Paris has long been known as one of the most romantic destinations in the world, with beautiful architecture, a rich history and some of the best restaurants and cafes. And the best part? It’s easier to get there than ever, with the Eurostar from St Pancras direct to Gare du Nord. With trains from London to Paris running regularly throughout the day, seven days a week and a journey time of two hours and sixteen minutes, it’s a no-brainer. Paris breaks with Eurostar have never been easier, quicker or more exciting. Here is how to make the most of 24 hours in Paris…
How to do Paris in 24 Hours – Paris Breaks With Eurostar
Here’s an itinerary to help you cover Paris in just 24 hours…
07:00 am – Arrive at London St Pancras to commence your trip!
Arrive at London St Pancras to commence an effortless check-in with Eurostar. We recommend booking the business premier lounge ahead of time for a truly relaxing experience, allowing you to make the most of every minute of your Paris break with Eurostar.
With comfortable seating areas, free wifi and a range of complimentary food and drink served throughout the day, it’s the perfect spot to relax and refresh ahead of your trip. Let’s face it, when heading abroad you don’t want to be pushing through throngs of people, jostling queues for a bottle of water in M&S. This makes the entire experience relaxing and hassle-free.
08:01 am – Set off on your journey from London to Paris
Climb aboard the 08:01 am train which will get you into Paris at 11:20. The Eurostar trains are sumptuously comfortable, with plush seats, plenty of leg room and high levels of cleanliness. It’s also a much more stress-free experience as opposed to air travel. There’s much less hassle prior to boarding and when you are on board, there’s more room, comfort and space to wander. You don’t need to worry about paying for extra luggage or having to put your child’s pushchair (if you have one) into the hold, or waiting at a turnstile for luggage when you reach the other end. It’s a faultless experience all the way from London to Paris.
If you’re looking to travel in real style, we recommend upgrading to Business Premier (which also includes lounge access.) With this, you can enjoy reclining seats, plenty of space and a three-course meal served with champagne. Eurostar recently celebrated their long-term collaboration with Michelin-starred Raymond Blanc OBE and his range of indulgent three-course meals for lunch and dinner as well as hearty breakfasts are something that really need to be experienced.
The entire experience from start to finish is easier than you could imagine and enables your holiday to begin before you’ve even left the country. Once you’ve enjoyed time in the lounge, make your way to the train where you can sink into your seat and make yourself comfortable for the journey ahead.
Scroll through your phone on the free on-board Wifi and take in the views of the English countryside as they whiz past your window. The whole journey takes 2 hours and 17 minutes, with the time being under the sea just 45 minutes. This means for the rest of the journey you can take in the sights and relax, indulging in the on-board food and drinks.
11:20am – Arrive in Paris and make your way to your hotel
At twenty past eleven you will pull into Gare du Nord station where you are immediately greeted by the buzzing atmosphere of Paris. Feeling relaxed and refreshed (as opposed to the pre-flight stress you often feel!) you can simply take your case and head into the city.
We recommend you book the Eiffel Turenne Hotel which is situated near the Eiffel Tower. This means you get to explore all corners of the city during your whistle stop tour, making the most of your 24 hours in Paris. To get here, it’s around half an hour by car, 24 minutes on the metro or an hour’s walk. As you’ll only have light luggage for a quick trip, we recommend walking it to take in the sights as it’s a beautiful route, but if the weather is poor or if you have limited mobility, it’s more than easy enough to get public transport.
Book your Eiffel Tower visit tickets here
The hotel itself is perfectly located just around the corner from the Champ de Mars and the Eiffel Tower, and it has plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafes right on your doorstep.
Hotel Eiffel Turenne is relatively small, with just 34 rooms, yet each has been designed to offer calm and comfort in the city centre. Air-conditioned, recently renovated and well decorated, it’s the perfect spot to make your base while in Paris. We recommend booking a prestige room for a bit more space and stunning views from the window. The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, however there is a continental breakfast available for a charge. When heading to Paris for just 24 hours, you want to get out and try some of the local cuisine anyway, so this isn’t something to worry about!
