More about: Things to Do in Paris in 1 Day
Paris has it all! Having a whole day to enjoy what the French capital has to offer is a great opportunity, and in this guide I will take you through a busy itinerary designed to help you tick off as many things to see and do in Paris as possible in a short period of time.
Enjoy the Gothic architecture of Paris: Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle
The city of Paris is divided in half by the waters of the River Seine. This is why it is common to find references to the left bank or right bank of Paris. The left bank refers to the lower part, while the right bank refers to the upper part.
In the middle of the Seine, you will find two islands: Île de la Cité and Île Saint Louis. I recommend starting your day trip by visiting Île de la Cité, where you will find Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Considered, along with the Eiffel Tower, a Parisian icon, it is a destination you cannot miss on your day trip to Paris. Construction of this famous cathedral began in the 10th century and took nearly 200 years to complete its impressive structure.
After the devastating fire in 2019, which severely damaged its roof and spire, Notre-Dame has been carefully restored and has now reopened its doors to the public. It is now possible to visit Notre-Dame free of charge and admire both its façade and its completely renovated interior. In addition, if you book a tour of the exterior of Notre-Dame, you can also access the archaeological crypt and discover more about its history.
Sainte-Chapelle
Take advantage of your quick visit to Notre Dame to discover another impressive work of Gothic architecture. Sainte-Chapelle is a cathedral famous for its collection of stained glass windows, considered the most extensive collection of 13th-century stained glass windows in the world.
Book tickets for Sainte Chapelle in Paris and discover its two chapels:
- The Upper Chapel, which was created for the royal family and nobility to worship.
- The Lower Chapel, which was intended for palace employees.
Immerse yourself in art and history at the Louvre Museum
No visit to Paris would be complete without a stop at the city's most famous museum: the Louvre. Originally built as a palace by Philip II, this iconic building was long the official home of French royalty until 1682, when Louis XIV decided to relocate the royal household to the Palace of Versailles, just outside Paris.
From Sainte-Chapelle , it's a short 12-minute walk to the Musée du Louvre along Boulevard Georges Pompidou on the banks of the Seine.
I recommend buying skip-the-line tickets for the Louvre Museum in advance to avoid long queues, both at the ticket office and at the entrance, and to make the most of your day in Paris.
Book a guided tour
And if you are passionate about art, you may prefer to book one of the guided tours of the Louvre. It is one of the best investments you can make to save time and effort when visiting the Louvre. The reason? It is a large museum and this way you will make the most of the minimum time required for a visit to the Louvre.
There is so much to see and so little time to do it, so a 2.5-hour guided tour will take you straight to the best works in the Louvre, such as:
- The sculpture of Venus de Milo
- The Mona Lisa
- The sculpture of the Greek goddess Artemis
- Botticelli's frescoes
- The French crown jewels
Take a walking tour of the Tuileries Garden
The Tuileries Gardens were originally designed for the exclusive use of the royal family and the court. However, the gardens, which cover an area of approximately 55 acres, have been completely open to the public since 1667 and are free of charge.
The gardens are located directly opposite the Louvre Museum, so the best time to visit them is once you have finished your tour of the museum.
Why visit the Jardin des Tuileries?
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries to soak up the peace and tranquillity of the heart of the City of Light. You don't need to have a set itinerary, just walk wherever your feet take you and enjoy the late morning sun.
In its early days, the area was nothing more than a marsh bathed by the waters of the Seine, where tiles were produced for Parisian homes and businesses. Work on the construction of the garden began in 1564 on the orders of Catherine de Medici. When the garden was opened to the public in 1667, it earned the title of the first garden in Paris to be completely open to the world.
Soak up the history of Paris at Le Place de la Concorde
Discover Place de la Concorde, the legendary Parisian site where King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were executed during the French Revolution.
At the other end of the Tuileries Garden, you will find Place de la Concorde. The walk to the square takes between 10 and 20 minutes on foot through the gardens.
Why visit La Concorde?
Designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel and covering an area of approximately 7.6 acres, it is the largest square in Paris. It was originally built to glorify King Louis XV, but during the revolution, several members of the royal family, including King Louis XVI, were executed there. Every year, a grandstand is built in this square from which French dignitaries watch the Bastille Day military parade.
The prestigious Luxor Obelisk stands out in the centre, and at the ends are two important works of art that you should take a look at: the monumental fountains of La Concorde.
- Fontaine des Mers (Fountain of the Seas)
- Fontaine des Fleuves (Fountain of the Rivers)
Enjoy a truly Parisian lunch
Paris is full of fabulous places to enjoy excellent food in the vicinity of the Louvre Museum. Here are some places to enjoy a good meal depending on your preferences and itinerary:
- If you are looking for authentic Parisian food, you can visit Café Blanc.
