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I’ve always wanted to go to Paris so when my friends asked me to join their Europe trip I knew I just HAD to make it part of my travels. I only had a day to spare in Paris and here is how I saw everything in one day!

What do I mean by everything? My one day in Paris itinerary included visiting the Eiffel Tour, Place de Madeleine, The Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc De Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Montmartre, watching the famous Moulin Rouge Show, and finishing the night off watching the Eiffel Tour Light Show.

Getting around Paris

The Hop-on and Hop-off Bus is the BEST way to get around on your One Day in Paris Itinerary! I suggest booking the 1 Day Open Tour.

Route Map – https://alikainwanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33062/2020/05/Paris_Map_1708.pdf

One Day in Paris Itinerary

Eiffel Tower

Start your One Day in Paris Itinerary by visiting the most popular tourist attraction in Paris – The Eiffel Tower! Take the hop-on and hop-off bus to Stop 14 on the map.

If you decide you want to see the view from the top of the tower you can either walk up the hundreds of stairs or take the elevator. Either way, you choose you will have to pay.

You can walk the grounds of the Eiffel Tower free of cost which is what I decided to do. I loved taking photos of it from different angles.

Place de Madeleine

After you’ve taken a hundred photos of the Eiffel Tower hop back on the bus. I recommend sitting on the top deck of the bus so you get a better view of the historic buildings and architecture along the way.

If you want to buy traditional macarons and some delicious chocolate then I suggest you get off at Place de Madeleine (Stop 18). If you have not yet tried a macaron in your life there is no better place than Paris to have your first one!

The Louvre

After indulging in chocolates and macarons hop back on the bus for your next stop at the Louvre (Stop 4).

The Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums and a historic monument in Paris! This perfectly structured museum is where the world’s famous Mona Lisa painting is kept!

If you decide to tour the museum make sure to plan how much time you will spend there so you have enough time to see the other places mentioned below.

Love Lock Bridge

Unfortunately, the famous Love Lock Bridge is no longer a stop on the tour bus! 7, 500 kilos of locks were added each year to this historic bridge which led to the fence collapsing.

The idea was that couples write their names on a lock and then they throw the key into the Seine River as a symbol of everlasting love.

Notre Dame

The next stop is Notre Dame (Stop 6). I visited Notre Dame before the tragic fire that happened there in April 2019. Although part of Notre Dame is currently being rebuilt I still think it’s worth a visit. This medieval cathedral was built 8 centuries ago and is also one of Paris’s famous monuments.

I got some funny photos of me trying to imitate the hunchback out the front of Notre Dame.  

Arc De Triomphe

Take the bus to the Arc De Triomphe (Stop 12) that stands at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle and the western end of Champ Elysees. It’s the world’s LARGEST triumphal arch!

Do not attempt to cross the traffic circle! You will have to go through the underground tunnel on the Avenue De La Grande Armee side of the circle to pass through.

Champs Elysees

From the Arc De Triomphe, you can walk to Champ Elysees the most famous street in Paris.

Although the street is full of designer shops and is maybe TOO expensive for your budget it’s still really cool to check out! The street is lined with restaurants, luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Mont Blanc, flagship stores, and nightclubs.

Montmartre

You can’t go to Paris and not see Montmartre. This was by far my favourite place in Paris and needs to be included in your One Day in Paris Itinerary! Montmartre is a romantic village filled with cute little alleyways and cafes along with artists and everything you would imagine Paris to be like!

Unfortunately, the bus line no longer stops near Montmarte but don’t let that discourage you from going. You have to see it! Even if it’s the only place you visit in Paris!

Take a taxi or if you don’t mind the 30-minute walk you can take the bus to either Stop 1 or Stop 2 and walk from the stop to Montmartre.

Walk up the hill to the highest point in the city to see the amazing Basilique du Sacre-Coeur.  

Moulin Rouge Show

If you are staying for the night book to see the Moulin Rouge Show! I know the reviews for Moulin Rouge aren’t all the greatest but I LOVED it and would recommend it to anyone that has only one night in Paris!

Moulin Rouge is an attractive red-lit building, even just seeing it from the outside is pretty amazing!

Moulin Rouge is close to Montmartre and within walking distance of 10 minutes. There are plenty of restaurants around the Moulin Rouge to eat dinner before the show.

I expected the show to be like the movie but it’s completely different. Every act had me on the edge of my seat and sent shivers down my spine from the acrobatic acts, cancan dancers, comedians, miniature horses, and the lady who dived into the pool of live snakes. This is a show you don’t want to miss! 

Ticket Purchase and Pricing

Book your tickets well in advance on their website as they sell out quickly! You can choose to just pay to watch the show or to have dinner included.

Eiffel Tower Light Show

The Eiffel Tower lights up as the clock strikes every hour of the night. The tower is covered with golden bright lights and it sparkles for about 5 minutes. What a way to end the day and night!

Paris Accommodation

If you decide to stay one night in Paris here is an accommodation recommendation for you. The Citadines Tour Eiffel Hotel is a reasonably priced hotel close to shops, cafes and restaurants and within 15 minutes walking distance of the Eiffel Tower!

Make sure to book a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower! If you’re only here for one-night then I am sure you can splurge a little since it is Paris and all! :)

Book your stay on Agoda for the cheapest rates.

In the above One Day in Paris Itinerary, you will see all the famous tourist attractions and have a MAGICAL experience in Paris! It will be a busy day but one you will never forget!