24 - Hour Guide To Paris
TRAVEL DATE: MARCH 13, 2023 | EST. READING TIME: 9 MIN
IN THIS GUIDE ✺
TRAVEL TOOLKIT
Paris Customized Map (Google Maps)
So you find yourself in Paris for just one day and you want to make the most of it?
Maybe you're staying in London and decided to take a spontaneous day trip to Paris, France. Or you have a long layover in Charles de Gaulle. Or you’re studying abroad and have to maximize your weekend trips. Whatever the reason, you've got one day to make the City of Love count.
Traveling from London, my best friend and I decided to take the Chunnel because it's cost-effective, but also because, who wouldn't want to say they've traveled through the bottom of the English Channel?
One Day Paris Itinerary
In a hurry? Here’s a time-stamped overview of how to spend one day in Paris:
6:01 - 9:30 AM: 🚆 London to Paris transit via Eurostar (2 hr 29 min)
9:45 - 9:55 AM: ⛪ Admire Sacré-Cœur (10 min)
10:00 - 11:30 AM: 🎨 Brunch at Au Cadet du Gascogne in Montmartre (1 hr 30 min)
11:50 - 12:00 PM: 🙏 Snap a photo in front of Notre-Dame (10 min)
12:10 - 12:35 PM: 📚 Curl up with a good book in Shakespeare and Company (25 min)
12:35 - 1:45 PM: 🛍️ Stroll down the Latin Quarter and shop on St. Germain (1 hr 10 min)
1:50 - 2:20 PM: 🥖 Snack on a baguette under the Eiffel Tower (30 min)
2:30 PM - 2:40 PM: 🇫🇷 Circle the Arc de Triomphe (10 min)
2:40 - 3:25 PM: 🌳 Walk back down Avenue des Champs-Élysées (45 min)
3:25 - 3:45 PM: 💐 Smell the flowers around Tuileries Garden (20 min)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: 🖼️ Spot the Mona Lisa inside the Louvre (2 hr)
6:30 - 7:30 PM: 🍝 Enjoy dinner in Vendôme at La Corte (1 hr)
8:01 - 11:25 PM: 🚉 Paris to London transit via Eurostar (2 hr 29 min)
How to Get from London to Paris?
FROM: London St Pancras International (6:01 AM BST)
TO: Paris Gare du Nord (9:30 AM CET)
TRANSPORTATION: Eurostar via Trainline (2 hr 29 min, direct route, $104)
To make the most of our time when visiting Paris, France for a day, we woke up at the crack of dawn, catching the Eurostar from London St Pancras Int’l to Paris Gare du Nord at 6:01 AM. The journey offers a perfect opportunity to grab some much-needed sleep or catch up on work. I brought a sleep eye mask, but napping was much easier said than done. The train offers food, drinks, chargers – basically everything you need to enjoy the ride, and the roomy seats are much more comfortable than a cramped flight. Plus, you can sidestep all the airport hassles!
this banner made me think of international baby by niko b
The ride is a breezy two and a half hours, but there's a time change to consider, so you'll roll into Paris around 9:30 a.m. Our tickets cost $104 total, but be sure to check all the requirements, especially the arrival time.
Arriving at the train station just 10 minutes before departure (like we did) is highly discouraged – you'll need to go through passport control since you're crossing borders. We talked our way onto the train, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
What to Do in Paris?
FROM: Gare du Nord Metro stop (9:35 AM CET)
TO: Château Rouge Metro stop (9:40 AM CET)
TRANSPORTATION: Metro Line 4 (3 min, 2 stops, €2.10)
Once you're in Paris, your commute isn’t over yet. You'll need to walk outside the train and hop on the Metro at the Gare du Nord station, riding to the Château Rouge stop via Line 4. Planning your route will help ensure you catch the right train, especially if this transit system is new to you and you don’t speak French. Once you get off the train, walk 10 minutes west to reach Sacré-Cœur. You could also do the 20-minute walk yourself and skip the Metro.
Sacré-Cœur
This Roman-Byzantine style white church overlooks the city from 130 meters above the ground, adorned with thousands of love locks on the handrails.
The view from this elevated point is breathtaking, especially for panoramic photos. You can spot the Eiffel Tower in the distance, and you'll realize it's not as tall as it seems amidst the grandeur of Paris.
