12 Hours in Paris

If you have just 12 hours in Paris or only a short layover in Paris, and you want to see as much as possible of this incredible city, this guide is for you.

All you need is a little planning and a little motivation to experience some of the most popular destinations in the city.

From the River Seine to the Sacre Coeur, I’ll cover it all. Don’t worry, I’ll leave you plenty of time to get back to the airport. 

So grab your camera, your most comfortable shoes, and let’s go.

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12 Hours in Paris – How to Spend a Layover in Paris

Paris is one of the most impressive cities in the world in my opinion. No matter how much time you have here, it’s easy to find something worthwhile to do.

I’m including my own favorite things to do in Paris down below, but select the most interesting activities to you. There’s no reason to stress out running around the city, you can always come back again for another visit.

If you’d like to leave the planning and transportation to the professionals, you can also join one of the guided tours linked above.

6:30 a.m. – Eric Kayser Bakery (10 minutes)

We start our day as any day in Paris should start, with coffee and a pain au chocolate.

While there are many fantastic bakeries and pastry shops in Paris that I think you should try, I select Eric Kayser here because they are pretty darn good, and they are everywhere.

They also open at 6:30 a.m. and we need an early start to our busy day. So grab a coffee and a pastry of your choice from the nearest Eric Kayser bakery. Make sure to ask for it to go!

Next stop: Sacre Coeur

As you’re walking out of Eric Kayser, pull up Google Maps on your phone and make your way to the nearest train station.

If you enter Sacre Couer as your destination in Google Maps from your current location, transit directions will be shown that include which train(s) to take.

Transit time to the Sacre Coeur will vary depending on which Eric Kayser location was nearest your hotel, but you should be able to get there from the city center in roughly 30 to 45 minutes. 

7:20 a.m.  – Sacre Coeur Basilica (60 minutes)

If you can get to the Sacre Coeur before 7:30 a.m. or so, you get to watch the sunrise over Paris from the summit of butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city.

Down the steps from the front entrance of the Sacre Coeur is a large observation deck perfect for watching the sunrise. Spend a few minutes here enjoying the view and getting some pictures if you like.

Once you’re ready, turn around and head up the stairs to the basilica. 

On most days it won’t be very busy at this hour, so now is the time to get your photos. The basilica took almost 40 years to build and was completed in 1914.

It is the second most visited monument in the city (I’m sure you can guess the first) and was built in what is described as a “free interpretation of the Romano-Byzantine” style. Whatever that means to you I don’t know, but the Sacre Coeur is just stunning.

Well worth the early wake-up time to see before the crowds arrive. Once you’re done viewing the outside, walk up the stairs to the left of the building to the main entrance.

Admission is free, but security will be there to check your bags. Once you clear bag check, spend as much time as you like admiring the inside of this incredible building. 

After you’ve finished up inside, head back out the main entrance and walk around the backside of the basilica. Once you reach the back of the building you will see a walkway to the left that leads you through the charming Montmartre neighborhood.

Take about 20 minutes or so walking through the neighborhood before you make your way back to the train station. There are lots of staircases, narrow walkways, and cute storefronts. 

Next stop: Notre Dame Cathedral

Bring up your Google Maps again to get transit directions to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Transit time between the Sacre Coeur and the Notre Dame Cathedral is about 33 minutes. 

8:55 – Notre Dame Cathedral (60 minutes)

The Notre Dame Cathedral is a medieval Catholic cathedral considered to be one of the best examples of French Gothic architecture in the world.

The cathedral took about 100 years to build and was finished around 1260. When you arrive, spend a few minutes out front admiring the building and getting any photos you want. Once you’re ready, head over to the main entrance to the right of the front of the building.

You may see that a line has formed to get in, but the line moves fast. Have your bags open and remove your sunglasses and hats to keep the line moving. You will not be permitted to wear these items inside. 

Once inside, take your time walking around and exploring. There is lots to see. When you’re finished, head back outside through the main exit and make your way to the back of the cathedral.

