Day trip, London to Paris - what would be a good intinerary?

Question

Taking the Eurostar, first time in Paris, will have my 14 year old niece with me, Christmas week. Is it as basic as Eiffel Tower, Arc d'Triumph and whatever time we can squeeze in at the Louvre? Where should we eat?

Answer 1

It's impossible to do all this in only one day. Eiffel Tower visit includes long waits at ticket office and at each escalators. You need half a day just for Eiffel. The Louvre is one of (if not "the") largest museums in the world, you need a full day to visit it, and I assume you don't take the time to read the notes under every everything. The Arc of Triumph can be done when returning from Eiffel tower, you're not supposed to spend very long time there.

Assuming you take the first Eurostar and arrive in Paris early you can probably do Eiffel tower and Triumph Arc on the same day before catching one of the last Eurostars back to London, but forget the Louvre at all.

Or: go only to the Louvre and forget Eiffel, even maybe go to Triumph Arc if you get early ouf of Louvre. Note that Louvre is closed on tuesdays.

There are plenty of restaurants in Paris, you have the choice....  

Answer 2

Yep, you'll need to keep it pretty simple for only one day.  The Eiffel Tower is a must.  The Arc d'Triumph I would include if it was more than one day, but I would scratch that for only a day trip.  I would instead do the Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle - incredibly beautiful and fantastic art - they are very close together so you could knock off both in about 90 minutes.  If you want to do the Louvre - go in with a plan (I'm not kidding here).  Know exactly what you want to see and which wing it is in.  Don't get distracted.  Save this for last because if you do it first, there is a good chance you'll not see anything else.  If I was only there for a day, I think I'd rather spend it at one of the smaller museums such as the Musee d'Orangerie (Monet's Water Lillies are here) or Musee Rodin (great sculptures including The Thinker.  They are less overwelming and less chance of missing the train back to England but equally beautiful.  

Regardless of which museums you choose to see, be sure to walk as much of Paris as possible.  Everything is beautiful from the architecture to the meticulously landscaped gardens.  You could also pass some interesting things along the way that would just add to your trip, such as historical monuments, outdoor sculptures etc.

And as for food - eat at any outdoor cafe along the Seine that serves pastry - you can't go wrong!

Good luck!  I'm sure you are going to LOVE Paris!

Answer 3

Unfortunately, you won't have time to do more than scratch the surface. You can spend a week in Paris and not see everything. Having only part of one day will severely limit what you can do.

I agree with Kristina L that Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, and the Eiffel Tower should be on your list. I would skip The Louvre due to the time crunch. It's very large (and frequently very crowded) and requires several hours even if you walk through quickly. You simply don't have the time to see more than a token amount, especially if you have to wait in line to get in.

Time permitting, I also suggest Sacre-Coeur and Opera Garnier.

Try to avoid eating in the area around Notre Dame. It's a huge tourist area, so restaurants tend to be more expensive and not necessarily very good. Paris has small restaurants and cafes almost everywhere, so you'll have no difficulty finding something decent.

Answer 4

If you really want to see the Louvre do it first and not as it was said previously. Come to the museum before the opening hours (15 minutes). There are a few people. It's not crowded yet.

But before this prepare  your visit: where mona lisa is... (first thing people want to see), select what you want to see.

Go to see the Eiffel tower, les Champs Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre, Notre Dame.

There are buses for the tourist if you want to see them quickly, "the hop on hop off".

And if you have time you can take the little boat on the Seine.

And when you are in Paris, just tell me I can help you to visit the town.

Sorry for my English is far from perfect (I'm French)