We’ve been to Paris many times and we take any chance we get to come back, so when we recently had a full day here with a family member visiting, we used it as a chance to map out what we actually think is worth doing in a short visit. Not a checklist, but a realistic route for a day in Paris. And the good news is, it’s very budget-friendly!
This is a walking itinerary. Everything is planned so you can move through Paris on foot for most of the day, without constantly dealing with transport or moving a car around. It keeps things simple, efficient, without spending a fortune.
Paris on a Budget
Money spent: ~35€
We began our day here with lunch, mainly because we had been travelling and were a bit tired, so we decided to sleep in and skip breakfast.
But at the end of the post, we’ll show you how you can easily shift this same route to start with breakfast instead. No extra planning or finding new places yourself. You can just use the spots we already include in the itinerary and adjust the order to fit your morning.
We ate at Les Antiquaires on Rue du Bac, a famous street in Paris for its food scene, just across the Seine from the Louvre. It was the first time we’d ever tried it and we weren’t disappointed.
Outside, it has that classic Paris café setup, chairs lined up along the terrace, lots of people sitting for lunch, very typical Paris. Inside, it’s warm, traditional, and very well looked after. We were seated close to the window, which gave us a nice view of the street.
What we ordered…
We ordered a mix of dishes that stood out to us on the menu. The French onion soup was a highlight. Really rich in flavour, perfect texture, and exactly what you want from it, especially with that layer of melted cheese on top.
We also had the confit lamb shoulder with homemade mashed potatoes, which was probably the best dish on the table. The lamb was incredibly soft, it basically fell apart, and was full of flavour. The mashed potatoes were creamy, buttery, I just couldn’t get enough of them.
Someone else ordered the burger, which was simple but really well done. And we also tried the beef bourguignon, a classic French dish. It came served in a traditional-style French copper pan, which added to the homemade feel, and the beef was really tender with a deep, slow-cooked flavour. Again, the potatoes were soft and buttery, and tied everything together well.
For dessert, we had the crème brûlée. The flavour itself was good, but the sugar top didn’t quite have that satisfying crack you usually expect, so it missed a bit of that wow factor. Still enjoyable, just not the standout of the meal.
What we rate it…
They’re also known for seafood platters, with oysters and shellfish displayed outside on ice, which you can see as you walk past.
Overall, we really enjoyed it. The food was delicious, the service was good, and the interior was charming. On top of that, the location is great, right in the middle of Saint-Germain and close to a lot of key sights, which makes it an easy stop to fit into a day like this.
We rate it an 8.5/10!
Luxembourg Gardens
Money spent: 0€ (~10 if you buy macarons or snacks)
The Luxembourg Gardens are in the 6th arrondissement on the Left Bank, right next to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, only a 20 min walk from the restaurant, so you can easily add them to your itinerary. The gardens were created in the 1600s for Marie de’ Medici and today they’re one of the most popular parks in the city.
The main things to see are the large central pond, the beautiful Luxembourg Palace, the Medici Fountain, the Greek artist statue and the seasonal flower beds throughout the gardens.
For us, the most iconic part of the park are the green chairs placed around the gardens and pond. We recommend grabbing a croissant, coffee or macarons from a nearby bakery and enjoying it on one of the chairs. It’s one of the easiest ways to enjoy Paris without spending much money. We stopped by Ladurée to pick up some macarons. They’re not our favourite macarons in the city, but they’re still very good and the experience is worth it, especially if it’s your first time visiting Paris. The shop itself is beautiful inside and has become an iconic shop for a reason.
The gardens are clean, well maintained and especially beautiful in spring and summer when the flowers are in bloom. Even if you only have one day in Paris, we definitely think it’s worth adding it to your itinerary.
Shakespeare & Company
Money spent: ~0€
Next we’ll walk 15 mins to Paris’ most famous English-language bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, located right near the Notre-Dame. It became well known for its connection to writers like Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce and has become a classic stop for book lovers visiting the city.
Inside, you’ll find rooms packed floor to ceiling with books, little reading corners and the iconic piano room upstairs.
Because of how popular it’s become online, there’s usually a line to get in and it can feel very crowded inside, especially in the afternoon.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Money spent: ~0€
Across the Seine, Located on Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world and one of the city’s most important landmarks. Construction began in the 1100s and it’s known for its Gothic architecture, stained glass windows and detailed stone carvings.
As most people know, the cathedral was heavily damaged in the 2019 fire and remained closed for years during restoration. It has now reopened to visitors, which means you can finally go back inside and see the restored interior.
We actually decided not to go in because the line was extremely long, so that’s definitely something to keep in mind when planning your visit. Since reopening, it’s been very crowded, especially during the middle of the day.
Entry to the cathedral itself is free, but you can also book a timed guided tour in advance for around €10 if you want to avoid some of the uncertainty and learn more about the history while visiting.
Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole
Money spent: ~0€
Just around the corner from the Notre-Dame, Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole is one of the most photographed restaurants in the area, built in 1512. It’s known for its historic façade and the purple wisteria that drapes over the front in spring and summer, which is what most people come to see and take pictures of. I’ve always wondered how it must feel for the people sitting outside enjoying a coffee with a groups people passing by taking videos.
We didn’t eat here since we had just had lunch, but it’s still worth stopping by briefly for the exterior alone.
And don’t be afraid to ask politely if you can go upstairs. If it’s not busy, they often allow it, and it’s totally worth it, it’s stunning inside.
