✨ Paris in 24 Hours – How to Make It Count

🥐 Morning: Croissants, Coffee & Cathedrals

Paris mornings hit different. We started with a quick photo stop at Notre-Dame – still breathtaking even during restoration. Just a short walk away is Maison d’Isabelle, where we had what might be the flakiest, butteriest croissant of our lives.

☕ A little Paris rain meant an unplanned coffee stop in a cosy café (highly recommend this — it sets a slow, romantic pace for the day).

🗼 Late Morning: Eiffel Tower from Top to Bottom

**No pre-booked tickets needed — we bought ours right at the tower. Took the stairs to the 2nd floor (great for photos!) then the lift to the very top.
**Standing above Paris felt surreal. The city looks like a giant fingerprint — endless lanes, rooftops, and hardly any tall buildings. Beautiful.
**We then strolled across to Jardins du Trocadéro for those classic Eiffel views.

🍷 Midday: Bistro Lunch

Lunch was at Le Wilson Café — their 3-course menu was perfect for slowing down and recharging. Paris is best enjoyed slowly, glass of wine in hand.

🏛️ Afternoon: Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées

We wandered toward Arc de Triomphe for photos, then meandered down the Champs-Élysées, window-shopping and people-watching along the way.

🎨 Evening: Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

As the sun dipped, we made our way to Montmartre. Dinner was at Au Cadet de Gascogne, where we had oysters and mussels while artists tried to talk us into portraits. Such a classic Paris moment.

The day ended sitting on the steps of Sacré-Cœur, listening to live music as the city lights started to glow. Easily one of the most magical moments of our trip.

💡 Quick Tips

🎟️ Eiffel Tower: Same-day tickets are fine if you don’t mind the stairs first (worth it!).
🚶 Walk as much as possible — Paris is best discovered on foot.
🚫 Skip the Seine cruise if you’re short on time — the city feels more alive from street level.
⏳ Slow down. Paris is not just about ticking off sights but soaking up its rhythm — coffee stops, musicians, and all.
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🛏️ Where We Stayed

New Hôtel Gare du Nord – super convenient for early trains but rooms are small and you might feel subway vibrations at night. Good if you need proximity to Gare du Nord.

✨ Final Reflection

This day reminded me that you don’t need weeks to fall in love with Paris. With just 24 hours, we ate, walked, climbed, and listened our way through the city — and left with the feeling that Paris is meant to be experienced, not just seen.

“Mandatory Paris moment 🥐”
“Paris from above = a fingerprint of streets”
“Dinner with artists sketching nearby 🎨”
“Music on the steps of Sacré-Cœur = perfect ending.”