Paris is one of the three most visited cities in the world and if you have a chance to see it you will understand why! It is charming, old and new, romantic and fashionable and it has so much to offer to tourists and locals alike. If you only have one day in this historic and romantic city, it can be quite overwhelming to decide what to do and where to go. Our 1 Day Travel Guide to Paris will help you narrow down how to make the most and enjoy Paris, if only for a day.
We have tried to marry interest with sites and things to do to help you decide where to go and what to experience.
Paris for the history buff
Just about any place you go in Paris, you are surrounded by history – the palaces, bridges, museums, and monuments are constant reminders of the many events and people who have left their mark on this magnificent city. We believe that the best way to see and experience Paris in a day as a history buff is to walk around some of the major points of interest in town.
Highly recommended
- Start at the Louvre Museum. You will be in the 1st district (1st arrondissement) on the Right Bank of the River Seine. Do not go inside; rather, walk around the complex and see if you can transport yourself back in time and appreciate what this palace (and now museum) meant for Paris and France. You can save seeing the Louvre and its magnificent art collections for your next visit.
- Visit the Luxor Obelisk at Place de la Concorde (75008 Paris) – classified as a historic monument in 1936, the Luxor Obelisk is one of two obelisks from the Luxor temple in Egypt. Read more about its history here.
- Climb the Arc de Triomphe – another iconic and beautiful monument in Paris built to commemorate Napoleon’s victories. You can buy tickets to climb the Arc here.
- Visit the Musée Carnavalet dedicated to the history of Paris. It is the oldest museum dedicated to the city’s history. It opened in 1880 and has been expanding ever since. It houses collections that have been growing for over 150 years.
If you have more time
- Visit the magnificent Palais Garnier opera building and learn about its history. You can buy tickets online here.
- Walk by Paris City Hall – Hôtel de Ville (Pl. de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris). It is a very architecturally beautiful building.
- Enjoy the oldest planned square in Paris – Place des Vosges (Pl. des Vosges, 75004 Paris). Bring a picnic and sit in the park.
Paris for the art lover
Paris is one of the greatest cities to visit if you are an art lover. It has some of the best museums in the world and many original works of art that can only be seen in Paris. If you have just one day, you will have to be selective as to which museum(s) you visit.
Highly recommended
We suggest that you pick one or two from the following list:
- The Louvre Museum for a huge collection of world-famous paintings, including the Mona Lisa, as well as sculptures and artifacts. Keep in mind that the Louvre is the most visited museum in the world, and it will definitely be crowded. However, it is very much worth seeing.
- The Musée d’Orsay (from our list of favorite museums in Paris) – if you are a fan of the Impressionist and Post-impressionist movements, you will be able to see works by Monet, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and Van Gogh.
- The Centre Pompidou (also on our list of most favorite modern art museums in the world) – if you are a fan of modern art. It houses the world’s largest modern art collection. In addition, you can get some excellent views of the city from the museum terraces or by riding the exterior elevators.
- Musée de l’Orangerie if you want to see eight of Monet’s water lilies murals.
Paris for the architecture lover
You just need to walk the neighborhoods of Paris to admire its architectural beauty. You will find a wide variety of architectural styles – from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. Paris was the birthplace of the Gothic style and also has many examples of French Renaissance, Belle Époque, Art Nouveau and more.
Highly recommended
It is impossible to cover examples of all architectural styles of Paris in one day. Our list simply gives ideas on where to see a few beautiful illustrations of different styles while also viewing major French monuments.
- Walk the grounds of the Louvre Museum. Note the Lescot wing, constructed in the 16th century in the French Renaissance style.
- See the medieval Notre Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité island completed in 1345 – a great example of Gothic style architecture.
- Visit the Eiffel Tower – the tallest building in the world when it was built in 1887-89 as part of the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889.
- Stroll the Boulevard Haussmann and marvel at the beauty of the classic Haussmann-style apartment buildings from around the 1870s.
- Visit the Galleries Lafayette department store to see its beautiful glass cupola, completed in 1912 and providing light to the stores below to date.
If you have more time
- Walk the Rue de Rivoli on the north side of the Louvre Palace for an example of the first wide and aesthetically pleasing street during Napoleon’s city redesign.
