Paris in one day: an hour-by-hour itinerary
Quick answer
To see Paris in one day, start at 9:00 at Notre-Dame, continue to the Sainte-Chapelle and the Louvre, stroll through the Tuileries and Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, and end at the Eiffel Tower at sunset. Pick a day that isn't Tuesday, because the Louvre is closed.
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The itinerary
The order avoids backtracking: the Île de la Cité first, then the Louvre, then the historic axis to the Arc de Triomphe and finally the Eiffel Tower. The stretch to the Trocadéro is by metro.
- 1
9:00 · Île de la Cité
Notre-Dame
Reopened in December 2024 with free entry. Allow 45 minutes for the interior and the west façade. Reserve a slot on the official website in high season.
- 2
10:00 · Île de la Cité
Sainte-Chapelle
A five-minute walk away. Reserve a timed slot and allow about 30 minutes for the upper-floor stained glass; security at the Palais de Justice can add a wait.
- 3
11:00 · Pont Neuf and Quai du Louvre
Walk along the Seine
Cross the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in the city, and follow the right bank to the Louvre.
- 4
11:30 · Louvre Museum
The Louvre in two hours
Follow our Louvre 2-hour route: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory. Enter with a timed slot; tickets are €22 (EEA) or €32 (non-EEA) since January 2026.
- 5
13:30 · Tuileries
Lunch in the garden
Pick up a sandwich or quiche from a nearby bakery and rest on the chairs in the Tuileries Garden.
- 6
14:30 · Place de la Concorde
Concorde and Champs-Élysées
Cross the square with the Luxor obelisk and head up the Champs-Élysées, almost two kilometres of shops and cafés.
- 7
16:00 · Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe
Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806. Seeing it and the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is enough. If you want to climb to the terrace, check hours and price on the official website.
- 8
17:30 · Metro to Trocadéro
Metro transfer
From the Étoile, a short metro ride gets you to Trocadéro in under 15 minutes.
- 9
18:00 · Trocadéro
View of the Eiffel Tower
The best photo of the tower is from the Trocadéro esplanade. Walk across the Pont d'Iéna.
- 10
19:00 · Eiffel Tower
Up the Eiffel Tower
Book ahead on toureiffel.paris: sunset slots sell out. In 2026 it costs €14.80 by stairs to the second floor and €36.70 by lift to the summit.
- 11
21:00 · Champ de Mars
Finish with the lights
If the tower sparkles on the hour, stay a few minutes to watch from the Champ de Mars.
Tips to make it work
- Wear comfortable shoes: this itinerary is 9 to 10 km on foot.
- If the Louvre feels like too much, swap it for the Musée d'Orsay, closed on Mondays, and keep the rest of the order.
- Skip the Centre Pompidou: it has been closed for renovation since 2025 until around 2030.
- With the AnyArt app you can point your camera at a painting or a façade and hear its story as you walk.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see Paris in one day?
Yes, if you focus on the essentials: Notre-Dame, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower. Skip long museum visits and book tickets in advance.
Which day is best for this itinerary?
Wednesday or Friday, because the Louvre is open until 21:00. Avoid Tuesdays, when the Louvre is closed.
How much does this itinerary cost?
Louvre (€22 EEA or €32 non-EEA), Eiffel Tower (from €14.80 by stairs to the second floor) and a paid Sainte-Chapelle ticket. Notre-Dame is free.
What do I cut if I'm short on time?
Cut the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées: go straight from lunch in the Tuileries to the metro for the Eiffel Tower.