Hôtel de Ville Paris
Money spent: ~0€
After taking some pictures of Aux Vieux Paris d’Arcole, we’re going to cross the Pont d’Arcole bridge and make our way to the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville (the Town Square) to see the Hôtel de Ville. Throughout the year, the square in front of it is used for big city events. In summer, it’s often part of Paris Plages, where the riverbanks and nearby areas are turned into temporary “beaches” with sand, loungers and activities. In June, it hosts parts of Fête de la Musique, with free live music across the city. In October, it’s also a key location during Nuit Blanche, when you can find contemporary art installations all over public spaces at night. In winter, there is usually a Christmas market we love going to.
The French Bastards
Money spent: ~5-7€
Just around the corner is where we’ll grab a snack or a coffee. The French Bastards is a bakery, pastry and coffee spot we’ve actually talked about before on this channel when we visited Lille, and loved their salted caramel éclairs. So when we saw they had locations in Paris, we had to go back. We often prefer skipping dessert at a restaurant and instead grabbing something at a bakery. It’s better for the budget, plus you get to explore and try more places.
The standout was the lemon meringue dessert, which was big enough to easily share if you don’t want something too heavy. We also had a mix of croissants and chocolate pastries, all really high quality. Everything tasted freshly baked, and exactly what you want from a proper French bakery.
The only thing we didn’t try, which we actually regret, was the cronut with cookie dough on top. That one is still on the list for next time.
Overall, it’s a really solid bakery. Good coffee, great pastries, and many locations all over Paris so you can easily fit it into any itinerary.
Louvre Pyramids
Money spent: ~0€
From here, we walked 20 mins towards the Louvre Pyramids. We didn’t go inside the Louvre itself. And realistically, if you only have one day in Paris, we don’t recommend spending it inside the museum. It’s incredible if you have more time, especially if you’re into art and want to see things like the Mona Lisa, but it will easily take up your entire day.
Instead, we think it’s enough to see the pyramids from outside. It’s one of the most iconic spots in the city, and of course you get that classic photo of pinching the tip of the pyramid.
Café Marly Paris
Money spent: ~8€
Right next to it, you also have the option to stop at Café Marly. It’s definitely on the pricier side, so we’d say it’s more about the experience than anything else. Even just a coffee or a simple drink here is enough. You can sit facing the pyramids from the terrace above or down closer on the same level as the pyramids. Both give you a really nice view.
Tuileries Garden
Money spent: ~0€
From the Louvre, it’s a very short walk into the Tuileries Garden. Easily the most iconic park in Paris. We absolutely love walking in the gardens surrounded by classic Parisien buildings, despite the crowds
If you exit towards the Tuileries metro side, you’ll also find Angelina Paris just nearby. It’s a historic tea room, really beautiful inside with chandeliers and that old, sophisticated old. Even if you don’t stop for anything, it’s worth going in just to see it. They’re known for their famous Mont Blanc pastry and thick hot chocolate with chantilly cream, but since we already had something at French Bastards, we’d skip ordering here.
River Cruise on the Seine by the Eiffel Tower
Money spent: ~17€
From here, we make our way towards the Seine and down to the Eiffel Tower area for the boat ride. We had our car so we parked it close by, but you can take public transport or walk 40 mins which we actually really recommend, we love walking at the bottom right by the river and enjoy the views.
The queue can get quite long, especially later in the day, and it’s a very popular activity. However, there are many boats that depart often, so the line moves quite quickly.
The boat itself is one of the best ways to see Paris in a short amount of time. You pass all the main landmarks along the Seine in a short amount of time.
It loops back towards the Eiffel Tower, which is why we recommend timing it for later in the day. Seeing it from the water as it gets darker, and then arriving back as night sets in, is honestly one of the best ways to experience it.
Watch the Sparkling of the Eiffel Tower
Once you’re back, we suggest staying around for the Eiffel Tower sparkle. We’ve seen it from a few spots over the years, our favourites are from the Arc de Triomphe, from bridges along the Seine, even from the night bus that times it perfectly, but seeing it right at the base of the tower is one of our new favourite ways to do it.
How to Adjust This Itinerary to Start with Breakfast
That’s the end of the itinerary. If you wanted to start the same route with breakfast instead of lunch, it’s very easy to adjust without changing anything else in the day.
Starting in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the first stop is breakfast at The French Bastards.
From there, we walk towards Hôtel de Ville, before heading just around the corner to Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole.
A few steps away is Notre-Dame de Paris, and then we cross the bridge to the Shakespeare and Company bookstore.
From here, we slow things down in Jardin du Luxembourg. You can also grab a treat from Ladurée and bring it into the gardens.
After Luxembourg Gardens, we head to a sit-down lunch at the restaurant in this area.
Then we continue on foot to the Louvre Museum, just across the bridge.
From there, the route naturally flows through the Tuileries Garden, with a stop at Angelina Paris along the way.
We then make our way down to the Seine for a boat ride, finishing at the Eiffel Tower. Once you arrive back, you’ll catch the Eiffel Tower sparkle, which wraps up the day.
As you can see this route is very easy to adjust depending on your travel style or interests.
Related Reads You’ll Love…
If you’re planning a longer trip to Paris, we have plenty more guides that can help.
Here are 15 things you NEED to know before visiting Paris!
Check out our 3-day Paris itinerary if you’re spending a few extra days in the city, our Paris on a budget guide for affordable ways and travel tips to experience the city, and our guide to visiting Paris at Christmas if you’re traveling during the festive season.
We also have detailed day trip guides to Versailles (everything you need to know about visiting) and to Giverny, where you can visit Claude Monet’s famous house and gardens.
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