Book the Hotel Eiffel Turenne Here
12:30pm – Find a spot for lunch
We recommend Le Cafe de Mars, a real gem in the heart of Paris. Complete with 50s formica counters and traditional Parisian style decor it’s a buzzing yet cosy spot to dine. Just ten minute’s walk from the Eiffel Tower (and also your hotel) it’s an effortless choice. When it comes to Paris breaks with Eurostar, this is one place to tick off your list.
1:30pm – Take a bus tour of the city
When you’re only in a city for 24 hours, you don’t have the time to walk everywhere. While you can get an Uber, costs can rack up and it can be a pain trying to get a cab every time you want to move to the next spot. Instead, we recommend taking the Big Bus Tour.
Adult tickets are priced from €38.70 for 24hr unlimited hop on hop off routes, or you can spend €51.30 to include a river cruise too. The route covers ten stops, including the Louvre, the Notre Dame, Champs-Elysees, Eiffel Tower and more. You can use your ticket unlimited times over the 24 hour period and with very regular buses stopping at each location, it’s easier than ever to tick all the sights off your list.
Book your Big Bus Tour Tickets Here
6pm – Head back to your hotel to get ready for dinner
Head back to the hotel to get ready for dinner, picking up a bottle of local wine on the way to enjoy in your room. With views of the Eiffel Tower just beyond, it’s the perfect place to fling open your windows and sip on a smooth vino rogue while the sun sets.
7pm – Out for dinner at Café des Officiers
A short walk from your hotel is Café des officiers, a classic French bistro complete with an outside terrace. Here you can tuck into a range of starters including French onion soup (the best I’ve ever had!) snails, foie gras and marrow bone. There are a selection of sharing dishes as well as salads and mains such as a Parisian-style beef tartate, oven-browned chicken, cheeseburgers and a selection of veggie, fish and pasta dishes. The setting is beautiful, the atmosphere relaxing and it’s a great place to enjoy some typical French cuisine. Wash it down with a local wine or a cocktail.
9pm – Wander to the Eiffel Tower for the lights show
No Paris breaks with Eurostar is complete without seeing the Eiffel tower lights show. Every evening, the Eiffel Tower’s beacon will light up and the body will be covered in a beautiful golden light for a five minute spectacular show. This takes place on the hour every hour from dusk to 11pm. The exception is during the summer months and French holiday periods, when the Eiffel Tower closes its doors at 12.45 am. You can watch the light show from the ground, but it’s also great to witness the glittering lights of the city from above. Book your Eiffel Tower visit in advance for the best vantage point of the city and to get the best price. If you leave it too late you can find you miss out on the timeslot you want and it can also be more expensive.
10pm – Head for a nightcap at Le Gloster
Le Gloster is a new concept bar that prides itself on its exotic, tropical theme. With a fantastic collection of creative rum cocktails as well as classic drinks, wines and beers you’re spoilt for choice. Just a short walk from both the Eiffel Tower and your hotel, it’s perfect for a nightcap and you don’t have to walk very far to get back to your room!
7am – Make The Most Of The Morning
We recommend waking early to make the most of your last day. Take a wander around the area near to your hotel where you can find a number of local boulangeries ideal for a pastry and coffee for breakfast. We recommend taking this to the Trocadero gardens and enjoying it al fresco or heading to the Champs Elysee for a quick shop before going home. You can walk here in 20 minutes, or get a number 28 bus which takes around 20 minutes.
11am – Back to Gare du Nord for your Eurostar back to the UK
After a meandre around the shops, head back to Gare du Nord for your Eurostar back to the UK. Again, check in is effortless and the journey will be complete in no time.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this 24 hour guide to Paris, showing just how easy it is to make the most of 24 hours in this beautiful, historic city. You can book your hotel here, tickets for your Paris breaks with Eurostar here and your tickets for the Big Bus Tour here. Get in touch with us if you have any questions or want to know more!
