Paris is a bucket-list destination for all the right reasons - a world-class arts scene, a storied past, monumental structures, delectable cuisine, and of course shopping! We will be upfront with you, Paris warrants at least a few days, but hey if it’s just 24 hours, let us help you make it the best 24 hours in Paris!
Disclaimers first. What we suggest initially may be cliched. But cliches in Paris are still worth every minute. But if you want less tourist-trodden paths, scroll to the ‘Mix it Up’ section. Our 24-hour itinerary is suggestive, feel free to tailor it to your interests, budget, and pace. Let’s head right in!
Now, navigating a new city can be a daunting task for a tourist. This is where Paris hop-on hop-off buses come in handy, saving you a ton of hassle and time. They cover transit to several attractions, permit unlimited hops, are inexpensive compared to cab rides, and will significantly reduce the stress of navigating public transport, which though efficient, needs some getting used to. If you have the time, a single loop onboard offers a good lay of the land. Secondly, invest in Paris city passes like Turbopass covering many attractions in one go. Buying combos also adds great monetary value.
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Let's start the day early at 9am with the right dose of culture at the Louvre - the world’s largest and most-visited museum housing some of the classics like the ‘Mona Lisa’. Head over to the Denon wing for the ‘Mona Lisa’, ‘Winged Victory of Samothrace’, ‘Liberty Leading the People’, and more.
Cross over to the north of the island and head for the Centre Pompidou, an interesting and complex building inside and out. It houses the National Museum of Modern Art, among other things. Sure, you can check out the museum, but we suggest making your way to the observatory at the top for your first views of Paris from up above. Spot everything from the Eiffel Tower to the Sacre Couer.
Time to sit down for a fine French lunch. You will find plenty of economical and fine-dining restaurants and cafes in the Latin Quater, Le Marais, or Île de la Cité. Afterward, you could walk off lunch at the vibrant Le Marais neighborhood with numerous unique and budget-friendly shopping options. Get some baguettes, pastries, cheese, or fruits from here as we need them later in the day. Book lovers can explore the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore.
After your stroll down the Champs-Elysees, make your way back to the hop-on hop-off bus stop and catch the next bus to the one and only Eiffel Tower, the most recognizable icon of France. One that lights up and sparkles at night forging an image that will last a lifetime.
If you had grabbed some light eats at the Latin Quater or Le Marais, now is when you source them out for a little picnic. After all, it is not every day that you get to snack with the Eiffel Tower as a view. Take a breather because like we said, a lot of enjoying Paris is sitting down with a croissant or au la chocolat and just people-watching.
You would have crossed the Seine River multiple times on your trip by now, but now it's time to see Paris from the waters. Starting from the Eiffel Tower, the cruise takes you around the Louvre, Notre Dame, and several other landmarks. Anticipate a romantic setting that is just as serene, and watch Paris unfold before you. Sunset is magical from the waters and you should reach back in time for the Eiffel being lit up.
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You could call it a night here and head back to the station, airport, or hotel, but if you still have some late night time to kill, head over to Montmartre.
There are plenty of things to do in Paris with kids. You could visit the many parks that dot the city like the Parc des Buttes Chaumont where kids will have a grand time. You could also plan a picnic in the parks along the Seine. In summer, Paris Plages transforms the Seine riverbanks into temporary beaches with lots of activities for kids. Centre Pompidou also has a kids section. You could get your kids interested in Paris attractions with the Tootbus Kids Guided Tour.
This list is obviously long for the City of Love. Our top recommendations would be a romantic dinner cruise on the Seine, a stroll along the banks of the Seine or Canal St Martin hand-in-hand visiting cafes, watching the open-air cinema with a picnic at La Villette park, visiting the Love Wall at Montmartre, and of course posing in front of the Eiffel Tower and waiting for it to light up.
If you wish to spend your day exploring just museums, get the Paris Museum Pass. You could do a full loop with the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Musée Rodin. You could also throw in a few other galleries and historical monuments en route like the Picasso Museum, 59 Rivoli, Musée National d'Art Moderne, and Conciergerie.
Of course, you can. Take any of the Paris airport transfer services to the city and club it with a hop-on hop-off pass. Take a full loop on the hop-on hop-off bus which might last about 2 and a half hours to get a grand overview of the city. If time permits, you could even get down at one of the most iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, and explore a bit.
Frankly speaking, Paris is not cheap. A day's exploration in Paris can typically range from €100 to €300. These costs change significantly based on individual choices and lifestyle preferences. But you can up your money-saving game, with transit passes, hop-on hop-off Paris tours, and TurboPass.