- Walk the Place Vendôme (Pl. Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France), started in 1698 as a monument to the glory of Louis XIV. See the Vendome column, completed in 1810 and modeled after the Trajan’s Column in Rome.
- See the Beaux-Arts façade of the Grand Palais as a great example of the neoclassical style.
- Walk the Tuileries Gardens (Pl. de la Concorde, 75001 Paris) or the Luxemburg Gardens (75006 Paris) for examples of great public parks right in the heart of Paris.
- To see a very modern side of Paris, take the subway to the La Défense (86 Espl. du Général de Gaulle, 92800 Puteaux) business district of the city. Located 3 kilometers from the center of the city, this area provides a look into modern Parisian architecture. Walk under the La Grande Arche, standing tall at 110-meters high. Appreciate the design of this monument, which also houses government offices in its two wings.
You can read and learn much more about the architecture Paris and find many examples of different architectural styles here.
Paris for the food lover
Wow, where do we start? Paris has so much to offer to food lovers! It is quite possible for you to just walk and pick places that seem appealing and have a great food experience. However, having been to Paris many times, we naturally have a few recommendations. 😊
A word of caution: to avoid places near the major tourist attractions as they often cater to tourists who may or may not return. As such, the food options may not be of the best quality.
Breakfast
- Start your day by visiting a local food market. Check out the nearest market to where you are staying and spend the early morning walking around it. It is a fantastic way to see and sample some excellent French produce and food. For a good markets list, take a look here.
- Make plans to visit Angelina – a historic and very beautiful tearoom which offers refined pastries, teas, hot chocolate and more. Enjoy the ambiance and the excellent food or pick up some pastries to enjoy later.
- If you crave an excellent bakery, try Thierry Marx Bakery (83P Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris) – fantastic for breakfast or lunch. Great coffee.
Lunch and aperitive
- For lunch, try our longtime favorite – Dame Tartine near the Centre Pompidou which has very good and unpretentious food.
- For an aperitive try another longtime favorite of ours – Legrand Filles et Fils at the Galerie Vivienne. Excellent place to sample wines and enjoy appetizers, lunch or a full dinner. Cozy and very romantic!
Dinner
Enjoy either of the following:
- Our favorite vegan restaurant – Le Potager de Charlotte – a fantastic restaurant in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. Cozy, unpretentious, simply great!
- Pur’ – a Michelin star restaurant by chef Jean-François Rouquette that we feel is a bit more accessible than other choices in town.
Paris for the romantic traveler
Considered one of the most romantic cities in the world, Paris certainly offers a lot to the romantic traveler. If you are visiting with a significant other but you only have one day, here are some ideas for you to make the most of your day.
In the morning
- Have a leisurely breakfast at a great Parisian bakery. Try one of our favorites: Thierry Marx Bakery (83P Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris) or Angelina (226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris).
- Take a stroll along the River Seine to the Pont des Arts Bridge (Pont des Arts, 75006 Paris) and declare your love by adding a padlock to the bridge and throwing the key in the river.
- Hop on one of many cruise boats on the river Seine and enjoy a scenic ride. Some options include Canauxrama Seine Cruise, Bateaux Parisiens Seine Cruise, and Bateaux Mouches Seine Cruise.
Lunch and after
- Have a late lunch at a traditional brasserie (like our favorite, La Coupole Brasserie) or enjoy fantastic savory and sweet crepes at another favorite – Creperie Manoir Breton.
- Visit a romantic museum like the Rodin Museum. Enjoy the art, the beautiful and historic building, and a quiet walk in the manicured gardens among world-famous sculptures. Alternatively, try the Kandinsky exhibit at the Centre Pompidou.
For dinner
- Pick one of the many upscale restaurants in town for a memorable meal. We prefer dinner at the Michelin star restaurant Pur’, but the options are limitless if you are looking for a top-notch restaurant. Here is a list of great choices.
- Alternatively, buy some picnic items and a bottle of champagne and head to the Ile de la Cité. Sit on the river wall at the beautiful Square du Vert Park. Enjoy the city lights and the boats that go by.
In conclusion, even if you have just one day to spend in beautiful Paris, you can find plenty to explore and see. We hope that our guide provides you with enough inspiration and a way of planning your visit for maximum enjoyment and minimum stress.
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
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