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Now I admit it’s been a while since I’ve been to Paris but as I’m going back in October for a short trip I figured it was time to write up my post on how to spend 24 hours in Paris. Now I’m not much of a planner when I travel. Other than a rough outline of what I want to do/see that’s about as good as it gets. When visiting Paris, however, having a better idea of what you want to fit in and where it is, is absolutely crucial. I did write a post back in 2019 about planning a trip to Paris and that is a great starting point if you don’t have anything booked yet.
As well as planning what you’re going to do, just as important is sorting your travel money before you travel. I wrote a guest post for Inside Laura’s Head all about travel money and you should give it a read if you’re travelling soon.
Museums I Visit
Now a lot of people will have the Louvre on their list and if you’re a lover of all things art then I would definitely recommend it. If, however, you prefer your art with a side of modern film and architecture then you would definitely prefer the Musée d’Orsay. Laura and I went there back in November and if you’re a Gossip Girl fan then you know exactly which museum I mean. It’s a beautiful old railway station which has been repurposed into a museum. There’s some Van Gogh and Degas to see plus there’s plenty of sculpture to wander as well. It’s free on the first Sunday of the month but will always be closed on a Monday.
I’d also recommend a visit to Montmartre and a trip inside the Sacre Coeur. Although this is a religious building you don’t need to be to enter. It’s a beautiful building and worth a wander. It’s also free so once you make it up the hill (use public transport) the beauty of the inside is the reward. Just beware of the rogue charity collectors. They are ruthless and you need to be firm with them to get them to go away. At the top of the hill, you’ll also find the sinking house (no photo though as mine failed).
Now admittedly Musée d’Orsay and Montmartre are on opposite sides of Paris but the metro is close to both. Laura used the metro to get everywhere in Paris and it was great. Just avoid Chatelet metro station as it’s an underground rabbit warren. You’ll walk miles before you even make it to a platform. For more travel in Paris tips, I’m going to add them to a separate blog post.
Where I Love to Eat
I tried to research this on Tik Tok and kept being given the same 5 or 6 options of the “best places to eat in Paris” and none of them really appeal to me. I go to France for French food not Italian or anything I can easily find in the UK. If you’re looking for authentic French then go to the streets around the Rue de Rivoli and find a bistro to dine in. These will give you that authentic French meal that I’ve been craving since I got back from France last year.
When it comes to breakfast I simply Google the nearest boulangerie and I’ve not been let down yet. I go for a brioche or a couple of croissants and take them back to the hotel to eat while I get ready.
My other recommendation is to find a crêperie to have lunch in. They’re not just a sweet treat. You can get a savoury galette with fillings like ham, cheese and egg which are simply delicious. See the proof below! After this, I can definitely recommend a sweet crêpe for dessert.
Where to go for photo opportunities
Paris is one of the few cities where I’ll pick a spot and go for a wander with my camera. On my last trip Laura and I walked down the Seine taking in the sights and even managing to catch a glimpse of Notre Dame. We were out as the sun was starting to set so lots of the photos have great colours to the sky. Sometimes you need a bit of a change from solid blue.
The other thing I love to do is use the open-top bus tour as a starting point for places to go for a walk. This is how I found some of the main shopping streets in Paris. It’s also a great way to see the sights and get your photos without fighting for space in all the popular spots.
Honestly, there is nowhere in Paris that isn’t photogenic. If you watch programmes which have episodes set in Paris (Gossip Girl, Shadowhunters, Emily in Paris) then I also recommend Googling the filming locations as this will give you other ideas of places to visit. High on my list is the Pont Bir-Hakeim which is in Shadowhunters and Inception plus visiting the bistro Blair and Serena go to in an episode of Gossip Girl. Having been to Montmartre, Laura and I were also in the cafe which featured in Amelie. If you look there will be plenty of places that have been mentioned in tv/film that will give you a starting point of places to go.
This is how I spend 24 hours in Paris which basically involves seeing as much as I can and eating as much as I can. I know lots of people have different priorities. For some, it will be sightseeing and for others shopping. I try and fit in as much of both as I can as my favourite skincare brand is French and better value the other side of the Channel.
As a lover of France, I try and go back as often as I can as there’s always something new to see when I go. I also know Paris can feel daunting for a lot of people, especially if you don’t speak the language. Don’t let this put you off. Paris has a lot to offer but you will struggle to fit everything into one trip. Which is always a good excuse to head back as often as possible! 24 hours in Paris is never enough as there’s only so much patisserie you can eat in one visit.
