous art in the Louvre, I recommend walking up toward the Le Marais neighborhood for your next stop! Be mindful of your time, as it is about a 25-minute walk to the next stop, where your next adventure begins.

Louvre Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

Louvre Hours: Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 9 am-6 pm. Wednesday and Friday from 9 am-9 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

Louvre Admission Prices: €32 for non-European Economic Area residents. €22 for residents. Free for European Economic Area residents between the ages of 18-25 and everyone under 18. Free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6 pm (except in July and August).

5. Take A Food Tour To Try The Best Of Paris

If you are only visiting Paris in 1 day, then you must take a food tour to try the best flavors this city has to offer! We did a food tour on one visit and recommend a Le Marais Food Tour. It was such a unique thing to do in Paris!

Not only do you visit the most adorable covered market, Marche Des Enfants Rouges, but you also try French treats like pastries, chocolates, cheeses, and more!

And they guide you through a delicious wine and cheese tasting…basically, this tour includes iconic French foods to enjoy during your day in Paris.

I recommend purchasing the tour that starts at 4 pm, which is perfect after exploring museums.

Pro-Tip: They also offer a 10:30 am tour throughout the year. If you decide to do the 10:30 am tour, I recommend doing this after Musée de l’Orangerie and visiting the Louvre at 3 pm.

Paris Food Tour of the Le Marais Starting Point: 40 rue de Bretagne 75003 Paris

Paris Food Tour Price: $149 per person.

Tour Duration: 3-3.5 hours.

6. The Eiffel Tower

I recommend heading to the Eiffel Tower after your food tour. Take photos across the way from the Eiffel Tower, be enamored by this gorgeous structure, and perhaps catch a glimpse of it shimmering in the early evening hours if you are lucky enough to catch it when the sun is setting or it is dark outside. It sparkles at the top of the hour for the first 5 minutes starting at nightfall!

A stop in Paris isn’t complete without capturing the view of this iconic landmark. And for added adventure, go up inside of the Eiffel Tower for some great views of the city (if you have time/want to)!

Plus, if you have the time, you can see the Eiffel Tower while taking a Seine River Cruise. It only lasts about an hour, and you’ll get to see the loveliest views of Paris!

Eiffel Tower Address: Champs de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

Eiffel Tower Hours: Open daily from 9 am-midnight from mid-June to early September. Open daily 9:30 am-11 pm the rest of the year.

Eiffel Tower Admission: €23.50 for lift access to 2^nd floor, €36.70 for lift access to the top, €14.80 to take stairs to 2^nd floor, and €28 to take the stairs to the 2^nd floor and lift to the top. These are adult rates. Check the website for discounted rates.

7. Wine Down Your Day In Paris

And to wrap up your final hours exploring Paris, I suggest heading over to a wine bar to test out some of France’s best wine.

You can check out Le Vin en Bouche if you like. This cozy little wine bar has quite a selection, plus there are plenty of cheeses and pates to enjoy if you are still a little hungry after your tour.

Sit back, reflect on your perfect day in Paris, and enjoy a glass of wine from the Rhone Valley, Languedoc, or other regions in France.

Le Vin en Bouche Address: 27 Rue de l’Abbé Grégoire, 75006 Paris, France

Le Vin en Bouche Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 am-11 pm. Sunday 4-11 pm. You may want to make a reservation ahead of time.

After those amazing places to visit in Paris in 1 day, you’ve seen and experienced the most incredible spots that you’ll remember for years to come! This is the perfect way to see Paris in a day from morning until evening!

Note: Depending on your time frame (and, to be honest energy levels), you may want to drop breakfast and/or the wine bar to focus on sightseeing.

One Day In Paris Map

Where To Stay In Paris

If you plan to spend the night in Paris, I recommend staying closer to the city center as you don’t want to waste a lot of time on the metro (although you may need to use it a couple of times) when you’re in Paris for 1 day. And depending on your travel style, I recommend checking out this article all about where to stay in Paris. I also have a guide on where to stay in Paris for first timers!

And if you’re on a budget, check out my budget-friendly hotel guide!

For a shorter summary and my recommendations for a short visit, check these out.

