A Few Hours in Paris

You can enjoy this grand city, even if you have only a few hours to spend in Paris. I flew into Paris from the U.S. and spent just a late afternoon and evening before heading to Normandy the next morning. Dealing with jet lag, I still wanted to make the most of my time. It helps to stay outdoors as much as possible, rather than going in darkened museums or churches when you are sleep-deprived, for example. I was pleased with my plan, so I’ll share it in hopes that, if you have just a short time in this rich place, you can get some ideas of how you can best tour the sights. Here’s what I did.

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First stop: The Palais Royal

This was around the corner from our hotel, so we headed here first. You’ll find 260 short columns of black and white in the court of honor of the Palais Royal. I hear that this art is controversial, but I find it fun. It’s worth a look.

Making our way toward the Louvre, we ran into a talented group of musicians entertaining passersby.

On to the Louvre

One of my favorite places in Paris is Pyramid Place, which is the front entrance of the Louvre. The famous glass pyramid gives this area its name. If you arrive on a Tuesday, when the museum is closed, crowds were not as big as usual.The buildings and the sculptures are magnificent.

The Place du Carrousel

Crossing the street, I came to the small Arch de Triomphe (the larger one is straight down the Champs Elysees). Military shows put on for royalty were called “carrousels” or “little wars.” The arch here was commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806, modeled after a famous arch in Rome.

The Tuileries Garden

The long stretch of gardens and fountains between the Louvre and the Place de Concord is always a welcome place to relax. Created by Catherine de Medici as the “front yard” of the palace in the 1500s, the Tuileries Garden became a public park after the French Revolution. For hundreds of years now, it’s been a place where Parisians meet and enjoy the outdoors.
And from the Tuileries, I glimpsed the iconic Eiffel Tower.

The Seine and Notre Dame

Notre Dame is being restored after he tragic fire of 2019. A quick glance shows the twin towers of the front looking no different.

This photo shows the scaffolding behind the facade later in 2019. A wooden fence blocks the entrance to Notre Dame, but you can still get a good view of the towers. And the crypt is open, where you can see diggings from the early days of Paris.

As the sun shine on the front of Notre Dame, the beauty of this symbol of Paris is undiminished.

I stopped at a sidewalk cafe for a cold drink, then made my way back to the hotel. After a yummy Italian dinner, lack of sleep caught up with me and I had to call it a day. But I felt like I had experienced some of my favorites in Parisin the few hours I was able to wander here. And I certainly hope to return!

Where to Stay in Paris

I stayed at the Hotel Moliere, just a few blocks from the Louvre. The central location of this hotel allowed us to drop luggage off, freshen up, and head out for sightseeing on foot.

Hotels of all levels of expense can be found in this area, including some extremely pricey ones adjacent to the Louvre. This mid-price hotel turned out to be the perfect location.

Book your stay at Hotel Moliere near the Louvre and the lovely Tuileries Garden.

If you have an overnight stop in Paris, be sure to sample the flavor of the city, even if your time is limited. Even a few hours in Paris can be magical. As they say, Paris is always a good idea!

Other places to stay in Paris

Paris offers hundreds of hotels. It’s sometimes overwhelming to start looking for a place to stay. Here are a few suggestions for lovely hotels near some of the sites mentioned. With the excellent Paris Metro system, you will be able to arrive wherever you like with just a little planning.

Near the Invalides: The Hotel de Varenne is exquisitely decorated and includes an inviting patio. You can walk from here to the Invalides as well as the Rodin Museum. (7th arrondissement)

Book your stay at the elegant Hotel de Varenne around the corner from the Rodin Museum.

Near the Pantheon: Hotel des Grand Hommes and (right next door) the Hotel les Dames du Pantheon. Both of these elegant hotels are across the street from the Pantheon. From my balcony room at the Grand Hommes I watched the sun rise on the iconic Pantheon. (5th arrondissement)

Book your stay at the Hotel des Grand Hommes and enjoy a view of the stately Pantheon out your window.

Near the Museum of the Liberation of Paris: Hotel Serotel Lutece is in the Latin Quarter, not exactly near the museum. But it is within comfortable walking distance. You can also walk from here to the Pantheon, Notre Dame, and Sainte-Chapelle. Not only is this a comfortable, attractive hotel, but I also found the staff here to be extra helpful with directions and information. (5th arrondissement)

Book your stay at the cozy Hotel Serotel Lutece in a walkable neighborhood near metro stations, shops, and restaurants.

Consider a side trip to the D-Day Beaches and Normandy

History comes alive when you visit the D-Day Beaches in Normandy. Just a two-hour train ride or drive from Paris, the Normandy beaches offer battle sites and museums. Pay respects at the many somber cemeteries. Stay in charming Bayeux. Normandy makes a great side trip if you are going to Paris.

Book the elegant Hotel Churchill in Bayeux, the perfect base for exploring the D-Day Beaches.

Places to visit include Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and Gold, Juno, and Sword Beaches. If you have time, include all 5 D-Day Beaches in your itinerary for an amazing overview of June 6, 1944 and Operation Overlord.

Book your train tickets with Rail Europe for easy and reliable service. 

Rail Europe partners with more than 230 train services such as SCNF, DB, and Swiss train lines. So, you can always find the transportation you need for your trip.

Renting a care to explore France? I can recommend renting with Auto Europe.

FOR MORE OF PARIS, HEAD TO THESE POSTS!

Paris WWII Sites for History Lovers

Tips for Your First Trip to Paris

Reasons to Visit the Eiffel Tower

Climbing Up Into the Eiffel Tower

Exploring the Rodin Museum

5 Reasons to Visit Luxembourg Gardens

Paris Gardens to Enjoy

The D’Orsay Museum in Paris

A Walk in the Latin Quarter

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