Few queues, lots of street life: on longer trips just one interior a day; the rest from outside, in parks and with long breaks.
Day 110:00–16:10
One day in Paris: from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower
Inside Notre-Dame, the Seine and the Louvre pyramid, the Tuileries, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro in the evening.
10:001
Notre-Dame Cathedral (inside) 45 min
The cathedral restored after the 2019 fire and reopened in December 2024: bright stone vaults, the rose windows and the new altar. Entry is free; the queue is shorter in the morning.
15 min queue + inside + the façade
10:45
Walk · 10 min
Along the Quai des Orfèvres to the tip of the island.
10:552
Pont Neuf & Square du Vert-Galant 20 min
The oldest bridge in Paris and the little park at the tip of the island, under the willow in the middle of the Seine.
11:15
Walk · 15 min
Along the quay to the Louvre.
11:303
The Louvre Pyramid & Cour Carrée (outside) 20 min
The glass pyramid, the Napoleon courtyard and the Renaissance façades of the Cour Carrée.
11:504
Lunch: Rue Saint-Honoré 75 min
An unhurried brasserie lunch in the streets north of the Louvre.
13:05
Walk · 10 min
Across Rue de Rivoli into the Tuileries.
13:155
Jardin des Tuileries 40 min
The palace garden from the Louvre to Concorde: ponds, statues and long tree-lined paths. From November to January a Christmas market sets up here.
13:55
Walk · 5 min
Out of the garden’s west gate to the square.
14:006
Place de la Concorde 15 min
The Egyptian obelisk, the fountains, the Champs-Élysées at one end and the Tuileries at the other.
14:157
A walk up the Champs-Élysées 45 min
The avenue from Concorde to the Arc: past the Grand and Petit Palais to the shop-lined upper half. From late November to early January the trees are lit.
15:00
Walk · 5 min
Through the underpass to the Arc.
15:058
The Arc de Triomphe (outside) 20 min
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the flame rekindled every evening at 6:30 pm; the reliefs under the arch.
15:25
Metro · 15 min
Line 6 from Charles de Gaulle–Étoile to Trocadéro.
15:409
The Eiffel Tower sparkle (from the Trocadéro) 30 min
After dark the tower sparkles with thousands of bulbs for five minutes on the hour. Watch from the Trocadéro gardens.
At least one museum or iconic interior every day; the rest on the streets, squares and viewpoints.
Day 109:00–16:08
One day in Paris: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Arc & the Eiffel Tower
Inside Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre pyramid, the Tuileries, the Champs-Élysées, sunset on the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel sparkle in the evening.
09:001
Notre-Dame Cathedral (inside) 50 min
The cathedral restored after the 2019 fire and reopened in December 2024: bright stone vaults, the rose windows and the new altar. Entry is free; the queue is shorter in the morning.
15 min queue + inside + the façade
09:50
Walk · 5 min
Across the island to the Palais de Justice.
09:552
Sainte-Chapelle (inside) 50 min
The upper chapel, walls made almost entirely of stained glass: 1,113 scenes of 13th-century glass. Brightest in the midday sun.
Along the Quai des Orfèvres to the tip of the island.
10:533
Pont Neuf & Square du Vert-Galant 15 min
The oldest bridge in Paris and the little park at the tip of the island, under the willow in the middle of the Seine.
11:08
Walk · 15 min
Along the quay to the Louvre.
11:234
The Louvre Pyramid & Cour Carrée (outside) 20 min
The glass pyramid, the Napoleon courtyard and the Renaissance façades of the Cour Carrée.
11:435
Lunch: Rue Saint-Honoré 60 min
A brasserie in the streets north of the Louvre.
12:43
Walk · 10 min
Across Rue de Rivoli into the Tuileries.
12:536
Jardin des Tuileries 30 min
The palace garden from the Louvre to Concorde: ponds, statues and long tree-lined paths. From November to January a Christmas market sets up here.
13:23
Walk · 5 min
Out of the garden’s west gate to the square.
13:287
Place de la Concorde 15 min
The Egyptian obelisk, the fountains, the Champs-Élysées at one end and the Tuileries at the other.
13:438
A walk up the Champs-Élysées 45 min
The avenue from Concorde to the Arc: past the Grand and Petit Palais to the shop-lined upper half. From late November to early January the trees are lit.
14:28
Walk · 5 min
Through the underpass to the Arc.
