Once you’ve dropped your bags, head up to Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The basilica is generally open daily from early morning until late evening, and entry is free; allow about an hour to visit and take in the hilltop views. The dome is a separate, paid climb and may have different seasonal hours. In late November, daylight fades early, so try to arrive before dusk if the view is a priority. From central Paris, take Metro line 12 to Abbesses or line 2 to Anvers, then walk uphill; the Montmartre Funicular is a handy alternative to the steep steps.
Wander over to Place du Tertre for around 45 minutes among the portrait artists, then take the lanes at an easy pace toward the Musée de Montmartre. Set aside about 1½ hours for its collections and gardens; it is usually open daily, but check the museum’s current hours and last-entry time before you go. The walk between the square and museum takes roughly 10 minutes, with plenty of tempting side streets if you have time to browse.
Finish at Bouillon Pigalle, a lively, good-value spot for classic French brasserie dishes—budget around €15–25 per person. It’s a short walk downhill from the museum, or you can take Metro line 12 from Abbesses to Pigalle. The restaurant is popular and generally doesn’t take reservations, so allow for a queue, especially at dinner; if you’re arriving late after your journey, keep the visit flexible and check that the kitchen is still serving.
Start at Arc de Triomphe at Place Charles de Gaulle; allow about 1½ hours for security and the climb up the spiral stairs. It’s generally open daily, but check the official hours and ticket prices before you go; budget roughly €16–€20 for admission. From there, stroll down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées toward the river, taking about an hour at an easy pace. The boulevard is busy and commercial, so duck into a side street if you want a quieter coffee stop.
Head to Café de l’Homme at Trocadéro for lunch and its direct view of the Eiffel Tower. It’s a convenient place to pause before crossing the river to the tower; allow 1–1½ hours and budget around €35–€60 per person. Reserve ahead for a terrace or window table, especially if the view matters, and leave time for the walk across Pont d’Iéna.
Allow about two hours at the Eiffel Tower, including security and time to explore. Summit access depends on advance ticket availability, and queues can add time, so book through the official website if you want to go up; ticket prices vary by level and lift or stairs. Finish with a roughly one-hour Seine river cruise from a nearby departure point. Check the operator’s Tuesday timetable and book a departure that leaves breathing room after the tower—cruise frequency and the final sailing can vary by season.
Start on Île de la Cité at Notre-Dame Cathedral. Allow 1–1½ hours to see the restored interior; entry is generally free, but visitor arrangements can change, so check the cathedral’s current guidance and reserve a free timed visit if offered. Then walk a few minutes to Sainte-Chapelle. Its stained glass is best appreciated in daylight, and the visit takes about an hour; book a timed ticket ahead and leave extra time for the security check.
Walk across to the Louvre Museum—about 15 minutes from Sainte-Chapelle—and plan on roughly three hours. Book timed admission in advance, arrive with time for the entrance queue, and choose a few areas or highlights rather than trying to cover the whole museum. The Louvre is usually open later on Wednesdays than on some other days, but check its official hours and last-entry rules for your date.
After the museum, unwind with a 45-minute stroll through Tuileries Garden, between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. Finish at Café Kitsuné Palais Royal, a short walk away beneath the arcades of Palais-Royal, for coffee and a pastry; budget about €8–15 per person and allow 30–45 minutes. Check café hours before setting out, as the garden and café may close earlier than the museum.
Start at Marché d’Aligre in the 12th arrondissement, where the covered market and outdoor stalls make a lively final-morning wander. Aim for the morning, when the produce and bric-a-brac stalls are at their best; market schedules can vary, so check that day’s hours before setting out. Allow about an hour, and bring cash for small purchases. From there, it’s roughly a 15–20-minute walk to Place de la Bastille. Spend half an hour looking around the square and the July Column; the column is viewed from outside, and the busy traffic circles are easier to navigate via the pedestrian crossings.
Continue to the Promenade Plantée (Coulée verte René-Dumont) for a relaxed elevated walk along the former railway line. Access points and opening hours vary by section and season, so check locally; allow about an hour and turn back whenever suits your pace. Finish at Le Train Bleu inside Gare de Lyon for a final meal beneath its famously ornate ceiling. Book ahead if you can, especially for lunch, and budget around €40–70 per person. Keep your bags with you or stored securely before settling in.
If you’re flying, leave plenty of time after lunch: reaching a Paris airport from central Paris can take around 1–1½ hours, before check-in and security. Gare de Lyon has direct rail links to Charles de Gaulle Airport, while Orly is usually easiest by Metro Line 14; a taxi or rideshare may be simpler with luggage, but traffic is unpredictable. Check your flight terminal and current route conditions, and scale back the market or walk if needed to protect your airport buffer.
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