Montmartre
When you’re like okayyy let’s go, take a quick 5-minute walk to Montmartre, the Artisan's District of Paris. At this wee hour of the morning, you'll see older gentlemen setting up their paint easels in open terraces. This plaza is the heart of local artisans, and if you're a fan of collecting unique paintings from your travels, Montmartre is the place to be. It might be a bit touristy, but it's definitely worth exploring, especially if it's your first time in Paris.
Brunch — Au Cadet Du Gascogne
Around 10 a.m., you might not be in the mood for breakfast, but when in Paris, you have to try escargot. Yes, I'm talking about snails. I dined at Au Cadet du Gascogne and paired my snails with beef stew for the ultimate French brunch experience. It's a delightful spot with outdoor seating that lets you watch the artists at work, and the escargot, sizzling in butter and garlic, is a must-try. The friendly waitstaff even tried to strike up a conversation with us in French (which was the biggest compliment ever that she didn’t immediately know we were American).
Notre-Dame
FROM: Château Rouge Metro stop (11:39 AM CET)
TO: Châtelet Metro stop (11:50 AM CET)
TRANSPORTATION: Metro Line 4 (11 min, 3 stops, €2.10)
Lace up your walking shoes because the rest of your day will be a trek through the city. From Montmartre, we took the Metro towards the 4th arrondissement. If you're a baguette lover (who isn't?), my friend recommends a great spot near this Metro entrance – we didn't stop here, but I think she was referring to Paris Baguette Châtelet.
The Metro ride offers an opportunity for a quick snack, and soon you'll walk another few minutes after arriving towards the famous medieval Catholic cathedral, Notre-Dame.
Though this UNESCO World Heritage Site is recognized for its architectural, historical, and cultural significance, it's not as massive as it once was after a catastrophic fire in April 2019. Take some pictures from the outside (it’s temporarily closed until December 2024).
Shakespeare and Company
Then make your way across the Seine to Shakespeare and Company, a historic bookstore where iconic writers of the “Lost Generation” gathered.
The interior is a haven for book lovers, with antique books and cozy corners to curl up and read in – an ideal escape to take a break in during this long day (even though there's typically a bit of a wait to get inside the store).
Photography within the shop is discouraged to give privacy to readers, so you’ll have to go inside yourself to see the interior :)
Latin Quarter
We continued through the Latin Quarter and strolled by the high-end shops of St. Germain, all while heading towards the iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower.
Snack - La Parisienne
It was here where we stopped to grab the essentials (baguettes), which we planned to devour in front of the Eiffel Tower. We stopped at La Parisienne (named for the best baguette in 2016!) at 85 Rue Saint Dominique, and the warm baguettes were crunchy and pulled fresh out of the oven–everything we could have hoped for.
the most stereotypical “Paris” photo you’ve ever seen
From there, it's just a 15-minute walk to the tower. Walk down Rue De Monttessuy for a chance to snap a photo with the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop and your baguette-child cradled in your arm.
Don't hesitate to shop at the numerous gift stores along the way. And hey, it's the perfect time to embrace your tourist status – buy a blue beret, why not?
Eiffel Tower
Now, you're at the Eiffel Tower. Find a bench, sit down, savor your baguette, and admire this architectural marvel. It was built in the late 19th century, and even without delving into its history, it's an awe-inspiring structure.
Pair your bread with a cold, crisp Coca-Cola from one of the many vendors in the park. Take your time: this is one of the world's iconic landmarks.
Arc de Triomphe
FROM: Eiffel Tower (2:23 PM CET)
TO: Arc de Triomphe (2:30 PM CET)
TRANSPORTATION: Taxi or rideshare (7 min, ~€10)
From here, we took a 7 minute taxi to the Arc de Triomphe to take in the sights of yet another architectural marvel. This monument symbolizes French national pride and victory, honoring those who fought and died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
Tuileries Garden
Continuing down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées for 40 minutes (aka ‘the world’s most beautiful avenue’), will take you along the Seine to the Tuileries Garden. The meticulously manicured lawns, elegant tree-lined avenues, and stunning fountains are classic examples of French formal garden design, originally created for the royal residence of French monarchs.
Musée du Louvre
Adjacent to the Tuileries Garden, is the Musée du Louvre, where you can see the one and only Mona Lisa.
