Paris is one of Europe’s top destinations for short breaks, combining a rich culture, deep historical roots, renowned cuisine, architecture, and worldwide recognition as an iconic European spot to visit. Romanticism aside (thank you modern media, ahem, Emily in Paris), Paris is an incredible option for a UK day-tripper, especially if you’re in a satellite town of the capital. With only 24 hours on your hands, you’ll need to be organised to handle those pesky logistics – but once you’re there, here’s how to have an amazing time in the City Of Love and be back in time to enjoy a lazy Sunday.
Getting There
Okay, let’s be honest, travelling is always the hardest part of journeys like these. For a Brighton local, for example, you’re going to be traversing over 200km each way. For those of us who don’t live within London’s first five zones, a weekend in Paris means an early rise and a late journey home to make sure you’re spending the maximum time there.
Naturally, Eurostar is your best friend. When booking train tickets, it’s important to remember that the fastest route to Paris is from St Pancras station in Central London. While an average Eurostar fare is around £220, the earlier you book in advance, the lower your fare, with the potential to acquire tickets for under £200! Brighton to London is a quick overground service, followed by your roughly three-hour Eurostar journey (an opportunity to grab some breakfast) – so if you can get up around 6 am, you can be in Paris by 11 am, ready to explore, with a little planning.
The Day
If you’re in the mood for a proper Parisian breakfast when you’ve arrived at the Gare Du Nord, you won’t be disappointed. Caf é s are an institution in Paris, so we recommend heading to the Trocadero, a large square opposite the Eiffel Tower, where you’ll find a number of spots including the Café du Trocadéro and Les Gourmandises Du Trocadero. From here, you’re well placed to have a stroll through the Trocadero Gardens. This is a great spot for photos behind the iconic tower and the Fountain of Warsaw is also a really popular spot to check out.
While you’re near the Eiffel Tower, you might be tempted to climb its 1665 steps and check out what must be the best view in Paris. Well, we’re here to tell you otherwise. The Eiffel Tower view is breathtaking, but it can be time-consuming to queue and climb. Instead, head towards the Arc Du Triomphe for an incredible view of the twelve roads that converge around the Arc. From here you get a unique angle of Paris and direct routes to follow, leading to the Louvre, the Grande Arche de La Défense or a walk the Champs-Elysées stretch.
Head down the Champs-Elysees to either spend a fortune on designer clothing or just stick to window shopping if you’re on a budget! This route will take you to the Pont Alexandre III bridge, one of Paris’ most famous and picturesque thoroughfares and only a few minutes’ walk from the breathtaking Grand Palace and Petit Palace.
Your Final Stop
From here, we recommend one of Paris’ aesthetic districts – you have to head to Montmartre. One of the artsier neighbourhoods, the commercialisation of Montmartre has not managed to take the soul and charm out of the area just yet. Take a long stroll through streets like Place du Tertre (a square you’ll have seen on countless postcards), Sacré-Cœur (a free-to-visit Basilica), Le Mur des Je t‘aime (the ‘I Love you’ wall, a must for couples!), Espace Dali (an amazing art museum dedicated to Salvador Dali) and finally, the Montmartre Cemetery (less morbid, more a fascinating slice of Parisian history). Montmartre is a great place to spend the remainder of the daytime before your journey home thanks to its uniqueness and preservation of Paris culture you won’t always see in movies or on TV.
Phew – you made it – that was a long day! You can take the metro or a bus back to the Gare Du Nord from Montmartre and swiftly follow that with a nap on the Eurostar home, you’ll have done enough walking for a lifetime after that itinerary. Paris is a beautiful place, and one to be enjoyed for more than a day; however, for the budding day-tripper, we can’t recommend it highly enough. After all, where else, but Paris?
