1 Day Paris Itinerary

By Go City Expert
Published: July 17, 2024

The City of Lights is one of the world's top tourist destinations, and it's not difficult to understand why. Though many would like to while away their days in a Parisian daydream, sometimes one day is all you have. In the latter case, is it possible to have your cake and eat it too? We're happy to tell you it is. Follow our 1 Day Paris Itinerary to maximise your time in Paris.

Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour

So, you’re starting your first day in belle Paris! After a leisurely breakfast, including a freshly-baked croissant and espresso, get your day started early to avoid the queues. If your time is limited, Big Bus Paris is by far one of the best ways to see the most attractions while relaxing at the same time. Also, you can leave the tour and rejoin it again at your leisure. Just remember to check out the stops, so you know where to disembark and embark again.

Start your day with the Big Bus Tour at any of the following locations and tour stops: the Eiffel Tower, Champs de Mars, Opera Garnier, Louvre-Pyramide, Louvre-Ponts des Arts, Notre Dame, Orsay Museum, Champs-Elysées, Grand Palais and Trocadéro.

Office Address: 11 Avenue de l'Opéra, 75001, PARIS

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Sunday- 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m

Ticket price: starting at 35,10€

Enjoy a Free One Day 'Hop On Hop Off Tour' with the Paris Pass!

The Orsay Museum

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‘Hop off’ at the Orsay Museum. The impressive structure houses one of the world’s largest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. As one of Paris’ crowning jewels, this former train station is undoubtedly a must-see. You can also enjoy skip-the-ticket-line entry at this attraction. This means you can bypass the ticket queue and head straight to security then into the attraction itself.

After taking in all of the marvellous art and culture, you certainly deserve a break! Luckily, the Orsay Museum also has a fabulous restaurant, complete with a stunning view of the Seine. In fact, the restaurant was once a hotel, and its original splendour is still preserved. Their menu options are influenced by traditional French cuisine, and they offer meal combos as well. In addition, Chef Yann Landureau adds a creative culinary touch reflecting the Museum's events. Definitely an experience to be savoured!

Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007, PARIS

Hours of Operation:

Tuesday - Sunday- 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

*Open until 9:45 p.m. on Thursdays

Ticket price: 14€

Free Entry with the Paris Pass!

Arc de Triomphe

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After lunch, head back aboard the Bus Tour. This time, the destination is the iconic Champs-Elysées, one of Paris’ most chic avenues. Home to luxurious restaurants, boutiques, and flagship stores, the Champs-Elysées is also where many official events in France take place. Translated as ‘Elysian fields’, the significance harkens back to the warrior’s paradise in Greece Mythology. Notably, Napoleon I commissioned the Arc de Triomphe in 1806. However, he did not live to see it’s completion. The Arch was inaugurated in 1836 as a monument to French soldiers who perished in battle. At the base of the Arc de Triomphe lies the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame of Remembrance. Every evening the flame is rekindled at 6:30 p.m.

The roundabout encircling the Arc de Triomphe is both legendary and hectic. Please use the underground tunnel to access the monument. It may seem daunting, but the climb up the stairs is well worth the effort. Be prepared to have one of the most amazing views of Paris!

Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008, PARIS

Hours of Operation:

January 2 - March 31

Daily- 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

April 1 - September 30

Daily- 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

October 1 - December 31

Daily- 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Ticket price: 13€

Free Entry with the Paris Pass!

Evening Cruise on the Seine

bateau-mouche-cruising-on-seine-river

By now, you’ve seen Paris from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. And from a double-decker bus. How about seeing it from the water? Enjoy a cruise to complement your sightseeing experience, aboard Bateaux Parisiens. While cruising the Seine you can also learn about Paris’ history with audio guides available in 13 languages. In addition, your Paris Paris includes a complimentary one hour cruise - what’s not to like? Also, the Bateaux Parisiens provides lunch and dinner cruises, so consider staying aboard as dusk settles. Evenings in the City of Lights are absolutely magical! All of the monuments light up and the city positively sparkles, making Paris even more picturesque.

Address: Port de La Bourdonnais, 75007, PARIS

Hours of Operation:

April - September

-10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

-Departs every 30 minutes

October - March

-10:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

-Departs every hour

Ticket price: starting at 15€

Free Hour Long Cruise with the Paris Pass!

