A Day Trip to Paris from Brussels: Museums & Restaurants You’ll Love

Living in Brussels has one huge advantage — Paris is just a Eurostar ride away. Hopping on the train, you can reach the French capital in under 2 hours, making it perfect for a cultural day trip filled with art, history, and food.

To enjoy the perfect day in Paris, here are some of my favorite museums in Paris and restaurants in Paris to explore when you only have a day.

Best Museums in Paris to Visit

Fondation Louis Vuitton

If you love contemporary art, make sure to add Fondation Louis Vuitton to your Paris itinerary. The museum itself is a masterpiece, designed by Frank Gehry as “a magnificent vessel for Paris that symbolises France’s profound cultural vocation.”

I’ve been lucky enough to catch incredible exhibitions there, including Mark Rothko, Basquiat x Warhol, and the Morozov Collection.

Location: Bois de Boulogne

How to get there: Free Fondation shuttles run every 20 minutes from Charles de Gaulle–Étoile metro station.

Grand Palais Rmn

The Grand Palais, opposite the famous Pont Alexandre III, reopened in 2025 after major renovations. Originally built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, it now hosts outstanding exhibitions all year round.

Don’t miss The Nave, a stunning restored feature of the building. One standout exhibition was Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles, an immersive dreamlike experience.

Centre Pompidou

The iconic Centre Pompidou begins a major transformation in late 2025 and will remain closed until 2030. During this time, its exhibitions will travel across France and abroad — so watch out for pop-ups if you can’t wait until reopening.

Classic Paris Museums

Of course, no Paris trip is complete without the classics:

Louvre Museum – home to the Mona Lisa
Musée d’Orsay – Impressionist masterpieces
Musée de l’Orangerie – Monet’s Water Lilies
Musée Rodin – sculptures and gardens
Petit Palais – free permanent collection

I’ll admit I avoid them sometimes because of the crowds, but I try to add at least one on each visit.

Don’t forget to book the exhibitions in advance

Iconic Paris Landmarks

Arc de Triomphe

One of my favorite memories is seeing the Arc de Triomphe wrapped in silver-blue fabric with red rope in 2021, a temporary artwork by Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Even without the installation, this Paris landmark is always worth visiting.

Eiffel Tower

No trip to Paris is complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Whether you admire it from the Trocadéro Gardens, take the lift up for panoramic views, or simply enjoy a picnic on the Champ de Mars, this iron masterpiece never loses its magic. Pro tip: go at sunset and stay until it sparkles on the hour after dark.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame de Paris has officially reopened after the restoration from the fire in 2019 and remains one of the most visited sites in the city. You can admire the Gothic façade and stained-glass rose windows, and stroll along the Seine to soak up the historic Île de la Cité atmosphere.

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Perched on the hill of Montmartre, the white-domed Sacré-Cœur Basilica offers one of the best free views of Paris. The inside is stunning, but the real magic is sitting on the steps outside, listening to street musicians, and watching the city unfold beneath you.

Place de la Concorde

Located between the Champs-Élysées and the Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde is one of Paris’s most famous squares. Its centerpiece is the Luxor Obelisk, a 3,000-year-old gift from Egypt. It’s also a great spot for photos with classic Parisian architecture all around.

Palais Garnier

Opera lovers (and fans of Phantom of the Opera) will adore the Palais Garnier. This 19th-century opera house is a masterpiece of marble, gold leaf, and chandeliers. Even if you don’t attend a performance, you can book a guided visit to explore the grand staircase and opulent interiors.

Coulée Verte René-Dumont – The Elevated Green Walk in Paris

If you want to escape the bustle of central Paris, the Coulée Verte René-Dumont (also known as the Promenade Plantée) is a hidden gem worth exploring. Stretching almost 5 km from Bastille to Bois de Vincennes, this elevated park was built on a former railway line and actually inspired New York City’s High Line.

Walking along the Coulée Verte feels like discovering a secret garden above the city. You’ll pass through tree-lined pathways, rose gardens, bamboo groves, and even sections that tunnel through old railway arches. Along the way, you get unexpected views of Paris rooftops, hidden courtyards, and quiet residential neighborhoods far from the usual tourist routes.

It’s the perfect place for a morning stroll, a jog, or simply to sit on a bench with a coffee and people-watch. If you keep walking east, the promenade eventually connects you to the Bois de Vincennes, one of the city’s largest green spaces.

Start point: Near Opéra Bastille
Length: ~5 km (allow 1–2 hours if walking the whole way)

Where to Eat in Paris

Paris is as much about food as it is about art. Here are a few gems I’ve enjoyed:

Les Petites Bouchées

We stumbled upon Les Petites Bouchées, a small-plates restaurant that’s perfect for sharing. We chose 6 dishes for two people — plenty of food, delicious variety, and even vegan-friendly options. Add a glass of French wine and you’re set.

Mignon Café – Montmartre

If you’re heading to Montmartre in the morning, stop at Mignon Café for breakfast or brunch. It’s a charming little spot with pavement seating. Their carrot cake? The best I’ve ever had.

Costes Restaurant

For a glamorous Paris dining experience, book a table at Costes in the 1st arrondissement. Celebrities and models frequent the courtyard tables. The food is simple but good — the real reason to go is the atmosphere and people-watching.

Le Vieux Crapaud

Near the Arc de Triomphe, Le Vieux Crapaud is a cozy local restaurant packed with office workers at lunchtime. We ordered snails, followed by côte à l’os with fries, and it was absolutely delicious. A proper Parisian meal.

Final Thoughts: A Perfect Day Trip to Paris from Brussels

With world-class museums, iconic monuments, and unforgettable food, Paris is always worth a visit — whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth. From Brussels, a day trip is easy, but each visit leaves me wanting to come back for more.