24 Hours in Paris: The Perfect 1-Day Parisian Itinerary!

Updated On: November 08, 2023 by   Omnia Essawy

Feeling uninspired and in need of a break from your everyday routine but don’t have enough vacation days to take off into the sunset on a faraway adventure? Fear not, you can simply hop on a train and head right to the land where the air feels magical, Paris.  

Although Paris has more to offer than can be fit in a single day, a 24-hour period is enough time to fit in just enough beauty of a true Parisian experience. That is only if those 24 hours were immaculately planned by someone who knows what exactly out of all the incredible experiences the Capital of France has to offer is worth fitting into a 24-hour itinerary. Luckily for you, we are that someone and we are here to help you have the most unforgettable 24-hour experience in the gorgeous capital of France with a step-by-step itinerary created specifically to fit into the short amount of time you’re spending in the French capital.

Experience an Eiffel Tower Sunrise 

The Eiffel Tower is a no-brainer first in any Paris itinerary, especially, if you only have 24 hours. Whether you have seen it before or not, a Paris trip is never complete without a visit to this Parisian icon. Because of its extreme significance, it can get very crowded at the Eiffel Tower, so try to make it there early in the morning, especially, at sunrise, to enjoy an extra spectacular view of this gorgeous landmark at peace and take a few of the famous Eiffel Tower shots at sunrise without any background crowding. 

Kickstart the day with a cup of coffee in one of Paris’s finest Cafes 

There is nothing better to kickstart your 24-hour Parisian adventure than sipping on a hot cup of coffee – specifically espresso– on the sidewalk in front of a Parisian cafe while enjoying a beautiful crisp Paris morning. So even though you are probably rushing to fit as much as possible in the very limited window of time you have, make sure to take some time to relax and enjoy the stillness and beauty of a Parisian morning. 

Get some shopping done at Bastille 

If your 24-hour trip happens to be on a Sunday or a Thursday, hup on the metro and head to Place de la Bastille next. While you are there, make sure to visit the Colonne de Juillet (July Column), the 52-meter-high and 170-ton historic steel and bronze column standing in the centre of the Place de la Bastille commemorating the Revolution of 1830. Just around the corner, there is a true local Parisian gem, the popular Bastille Market where you can get a taste of local Paris. The Bastille market is known for its purely local products of organic vegetables and fruits, fresh fish, and best of all, all the French cheese you can eat. That’s not all, you can also do some quick souvenir shopping in Bastille Market as you will find homeware stands, clothing, and gifts at great prices. 

Have some brunch in Montmartre

Odds are that after your tour of the Bastille Market, you will have grown a bit hungry, so now would be the perfect time for some Parisian brunch. On the off chance that you don’t feel hungry by then, we strongly advise that you go for that brunch anyways, because it is never wise to miss out on the chance to feast on some supreme french cooking. 

To enjoy said brunch in the most Parisian atmosphere possible, we advise you to head to the Montmartre neighbourhood. Montmartre is filled with typical and authentic Parisian buildings, among which are several class-A cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy some truly delicious French dishes in a true and authentic French atmosphere. 

Explore the rest of what Montmartre has to offer

Now that you are done with feasting your appetite, it is time to feast your eyes and soul on the exquisite beauty and experiences the iconic Montmartre district has to offer. 

Montmartre is home to some of the best attractions and landmarks in the city, such as the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is located on top of a hill which offers an unmatched view of the entire city of Paris. 

In addition to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Montmartre is home to other worth-seeing Parisian gems such as the Sinkin House of Paris, Moulin Rouge, Le Maison Rose, and Le Consulat. So this beautiful district is definitely worth some of your limited time in the City of Love. 

Pay a visit to the Notre-Dame 

Close to the Montmartre district is another iconic French landmark that you can’t miss; the one and only Notre Dame. Dating 700 years back, Notre-Dame de Paris or Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the most visited Parisian attractions as well as one of the most worldly famous Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages. Every aspect of this incredibly renowned building makes it worthy of a place on the top of your 24-hour Paris itinerary, be it its size, antiquity, or architecture. 

For lunch, head to Le Marais

Next to Notre Dame is probably the chicest neighbourhood in all of Paris: Le Marais. In Le Marais, you will have your choice of everything from 5-star gourmet restaurants to affordable food stands, and we can’t forget the best macarons in Paris which you can find in Carette restaurant, 25 Place des Vosges. 

Aside from the finest dining options, Le Marais include some other incredible highlights that you will most definitely enjoy such as the city’s oldest public planned square: Place des Vosges, the city’s town hall: Hôtel de Ville, and Musée La Carnavalet which is a museum dedicated especially to all things medieval. Not to mention a various collection of shops where you can see firsthand why Paris is one of the world’s biggest fashion capitals. 

Explore the wonder that is the Louvre

Another major Parisian highlight that you get to see in the Le Marais neighbourhood happens to be one of the world’s most iconic museums, the one, and only Louvre.

The Louvre features what is easily one of the world’s most incredible collections of artworks and antiques which, unfortunately, can never fit into just a one-day itinerary. However, you can definitely catch some of the museum’s best highlights, such as the iconic Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. 

Do some authentic Parisian shopping in the Champs-Élysées

You can’t leave Paris without taking a long stroll along the busiest shopping street in the city, the Champs-Élysées. A shopper’s ultimate haven, the Champs-Élysées is filled with luxury fashion boutiques and stores as well as some of the finest and most prestigious restaurants and cafes. So whether you want to experience what a true Parisian shopping spree feels like or indulge yourself in a French culinary delight, this iconic street is a must-visit during your 24 hours in the French capital. 

Furthermore, at the end of the Champs-Élysées, stands the Arc de Triomphe which is another French landmark that was built to honour those who lost their lives in the French revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. 

If you feel like going the extra mile, you can go to the top of the Arc de Triomph where you will get to enjoy an incomparable view of the French capital.

Whether you are able to fit all the previously mentioned Parisian gems into just 24 hours or you end up losing yourself in the uncanny one-of-a-kind beauty of the city of love, one thing for sure is that any time spent in Paris is always well-spent.