14:339
The Arc de Triomphe rooftop 50 min
Up 284 steps to the roof: the twelve avenues fanning out from the Étoile, the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower. Reach it through the underpass, never across the roundabout.
🌅 Sunset is around 16:55 in December and 21:55 in June; at this time it’s the evening lights. Enter your dates and the planner shows the exact time for your day.
Inside every major ticketed landmark, with entry and security time included, down to the minute.
Day 108:30–17:30
One day in Paris: Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Arc & the Eiffel Tower
Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre’s masterpieces, the Champs-Élysées up to the Arc de Triomphe rooftop and the Eiffel Tower’s 2nd floor in the evening.
08:301
Notre-Dame Cathedral (inside) 40 min
The cathedral restored after the 2019 fire and reopened in December 2024: bright stone vaults, the rose windows and the new altar. Entry is free; the queue is shorter in the morning.
15 min queue + inside + the façade
09:10
Walk · 5 min
Across the island to the Palais de Justice.
09:152
Sainte-Chapelle (inside) 45 min
The upper chapel, walls made almost entirely of stained glass: 1,113 scenes of 13th-century glass. Brightest in the midday sun.
The palace garden from the Louvre to Concorde: ponds, statues and long tree-lined paths. From November to January a Christmas market sets up here.
14:00
Walk · 5 min
Out of the garden’s west gate to the square.
14:056
Place de la Concorde 10 min
The Egyptian obelisk, the fountains, the Champs-Élysées at one end and the Tuileries at the other.
14:157
A walk up the Champs-Élysées 35 min
The avenue from Concorde to the Arc: past the Grand and Petit Palais to the shop-lined upper half. From late November to early January the trees are lit.
14:50
Walk · 5 min
Through the underpass to the Arc.
14:558
The Arc de Triomphe rooftop 45 min
Up 284 steps to the roof: the twelve avenues fanning out from the Étoile, the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower. Reach it through the underpass, never across the roundabout.
🌅 Sunset is around 16:55 in December and 21:55 in June; at this time it’s the evening lights. Enter your dates and the planner shows the exact time for your day.
Since October 2026 there have been cost-of-living protests and strikes (the next big day is 5 November). Big marches usually run between Bastille, République and Nation, and on those days some metro stations and museums can close. Check the RATP and the museum’s website before you go, and keep away from the crowds.
🎟️
Staying 2–4 days and visiting 2–3 museums a day? The Paris Museum Pass can pay off; it covers the Louvre, the Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle and the Arc de Triomphe. Even with the pass, most places need a timed booking. Paris Museum Pass
🚇
Paper metro tickets are gone: buy a Navigo Easy card from the station machines and load single tickets or a day pass onto it. You can also pay by phone (the Bonjour RATP app).
👜
Pickpockets work the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadéro, the Sacré-Cœur steps and the metro: keep your bag in front and don’t stop for petition or bracelet sellers.
🧾
If you live outside the EU, tax free works in the department stores: ask at the till and complete it at the PABLO kiosk at the airport on your way home.
🍽️
Restaurants serve lunch from 12 to 2 pm and dinner from 7:30 pm; the kitchen may be closed in between. The lunchtime set menu (formule) is the best value, and service is included in the bill.
Times are for a typical weekday. Some places open later or close on Sundays and Mondays; enter your dates and the planner adjusts the route.
Frequently asked questions
Which museums and landmarks can you visit inside in 1 day in Paris?
Relaxed pace: no museum visits; landmarks are seen from outside. Balanced pace: Sainte-Chapelle and The Arc de Triomphe. Packed pace: Sainte-Chapelle, The Louvre, The Arc de Triomphe and The Eiffel Tower.
How far ahead should I book tickets?
Timed tickets sell out fast. Our advice: The Louvre at least 14 days ahead; The Eiffel Tower at least 14 days ahead; Sainte-Chapelle at least 5 days ahead; The Arc de Triomphe at least 3 days ahead.
What should I watch out for on Sundays and Mondays?
On Sundays some places open later: Notre-Dame Cathedral at 08:15. Enter your dates and the planner reorders the days and switches to the Sunday versions for you.
Is 1 day enough for Paris?
One day covers Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower in the evening. The Louvre or the Orsay needs a second day.
How do I fit the route to my own arrival and departure times?
Enter the city, your arrival and departure times and your pace in the planner on the home page. It trims the route around your flights, skips closed days, works out ticket deadlines and lets you download a PDF.
We use cookies to improve the site and for affiliate links. Privacy Policy
