One Day in Paris (Perfectly Planned, By a Local)

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A day spent in Paris sounds like a dream. But making an itinerary for only one day in Paris can be stressful because the city offers so much! If you’re passing through the city, what restaurants and Paris attractions are worth your time, and what should you skip?

I’ve lived in Paris for a decade and made a five-day Paris itinerary for longer stays. But if you only have 24 hours in Paris, read on!

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The Perfect 1 Day Itinerary

8:30 am – Breakfast at Chez Julien

Start your day with the perfect Parisian breakfast at Chez Julien, one of my favorite restaurants in Paris. This classic Parisian restaurant can be expensive. However, breakfast is reasonable at 18€. You’ll get a hot drink, juice, and pastries. You can also order off the menu for more variety.

Request a table on the terrace if it’s a nice day. Part of it looks out over the Seine. The other part is on a quiet pedestrian cobblestone courtyard. Both are idyllic. 

Depending on your timing and preferences, you can either take the métro or walk to your next destination, the Louvre Museum. 

The walk is about a mile along the Seine River and is ideal for photos. The métro is quick and direct: take Line 1 from the Hôtel de Ville stop to the Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre stop. 

10:30 am – Visit the Louvre

The iconic Louvre is the biggest museum in the world and the best museum in Paris. Even though you’ll only have a few hours here, it’s still a good idea to plan out your day before arriving. Check out a map of the Louvre or search its collections to find out where your favorite styles or artworks are. Then, make a personal plan for your journey around the museum. 

The Louvre has a great shop, like many museums. It’s also on top of the “Carrousel,” a luxury mall. You can spend part of your time here visiting the shops and buying souvenirs. Some of my favorites include the macarons at Ladurée and chocolates from Maxim’s. 

If you’re staying at my favorite Paris luxury hotel, the Hôtel de Crillon, you can make a quick stop to drop off any items you purchase before or after lunch. It’s just a few blocks away. 

When you’re done at the Louvre and Carrousel, don’t hop back on the métro. Instead, go outside the Louvre to Café Marly for lunch. If you’re facing the big pyramid in the Louvre courtyard, it’s directly on your left.  

1 pm  – Lunch at Le Café Marly

Le Café Marley is part of the Louvre, but don’t be fooled. It’s much fancier than your typical museum restaurant! When booking, ask for a table on the terrace if the weather is warm enough. You’ll be able to people-watch from your table but still have privacy. 

I’ve had lunch here several times, and they’ve all been great. The soups and salads are good standbys for lighter lunches. For heartier fare, their poultry dishes and anything with mushrooms are excellent. 

Save room for dessert. Their “giant” chocolate eclair is as giant–and delicious–as it sounds!

Now that you’re well-fed, it’s time to see more of the city! Head away from the Louvre and toward the Tuileries Gardens.  

2:30 pm  – Walk Through the Tuileries and Toward the Champs-Élysées

Head through the Tuileries Gardens. Keep an eye out for the statues along the way. You’ll also see a carousel and even a mini amusement park if you visit Paris during the summer. 

At the far west end of the gardens, you have a choice. 

You can continue straight across the Concorde intersection if you want to walk to the Arc de Triomphe and see the famous Champs-Elysées Avenue. The walk from Café Marly is around two miles. Plan on it taking about 50 minutes. 

Walking from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe will allow you to pass many important Parisian sites. These include the Petit Palais and Grand Palais museums. 

You can also take the métro directly from the Concorde stop to the Charles de Gaulle-Étoile stop if you’re tired or walking isn’t an option. This takes around fifteen minutes. 

👉 Pro Tip: The Champs-Elysées are incredible, but don’t bother going into the shops. They’re mostly chain stores. If you see anything appealing, take a photo and look it up online once you’re back at your hotel.

3:30 pm  – Arc de Triomphe 

The Arc de Triomphe is a memorial for soldiers who fought in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. You can see the flame for the unknown soldier from the outside, even without a ticket. 

However, getting a ticket to the Arc de Triomphe will allow you to go inside. You can take incredible photos of Paris from the top of the monument. It’s located at the center of many bustling streets, giving you a great image of the city. 

Tickets will also let you tour the inside rooms of the Arc de Triomphe. The monument hosts events and tours throughout the year, so check out the schedule before deciding how you’ll spend your time there.   

👉 Pro Tip: The walk between the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower is not too long at around 30 minutes. However, it’s mostly through quieter, residential areas. Métro line 6 will get you between the destinations in about 20 minutes.

5:30 pm – Eiffel Tower

Now, it’s time for the iconic Parisian monument: the Eiffel Tower. You’ll notice the crowds of buskers and taxis before you reach the tower. Ignore them, and keep a close eye on your belongings. Many visitors come to this site, and so many pickpockets do, too. 

Follow the signs to the line your ticket indicates, or line up for tickets if you didn’t pre-purchase them. There are different ticket levels at the Eiffel Tower, varying in price. This depends on how high you want to go, to the second floor or the top. It also depends on how you want to get there, by elevator or by stairs. 