The backside of the Notre Dame Cathedral is just as beautiful and intricate as the front. Most visitors don’t bother to view it from this angle but it’s worth the few extra minutes of your time. 

Next Stop: Jardin du Luxembourg

As you finish up at the Notre Dame cathedral, take a moment to decide if you’d prefer to take the train or walk to your next destination.

Jardin du Luxembourg is either a 17-minute walk or a 7-minute train ride away. The walk is easy and flat and takes you through a residential neighborhood. If you prefer to take the train, head to the nearest train station. 

10:15 – Jardin du Luxembourg (45 minutes)

Jardin du Luxembourg, or Luxembourg Gardens, is a huge botanical garden filled with a wide variety of plants, trees, and flowers.

The Luxembourg Gardens were created back in 1612 to serve as the grounds for a palace built for the widow of King Henry IV of France.  Today, many locals visit the park to relax, run, or take their dog for a walk.

There are several trails taking you throughout the gardens where you will find more than 100 statues, fountains, a fruit orchard with apple and pear trees, bee boxes (there’s even a beekeeping school nearby), a pavilion,  a pond, and a cafe. Take your time, get a little lost, and have fun. 

Next Stop: Lunch

After you’ve finished meandering through the Jardin du Luxembourg, it’s time for lunch. There are a couple of options I recommend, both within a 5-minute walk from the gardens. 

11:10 a.m. – Lunch (60 minutes)

For lunch, I’m giving you a few suggestions on where to eat in Paris, but you really have unlimited options. The recommendations below are located a short distance from the Luxembourg Gardens.

All serve French cuisine, and all receive excellent reviews. Here is a brief description and link to their respective menus:

• Les Papilles: Lovely and intimate French bistro with a set four-course menu. The food is delicious, just go for it.  Please note: They are closed Sunday and Monday. 
•  Au Pere Louis: A lovely French restaurant and wine bar. They serve a nice charcuterie plate to pair with their extensive wine list but also have salads, steaks, and a variety of other entrees. 
• La Creperie: Serving a delicious variety of crepes. Make this your choice if you’re in a bit of a hurry or don’t want the sit-down experience. The crepes are fantastic and served quickly. 

Next stop: The Louvre

As you’re waiting for your food to arrive, bring up your Google Maps to get transit directions to the Louvre. Transit time between lunch (if near Luxembourg Gardens) and the Louvre is about 20 minutes. 

12:30 p.m. – The Louvre (90 minutes)

I strongly suggest booking your ticket to the Louvre ahead of time online. You’ll save so much time and avoid all the lines. Here’s where you can book your ticket for the Louvre. 

The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the entire world. It is also home to the most famous painting in the entire world. But please, don’t just plan a visit to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa.

There are so many other incredible pieces of art inside the Louvre, you’d really be missing out if you only visited to see one thing. So I recommend saving the Mona Lisa for last and going off to explore another area of the museum that interests you.

Save your viewing of the Mona Lisa for your last 20 to 25 minutes or so. Yes, the area around the Mona Lisa is very busy, but if you’re patient you will work your way to front in just a few minutes. Get your pictures, and then let’s go. 

Next stop: Laduree

As you’re walking out of the Louvre, use your Google Maps to direct you to Laduree Carrousel of the Louvre. This is on the grounds of the Louvre and will be just a short walk of a few minutes. 

2:10 p.m. – Laduree (20 minutes)

Laduree is the most popular of Paris’ many macaron shops. This is where you get those fresh and delicious macarons in the pretty boxes. Stop in to try a few for yourself or grab a box or two for a few lucky friends back home. My favorite is pistachio!

Next stop: Arc de Triomphe

Once you’ve got your macarons in hand, use your Google Maps to get transit directions to the Arc de Triomphe.

Transit time between Laduree and the Arc de Triomphe is about 16 minutes. 

