Are you looking for a one-day in Paris itinerary? Then you are in the right spot.
Whether you are visiting Paris with a cruise ship from Le Havre cruise port or are only in town for one day on a road trip through France, it can be hard to know what to do in just a day.
Obviously, you’ll want to experience all the highlights – without the hassle of planning.
I have been in Paris many times – and even got engaged there. It is safe to say that I know all the loveliest spots in the city.
In this post, I will show you how to spend an amazing, Instagram-worthy day in Paris.
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
- One Day in Paris – Overview
- 1. Eiffel Tower & Gardens
- 2. Breakfast at Pinky Bloom
- 3. Eiffel Tower Instagram Spots
- 4. Trocadero
- 5. Arc de Triomphe
- 6. Champs Elysées
- 7. Macaroons at Ladurée
- 8. Louvre
- 9. Montmartre
- 10. Seine Dinner Cruise
- Alternative Paris Itinerary
- Can You See Paris in a Day?
- Conclusion: One Day in Paris
- About the Author
One Day in Paris – Overview
🥐 Eiffel Tower & Gardens
🥐 Breakfast at Pinky Bloom Paris
🥐 Eiffel Tower Instagram Spots
🥐 Trocadero
🥐 Arc de Triomphe
🥐 Champs Elysées
🥐 Macarons at Ladurée
🥐 Louvre
🥐 Montmartre
🥐 Dinner Cruise Seine
1. Eiffel Tower & Gardens
Start your day in Paris early at the Eiffel Tower, one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. The area is more quiet in the morning, and you’ll be able to take a lovely walk around the gardens.
Take your time walking around the Champ de Mars gardens. Make sure to enjoy the beautiful views and photo opportunities of the tower.
If you want, you can take the elevator or climb the stairs to the top for panoramic views of Paris.
Getting Around: The best way to reach your next stop, Pinky Bloom Paris, is by walking. It’s about a 10-minute stroll. The area around the Seine is lovely too, so you’ll have a chance to enjoy the morning atmosphere of Paris.
2. Breakfast at Pinky Bloom
Start your day in Paris right with a delightful brunch at Pinky Bloom Paris. It is one of the most instagrammable cafés in Paris.
The café is known for its awesome pink decor and delicious food. Try their specialty coffees, fresh pastries, and brunch dishes.
This spot is perfect for your Emily-in-Paris moment – and super close to the Eiffel Tower.
If you don’t like pink – don’t fret! There are lots of authentic Parisian cafés in the area!
3. Eiffel Tower Instagram Spots
After breakfast, we’ll make our way to the Trocadero and explore the best Instagram spots around the Eiffel Tower on the way.
You’ll have an amazing view of the tower along the Seine River; make sure to stop for some pictures.
And, of course, you’ll have to walk the Rue de l’Université, a charming street with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Don’t forget the Pont de Bir-Hakeim bridge. It is famous for its stunning arches and great views of the tower.
Getting Around: From the Instagram spots, it’s a short walk to the Trocadero, just across the Seine River. You can reach it in about 10 minutes on foot.
4. Trocadero
Trocadero is the place to go for the best views of the Eiffel Tower. It might get a little busy here, but you can probably still find some good spots for your shots
The elevated platform here gives you an incredible vantage point, and it is super romantic!
The area also has beautiful gardens, fountains, and statues. Don’t be afraid to venture around the area, you’ll find charming streets and great photo opportunities.
Getting Around: To reach the Arc de Triomphe, take the metro from Trocadéro station to Charles de Gaulle – Étoile. It’s a quick ride (about 5 minutes) and will drop you right near the Arc de Triomphe. For more scenic views, take a cab or an Uber.
5. Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is another one of Paris’s iconic monuments that you need to at least drive by on your day in Paris.
You can find it at the top of the Champs Elysées – our next spot on the itinerary.
It is possible to visit the top of the monument, but I prefer to simply walk by and enjoy it from the outside.
Pro tip: Be careful to not get run over by the masses of cars here – the traffic is madness!
6. Champs Elysées
The Champs Elysées is a must-see boulevard in Paris – and this is where you’ll be able to buy the best souvenirs (for yourself).
Down this lovely boulevard, you can find lots of luxury shops, charming cafés, and famous boutiques.
You can either walk down Champs Elysées or have your driver drop you off directly at our next spot if you aren’t in the mood for shopping.
Getting Around: As you continue down the Champs Elysées, you’ll reach Ladurée (one of my favorite spots in Paris). It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe.
7. Macaroons at Ladurée
This is clearly one of my favorite spots on this one-day in Paris itinerary – and at this point, you’ll also deserve another break.
Indulge in some of the best macarons in Paris at Ladurée – you’ve probably seen them on Gossip Girl.
This historic patisserie is famous for its delicate and colorful macarons and is a great spot for a coffee.