Ô Chateau Wine Bar

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After an action-packed day, perhaps you’d care to unwind with a delicious meal paired with excellent French wines? The Ô Chateau Wine Bar offers casual wine and Champagne tastings as well as classes and tours. In addition, they have a varied selection of over 50 options to purchase wine by the glass, if you would like to take your own wine tour. Their cuisine is classic French-styled, with cheeses and charcuteries that will complement your dining experience. Congratulations, you've finished the '1 Day Paris Itinerary' in style. La vie est belle!

Address: 68 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001, PARIS

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Saturday- 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

All Paris Pass holders receive a 10% discount!

To really make the most of your time in Paris, pick up your Paris Pass now.

Go City Expert
Paris Travel Expert

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School Trip Attractions in Paris

Every kid knows that the best bit of any school trip is bagging the back seat of the coach and flicking rolled up pieces of paper at increasingly agitated teachers the whole way there and back. But that doesn’t mean the destination can’t be fun too. And where better to take the little darlings on a school trip than one of the planet’s most glamorous and culture-rich cities? Yep, we’re talking about Paris, where opportunities for fun and educational outings abound. Our pick of the best school trip attractions in Paris visits world famous landmarks, covering off science, history, the arts and more, and includes: The Louvre Museum Musée d’Orsay Eiffel Tower Notre-Dame Cathedral Paris Catacombs Arc de Triomphe Palace of Versailles Disneyland Paris Eiffel Tower Even in the age of TikTok and Snapchat, the Eiffel Tower still has the power to enthrall. Whiz your school group straight to the top in the great glass elevators or unleash your inner sadist and make them climb the 674 steps to the second floor (while you take the elevator, natch). Once at the top, wow the kids with ‘riveting’ information about the number of bolts that hold the Eiffel Tower together (see what we did there?) and impress them with the tales of engineering derring-do that saw Gustave Eiffel bring this great iron latticework to life in the first place. More info for teachers here. The Louvre Museum Only the largest and most-visited museum on the planet, the Louvre is home to priceless artistic treasures including the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace and, of course, Da Vinci’s enigmatic Mona Lisa herself. And that’s not all. School kids will be bedazzled by the vast collection of Old Masters by the likes of Vermeer, Titian, Raphael, Michelangelo and the rest of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as Roman amphoras, Egyptian sarcophagi, an actual sphinx and stacks more. In short: 9,000 years of human artistic endeavor under one quite enormous roof. Truly mind-expanding stuff. More info for teachers here. Musée d’Orsay Just across the Seine, the Louvre’s younger (and much smaller) sibling provides a relatively bite-sized option for art-mad school groups. For inside this former railway station, a decorative Beaux-Arts beauty complete with huge station clock, lies the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting. It’s truly a masterclass in French and European art of the 19th and early 20th centuries, including literally dozens of instantly recognizable pieces such as van Gogh’s Starry Night over the Rhône, Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette, Whistler’s Mother and Monet’s Water Lilies. Don’t miss show-stopping sculptures that include Rodin’s Thinker and Degas’ Small Dancer Aged 14 in the main hall. More info for teachers here. Notre-Dame Cathedral It’ll take more than a fire to bring down this gothic masterpiece, which has been setting hearts aflutter for nearly a thousand years and will likely continue to do so for a thousand more. All soaring bell towers, graceful flying buttresses, decorative sculptures and eye-poppingly extravagant medieval rose windows, this architectural masterpiece oozes history and is all but guaranteed to enchant students of art, history, literature, engineering… and the rest. Visitors will be able to get back inside the Grand Dame de Paris from December 2024.  The Paris Catacombs Kids just love the macabre, and there’s certainly no dearth of death-related attractions to choose from in Paris, from its vast sepulchral cemeteries to this, the absolutely bone-chilling network of underground ossuaries that is the Paris Catacombs. Contained within these dank, dark tunnels lie the mortal remains of some six million Parisians of yore, displaced here from the city’s oversubscribed graveyards in the 18th and 19th centuries. The result: claustrophobic subterranean caverns stacked top to bottom with human remains. Legend has it that if you enter after midnight, the skulls in the walls begin to whisper to you, luring you to your certain doom. Might be a difficult one to explain away to the parents, so perhaps best stick to daytime tours. More info for teachers here. Arc de Triomphe Standing proud and immutable at the west end of the Champs-Élysées since 1836, the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most popular school trip attractions in Paris. This monumental Neoclassical arch provides a suitably somber and grandiose memorial to soldiers who have died in combat since the Napoleonic and French Revolutionary wars. History students can pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the vault, artists can discover the monument’s many sculptures and lovers of literature can learn about Victor Hugo’s connection to the arch. Meanwhile, older kids can climb the 284 steps to the summit for those critical Champs-Élysées selfies, with awesome backdrops that take in the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the Eiffel Tower and more. More info for teachers here. Palace of Versailles As flamboyant as the king who commissioned it, Louis XIV’s extravagant Palace of Versailles is a fairytale confection of opulent state rooms, mirror-bedecked hallways, art-stuffed galleries, and perfectly manicured gardens that brim with ornate fountains, sculptures and statues. Students can visit Marie Antoinette’s rustic model village, grab selfies among the pink marble colonnades of the Grand Trianon, admire the vast collection of 16th-19th century painting and sculpture, and enjoy a moment of quiet reflection in the Hall of Mirrors. Discover the history of the Bourbon dynasty and learn all about the palace’s role in shaping French society on a school trip that’s all but guaranteed to wow. More info for teachers here. Disneyland Paris And if none of the above appeals to your particular group of students, there’s one Paris attraction that’s sure to cement your reputation as teacher of the year. Go on: take them to Disneyland Paris and you’ll be considered a legend forevermore. More info for teachers here. Save on Activities, Tours & Attractions in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with The Paris Pass. Check out @TheParisPass on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Paris Wall of Love
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Unique Things To Do In Paris

