A Day in Paris

I’ve spent many days in Paris, and many types of days. Some days have been filled with activities and sightseeing and some have been simply strolling around, stopping in at cafes, sipping coffee or wine on a terrasse watching the people in Paris go by. Paris offers it all, and you can take it as slowly or as fast-paced as you want. To me, a day in Paris is the best kind of day there is. Because it’s my soul city, each day I spend there means the world to me. And I often want to pinch myself just being there.

If you’ve been, you may agree with me. And if you haven’t been, you’re in for the most memorable day of your life. It may sound dramatic, but when you get there you’ll understand. Paris is a special place that holds the hearts of many, Parisians and non-Parisians alike. I’m going to do my best to help you visualize the best day while visiting Paris looks like.

Cafe Through Courtyard Doors in Paris

Sussing out how to spend a day in Paris can get overwhelming, especially if you don’t have very long to be there. Since I spend quite a bit of time there, I don’t find myself stressed out about time spent here or there. However, I’m going to write as if you’re not me and you do have limited time there. There are thousands of places in the world you can go for a trip. And on this Paris trip, you want to get the most out of it. That’s why I’ll shed some light on places worth visiting, things worth doing, and how to make your trip to Paris the very best it can be.

It’s a magical place, and I want you to really enjoy your time there. I’ll have different options from which you can choose, all being amazing. Oh, and if you want some tips on what to wear in Paris, France, my blog linked is perfect. Be comfortable and fashionable while spending your day in Paris.

It would be silly for me to give you any validation that one day in Paris is enough. It’s not. However, if you’re dreaming about what a perfect day in Paris looks like in general, this is the perfect blog for you. As I’ve said in many other blogs, I don’t know if a lifetime is enough in Paris. Since most of us don’t have a lifetime to spend there, we will take one day at a time. What’s fun about a day in Paris is that it’s a relaxing day, a day that is so very Parisian and enjoyable. This is going to be a great way to spend our time in Paris, so let’s get going.

Croissants and Coffee

There’s nothing more French than starting off your day with coffee and a croissant. Often I take my coffee earlier in the hotel room (so it kicks in, you know?) and later eat a croissant, but this is up to you. I’ll stop in a boulangerie and get one to go. I personally find nothing wrong with eating a croissant on the road, but you’ll never see me taking coffee to go, although I know it’s getting more common despite Parisians despising this concept. Generally, we take our time in Paris, so you can too. When in Paris….do as Parisians do. Sit down with the coffee. You only need about 30 minutes total. It’s a nice way to start the day.

Walk Along the Seine

One of my absolute favorite things to do is to stroll along the River Seine. Being a flâneur is something that we all should adopt. And it’s the French way of saying you’re walking with no agenda. And please, do this. Zig and zag all through Paris, down any street that catches your eye. If you stay along the river, though, you can watch the river cruise boats going by, and some of the attendees will wave at you. Wave back! And while you’re strolling, maybe stroll by Notre Dame, located on Île de la Cité. Île Saint-Louis is the other island worth visiting on your walk. Let the river be your guide.

Buy a Book

I’m a book nerd, so I love to buy books when I travel. From Paris, I have gotten the privilege of meeting some of the authors of the books I’ve bought, which is a really cool experience. If you’re looking for a very Parisian experience to buy a book, visit the bouquinistes along the Seine River and peruse their items. One of the times I was in Paris, I met one of the bouquiniestes and bought a couple of his books. He threw one in as a lagniappe for me. And I love having all of them in my bookcase at home. There are two English bookstores to note: Shakespeare and Company and The Abbey Bookshop. After you get your book, take it to a cafe or to one of the chairs by the river and read it. I’ve done both, and both make for a lovely time.

Eat from a Boulangerie

There’s nothing wrong with getting a sandwich from a boulangerie for the road. My idea of a great lunch is picking one up, made on a baguette of course, and taking it to a bench and people watching. There are benches all over Paris for you to claim as your own, and you can peacefully eat your delicious 3 euro sandwich. It’s the best money you’ll spend on a meal because it’s fresh and good and so inexpensive! I do this anytime I’m traveling in Europe. My favorite place to go is a park and eat, which is the very next thing I’d do on my one day in Paris.