Here are some great hotels to stay in Paris depending on your budget.

Budgetish: Hotel Notre Dame Maitre Albert Paris

Located in the 5th arrondissement, the rooms here are smaller but fine if you’re on a budget(ish) and need a place to stay for a night.

Book it here!

Mid-Range: Hotel Odeon Saint Germain

If you plan to start your morning off in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood, why not stay in a beautiful Parisian hotel in the area? You’ll enjoy the gorgeous and classic vibes. I’ve stayed here twice and enjoyed it. The location is amazing too!

Book it here!

Luxury: Grand Hotel Du Palais Royal

Right in the heart of Paris, you’ll be within steps of the Louvre and Palais Royal, perfect for exploring Paris in a day. They also have a Turkish bath, gorgeous terraces, and all the luxuries and services you’d expect.

Book it here!

Don’t forget to grab your Ultimate Guide to Paris!

Frenquently Asked Questions

Before you go, here are some answers to your questions regarding visiting Paris in a day!

1. Is one day in Paris enough?

Yes! Look, will you see everything in just one day? No. But you can certainly see highlights of the city in just a single day in Paris if that’s all the time you have!

2. What should I prioritize if I only have one day in Paris?

I would prioritize the highlights like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, a smaller art museum (like Musée d’Orsay) and the food!

3. Can I visit the Louvre in one day in Paris?

Yes you can! However, you’ll want to have a game plan ahead of time because there is a lot to see and you, my friend, do not have a lot of time. You can check out the map here to find highlights, and plan to only spend 2-3 hours there maximum.

4. Is one day in Paris worth it during a layover?

Yes! While this is a full 24-hour itinerary, you can shorten it to see a couple of things during a layover. I will suggest having a longer layover that is during the day when things are open.

You’d need a 10-12 hour layover at a minimum to make going into Paris worth it.

5. How do I get around while here?

While you can walk to a lot of things here including Musée de l’Orangerie, the Louvre, Le Marais for the food tour, etc., you’ll likely need to hop on the metro to the Eiffel Tower.

Chances are you’ll purchase a couple of metro tickets for the metro. They cost €2.55 for the metro or €2.05 for the bus (these are separate tickets!). Google maps is great for navigating in Paris. I also use an eSIM like Airalo to have data while traveling!

You can purchase transit tickets on your phone via the Bonjour RATP app, in Apple wallet under transit card, or even purchase tickets for a Navigo pass at a metro station while there.

6.What are things to pack for this trip?

I’ve detailed more packing tips for Paris in another blog post, but always be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, as you’ll be on your feet a lot. Plus, it could rain at any time, therefore a small umbrella is a great idea.

A crossbody zipped bag is helpful to deter pick pockets.

Lastly, staying hydrated is key if you’re exploring Paris, especially in the summer when a heatwave may strike. Perhaps bring a collapsible reusable water bottle that you can refill in many of the drinking fountains across Paris.

7. How much should I budget for a day in Paris?

I have a whole post about budgeting for Paris, so I recommend checking that out to gauge the costs for a day in Paris.

However, I’d say for a mid-range couple, around $400-500 per person is appropriate without flight/train costs. This also includes your hotel for one night. For 2 nights, that is likely another $250 ($125 per person).

8. What if I have more time in Paris?

If you have more time in Paris, I recommend checking out more of Paris’s neighborhoods and parks, plus maybe even going on a day trip. I have a whole 4-day itinerary guide and a 5-day guide you can use if you plan to spend a few more days in Paris.

I also have a 3-day Paris itinerary and a 2-day itinerary to check out!

Or you could take a weekend getaway from Paris to explore more of France!

PS- a favorite park of mine is the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont to spot the unique temple on the hill and stunning lake!

9. What is the best time of year for one day in Paris?

There really isn’t a bad time of year to visit! But I will say to avoid large crowds and have decent weather, aim for April or October!

Paris is one of my favorite cities to explore and whether you visit Paris in January, visit in May, or in July, there is always something fun to do! While I definitely recommend spending more than a day in Paris, I hope you enjoy this 1-day in Paris itinerary, and that it will leave you full of fond memories of the city of lights.