Are you headed to Paris for the first time? Do you have limited time and want to hit the Must Do sights, check out the Sample 1-Day Itinerary below for a whirlwind day in Paris that hits most of the major tourist stops. This itinerary will allow you to visit many of the “Must Do” attractions while still giving you the opportunity to take the Metro and experience Paris beyond the main draws. With luck, you’ll also take note of things that you want to visit on the next day’s itinerary or on a future trip! The times below are general guidelines and obviously there will be transit time to bake in, but use them as a rough guideline for what you’ll see in a jam-packed Paris day!
To save time waiting in lines, consider buying tickets for your itinerary before you go:
- Louvre (These days, it’s so popular that you need to buy ahead of time to get an entry time, so don’t delay when you’re purchasing)
- Musee d’Orsay
- Vedettes du Pont Neuf
- Eiffel Tower
- Arc de Triomphe
A Brief Trip to The Louvre: 3 Hours (9AM – 12PM)
Be careful and make sure you take note of the museum’s closure on Tuesdays.
Start your day doing a quick visit of the Louvre. From your hotel, take the metro and begin your day at the Louvre. Once you’re done with your quick visit, grab lunch near the Louvre at the Food Court Rivoli, located in the Carrousel du Louvre (up an escalator) and with multiple restaurant options – and open most of the day.
It’s impossible to see all of the Louvre in a single day and while the Mona Lisa is a must for every first-time visitor, make sure to see some of the other beautiful areas that appeal to your tastes — a smattering of options include Napoleon’s apartments, the sculpture gardens, Egyptian antiquities, the Persian collections and more! You won’t find the same crowds in those areas, that’s for sure. Keep in mind that there will be crowds, but starting the day at the Louvre should help to keep them manageable.
Tuileries & walk over Solferino bridge (1 – 2PM)
If you want another quick stop, check out the Orangerie at the far end of the Tuileries (by the Seine, furthest from the Louvre).
Now that you’ve had a relaxing lunch and dipped your toe in the art world, leave out the main entrance of the Louvre (where the glass pyramid is) towards the Tuileries gardens. Take your time and sit by the fountain to relax, stroll through the garden paths, maybe even duck out of the gardens and do a little shopping.
You’re in the heart of Paris where so many monuments, museums, and must-dos all congregate. Spend an hour relaxing and then head towards the Seine, where you’ll be crossing Solferino bridge, a two-deck footbridge that will take you across the river. When you get to the other side, you’ll be right by your next stop on your one-day itinerary!
Admire the arts at the Musée d’Orsay (2 – 4PM)
Get past the line quickly by buying your admission online before you go! Head to the website here and save yourself more time to admire the art.
It’s time for another museum, but it happens to be one of the most popular tourist destinations — and for a good reason. Sitting inside an old train station is the Musée d’Orsay. Here, you’ll discover paintings, sculptures, photography, decorative arts, architecture, and more. Check out the 19 Must-See Paintings (from the Paris Insider Guide) if you’re keen for a little more structure and to see Manet, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and more!
Take a cruise on the Seine (4 – 5)
Next, you’ll take a leisurely walk back towards Pont Neuf to pick up a Seine cruise from Vedettes du Pont Neuf. On this cruise, you’ll take an hour loop that gives you views of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Conciergerie and more. If you’re visiting during the winter months, you’ll also get the added benefit of sunset views! Grab a snack around this time, since dinner will be a European (aka, later) affair.
Ascend the Eiffel Tower (5 – 6)
From here, you’ll return back to one of the sights you visited. Take a cab or the RER C (from Notre Dame station to Champ de Mars Eiffel Tower). If you’ve got some time in the schedule, explore Notre Dame before you hop on the RER! Once you arrive, you can choose to either climb the tower (which will only take you to the second floor and will be 600+ steps), or you can ascend to the very top. I highly recommend buying your tickets in advance if you intend to take the elevator.
Climb the Arc de Triomphe (6 – 8)
Make sure that you’re ready to ascend some steps or that you’re patient enough to wait for the elevator. It’s not too bad of a climb (certainly not like the Eiffel Tower), but factor that into your visit!
Grab a taxi or take the metro (M6 line) to reach the Arc de Triomphe. If you’ve pre-selected tickets (and I strongly advise you to), you’ll be able to skip the line to buy tickets and then begin your climb. With just under 300 stairs, you won’t want to rush this, so make sure to buy yourself plenty of time. It’s also incredible to be at the top as the sunset illuminates the skyline, so check to see when sunset is for the time of year you’re going.
Relax and enjoy a well-deserved dinner (8 – 10:40)
Once you’ve finished your climb, it’s time for a fashionably late dinner! Since your next stop will be the Eiffel Tower, I recommend somewhere near Trocadero — where you can find plenty of restaurant options to grab a meal and be close to the Eiffel Tower for the show.
Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle and shine (11PM)
The show will run at the top of the hour from dusk until 1AM (at the time of writing this article).
Finish the night at Trocadero watching the Eiffel Tower glitter and sparkle is a perfect way to end your day in Paris. You’ll have visited plenty of the main sites, seen a large amount of art, architecture, and enjoyed the ambiance of this beautiful city. Once you’re done admiring the show, take a taxi or the Metro back to your hotel and prepare for the rest of your fantastic trip.
It’s now late, you’ve had a fantastic day, and it’s time to rest up! Head back to your hotel and get a great night’s sleep because there’s plenty more in Paris to discover.
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