Last Updated on 10 March, 2024
Paris, the capital of France, is known as one of the world’s most romantic and culturally rich cities. It’sย a hub of fashion, cuisine, art, and architecture, so if you’re planning to visit Paris, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to things to see and do. From the world-famous museums and art galleries to the charming cafรฉs and bistros. You could spend days, weeks, or even months exploring the city and still not see everything it has to offer. But, if you have only a day in Paris, don’t worry, as there are still plenty of remarkable things you can do and see.
1. Eiffel Tower, Champs de Mars and Trocadero
What is a trip to Paris without seeing the iconicย Eiffel Tower?
The tower is 324m (1,063ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building.ย It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1989. You can visit the tower, the first two levels have restaurants and the third level has an observation deck.
If you don’t wish to go up the tower, you can wander around the park – Champs de Mars or go to Trocadero, where you can get a better view of the Eiffel Tower from afar.
![A girl standing in front of Eiffel Tower - How to Spend a Day in Paris](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paris-768x1024.jpg)
![Eiffel Tower at night - How to Spend a Day in Paris](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Paris-22-768x1024.jpg)
2. Arc de Triomphe and Avenue des Champs-Elysees
Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris.ย It honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.
If you go to the top of the Arc, there is a terrace and a small museum that tells the Arc’s story from there is a terr its construction. From the terrace of the Arc, you can enjoy wonderful views of Paris, including the famousย Avenue des Champs-Elysees.
![Arc de Triomphe - How to Spend a Day in Paris](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Paris-4-1024x658.jpg)
Champs-Elysees is a 1.2 mi long and 230ft wide avenue known for its theatres, cafรฉs, and luxury shops. It’s where the annual Bastille Day military parade takes place and where the Tour de France finishes.
![Champs-Elysees - How to Spend a Day in Paris](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Paris-3-1024x683.jpg)
3. Montmartre
Located on a large hill on the outskirts of Paris, Montmartre brings to mind numerous beautiful clichรฉs: the perfect Parisian cafรฉ, Moulin Rouge, and, of course, countless scenes from Amรฉlie. With only a day in Paris, visiting Montmartre is a must.
Sacrรฉ-Cลur Montmartre –ย The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris is a popular landmark and the most visited monument in Paris, located at the summit of Montmartre.
![Montmarte in Paris, France](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Paris-11-1024x577.jpg)
Due to being on a hill, it offers magnificent views of Paris.
![Montmarte in Paris, France](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Paris-9-1024x577.jpg)
4. Louvre Museum
Unfortunately, if you only have a day in Paris, you won’t be able to fit the Louvre Museum in. After all, it’s the largest art museum in the world, and to fully enjoy it, you would need hours.
However, you can admire the Louvre Pyramid, designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei and built in 1989. It’s actually the main entrance to the museum, and the other three smaller ones function as light wells. The pyramid was initially widely criticised because some considered it incompatible with the Louvre’s historic architectureย and because Pei was not a French architect. The Louvre Pyramid has now become a landmark of the city.
![Louvre Museum in Paris](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Paris-5-1024x683.jpg)
5. The Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou houses the National Museum of Modern Art and is internationally renowned for its 20th and 21st-century art collections. There, you can find art by artists such asย Andy Warhol, Picasso,ย and Dubuffet.
![Centre Pompidou in Paris, a modern art gallery](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Paris-16-1024x768.jpg)
6. Jardin du Luxembourg
Jardin du Luxembourg is a trendy park in the centre of Paris, and it is a great place to enjoy nature while spending a day in Paris. The central part of the park isย a large circular pond surrounded by statues and trees in pots. You can pay a small fee to put a mini sailboat in the water and watch it sail. It’s more entertaining than you think!
![A girl holding a mini sailboat in Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Paris-6-1024x577.jpg)
7. Galeries Lafayette
When spending a day in Paris, you might have time only for one store, so make it Galeries Lafayette. It is not just a department store – it represents the epitome of French luxury and shopping excellence. The building itself is a stunning example of Art Nouveau architecture, dating back to 1912. Its piรจce de rรฉsistance is the magnificent glass and steel dome, which houses a vast array of high-end brands, gourmet foods, and exclusive boutiques.
![Galeries Lafayette - a luxury department store in Paris](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paris-4-768x1024.jpg)
Apart from its retail offerings, Galeries Lafayette is renowned for its panoramic terrace, which provides breathtaking city views, including the Eiffel Tower and Opera Garnier.
![Terrace at Galeries Lafayette with the views of Paris](https://www.sheloveswanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paris-5-1024x768.jpg)
Please remember that Paris is an enormous city, and if you can’t see it all in a day, do not stress too much. Instead, take your time and enjoy strolling through the streets of this incredible city. Take in the sights and sounds around you, stop at a cafรฉ or a park, and soak up the atmosphere. You’ll find there is always something new to discover in Paris, no matter how much time you have to explore.
Read More: 7 Most Beautiful Castles in France to Visit
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