Words do not justice to how charming and romantic Paris is. Its beautiful ambiance, brilliant architecture and rich history make it a unique destination in the world. It is one of those places that you need to visit at least once in your lifetime. It has countless impressive places to visit and awesome things to do. However, you can visit it as a day trip to get a good taste of its uniqueness ! In this article, you will find the perfect itinerary for your day trip to Paris.
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Things to know before visiting Paris
As the capital of France, Paris is huge with millions of tourists every year. If you plan to visit Paris by car, be aware that it can be hectic during peak times. So, the best way to move around the city is definitely by public transport and in particular the subway. As you can guess, you can find everything in Paris, from world-famous monuments, museums and churches to adorable old neighborhoods. Being one of the most important cities in the world with rich history, art and culture, there will always be hidden gems to explore ! The easiest and simplest way to find tickets to the masterpieces of Paris is to buy an e-pass to save money and time. Keep in mind that queues for the Eiffel Tower, Louvre etc are usually huge.
Like the rest of the country, you can pay almost everywhere by card without having to carry a lot of cash with you. It is also safer to avoid carrying cash, as there are many pickpockets and scams in this city. Therefore, you should always be careful of your belongings in subways, train stations and tourist attractions ! Paris offers a wide range of cafés, patisseries, restaurants etc. For a day in Paris, we recommend that you already know which place you want to have a coffee or meal to save time. Lastly, you will walk a long way to see its main attractions. So, it is best to wear comfortable shoes to make the most of your time in this wonderful city.
How to get to Paris ?
Paris is one of the easiest places to visit not only in France, but also in Europe. Its main airport “Charles de Gaulle” connects it with countless countries around the world ! In addition, its main train station “Gare du Nord” is one of the busiest train stations in Europe. So, you can reach Paris either by flight, train or bus. Although we are big road trip lovers, we would not suggest visiting it by car. Traffic and parking is quite a headache.
Since you will only be in Paris for one day, you need to save as much time as possible. That is why we recommend booking a transfer from Paris airport. If you are traveling with others, you will be able to share the cost. Charles de Gaulle is located about 35 kilometers from the city center. If you do not want to have private transport, you can alternatively take the bus or train. The fastest ways to get to the center of Paris are by private transfer or train.
The best time to visit Paris
You can visit Paris all year round. It has something unique to offer and even the moody days add to its beauty ! However, the best time to visit it is undoubtedly spring or summer. At these times, Paris is sunny and you can enjoy your time to the fullest with long walks along the Seine River. If you are looking for the most “colorful version” of Paris, we suggest visiting in April or May when the flowers are in full bloom.
Is one day in Paris enough ?
Paris, New York, London, Barcelona and more are not easy to visit in one day. There are hundreds of places to explore and things to experience. However, if you want to get a good first taste of Paris, you should focus on visiting its main attractions. Be sure to organize your day as best you can to have fun admiring its masterpieces.
The perfect 1-day itinerary in Paris
1-Starting the day with breakfast in the city center
For a day in Paris, you need to wake up early to have a full day ahead of you. But first you need to have a delicious breakfast. Since the main tourist attractions are concentrated in the city center, we advise you to find a cozy place for breakfast near your first stop of the day, the iconic Eiffel Tower. Depending on your preferences, you can choose a savory or sweet breakfast ! However, Paris and France in general are known for delicious croissants, crêpes or even gaufres au chocolat (left photo). Whatever you choose to eat, the Parisian vibes and beautiful decor of the cafés will not disappoint you at all !
2-Visit the iconic Eiffel Tower
After fueling your body with a French breakfast, you are now ready to visit the Paris landmark. The Eiffel Tower is located in the heart of Paris (7th arrondissement) and is a must-visit. It attracts million of visitors every year with its outstanding architecture, design and history. The best way to visit and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views is to book your tickets online to skip the long queues ! It opens at 9.30 am, so we recommend getting there around that time. However, if you just want to take photos of the Iron Lady without going upstairs, you can head to the famous Trocadéro Square (left photo) and then to the Trocadéro Gardens (right photo). These 2 spots are usually very crowded even around 8am. Know that there are many pickpockets. Therefore, you should not leave your bags unattended.
3-Take the best souvenir photo (La Gazette)
Just a few steps from the Trocadéro square, you will find the sweetest souvenir you can get from Paris. It is called “La Gazette” and it is a free vintage photo shoot with Old Press (donations only). So, it is almost free and one of the best things to do in Paris. What is better than having a sweet photo of you and your loved ones with the Eiffel Tower in the background !
4-Go to the Louvre Museum
Once you are done with the Eiffel Tower, it is time to visit the other must-see attraction in Paris, the Louvre Museum. It is considered one of the most beautiful museums in the world. It is home to the famous Mona Lisa painting. It is impossible to do a proper tour of the museum, as you need days to admire all the exhibits. That is why we recommend taking a quick tour of the museum that includes the Mona Lisa audio guide and lasts only one hour ! It is the most convenient way to get an inside tour of the museum during your day trip. However, you always have the option to visit just the outside of the museum to admire the impressive architecture of the Pyramid and the surrounding buildings.