Stroll in Some Gardens

Strolling through gardens in Paris is one of my all-time favorite things to do. I do it on every single trip I go on, and I recommend it to everyone. For a perfect day in Paris, please do include one of the gardens in your day in Paris itinerary. Some of my favorites are the Tuileries that run along Rue de Rivoli, Luxembourg Gardens, which are on the left bank, and Palais Royal. While this is not a garden idea, walking through one of the cemeteries (Pere Lachaise or Montmartre in particular) is also quite stunning. I did a whole photo shoot in Montmartre cemetery and I am obsessed with the photos. Depending on where you are in town, these are all magnificent ideas.

Visit a Free Museum

Paris is so good for their free museums. Because I’m not a “museum person” in the traditional sense, I don’t love spending a lot of money or time going to them. I’ve already been to the biggies, and I’ll go back with a friend who has a pass. But otherwise, I’m hitting the small and free ones. My favorite so far is Musée Carnavalet, which is located in the Marais area (and I also have a great list of recs for the Marais linked here). It’s about the history of Paris. And I couldn’t think of a more appropriate place to spend a day in Paris.

Pop into a Church

When I say there are more churches in Paris than you can imagine, I’m not kidding. You may want to go to the typical ones like Notre Dame or Sainte-Chapelle, but if I may, I’ll suggest going to some others that are notable and beautiful and worth seeing. In fact, Notre Dame is not even in the top 5 favorites for me in regards to the wow factor. Saint-Sulpice is my very favorite church in Paris, and I go in it almost every time I’m there. Saint-Eustache is another favorite, and it’s near where I typically like to stay while visiting Paris. I’ll admit that Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre is quite stunning too, and if you go early you can skip the line that form at prime time.

Take an Apéro Before Dinner

Taking a rest before dinner is a necessary way to slide into the evening. A day in Paris can often involve a lot of walking and sightseeing, but making time to soak up the culture with an apéro is a non-negotiable for me. I’ll often find a cafe that has outdoor seating if the weather is nice, order a glass of wine, and spend what feels like hours in Paris watching passersby enjoying life. Part of the enjoyment for me is listening to people in deep conversations, having their full attention on one another and not on their devices. Paris is a special place to just be, and no one will be rushing you out of there to turn a table.

Dine at a Delicious Bouillon

Ahhh a bouillon! It’s so wonderful to experience a very authentic Parisian/French meal at one of the many bouillons in the city. I’ve been to a few, and they are quite enjoyable. It can be a little intimidating if you don’t know French, but roll with it. Sometimes the waiters do everything in French and it can be overwhelming. Here’s the thing: you’re a visitor. Have fun with it, enjoy it. Tease and joke with them a little, maybe even about yourself not speaking French. The food is worth the effort of going, and you’ll experience some traditional French foods. It’s a must!

Watch the Eiffel Tower Twinkle

How else would one end a day in Paris if it’s not on the Champ de Mars watching the Eiffel Tower twinkle? Every hour on the hour at night it twinkles its lights for 5 minutes. It’s just enough time to grab those iconic selfies and feel utterly magical as you wind down your day. After your moments watching the tower light up, grab a cocktail at one of my favorite cocktail bars, Gatsby. It’s linked here on Google maps. It’s less than a 15 minutes to walk, depending on how long of a stride you have. You’ll definitely be ending on a high note.

Itinerary

I’ve created a very basic and easy itinerary for you to follow for your one day in Paris. My advice is to not get too hung up on any one thing. Let the city guide you as it does, and you’ll experience the most amazing time. I’m not recommending all the usual suspects like the Louvre, the Champs Elysées, or the Arc de Triomphe. This is a very easy and enjoyable day. While much of it is visitor-friendly, some of it is exactly what Parisians would do themselves. No matter what your interest, be sure to soak up this stunning city. Paris is always a good idea.

For information on knowing is Paris safe for solo female travelers, check out this blog I wrote about it. I also have a guide on my favorite boutique hotels for solo travelers.

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