They come in a variety of flavors – I even tried some with gold flakes on it.
Getting Around: From Ladurée, take the metro from Concorde station to Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. You can also walk; it is a scenic stroll along the Tuileries Gardens.
8. Louvre
The Louvre is one of the world’s largest and most famous museums. It is also an iconic photo spot in Paris, so you should definitely head there next.
It is home to thousands of works of art, including the Mona Lisa. Sadly, the lines there are super long, so it is not great for a quick stop.
Even if you don’t have time to explore it fully, the exterior and the glass pyramid are definitely worth visiting.
Getting Around: After the Louvre, take the metro from Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre to Anvers station to reach Montmartre. The journey takes about 15 minutes.
9. Montmartre
End your day in the charming neighborhood of Montmartre – one of my favorite spots in Paris.
Explore its winding streets, visit the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and enjoy the Instagrammable atmosphere. Make sure to visit Place du Tertre, where artists sell their work.
Montmartre offers some of the best views of Paris, especially at sunset.
Getting Around: Montmartre is best explored on foot. Wander through the streets at your own pace. Make sure to bring your camera and take in the unique vibe of this historic area.
10. Seine Dinner Cruise
End off your day in Paris with a romantic Seine dinner cruise – it is so romantic you might even cry (we did!).
Enjoy a gourmet meal while gliding past Paris’s most famous landmarks, which are beautifully illuminated at night.
The cruise offers a unique perspective of the Eiffel Tower (as it glitters), Notre Dame, and the Louvre.
At the same time, you’ll eat a delicious meal and enjoy a piano concert. What a highlight to an awesome day in Paris.
Alternative Paris Itinerary
Paris has so much more to offer than just the things I mentioned. For that reason, I have created a small backup itinerary for your day in Paris.
🌞 Morning
A. Marais
- Grab coffee + croissants at Café Charlot (super cute, very Parisian)
- Stroll through Rue des Rosiers (Jewish Quarter – falafel, boutiques, and charm)
- Pop into Musée Carnavalet (free and all about Paris history!)
B. Place des Vosges
- Relax under the arches, people-watch or have a mini picnic
- Quick peek into Victor Hugo’s house (on the square!)
🖼️ Midday
C. Musée d’Orsay
- Enjoy the Impressionists without the Louvre chaos
- Don’t miss the view through the clock window – very Instagrammable
D. Tuileries Garden
- Walk from Musée d’Orsay towards Concorde
- Grab a chair by the fountain and enjoy a crepe or macaron
E. Place de la Concorde
- Snap a few photos, then move on — not much to do here, but it’s iconic
☕ Afternoon
F. Pont des Arts
- Cross the bridge slowly, and enjoy the Seine views
- Street musicians often play here – so romantic
- You can bring a mini lock if you’re feeling cheesy 🥰
G. Pont Neuf
- Sit by the edge of the Seine at Square du Vert-Galant (tiny park under the bridge)
- Chill, maybe with a bottle of wine and snacks?
🌇 Evening
H. Latin Quarter
- Wander the cobbled streets – vintage bookstores and cute cafes are everywhere
- Stop at Shakespeare & Co.
- Dinner at a bistro tucked away from the touristy bits (like Le Petit Prince de Paris)
I. Notre Dame Cathedral (outside only)
- Still beautiful even post-fire – lit up at night, it is magical
- Walk along the river banks nearby
Can You See Paris in a Day?
Yes, you can see a lot of Paris in a day. But it is not enough to get the quintessential Parisian experience that you might have seen on TV or read about in a book.
But what makes Paris really special are the slow mornings in charming cafés, the leisurely strolls around the shopping streets, and the lively dinners that will keep you busy way into the night. It is about staring at your favorite Monet for hours and getting lost in the small, charming alleys.
Ideally, you have at least four days in Paris. I could stay there for weeks and not get bored – but most people will be able to see all the major sights and have a Parisian experience in less than a week.
If you have more time, make sure to book a day trip to the Champagne region – a hidden gem right outside of Paris.
Conclusion: One Day in Paris
To sum it up, this one day Paris itinerary (and the alternative day itinerary) cover all the most amazing spots in the beautiful city.
We’ll see all of the big attractions and beautiful architecture, take a Seine river cruise, and do all the things a first time visitor to the city needs to check off their list.
Paris is one of my favorite destinations, you can easily get around the city with Google Maps and the Paris Pass in hand. The museum pass will offer you a ‘skip the line’ ticket to get around quicker.
Make sure to sip some delicious hot chocolate in the first arrondissement before heading back to the airport or cruise port – and you’ll have a lovely day in the city.
I hope you have a lovely day in Paris, and for more info keep reading:
🇫🇷 How to plan a romantic weekend getaway in Paris before Christmas
About the Author
Justin is a military pilot and travel blogger.
Justin enjoys discovering the world together with his wife and venturing out with his drone to take magical shots.
