One day in Paris

Day by day

1. Day 1: Eiffel Tower and Musée d'Orsay

   Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, Musée Rodin and Louvre Museum, then Arc de Triomphe in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Eiffel Tower

      For the classic photo without the crowds, walk across the river to the Trocadéro terraces early in the morning. Allow 2–3 hours with the summit.

   2. Late morning

      Musée d'Orsay

      Start on the fifth floor with the Impressionists before tour groups arrive, then work downwards. Allow 2–3 hours.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Croissant and pain au chocolat

      Any neighbourhood boulangerie with a queue of locals; bakeries that have won the city's annual baguette contest are a reliable sign.

   4. Afternoon

      Musée Rodin

      Combine it with Les Invalides next door and Rue Cler for lunch. Allow 1.5 hours.

   5. Late afternoon

      Louvre Museum

      Go straight to the Mona Lisa at opening time or leave it for the final hour, then explore the quieter Richelieu wing. Allow 3–4 hours.

   6. Evening

      Arc de Triomphe

      Use the underground passage from the Champs-Élysées; never try to cross the roundabout on foot.

Before you go

• Eiffel Tower: Summit tickets sell out in summer and school holidays; book timed tickets on the official site weeks ahead.
• Louvre Museum: Timed-entry tickets are effectively required; reserve online before you go.
• Musée d'Orsay: Book a timed slot online, especially for weekends and Thursday late openings.

If it rains

• Swap in Musée Carnavalet (Le Marais): Don't miss the courtyard garden and the room of old painted shop signs near the entrance.
• Swap in Musée de l'Orangerie (Tuileries): Arrive at opening and sit quietly in the first water-lily room before it fills.
• Swap in Catacombs of Paris (Montparnasse): Bring a layer; the tunnels stay cool all year, and the exit is some distance from the entrance.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 10–13 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.3 hours in December to 16.2 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Metro. The Métro runs from about 5:30am to after midnight (later on Friday and Saturday nights) and is usually the fastest way across the city.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Paris
• 3 days in Paris
• 4 days in Paris
• 5 days in Paris
• 7 days in Paris

Questions travellers ask