Explore the best of Paris in 24 hours. It’s a dazzling city with gastronomical delights. But how much time should you really spend in Paris? You need more like a 3 day itinerary or a 5 day trip plan! Though, sometimes all you have is 24 hours. Make sure to cover some culinary and cultural highlights in your whirlwind timeline. Follow my guide below to maximize your experience in Paris in 24 hours.
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Essentials
Language: French.
Currency: EURO (€)
Voltage: 230 V. See my post on Essential Items to Pack in your Carry-on for tips on what plug adapters to buy.
Major Train Stations: There are 6 major train stations in Paris. They all go to different parts of France and the rest of Europe.
Major Airport: Charles de Gaulle or Orly. Charles de Gaulle might be slightly farther from downtown Paris, but it all depends where you’re flying in from.
Getting There
Paris has two major airports, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly, and which one you choose depends on your city of departure. If you’re only exploring Paris for 24 hours or less, you can store your bags at the baggage depot in train stations. You might see signs saying Left Luggage or Lost Luggage, but these areas typically offer luggage storage and lost-and-found services. Watch out for pickpockets, especially in crowded and popular areas. Pickpockets often work in groups, so be vigilant. It’s easy to explore the city on foot, but Paris has a great public transportation system too that’s easy to navigate, despite how complicated it looks on the map.
Buy tours with Viator to explore Paris with local guides. A good, curated tour saves you the hassle of commuting and planning. Check out my list of curated Viator tours to Paris, France.
Where to Stay
Always try to stay near the city center if you only have a 1 day itinerary to save time on commuting.
Hotel de L’Abbaye
Website: https://www.hotelabbayeparis.com/fr/salon-et-terrasse
A beautiful boutique hotel with a gorgeous glass, greenhouse dining room. It’s in the 6th arrondissement and close to major transportation and bakeries. The room service is impeccable and they give you little surprises every night (like chocolates) when they make up your room. The rooms are elegant and the hotel is located on a quiet street. Perfect for a good night’s sleep after you’ve been out exploring for the day.
What to See and Do
Make sure to fit in culinary and cultural highlights in your perfect 1 day Paris itinerary. I highly recommend buying tours to skip the line for major museums (like the Louvre). This is especially helpful if you’re exploring Paris as a first timer—and if you’re on a 24 hour deadline. A good tour saves you hours of waiting in line and will guarantee that you at least see the highlights.
Marvel at The Louvre
The Louvre is a must-see treasure trove of global relics. Skip the lineups by buying a guided tour. Make sure to use the free lockers to store jackets or umbrellas. And don’t take out any selfie sticks! Ieoh Ming Pei’s iconic 1989 glass pyramid, which was inspired by triangles and squares, floods the entrance with soft light, making it perfect for selfies. Use the pyramid to access the museum wings, but remember your ticket allows only one entry. Appreciate the masterpieces like The Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and The Coronation of Napoleon.
Indulge in a Cabaret Show at Le Moulin Rouge
And no, it’s not a high-end strip show. It’s a cancan performance with stunning performers in extravagant costumes. While there is semi-nudity, it’s not erotic at all. The storyline is absurd, and the choreography is mediocre, but they spared no expense on the costumes and on the set.
The show features sky-high kicks, contortionists, and dance numbers. Tickets (in October 2024) cost 200 euros per person, which includes a bottle of champagne or another drink of your choice. We chose red wine, which was excellent (of course because it’s France!).
Dinner-and-show tickets are available too, but at a much higher price. Book online in advance if you plan on going. It’s a fun, one-time experience for first-timers to Paris, but not really necessary. It is a very fun 90 minutes, though!
Admire the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Montmartre
Ride the funicular at the base of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica to skip the climb up the stairs. If you decide to walk, the steps are intense, so hold onto the banisters. The Basilica’s rounded domes stand out in Montmartre and its architectural design is quite the clash against the baroque or gothic styles around town. The Montmartre neighbourhood is steep, so wear comfortable shoes and watch your footing as you explore.
Where to Eat
Your perfect 1 day Paris itinerary must involve trying some delectable wines and cheeses. Ask for une carafe when you’re in a restaurant and you’ll be served a jar of tap water for free. Still or sparkling water costs €7 or more, so make sure to ask for une carafe!
Bouillon Julien
Website: https://www.bouillon-julien.com/
Style: Casual dining.
Price range (as of October 2024): Between €5 and €15. Yes, it is insanely cheap and delicious. The restaurant boasts on their website that at the Bouillon Julien everything is beautiful, delicious, and of great value.
Bouillon Julien mixes quality with affordable luxury. Originally inspired by the butcher Louis-Pierre Duval’s vision for hearty, but inexpensive meals, Edouard Fournier brought this idea to life in 1906 with Bouillon Julien. Dining here feels like stepping into an art museum, with Alphon Mucha-inspired paintings, stained glass ceilings, and gleaming mirrors—all essential elements of art nouveau.
The prices are insanely low and the food is delicious. Start with the rabbit terrine, then try the calf’s head (veal cheek) or steak frites for your entrée, and finish with crème brûlée for dessert. Book in advance, as this popular spot is always packed. If there’s a line, tell the host you have a reservation so you don’t mistakenly wait in the long lineup that’ll inevitably be there.
Le Moulin de la Galette
Website: https://www.moulindelagaletteparis.com/
Style: Casual-elegant dining, family friendly, French classics.
Prices (as of October 2024): Between €20 to €50 per dish.
A charming, casual-elegant joint in the heart of the Montmartre area. It’s a fun choice, especially if you want an early dinner before going for a Moulin Rouge show. For appetizers, I recommend trying the escargots or French onion soup, and for your mains, the duck leg confit or coq au vin. Both main courses were hearty and flavourful. And don’t forget to have a glass of champagne before dinner (isn’t it great you can drink champagne before a meal?).
Neige d’êté
Website: https://www.neigedete.fr/
Style: Fine-dining with prix fixe menu (there are no à la carte choices).
Prices (as of October 2024): €155 per person with optional wine pairings of either 4 glasses (€60) or 5 glasses (€75).
Chef Hideki Nishi crafts a set menu blending classic French cuisine with Japanese influences. There are no à la carte options here. You trust the chef to create a memorable omakase-style fine-dining experience. Each dish is meticulously and laboriously prepared. The highlight for me included the stuffed squab with foie gras. Though tucked into back streets, the restaurant is easy to find and well worth the splurge.
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