Get your day going quite early, by around 8 am. Grab something in the vicinity of a light breakfast and takeout coffee at the hotel before making a trek to see Louvre; otherwise, be faced with unimaginably huge crowds all morning. In only one to two hours, you are well able to catch most of the greatest treasures such as Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Finally, shoot some images in front of the Pyramid at the Louvre.

Then, take a walk through the Tuileries Garden and enjoy the symmetry of the trees, fountains, and ponds. Take your time sitting on the chairs, people-watching, or stroll through the gardens if time allows. By about 10 am, head toward the Eiffel Tower and beat the long lines later in the day. Go up by stairs or elevator and watch Paris unfold before your eyes. It is breathtaking.

Afterwards, take a leisurely cruise along the Seine River to let your feet rest and visit places such as Notre Dame, the Orsay Museum and the Opera of Paris. Cruises take approximately 1-2 hours. Take the time to get lunch at a river Seine café or pick up a crêpe at a street stall.

Use the middle of the afternoon to meander through the bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre: up the white stone stairs of the Sacre Coeur Basilica for its views, through any of the various local art galleries and cafes. This late afternoon is the best time to visit inside the church as it is uncrowded.

Late afternoon, join the crowds at the Arc de Triomphe, then amble along the classy Champs-Elysees for some window shopping at designer stores. Have a coffee or an apéritif from one of the sidewalk cafés and sit and people-watch.

You really can’t miss the sunset in Paris, so head to the observation deck of the Montparnasse Tower just before dusk. It offers open air views from the highest tower in Paris. Afterwards, enjoy a three-course dinner at one of Paris’ brasseries or bistros. Enjoy French cuisine such as escargot, coq au vin or seafood platters.

If time permits, enjoy the evening walk at the magnificently lighted Eiffel Tower, with twinkling lights every hour of the evening on the hour, or a Seine night cruise viewing illuminated city landmarks. appreciation for this beautiful city.

Even with only 12 hours in Paris, you can fit in some of the most famous sights and get a sense of the romance and charm of the City of Light. The key is to have a plan, make use of the metro and river cruises for transportation, and get an early start. Make the most of every magical moment in this city, and you are sure to leave with a greater