A day in Paris.
One day in Paris is an obvious mistake. But if it's all you have, here's how to make it count. Plan on walking 15+ km, accept that the lines at famous sites will be long, and book skip-the-line entries weeks in advance for the Eiffel and the Louvre.
Hour by hour.
A suggested order, feel free to swap, skip, or take it in reverse.
09:30 · Start at Eiffel Tower
Begin your day at Eiffel Tower. Arrive early to avoid crowds and see it in the morning light.
11:00 · Louvre Museum
Walk to Louvre Museum, one of the city's defining landmarks. Take your time, this is the kind of place you can't rush.
13:00 · Lunch at Le Ju'
Long lunch at Le Ju'. Locals eat late, by 1:30pm you'll be at the heart of the lunch service.
15:00 · Notre-Dame de Paris
Walk off lunch with a visit to Notre-Dame de Paris. Allow at least an hour.
16:30 · Musée d'Orsay
Continue to Musée d'Orsay. By now the harsh midday sun has softened, best time for photos.
18:30 · Drinks at Le Colimaçon
Aperitivo or evening drink at Le Colimaçon. Soak in the local rhythm.
20:30 · Dinner at Le Marais Restaurant
End the day at Le Marais Restaurant. Book ahead if possible.
Picks for the day.
The food stops on the route, plus a couple of alternatives if your timing doesn't match.
Le Ju'
Address: 16 Rue des Archives
Le Colimaçon
Address: 44 Rue Vieille du Temple
Le Marais Restaurant
Address: 47 R. de Turbigo
What to see along the way.
Eiffel Tower
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France
Louvre Museum
Address: Rue de Rivoli
Notre-Dame de Paris
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame
Musée d'Orsay
Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre
Arc de Triomphe
Address: Place Charles de Gaulle
Centre Pompidou
Address: Place Georges-Pompidou
Sainte-Chapelle
Address: 10 Boulevard du Palais
Tips before you go.
- Skip-the-line tickets for the Eiffel Tower and Louvre book up 6+ weeks in advance in summer.
- The Metro is fast but you'll miss everything. Walking the riverbank from the Eiffel to the Louvre takes 90 minutes and shows you the city.
- Cafés charge more at outside tables than at the bar. Standing at the counter (zinc) is the cheapest way to drink an espresso.
More itineraries, more cities.
We add new cities and refine the maps every few weeks. Get an email when something new goes up.