24 Hours in Paris

Later this month, La Ville-Lumière will bask in the limelight of the Summer Olympics. Here’s an itinerary to experience its timeless magic.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris on a spring day. Giovani Cordioli/Getty Images

Just whisper the name—Paris—and all sorts of beautiful images flood into your mind. It’s the City of Love and the City of Light. Home to unmistakable icons such as the Eiffel Tower, the Panthéon, and the Arc de Triomphe. Bookshops and markets and bakeries and brasseries. For centuries, the French capital has been a magnet for artists and writers and philosophers and chefs. This summer, they’ll welcome the whole world for the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, adding even more lore and legend to this lovely city.

Arrival

While Paris has two major international airports, the majority of flights from North America land at Charles de Gaulle International (CDG). It sits just more than 20 miles from the city center, so you have many options for transportation. The fastest, easiest way into the urban core is aboard a regional commuter train (RER). These frequently depart from the station beneath the airport to Gare du Nord, getting you there (in most cases) in under 40 minutes.

Morning

From there, take the direct Metro line to the heart of it all, where Paris began, in Ile-de-la-Cité. This small island in the Seine River has been the seat of political and religious power since the Romans built a fortress for their governor here in the 4th century. First stop: have a look at the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral. Since the disastrous fire in 2019, crews have been working hard to restore the famous 12th-century church. Reconstruction is nearing its completion, and the cathedral could reopen to the public as early as the end of this year.