24 Hours in France: A Perfect Travel Itinerary

  • 8:00AM - The Louvre Museum
    30 mins (1.4 miles) from Eiffel Tower

    Start your day at the world-famous Louvre Museum, home to thousands of art pieces including the iconic Mona Lisa. You can easily spend hours getting lost in its galleries and exhibitions.

  • 11:00AM - Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral
    20 mins (1.2 miles) from The Louvre Museum

    Visit the historic Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with stunning stained glass windows and intricate carvings. Take in stunning views of Paris from the top of the towers, but be prepared to climb up 400 steps!

  • 1:00PM - Lunch at Au Pied de Cochon
    35 mins (1.8 miles) from Notre-Dame Cathedral

    Feast on French cuisine at the city’s legendary brasserie, Au Pied de Cochon. Try the signature dish, roasted pig’s trotter, or indulge in other tasty treats like escargot and steak tartare.

  • 3:00PM - Eiffel Tower and Champs-Elysées
    30 mins (1.5 miles) from Au Pied de Cochon

    No visit to Paris is complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower, an iconic symbol of the city. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the city skyline from the top, and stroll down the famous Champs-Elysées avenue lined with shops, cafes, and theaters.

  • 6:00PM - Seine River Cruise
    20 mins (1 mile) from Eiffel Tower

    Take a relaxing cruise down the Seine River to see Paris’ top landmarks from a different perspective. Admire the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum all lit up at night.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Louvre Museum (2-3 hours, €17.00)
  • Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral (1 hour, Free)
  • Lunch at Au Pied de Cochon (2 hours, €40.00 for two people)
  • Eiffel Tower and Champs-Elysées (2 hours, €16.00)
  • Seine River Cruise (1 hour, €16.00)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €89.00 for two people

Transportation

Paris is best explored on foot, but the city also has an extensive public transport system including buses, trains, and metro lines. The cost of a single metro/bus ride is €1.90 or you can buy a day pass for unlimited use of metro and buses for €7.50. Taxis and Uber are also widely available but can be expensive during peak hours.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the Palace of Versailles or the Catacombs of Paris. For a shorter trip, skip the Seine River Cruise and visit the Musée d'Orsay, a museum showcasing famous Impressionist paintings.

Airports

Paris has two main airports: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Orly Airport (ORY). Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest and most well-connected international airport, located 26 km northeast of the city center. Orly Airport is located south of Paris and mostly handles domestic and European flights. It is closer to the city center than CDG, with just 14 km distance.

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