Paris’s best-kept secrets .... revealed Discover some of Paris’ best-kept secrets and explore a part of the capital that isn’t widely known. Unlock the key to the exclusive past that Paris has to offer and do Paris like a local. So if you get time, head down to some of these ‘off the beaten track’ landmarks for a secret slice of Paris. Six secrets of Paris 1. Mur de Je T’aime (The Wall of 'I Love Yous') Montmartre is a place where many sensitive souls find their release through arts and expression. This wall is a hidden gem in Paris and is a testament to the bringing together of loved ones in a divided world. Le Mur de Je T’aime will tug at your heartstrings and is a must-see if you’re traveling with a partner. Square Jehan Rictus, Montmartre, 75018 Paris Why not take the Petit Train de Montmartre up and get a free ride with The Paris Pass? 2. Les Arènes de Lutèce The Arenas de Lutèce are some of the most famous relics that have survived from the Gallo-Roman era. The amphitheater used to seat 17,000 people in centuries past (AD) and was used to present gladiator combats. Later it was saved in a bid for restoration and repair by the famous author Victor Hugo. You still can observe the ancient grilled cages and the outline of the impressive structure to this day. 47-59 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris While you’re in the area, walk along the banks of the Seine to the Louvre to gain entry into the iconic museum with your pass. 3. Paris Catacombs The Catacombs have a somewhat eerie past; built to support the construction of the city in the 18th century as stone quarries, they were later used to store dead bodies from overcrowded cemeteries. At 20 meters below ground, the ossuary is believed to contain the remains of up to six million Parisians. Worth a visit if you like a bit of fear factor! 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris Beside the entrance to the Catacombs, you'll find the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération which honors and preserves the heroic stories of those who were awarded France’s second-highest honor, the Order of the Liberation. 4. Père Lachaise Cemetery Père Lachaise Cemetery is the largest cemetery in central Paris, spanning over 44 hectares. It was the first garden cemetery in Paris and is blossoming with manicured shrubs and tree lined paths throughout. It holds the remains of many famous names from Édith Piaf, Max Ernst and Oscar Wilde. 16 Rue du Repos, 75020 Use your pass to join on to a Scandals & Love Affairs at Pere Lachaise Walking Tour if you wish to add a little scandalous spice to an otherwise macabre attraction visit....! 5. Marché Couvert St-Quentin For all the foodies at heart who want to experience a bit of French gastronomy on the go, head down to Marché St-Quentin. Full of a wide range of cheeses to chocolates, breads and beers, tuck into some European delicacies under its 19th-century glass roof for a memorable – and delicious – trip.  85 Boulevard de Magenta Why not try our free wine tasting at Les Caves du Louvre with The Paris Pass if you fancy some more gastronomic delights? 6. Chinatown Like many other cities, Paris has its very own Chinatown in the Triangle de Choisy. Among the high-rise buildings, you can find hidden Buddhist temples and a large Asian supermarket, as well as localized Chinese signage. If you’re in Paris for the Chinese New Year, make a trip to see the parade in all its splendor. Belleville, 3rd arrondissement For some culture contrast, head to the Palace de Versailles to immerse yourself in the French finery and luxury of a Parisian castle.
Cara Merren
paris
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Things to do in Paris at night

Explore Paris after dark with night tours, cabarets, cruises, cocktails, and unforgettable views.
Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor Guided Climb
Louvre Museum

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