5-Head to Montmartre
Montmartre is the most dreamy neighborhood in Paris. It is located in the 18th arrondissement at the top of a small hill. This beautiful area is the definition of Parisian charm with the famous Sacré Coeur, Sinking house, adorable Instagrammable cafés and restaurants ! In the heart of Montmartre, you will find the central square called “Place du Tertre”. We strongly recommend having a coffee or a meal at one of its restaurants. Nothing beats enjoying a meal while looking out at the bustling atmosphere outside your window. Of course if you want a more fun activity, you can enjoy a cheese and wine testing experience.
Just a few steps from the Place du Tertre, you will find Montmartre’s main attraction, the Sacré Coeur. It is one of the major monuments of Paris with special architecture and amazing panoramic views ! It is really worth visiting the interior, as it has the largest mosaic in France. However, if you decide to visit only the outside area, you should be aware of scammers and pickpockets. Right next to Sacré Coeur, you will find the Sinking House which is just an optical illusion, perfect for stunning photos and videos. In case you want to learn more about the highlights of Montmartre, we suggest you take a walking tour. It will leave you with the best impressions.
6-Watch the sunset at Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Trimphe is about 4,5 kilometres from Montmartre. It is one of the best places to watch the sunset, since twice a year the sun sets directly in the center of the Arc ! In addition, it is located at the western end of the Champs Élysées which is one of the world’s most famous streets. Thus, due to its geographical location, the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most Instagrammable photo spots in Paris. There are many spots where you can capture it right in the middle of the bustling atmosphere of Champs Élysées. As it is one of the most important monuments of the city, it is worth going up to admire one of the best views of the city.
7-End your day with the Eiffel Tower light show
If you are looking for the most romantic free things to do in Paris, then the Eiffel Tower light show should be at the top of you list. The Eiffel Tower is about 3,5 kilometers from Arc de Triomphe, so you can visit it directly. This spectacular show takes place daily (on the hour) from sunset till 1 am. But, the lights only sparkle for 5 minutes. You have to keep an eye on your watch, so you do not lose it and wait another hour. The best way to fully experience this unique moment is to take a cruise on the River Seine while having a romantic dinner. Nothing is better than enjoying a delicious dinner at a top-notch restaurant listening to live music with the Iron Lady’s night lights !
Other beautiful places to visit in France
1-Strasbourg
Strasbourg is one of the most charming cities in France. You only need 2 hours and 15 minutes from Paris to reach this beautiful city. As the official seat of the European Parliament, Strasbourg is a popular destinations with thousands of tourists each year. However, the best time to visit is Christmas, as it is considered the capital of Christmas. The canals and the special architecture of Alsace create a unique scenery ! If you want to get a good taste of the city, you can easily take a boat tour to admire the incredible views.
2-Colmar
About 30 minute from Strasbourg by train, you will find yourself in the fairytale town of Colmar. It is one of the prettiest towns in France with colorful half-timbered houses, canals and narrow streets. It is so pleasant to walk through its picturesque alleys and enjoy the incredible architecture ! Colmar is one of the most photogenic places with amazing spots. We highly recommend visiting as a day trip from Strasbourg, especially at Christmas.
3-Lyon
Located near the French Alps and Switzerland, Lyon is another French gem. It is actually the third largest city with lots of things to do and see. It is also the country’s capital food with a wide variety of cafés, bakeries, restaurants etc. You can even visit Lyon as a day trip and have a great time exploring its charming center ! Since it has 2 rivers, a boat tour is undoubtedly the best way to explore and enjoy it.
4-Marseille
Marseille is the second largest city in France and a must-visit on your trip to the south of the country. It has the oldest port in Europe, so it is busy all year round. Marseille is one of the most authentic places in France with a lively ambiance and amazing Mediterranean vibes. The fascinating ocean views will leave you in awe. The most beautiful areas are the old town and the Vallon des Auffres where you can take long walks watching the magical sunrises or sunsets !
5-Nice
Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and a unique European destination. Beaches with turquoise waters, an adorable old town, cozy cafés and restaurants and epic panoramic views are what you should expect from your stay in Nice. That is why it is a wonderful city for day trips to the others gems of the French Riviera. Since it has so many things to do, we recommend that you spend at least 2 days in Nice before taking day trips to other places.
6-Menton
Just 35 minutes from Nice, you will find the hidden gem of the French Riviera called “Menton”. It is the last French town before the Italian border with a great influence of Italian culture and style. Since there are many lemons and palm trees almost everywhere, it is known as the City of Lemons. It is an adorable French town with an amazing beach, colorful streets and delicious food. We cannot recommend a trip to Menton enough !
Final Thoughts
A trip to Paris will always be special, even as a day trip. The best advice we can give you is to take more time and explore the places you really want to visit. For your day in Paris, your goal is to visit the main attractions. So, spend your time in these masterpieces and enjoy your beautiful day to the fullest. We are sure that your short time in Paris will leave you with the best memories ! Of course, if you have some extra time in France, we highly recommend adding a few more places to your itinerary.
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