When I was younger, one of the top places on my list of travel destinations was Paris, France. I first visited on a family holiday in 2013, after begging my parents to take me for a day trip whilst we were in northern France. I had the best time exploring the city and seeing the major tourist hotspots in the short time that we were there.
The next time I visited was in 2018 to see one of my best friends, who was living there at the time on her year abroad. She showed me some of her favourite places in the city and shared her top tips on how to get around.
From these two experiences in Paris, I have pulled together a list of the most beautiful, must see places to visit, that can be seen in as little as 24 hours.
Eiffel Tower
Paris’ most famous landmark and arguably the top place that you must visit is the Eiffel Tower. I went up the Eiffel Tower on my first trip to Paris, and I recall us deciding to take the stairs the majority of the way up instead of the lift. After a tiring climb, the views from the top were well worth it, as you get a great perspective of the whole city.
On my second trip however, the weather was not in our favour! The whole time I was there, the top of the Eiffel Tower was hidden by a thick fog. Although it wouldn’t have given us the best views of the city if we had decided to go up, it did make for some funny photos of us at the bottom with half of the Eiffel Tower in view (see below).
Brunch at Holybelly
Upon my friend’s suggestion, we headed to Holybelly for brunch. You’ll need to be prepared to wait in line, as this place has quite the reputation, but it was one of the best brunches I have ever had in my life!
My friend suggested I have the pancakes with fried eggs, bacon and mushrooms and it was absolutely delicious. I would highly recommend trying this place if you have the time when visiting Paris, you will not regret it!
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is a monument, which honours those that were lost in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. It stands on an intersect of 12 streets, one of which is the Champs-Élysées, famous for its luxury shops. The monument is another of Paris’ most famous landmarks and is a beautiful place to visit.
It also makes for a great place to people watch! It is very intriguing to watch drivers navigate the 12-street roundabout and somehow make it to their correct exit. The roundabout is known for being hectic and the rule is that you have to give way to anyone entering the roundabout. It is certainly not a roundabout that I would want to drive around (although I have to give credit to my Dad who gave it a strong go in our rental car)!
The Louvre
My personal favourite place to visit in Paris is the Louvre museum, home of the Mona Lisa. The museum is an old palace, which surrounds a courtyard with a large glass pyramid entrance. The setting is stunning and the museum contains many pieces of art, that will keep you entertained for hours.
The most famous piece is the Mona Lisa, which is surprisingly much smaller than I thought it would be. It stands alone on a separate wall, but is always surrounded by crowds of people looking to get a glance at the painting.
Sacré-Coeur
The Sacré-Coeur (Sacred Heart) is a basilica, which stands at the top of Montmartre hill, the highest point in Paris. This is a beautiful spot for an afternoon walk, up the hill towards the basilica. The views from the top are really beautiful and the basilica itself is grand and prominent on the hill.
Montmartre itself is charming, with cobbled streets and artsy cafes, restaurants and shops. It is a perfect place to stop for a quick coffee, snack or even dinner after walking up to the Sacré-Coeur.
Moulin Rouge
Whilst visiting Montmartre, a must see sight is Moulin Rouge, Paris’ famous cabaret. Even if you don’t catch a show, the instantly recognisable windmill and bright red lights of the building are spectacular, especially when its dark outside.
In my opinion, Paris is one of the most beautiful cities I have visited and although there is so much to explore, hopefully this guide gives you a few top tips on key places to visit, even if you are only there for a day!
We managed to visit the places you mentioned here except the Basilica and we missed out on the brunch place. Hope to do it next time. Lovely, useful post for those who have a day in Paris.
Thanks for your comment! Definitely try out the brunch place if you can, it was delicious!