24 Hours in Paris - What to Do, See, Eat and Experience on a Whirlwind Trip
Just over two hours from London by train, Paris is one of my favourite cities to visit - if only for a day! Whether you're heading to Paris for lunch or exploring the area on a whirlwind adventure; I thought I'd share my top tips for the most incredible 24 hours in Paris.
When You Arrive
If you hop on the Eurostar at around 7am, you'll arrive in Paris at around 10am, just in time for morning tea. My recommendation? Grab a croissant or pan au chocolat at a nearby boulangerie before a little sight seeing at the Notre Dame Cathedral.
From here, wander around the old Latin Quarter, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the music from local buskers. Walk Boul St Michel & Germain for endless window shopping and you can even take a walking tour if you want to know more about the history of the area.
Mid Morning
Now the shopping really begins. Hop in a cab and travel to Avenue Montaigne. Close by your lunch destination and the Grande Dame of Parisian streets, Avenue Montaigne is the perfect place to window shop or shop up a storm. From luxury fashion labels to celebrated jewellery stores, here you'll find Chanel, Valentino, Gucci, Lacroix, Fendi, Bulgari and more.
Don't worry, there's more shopping to be done later too!
Lunchtime
L'Avenue is my number one lunch spot in Paris. Perfect for people watching, L'Avenue is the place to see and be seen. Perfect in all weather, dine outside under the black marque or enjoy lunch inside, lounging on a red velvet sofa. Bookings are essential for L'Avenue so be sure to book ahead so you're not disappointed.
I order the same thing almost every time I'm at L'Avenue; the King Crab Heart of Lettuce Salad and Fresh Cream and Red Berries for dessert. Simple but oh so delicious.
Afternoon
It's not a trip to Paris without a visit to the Eiffel Tower - and what better way to walk off that delicious lunch than to take a quick 20 minute walk over to see the Eiffel Tower.
Continue your sight seeing by hopping on a motorbike (rent your own or use a tour company - ask the hotel concierge for recommendations) or bicycle and heading over to the Louvre and Palais Royal for some shopping before refuelling with a hot chocolate and mont blanc at Angelina.
While you're in the area, don't miss Rue St Honoré, one of the best shopping streets in Paris. Dedicated to luxury fashion design houses, this is where you'll find Hermes, Lanvin, Michael Kors and more.
Dinner
Hotel Costes is nearby and one of my favourite places for dinner and nightlife. The restaurant serves traditional brasseries style food whilst a DJ plays in the background. Go later if you just want to drink and people watch. If you want to people watch at Hotel Costes instead, head back to your hotel to freshen up and enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the hotel. We love the chic ambience of L'Orangerie on a beautiful summer's evening or inside at Le George on a cooler day.
Time for Sleep
Located just steps from the Champs-Elysees is the Four Season's Hotel George V, the perfect home for the night. From the moment you enter, you are greeted with the most exquisite floral display and French decadence continues throughout. The George V is a grand hotel with a very intimate feel.
The Next Morning
Before leaving Paris, I always like to head to a local market to pick up some local cheese and a fresh baguette for the train trip home. There are so many markets to be found in Paris, all occuring on different days and at different times. Talk to the hotel concierge and ask for the recommendations before checking out.
If You Have Extra Time
I highly recommend heading over to Montmarte for some more sightseeing and shopping!
At the top of the hill, you'll see the incredible Basilica of Sacre-Coeur (shown in the background of our family photo) and the stalls and shops are filled with little trinkets to take home.
The Moulin Rouge is close by, but for me the real attraction is Place du Tertre where the incredible artists of the 20th century used to roam. Today you'll find itfilled with portrait sketchers, watercolor artists and caricaturists who are eager to create a one of a kind souveneir for you to take home.