Sommaire
What to do in Paris in one day? We have selected for you the essential things to do in Paris. The two districts to visit are Montmartre and the Champs Élysées. The highlight is a cruise on the Seine. The emblematic place is the Eiffel Tower. And finally, don’t miss the must-see Louvre. Make the most of your day by taking the metro between each district.
1. Montmartre: the must-see district of Paris
If you get off at the Blanche metro station, you can’t miss the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret. You are at the gateway to the Montmartre district. Just to the right, go up rue Lepic and have breakfast at the café des deux moulins. Made famous to the world thanks to the film Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, the setting remains authentic and the prices correct.
Continue your visit by walking up to the Place Tertre. In the early morning, it looks like a village lined with terraces. Painters and caricaturists set up shop before the tourists fill the place. After a bath in art, you can continue your stroll towards the Sacré-Cœur. The view over Paris is magnificent!
2. The Eiffel Tower, the grande dame of Paris
If there was only one thing to do in Paris, it would be to admire the Eiffel Tower. The Trocadero esplanade, accessible by metro, is one of the most beautiful views of this emblem of France. You can then go down to the foot of the Iron Lady and observe it from every angle. If you have time, take your tickets to the top of the Eiffel Tower, where the view of Paris is breathtaking.
3. Cruise on the Seine: discover the monuments of Paris
Among the tourist activities, the guided cruise on the Seine is the most adapted to express visits of Paris. The time of a stroll along the water, discover the inescapable monuments of the city. You can see Notre-Dame de Paris, enthroned on the Ile de la Cité.
For a romantic cruise, let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of the bridges of Paris. Tons of padlocks have celebrated love. Don’t miss the passage under the Pont Marie, the lovers’ bridge. Traditionally, couples kiss and make a wish.
4. A stroll along the Avenue des Champs Élysées
Get off at the Arc de Triomphe metro station and walk up the Champs Élysées in an hour. To save a little time, borrow a bike from a Vélib’ station. From the Place de l’Étoile, head for the Place de la Concorde and stroll or cycle along the most beautiful avenue in the world.
“There’s everything you want on the Champs Élysées“. This famous song by Joe Dassin perfectly describes the Champs Élysées. The district is home to the most prestigious fashion houses, such as Yves Saint Laurent. It is also the cultural district with its cinemas and theatres. Finally, it is the ideal avenue for a lunch break in Paris.
5. A ride on the Ferris wheel in the Jardin des Tuileries
The Jardin des Tuileries stretches from the Place de la Concorde to the Louvre Museum. This park is one of the most beautiful gardens in the heart of Paris. Two magnificent pools make you forget the noise of the city. Inside the garden, a visit to the Musée de l’Orangerie attracts art lovers.
The park offers activities for children and adults. You can’t miss the must-see attraction in Paris: the Ferris wheel. With the family, or with just an adult ticket, enjoy the breathtaking view of the capital. For a romantic atmosphere, schedule your ride at sunset. When night falls, Paris lights up and offers a magical spectacle.
6. The most visited museum in the world: the Louvre
At the end of the Tuileries Gardens, you will see the glass pyramid of the Louvre Museum. You are approaching the largest art gallery in the world. It contains the heritage of France and unique archaeological pieces. If you are well organised, you can visit it in less than two hours. Plan your tour by spotting its main works of art: the Mona Lisa, the Raft of the Medusa, the Venus de Milo, etc.
To avoid a long queue, buy a ticket in advance. Every Friday evening the museum offers night tours. It closes at 9.45pm. This is the perfect way to explore the Louvre outside of peak hours.
A day in Paris flies by. Between museums, cruises and visits to historical monuments, you’ll have plenty to see. One day is enough to get a first look at the charm of the capital.