- If you are looking for French food with an exotic touch, I recommend Le Fumoir.
- If you're looking for a quick snack, my favourite options are Bo & Mie, Pret-a-manger, or the Franprix supermarket.
But if you are truly a food lover and want to spend part of your day discovering the secrets of traditional French dishes, I suggest you set aside an hour for a gastronomic tour of Paris. You won't be disappointed.
Take a stroll down the Champs-Élysées
The Place de La Concorde is the monument that marks the end of the most beautiful and famous avenue in Paris: the Champs-Élysées. Once you've recharged your batteries, I suggest you walk from the Luxor Obelisk to the end of the avenue. It's a 1.9-kilometre-long stroll that invites you to discover the best of the best in Paris, with prestigious shops and cafés everywhere you look.
Points of interest
Although there is much to see on the Champs-Élysées, here are a few places that may be of interest depending on your tastes.
- Cafés and restaurants: Café Di Roma, Fouquet's, Ladurée, Léon
- Shops and boutiques: Lancôme Boutique, Sephora Paris, L'Occitane, Petit Bateau, Zara, DIOR Paris, Louis Vuitton and BOSS Store.
- Other points of interest: Cinéma Pathé, L'Atelier Renault and Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysées.
Reach the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
It's time to discover one of the most iconic monuments in the City of Light. Visiting this emblematic destination can be as simple as strolling under its enormous arches and contemplating the beautiful avenue you have just walked down; you also have the option of climbing to the viewpoint located at the top of the structure.
At the end of the Champs-Élysées avenue, you will find, at the western end, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, a must-see on a day trip.
Why visit the Arc de Triomphe?
It is really much more than a monument. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, as well as being an essential stop on guided tours of Paris, is also a museum whose upper terrace offers breathtaking views of Paris and at the base of which the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been installed. Its construction was ordered by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 and completed in 1836; unfortunately, the French emperor never saw its completion.
If you intend to visit the interior, my advice is to buy tickets for the Arc de Triomphe in advance to avoid queues and wasted time.
If you do not go inside, take a moment to appreciate the four large sculptures that adorn the exterior walls. These are:
- Le Triomphe de 1810 - (The Triumph)
- La Résistance de 1814 - (The Resistance)
- La Paix de 1815 (Peace)
- Le Départ de 1792 (The Departure)
Explore the Trocadero Square and Gardens
Next on the list of must-sees when visiting Paris is to take a moment to enjoy the view at the Place du Trocadero and then the Jardins du Trocadero.
To get from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place du Trocadero, take Avenue Kléber for a 30-minute walk. It is another beautiful avenue in Paris where you can enjoy spectacular views.
Why visit Trocadero Square?
From there, you have one of the most impressive views of the Eiffel Tower. Most of the photos of this iconic Parisian monument that you will find on the internet, in books and on postcards are taken from Trocadero Square. Don't forget your camera, as spectacular photos are practically guaranteed!
Why visit the Trocadero Gardens?
Mainly to admire the Warsaw Fountain. It is a rectangular water fountain, centred around 12 huge fountains, each capable of projecting columns of water up to 33 feet high. The spectacular design is complemented by 24 small fountains and 10 water arches.
During the quieter moments of the day, the mirror effect of the Warsaw Fountain can be beautifully dramatic, making for splendid photos. But don't linger too long—you have to get to your next stop before sunset!
Enjoy the sunset at the Eiffel Tower
Although our tour of Paris is almost over, it's impossible to leave the city without first admiring its most iconic monument.
Leave your location at the Jardins du Trocadero behind, cross Avenue de New York to reach the Pont d'Iéna, one of the classic Parisian bridges linking the two banks of the Seine, and you'll be in the Eiffel Tower Gardens.
The Eiffel Tower at sunset
This is one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset. The views from the Eiffel Tower allow you to see all of Paris and enjoy the last rays of sunshine falling on this beautiful city. The River Seine with its boulevards, the beautiful Parisian streets, its buildings and its well-kept gardens, all bathed in an orange sky, will make you fall in love with the city, making you want to return very soon to enjoy new experiences.
Bearing in mind that your time in Paris is limited, buy your ticket to the Eiffel Tower in advance so you don't waste a second of your itinerary. Also, remember that the Eiffel Tower is illuminated at night and has a light show every hour on the hour.
Say goodbye to Paris with a cruise on the Seine
As a farewell to Paris, take a night cruise on the Seine that includes dinner on board and, on occasion, live music.
This type of excursion includes a cruise along the canals of Paris and nearby rivers, including the Marne River and the Saint-Martin Canal.
Why take a cruise on the Seine?
The scenery, food and excellent service are well worth it. Paris at dusk offers exceptional views, and you can experience architectural wonders such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower's night-time light show and much more.