2:50 p.m. – Arc de Triomphe (20 minutes)

The Arc de Triomphe is found at the western end of the Champs Elysees, the most famous avenue in Paris. It is one of the most famous and recognizable monuments in Paris and stands 164 feet high and 148 feet wide. 

The Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Beneath the arc’s vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Don’t forget to walk around it to view it from all sides. 

Next stop: Eiffel Tower

After you’ve finished viewing the Arc de Triomphe, bring up your Google Maps to get transit directions to the Eiffel Tower.

Transit time between the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower is about 26 minutes. 

3:45 p.m. – Eiffel Tower (120 minutes)

You definitely want to book your ticket to the top of the Eiffel Tower ahead of time. On many days, tickets to visit the top of the tower can sell out.

Here is where you can book your tickets to the top of the Eiffel Tower. 

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. It was built between 1887 and 1889 and was constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair.

It is the tallest structure in Paris at 1,063 feet tall, or about 81 stories high. You’ll likely be spending quite a bit of time here, so just relax and enjoy that you’re in Paris. Take the photos you want as you approach the Eiffel Tower, and then any additional as you get closer. 

Once you’ve finished, look on your ticket to see which entrance to head to at the base of the tower. You’ll take an elevator to the first level viewing platform, where you will find additional elevators to take you to the top. You’ll find restrooms and a gift shop on this level as well.

Take your time, you can stay as long as you want. If you time it correctly, you might even get to watch the sunset from the top of the tower. 

Next stop: Your choice

When you’re ready to leave the Eiffel Tower, walk to a convenient location to be picked up, and request an Uber. 

If you started this adventure from the beginning in the morning, you have officially completed the full 12 Hours in Paris itinerary. Once your Uber arrives, you can request to be taken to wherever you need to go, be it your hotel, the airport, or the train station. 

I hope you’ve had as much fun as I did during my visits to Paris. If you’ve got more time to spare, be sure to check out some of the city’s lounges or wine bars. I promise you’ll love the nightlife in Paris.

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, consider getting tickets to see the famous Moulin Rouge. 

If you’re going to be in Europe for a while and plan to visit Italy, make sure to visit Rome’s Trastavere neighborhood for its charming streets and incredible food. 

How to get to Paris

If you’ve found yourself in Paris with only 12 hours, chances are you are on a layover or just passing through. This means you’ve probably arrived by either plane or train. 

You don’t need a car to visit Paris. I recommend hopping on the next local Metro train or calling an Uber to get you to your hotel (if you’ll be staying the night).

If you are on a layover with no hotel, you can store your luggage at Charles de Gaulle airport. The airport luggage storage is 15 Euro for smaller personal items or 28 Euro for larger luggage up to 66 pounds. These prices are for one day, but you can see prices online here. 

Where to stay in Paris

If you have just 12 hours in Paris, then you’re going to want to stay close to the action. I’ve listed a few options below for each major budget category:

Budget

Ibis Budget – Porte de Montmartre:  Clean and comfortable budget hotel located in the charming Montmartre neighborhood, not far from the Sacre Couer. 

Hotel Eiffel Kensington: If you want to be close to the Eiffel Tower, this is the hotel for you. Not a lot of amenities, but it’s clean, convenient, and affordable. 

Moderate

Courtyard by Marriott Gare de Lyon: This is a very comfortable and clean mid-range hotel located fairly close to the action. As an added bonus, the hotel is also right across the street from Eric Kayser bakery and a Metro station. This is the hotel I typically stay at in Paris.

Holiday Inn Paris – Elysees: This is also a clean and comfortable mid-range hotel located closer to the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. You’ll still need to catch the train to these spots, but the Metro station is one block away. 

Luxury

The Mandarin Oriental: Super fancy luxury hotel located walking distance to the Louvre. The hotel is gorgeous and perfect for an Instagram photo shoot if you’re into that sort of thing. 

The Four Seasons: Also super fancy and also gorgeous. This hotel offers every amenity under the sun that you can think of. Not walking distance to any of the major sites, but I’m sure the hotel offers a service to get you there.