The world's most extensive art museum and a historic landmark, The Louvre Museum is a must-visit. The museum houses approximately 38,000 items from prehistoric times to the 21st century, including must-sees like Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, a broad collection of classical antiquities, and so much more.
One of the world's most popular landmarks, Notre-Dame is an exemplar of French Gothic architecture. Its construction took almost two centuries from 1163-1345. Unfortunately, the July 2019 fire has put its restoration on hold, but you can still admire its exterior beauty and chimeras.
Musée d'Orsay is a transformed Beaux-Arts railway station, housing masterpieces of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art. The Musée's extraordinary collection of French art spans from 1848-1914 and includes work from darlings like Monet, Van Gogh, and many more.
The Seine River Cruise is a great way to end your day in Paris. This scenic view of the city's illuminated monuments while calmly gliding along the Seine River is stunning, and it's a 60-minute experience you'll never forget.
Paris' quick and efficient metro system is the easiest way to get around, combining it with free and cheap walking tours that can delight beyond compare. One-day travel passes start at €14 for unlimited travel on metro lines, buses, trams, and the RER within Paris Zone 1-3. I would also recommend using ride-hailing apps such as Bolt or Uber to reduce costs and increase comfort. Taxis are also a valid choice, but their fares can be expensive.
If you only have a day to see Paris, stick to the must-sees to maximize your time. You can also consider adding a landmark like the Eiffel Tower, which is a beautiful view at night, and if you have extra time, you can explore Montmartre in the evening. Try and schedule your itinerary based on the opening and closing times of the venues to avoid any surprises, make a list of what you want to see in each location, and prepare to walk a lot.
The primary international airport in Paris is the Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The airport code is CDG, and it is about 23 kilometers from the city center. Another airport, which is mainly used for short-haul flights, is the Orly Airport (ORY). The airport code is ORY, and it is about 13 kilometers from the city center.