24 hours in Paris

Paris is one of those places I’ve always liked the idea of going to, but it’s somehow never really been at the top of my list. I think I may have been into the city as a kid, but I can’t remember a thing, and Disneyland obviously doesn’t count (I have been there many times!)

With shows like Emily in Paris highlighting the beauty of the city, it’s definitely a place that has increased in popularity in recent years. It’s slowly begun climbing up my travel bucket list, so when myself and my partner Tom got the amazing opportunity to spend 24 hours exploring the city, we jumped at the chance.

Tom was actually featured in a super cool exhibition with the health technology brand Withings (they make smart watches, smart scales etc.) so the trip was gifted, with us attending the exhibition at the Galerie Joseph in the evening. It was such an amazing experience. We got to see all the tech in action, listen to the experts and try some delicious (and healthy!) food, as well as see a huge portrait of Tom which we of course had to take pictures with.

Paris in 24 hours

We arrived in Paris at around 2pm on a Thursday, and returned home on the 6.15pm Eurostar the following day, so we had to be very selective about how we wanted to spend our short but sweet trip. Luckily we managed to pack loads in, which gave us a real taste for the city and highlighted areas we’d want to visit when we go another time.

Day 1

The first thing on our agenda was to check into our hotel, which was the absolutely stunning Hotel National Des Arts et Metiers. With gorgeous interiors, a bustling bar and beautiful rooms with one of the comfiest beds I’ve ever slept in, it’s the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a bit of luxury in Paris.

Once we’d dropped our bags off and checked in, it was time to explore what the city had to offer. We were a bit peckish at this point so of course a trip to a creperie was in order – it would be rude not to when in Paris. We headed to Creperie Marie Madeleine, a small but perfectly formed cafe within walking distance of our hotel. They do an amazing range of traditional and gluten-free crepes, and the Nutella and Oreo one I had was out of this world. The staff in there are really friendly and helpful, particularly if you’re struggling with the language!

Once our appetites were sufficiently satisfied, we headed for a walk to see what sites we could spot. They say Paris is a city best explored on foot, and I’d definitely agree with this, but I’d advise comfortable shoes! We walked about 20,000 steps a day while we were there, and that wasn’t even two full days! It’s lovely just wandering around and discovering all the pretty cafes, artists and booksellers selling their wares and obviously the incredible landmarks of Paris. The first one we stumbled upon was Notre Dame, which was absolutely beautiful (I loved spotting the gargoyles) and had a fantastic atmosphere too – there was a violinist playing nearby which was lovely.

We also discovered a flower market and took a trip to Shakespeare and Co, a famous bookstore I now really regret not going in (there is always a queue out the door so I recommend getting here early). We went on a long walk over the Seine, which was lovely, and stopped to take some pictures at the prettiest street I’ve ever seen, with gorgeous colourful houses. I think this is actually a bit of a hidden gem, as there weren’t many people down here at all when we were there.

The Eiffel Tower at night

Our event at the Galerie Joseph took place that evening, and afterwards we felt it only right to take a trip to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up. This was a bit of a mad rush as we lost track of time and I’d really wanted to see it sparkling, but unfortunately we missed it by about five minutes. No, the Eiffel Tower doesn’t sparkle all night, just for five minutes every hour, on the hour.

It was still a stunning sight to see it all lit up, and the atmosphere around the tower was lovely – it’s a really magical place to be. I’d recommend getting your return Metro tickets from the Eiffel Tower before you go and see it, as everyone piles out after 10 (or 11 and 12 I’m assuming) once the sparkling is over, and it can be a long queue for the ticket machines. We got back to our hotel at about 11.30, had a drink at the bar and then went to bed, with very tired feet after a great first day in the city.

Day 2

We kicked off our second (and final) day in Paris with a fancy breakfast at Angelina. Established in 1903, this tea house is a popular spot that’s famed for its hot chocolate. It’s said to be one of the most delicious hot chocolates in the world, and I’m inclined to agree. I had a hot chocolate and some French toast and both were incredible – highly recommend. It’s expensive but the food is great and the setting is beautiful. I’d recommend getting here early as there are often queues out the door – we got there at around 9am which was perfect timing as we didn’t have to wait at all.

After an amazing breakfast, we headed for a walk around the Jardin des Tuileries and to see the Louvre in all its glory. We had debated heading inside to see the Mona Lisa, but as our time was tight (and the museum huge) we decided it was best to do that another time. The Louvre itself and the gardens around it were beautiful though.

Montmartre

We then headed to Montmartre, a gorgeous part of Paris full of charm and character. I’d been looking forward to visiting this area in Paris the most, and it didn’t disappoint. Cobbled streets with beautiful buildings, bustling cafes and quirky shops, it’s totally worth visiting. I loved having a wander around, admiring the street artists’ work and taking in the atmosphere. There’s also a Photoautomat here – we’ve been to a couple of these before when we visited Berlin so had to pay this one a visit.

After getting some photos and hiding from the rain in a cute little cafe called The Beans on Fire, we walked over to the Sacre Coure, a breathtaking building with stunning views of the city. It was really busy here but worth it for the lovely views and to see this beautiful building. Once we’d done here we got the Metro over to the Arc de Triumpth, to take in the chaos of the crazy traffic. Not far from the Arc de Triumpth is the gluten-free pizzeria Little Nonnas, where we stayed for a spot of lunch. I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between this pizza and a normal one, so I’d highly recommend if you’re looking for a delicious gluten-free option.

We had another little wander around near our hotel, popped into the Shakespeare and Co. cafe for an iced coffee and then it was pretty much time to pick up our things and head to the Eurostar. If you can afford it, I’d definitely say the Eurostar is the easiest and most convenient way to get to and from Paris, although it’s definitely not the cheapest option.

Overall I had an amazing 24 hours in Paris. I think my favourites parts were probably seeing the Eiffel Tower and exploring Montmartre, and I can definitely see how so many people fall in love with Paris. I’ll definitely be coming back!