If you happen to be a traveler of any sort, chances are that Paris might be on your bucket list. Paris is one of those cities that most people dream about visiting, as it has everything – romance, shopping, art, culture, and great food. Let’s not forget the iconic Eiffel tower. It’s one “selfie” picture that everyone wants to take.
If you’re wanting to take a self-guided walking tour through Paris, then go here
24 hours in Paris can be a very different experience depending on who you visit with. For example, a “trip with the girls” will have a completely different vibe when compared to a romantic trip. A work trip will have a different vibe than visiting with your family. But the beauty of Paris is such, that there is something for everyone.
Regardless of whether you take the Thalys into Paris for the day or have a flight layover, it’s important that you use that time wisely!
So, what happens when you finally get to Paris, but only have 24 hours in the city? Fret not! While it’s true that Paris is a huge city, it’s also a city where, if you manage your expectations and time right, you can hit all the major landmarks and get some great food (or gelato) into you!
You’ll need to hit the ground running as soon as you get there, but here’s how we suggest getting the most out of your 24 hours in Paris.
Tip: Be sure to grab a metro pass right before or after checking in your hotel. This is going to cut down on your transportation time between landmarks.
While Paris is an extremely walkable city, for the most part, not everything is super close together like in London for example so jumping on the metro will save you some time. That said, walking in the Tuileries Gardens to the Musee D’Orsay is totally worth it.
Let’s be real for a minute – 24 hours in Paris really only means 16 hours when you take “sleeping time” out of the equation.
What to See in Paris in Just One Day (Suggested Itinerary)
MORNING:
Find the Mona Lisa at the Louvre – We’ll be honest here – the Mona Lisa is pretty tiny, and it takes forever to find it in the Louvre. We would suggest keeping the museum tour for a longer trip, and head to the Louvre at night when it’s not so packed with tourists, and you can get some great shots, but most importantly, you get to take in the beauty of the glass and lights.
The Louvre Museum – Paris
Take Instagram-worthy pics on Rue Cremuiex: Yes, it’s worth the detour to Gare de Lyon to get down to this cute little hidden gem, and while they don’t match the beauty of Aix en Provence, these pastel-colored homes are the perfect backdrop to uncommon Paris pictures. Trust us.
AFTERNOON:
Walk down Champs Elysees: Take the metro to the Arc de Triomf exit and walk down to the Eiffel Tower. The 30-minute walk down is filled with shopping, gelato places (priority!). Champs Elysees is a 5-minute walk away from the metro stop.
Visit the Eiffel Tower: Absolute must. You’re in Paris – you need to see the tower. Going up the tower is a different story. It’s a time-consuming activity, and depending on the lines can take hours. Plan on a few hours here if you really want to go up.
Leave a love lock by Notre Dame – or don’t. I hear they are cutting them all down because of the extra weight on the bridges.
Indulge on Parian pastries– The easiest thing to find in Paris is pastries. Seriously. We like to them of them as a fuel stop.
EVENING:
Enjoy the nightlife – If you’re looking to see what the nightlife vibe is like, then we suggest heading to the tenth and eleventh arrondissements to explore the nightlife along the Canal St. Martin. The area gets busy and is full of fun bars, and cool bistros.
WHERE TO EAT IN PARIS:
Here are 3 of our favorite places in Paris:
The perfect l’Éclair – l’Éclair de Génie: 14 rue Pavée 75004 Paris (Métro Stop: Saint Paul)
The delicious ice cream – Berthillon : 31 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, 75004 Paris (Métro Stop: Pont-Marie)
The hot chocolate that tastes like heaven – Jean Paul Hévin: 231 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris (Métro Stop Tuileries)
WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS:
Hilton Paris Opera – only steps from the metro, and absolutely stunning decor. The service is excellent, the location perfect, and they have really quaint rooms. Most importantly, the beds are really comfortable!
Acknowledgements: Darling Escapes
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