There are so many things to do and see in Paris, you could easily spend an entire week exploring all the incredible attractions this city has to offer. But if you only have one day in Paris, how can you make the most of it? Here’s a suggested one-day Paris itinerary for making the most of your 24 hours in the city of lights!
One Day Paris Itinerary
- The Louvre
- Tuileries Gardens
- Big Bus
- Notre Dame
- Arch de Triomphe
- Eiffel Tower
How to Spend One Day in Paris
When you are short on time and trying to decide how to see some of Paris’ most famous sites, use this Paris one day itinerary as a guide:
The Louvre
Begin your day by visiting The Louvre, one of the world’s most renowned art museums.
When it was established in 1793, it only had 537 artwork pieces on display.
Since then, the Louvre has grown to become one of the largest and most prestigious art collections in the world, housing over 38,000 pieces from all around the globe.
The museum has everything from ancient Egyptian Antiquities to 19th-century European sculptures.
You will find many of the most important works of art by such artists by artists such as Picasso and Monet.
One of the highlights of the museum is Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
You might want to make a list of the art pieces you are most interested in seeing before you visit. You can download this map of the Louvre that shows you where the most popular pieces are located.
Do not wait to get tickets at the door. You will want to avoid the line, so purchase your tickets to the Louvre in advance.
Louvre Tickets
- Under 18 is Free
- EEU Residents ages 18-25 are Free
- Free Entry for all on Bastille Day (July 14)
- Entrance is FREE the first Sunday of the month from October through March.
Tuileries Garden
Located just beyond the Louvre is the Tuileries Garden.
Once the royal garden of Catherine de’ Medici, this beautiful area became a public park after the French Revolution.
Today, the Tuileries Gardens are a popular destination for tourists and locals.
With its manicured gardens and landscaped grounds, it is an ideal place to enjoy a stroll or picnic in the sun.
The garden also features a large pond known as the Grand Bassin and several sculptures, including the Fountain of Apollo, the Medici Lions and the Grande Galerie.
Take a blanket and have a French picnic while you enjoy the views that surround you!
If you don’t have a blanket, you will find chairs and benches throughout the park. Have a seat and enjoy a break from the hustle & bustle!
It is a wonderful place to people watch!
Big Bus Tour of Paris
When you leave The Louvre, head to the Big Bus Tour pickup location. You can purchase your Big Bus Paris tickets in advance to save you the trouble of booking them in person.
For the sake of this one-day Paris itinerary, you will want to purchase a one-day ticket & take the Red Route.
Notre Dame
The Big Bus Tour takes you to Notre Dame Cathedral, which was damaged during a fire in 2019.
While you can no longer tour the interior of the cathedral, you should still get off the bus to see the beauty of the exterior.
It is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world.
Consider doing a Notre Dame outdoor guided walking tour that also gives you entrance to the Crypt, which is open.
You will learn about the history of the building, the architecture and the importance of the Cathedral.
Arc de Triomphe
Your next stop when you will get off the bus is at the Arch de Triomphe.
The Arch de Triomphe is a monument that was built as a symbol of victory and honor for the French people during the Napoleonic era.
Below the Arc lies the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier who was buried at the base of the arch in 1921.
The flame of remembrance is rekindled every day at 18:30
If you have the time (and don’t mind the narrow, winding staircase) you will find a wonderful view of Champs Élysées along with the Eiffel Tower.
Arc de Triomphe Tickets
- Under 18: FREE
- EEU Residents ages18-25 are Free
Eiffel Tower
No trip to Paris is complete (even if it is a day trip to Paris) without seeing the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Constructed as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
Because you are short on time in Paris, you might not be able to spend time going on the Eiffel Tower.
There are plenty of great places to see it from afar and platforms where you can get the perfect selfie!
If you do feel like you have to actually go onto the Eiffel Tower to have a true Paris experience, be sure to get your tickets to the Eiffel Tower in advance so you don’t spend hours waiting in line.
While you can go to the top, views from the second level are excellent and less expensive.
There are three different levels for you to reach & each platform has a different price.
The top level has the highest observation deck in Paris. You can walk up to the first & second levels or take a lift all the way to the top!
When all you have is one day in Paris, you have to make the most of your time and these things mentioned are some of the most popular tourist spots!
Looking for other things to do in Paris?
- Consider making a trip to Disneyland Paris or the Palace of Versailles
- Find out what else you can see when you only have 2 days in Paris
- Check out our Paris 3 Day Itinerary with even more to do & see.