We had a 4 p.m. reservation at the Louvre with tickets costing €17 each, but even with a ticket there’s still a substantial line you have to wait in outside the museum. Arrive early to ensure you can get inside on time.
Even with this brilliant, time-stamped plan in hand, the 2023 French pension protest promptly shut down all railways, which meant there was no train running to take us back to where we came from. Missing our Louvre visit, we scrambled to book the next available flight back to London.
Feeling emo about not seeing the Mona Lisa, I consoled myself with a macaron at the Ladurée shop in the airport. But you don't have to suffer the same fate; you can find these delectable treats at various spots in the city–there’s even a Ladurée below the Louvre.
For a sweet treat experience that transcends the ordinary, consider Cedric Grolet's Bakery. If you haven't seen him on TikTok, he's a wizard who turns fruit into desserts that look just like the real thing. He's also famous for his croissants, and basically everything he makes is mind-blowing.
in desperate times, even airport macarons hit the spot
Dinner - La Corte
Though we had intended to eat near the Louvre, we didn't have the chance to due to the protest. If you're up for trying a local favorite, there's a place near the Louvre that supposedly serves incredible pesto pasta. It's worth a shot if you have the time (and the energy to track down this extremely vague recommendation). La Corte is highly rated, by the Lourve, and serves pesto pasta — so it could be the one!
As the day winds down, make your way back to an elevated viewing point where you can see the Eiffel Tower — like the Pont Alexandre III bridge. If you time it right, you can watch the tower sparkle, creating a magical sight precisely at dusk. From there, head to the train station or airport to catch your ride home, which will conclude your whirlwind adventure in Paris. Enjoy your day – it's a memory you'll cherish for a lifetime.
How Much Does One Day in Paris Cost?
If you’re traveling to Paris for just one day you’re in luck — you don’t have to pay for a hotel room! Following the above itinerary led the cost of a one-day trip to Paris to be $230.15 for me as a young college student on a budget:
Transportation
$104 - Eurostar round trip train ticket
€4.20 - two Metro one-way tickets
€10 - taxi ride
Food
€30 - breakfast at Au Cadet du Gascogne
€4 - baguette, water, and a can of Coca-Cola from La Parisienne
Activities
€17 - Louvre ticket
Souvenirs
€20 - painting from Montmartre
€5 - blue beret
$31 - 8 macron-box from Laudrée
Of course, if you’re already in Paris you can forgo the train ticket. If you’re on a tighter budget, consider opting for one smaller souvenir.
Assuming you don’t find yourself in the middle of a transportation strike, you’ll also want to factor in the cost of your dinner, plus your transport back to the train station.
What to Wear in Paris?
Paris fashion screams elegance, sophistication, and class — get inspired to embody haute couture like you’re walking in Paris Fashion Week.
Regardless of personal aesthetic or budget, anyone can style a classic black and white ensemble: think old money chic, timeless silhouettes, and clean lines. Pull these pieces from your closet to craft the perfect outfit if you’re planning a trip to Paris:
Bottoms
long silk skirts, pleated trousers, and flowy culottes
Tops
tuxedo vests, corset bustiers, staple tanks and tees
Shoes
ballet slippers, mary janes, and slingback kitten heels will keep your feet from aching after all that walking
Dresses
think easy, breezy, beautiful (CoverGirl!) — spaghetti straps, tulle, and simplicity are key
Accessories
chunky gold jewelry and a dainty handbag bring it all together
Accents
ribbons, lace, bows, and rose appliqué— pull in pops of ruby and sapphire to exude elegance
Is Paris Overrated?
All in all, my initial Paris experience was a little underwhelming, but that’s not to say I don’t plan to go back. The strike severely soured our experience, leading to mountains of stinky trash on the street and last minute transportation cancellations which cut our one day stay short. I find the most rewarding travel experiences to be ones which forge unlikely friendships through group excursions and activities — this itinerary for a day in Paris was more so geared towards sightseeing to look at famous structures. BUT on the other hand, how could you go to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower?! It almost feels sacrilegious.
That being said, I think at least one more day is required to have a rewarding Parisian experience, so I’ll have to revisit this ranking once Paris gives me that chance. Out of the 13 countries I’ve visited as of March 2023, I’m ranking France a tentative #6 for now—but there’s still SO MUCH of the country I have left to hit, so take this assessment lightly.