There are plenty of offers on the Eiffel Tower’s site for additions to your visit. These vary from a guided tour to a glass of champagne at the top. 

My recommendation is to take the elevator to the top of the tower for the views. Then, have a glass of champagne. 

👉 Pro Tip: Buy your tickets in advance. The lines for the Eiffel Tower ticket office are long, especially in the late afternoon.

7pm – Dinner at Jules Verne or the Madame Brasserie

You’re not going far for dinner. You’re just going to the tower! Dine at either Jules Verne on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower or Madame Brasserie on the first floor. 

Jules Verne is very upscale, so plan your outfit to meet the dress code. Madame Brasserie is slightly less fancy but still has a specific dress code. 

The waitstaff at both restaurants know their menus backward and forwards. You can trust their recommendations.  

Both restaurants are a splurge, but Jules Verne is a bigger one. A $700 bill for two people would not be unusual here. Madame Brasserie is not cheap, but it costs around half of what you’d spend at Jules Verne.

10 pm  – Drinks on a Bateaux-Mouche

The “Fly Boats” (Bateaux-Mouche) along the Seine River are a Parisian cliché. But clichés happen for a reason! Finish off your perfect day in Paris by walking a few minutes north of the Eiffel Tower to the Bateaux-Mouches stop. Book the champagne cruise for an extra treat at the end of your day in Paris.

You’ll be catching the last tour (10 pm), so don’t be late! You’ll pass many important monuments as you go down the river. These include some you’ve seen, like the Eiffel Tower. But you’ll also see Notre Dame Cathedral, the Pont Neuf, and many more. You’ll return to the departure point after an hour. 

Head to your hotel or apartment by taxi for a night of well-earned rest!

Where to Stay in Paris 

Best Hotels in Paris

Hotels in Paris can make or break your trip. Even one night in a bad hotel can be terrible. But one night in a great hotel is an experience of its own! Here are my recommendations for where to stay: 

• 🏆 Best Overall – Solly Hôtel
• 💸 Budget – Académie Hôtel Saint Germain
• 🛏️ Mid-Range – L’Hôtel
• 💎 Luxury – Hôtel de Crillon 
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Best for Families – Résidence & Spa Le Prince Régent
• 🏨 Best Boutique Hotel – La Belle Juliette 
• ✨ Best Location – Les Jardins du Luxembourg

Best Neighborhoods & Areas in Paris

Spending just one day in Paris makes choosing the right area important. Check out these “arrondissements” (neighborhoods) for your perfect home base: 

• The 3rd Arrondissement (Search apartments in the 3rd Arrondissement) – This part of the Marais district is artsy and cute. You’ll find cobblestone streets, small boutiques, and tons of amenities. See my full guide to the 3rd arrondissement.
• The 6th Arrondissement (Search apartments in the 6th Arrondissement) – This lively district is full of restaurants and bars. Stay near the Luxembourg Gardens for a bonus view of one of the best parks in Paris.
• The 7th Arrondissement (Search apartments in the 7th Arrondissement) – This area contains tons of attractions. You’ll find everything from the Eiffel Tower to Napoleon’s tomb. Its quiet residential feel makes it a great place to relax at the end of a long day. See my full guide to the 7th arrondissement.

Curious about other parts of the city? Check out my full guide to Paris neighborhoods!

A Map of This Itinerary

How to Get Around 

Public transportation is the best way to get around Paris. If you need to rent a car for later destinations, do it at the end of your trip. Driving in Paris is very slow and frustrating. 

The subway (métro) is your best bet. It’s quick, efficient, and cheap. Buses are a close second and will also allow you to see the city. Buy tickets at a tabac (metro shop), in metro stations, or on the RATP app. 

Practical Planning Tips

Tip #1 – Dress for the Weather

Paris can be rainy, particularly in the spring and autumn. This is true even when weather apps don’t predict it! A hooded light jacket or portable travel umbrella are key items to ensure you stay warm and dry. See what to wear in Paris for more advice!

Tip #2 – Prioritize Public Transport

Rideshares, taxis, and rental cars have their place, but Paris speed limits and traffic make all options slow. They can also be expensive. Many Paris subway stations are accessible, and the Métro is quick. Buses, meanwhile, are a great way to see more of the city.

Tip #3 – Stay in a Central Location

You’ll find cheaper hotels and restaurants in double-digit districts (e.g. the 20th arrondissement). However, for one day in Paris, time is at a premium! Stay in one of the first nine districts to spend more time seeing the sites and less time traveling to them.

Tip #4 – Book Everything in Advance

Don’t waste your single day in Paris waiting in line. You can book everything on this itinerary in advance. This will help you skip the longest lines at popular attractions. Make sure you double-check where your ticket says to enter!

Tip #5 – Stick to Parisian Experiences

One day in Paris isn’t much. Avoid chain stores with international branches. For example, Aesop is a fun store, but it has branches around the world. Stick to things and places you can only experience in Paris instead.

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