The Friday 5 #141 Paris in 24 hours

The Hockney, the hotel, the lunch, the dinner and why you need to rediscover Notre Dame.

You might think it bizarre to go to Paris for just 24 hours. I did until my friend Thane did exactly that to see the Hockney exhibition (about which more below because there are some logistics to take account of if you’re aiming to take it in in 24 hours or even as a day trip).

Anyway I adore Hockney and was so madly envious I thought I would do it too.

Here’s how I managed to make it work in the time - not exactly cheaply but without blowing the budget. (Another advantage of staying just the one night!)

First check the Eurostar availability and prices for your dates* and whether and what time you can get into the exhibition (at the Fondation Louis Vuitton).

Because we couldn’t book a ticket for the exhibition until midday we decided to go the day before as the fares were cheaper in the afternoon, leaving just after 14.00 UK time and getting in at 17.20.

*There’s a sale on Eurostar until tomorrow with 20% off fares making one way trips as little as £31.

Those two elements in place you can start looking for a hotel.