Few queues, lots of street life: on longer trips just one interior a day; the rest from outside, in parks and with long breaks.
10:00–13:00
Half a day: along the Seine from Notre-Dame to the Louvre
Inside Notre-Dame, the Pont Neuf and a walk along the Seine to the Louvre pyramid.
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 · 10 min
Along the quay to the Pont des Arts.
11:253
Pont des Arts & the bouquinistes 15 min
The footbridge between the Louvre and the Institut de France, and the green booksellers’ boxes along the quay.
11:40
Walk · 5 min
Off the bridge into the Louvre courtyard.
11:454
The Louvre Pyramid & Cour Carrée (outside) 20 min
The glass pyramid, the Napoleon courtyard and the Renaissance façades of the Cour Carrée.
12:05
Walk · 5 min
Across Rue de Rivoli to the garden.
12:105
Palais-Royal gardens & the Buren columns 20 min
The quiet garden framed by arcades and the black-and-white striped columns in the courtyard.
12:306
the Palais-Royal & a café break 30 min
A hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or a coffee, and something from the pâtisserie window.
At least one museum or iconic interior every day; the rest on the streets, squares and viewpoints.
09:30–12:18
Half a day: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle & the Louvre
Inside Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle; from the Pont Neuf to the Louvre pyramid.
09:301
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
10:15
Walk · 5 min
Across the island to the Palais de Justice.
10:202
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.
Inside every major ticketed landmark, with entry and security time included, down to the minute.
09:00–11:48
Half a day: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle & the Louvre
Inside Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle; from the Pont Neuf to the Louvre pyramid.
09:001
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
09:45
Walk · 5 min
Across the island to the Palais de Justice.
09:502
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.
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.
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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
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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 half a day in Paris?
Relaxed pace: no museum visits; landmarks are seen from outside. Balanced pace: Sainte-Chapelle. Packed pace: Sainte-Chapelle.
How far ahead should I book tickets?
Timed tickets sell out fast. Our advice: Sainte-Chapelle at least 5 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 half a day enough for Paris?
Half a day is enough to see the heart of Paris: Notre-Dame, the Seine and the Louvre pyramid. Museum interiors need at least a full 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.
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