Modric struck towards the end of the first half and his team created numerous chances to extend their lead as they dominated after the interval.
Darijo Srna and Ivan Perisic struck the woodwork while Turkey keeper Volkan Babacan made several good saves as Croatia won the first match of a tough group that includes Spain and the Czech Republic.
Turkey's best chance came in the opening half, when Ozan Tufan saw his header saved - but despite being roared on by their passionate fans inside the Parc des Princes, they were second best on Sunday.
They did produce one scare for the Croatian defence right at the end but there was a timely block from Vedran Corluka, who was wearing a white bandage that evoked shades of former England defender Terry Butcher after suffering a cut to his head from a stray elbow in the first half.
Magic from Modric
Just minutes before Modric broke the deadlock with his sensational volley, the Real Madrid playmaker had thrown his arms out in a gesture of frustration at a team-mate, indicating how he had wanted to receive the ball.
The match was turning out to be a contest more about balls into the box from wide areas than defence-splitting passes. That was despite an abundance of talented midfielders on display, including Modric, Barcelona pair Ivan Rakitic and Arda Turan, plus Besiktas' highly-rated but disappointing Oguzhan Ozyakup, who was withdrawn at the break.
Veteran right-back Srna had delivered several telling crosses into the Turkey area, as did Ivan Perisic from the left side, although Marcelo Brozovic in particular was guilty of failing to make the most of the openings.
That all changed shortly before the break when Modric showed superb technique to strike crisply from 25 yards after a clearance from Selcuk Inan had looped high into the cloudy Paris sky.
As the 30-year-old slid on his knees towards his team's fans - one of whom invaded the pitch to joint the celebrations - Turkey keeper Babacan might have wondered if he should have done better with the dipping shot.
Croatia: one of the dark horses?
Croatia coach Ante Cacic said before Euro 2016 started that he hoped his team could be one of the surprises of the tournament, while several prominent Croatians think this might just be their most talented group of players.
There was certainly much to admire as Sunday's match wore on, with Rakitic finally starting to punch holes in the Turkish defence and Croatia repeatedly threatening to score a decisive second.
The superb Srna skimmed the crossbar with a free-kick and Perisic headed against the woodwork as Cacic's side looked to score a decisive second.
Brozovic also went close with an acrobatic volley and a header that was tipped over as his side showed they have the ability to open up the opposition.
What they do lack is a mobile forward, with the battering ram that is Mario Manduzic not ideally suited to the style espoused by the playmakers behind him.
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