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Art & Culture Travel Blog

My travel diary: three days in paris.

  • Tea Gudek Šnajdar

View on Eiffel tower from bridge across the Seine river

Paris is one of my favourite cities!

I’m so in love with its museums, French cuisine and the city’s vibe. I’m pretty lucky Paris is only three hours away by train from Amsterdam. So, I’m there quite often. However, recently, I was in Paris for the first time on a solo trip. It was a mix of business and personal trips, so I had enough time to enjoy the city during my short trip. Well, here is my travel diary with things I did during my three days in Paris.

Three days in Paris

Day one – fashionable paris.

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I caught an early train from Amsterdam and was in Paris already at 10 am, soI had the whole day to explore the city. It was a rainy, grey Monday morning, and I felt like I was the only person in the city. Paris is usually packed with tourists, but its streets were almost empty this time. I had a feeling like I travelled to some different time when it was only the city of Parisians and a few travellers.

And I was one of those travellers… Explorers… Having the city only for myself.

⤷ Read more : Beginners’ art & culture guide to Paris

View on Louvre Museum from Seine river

Palais Garnier & Coco Chanel

I took a walk from the Jardin du Luxembourg, where my hotel was located, towards the Seine River, Louvre and Palais Garnier.

Palais Garnier in Paris

Before my trip, I read Christina Henry de Tessan’s book ‘Forever Paris’ . She created several self-guided tours around Paris through which travellers could follow in the footsteps of some famous people that used to live there.

I decided to follow the life of Coco Chanel. My tour started in front of the Opera Garnier, from where I continued wandering around the neighbourhood. I’ve passed next to the first Chanel store, one of the apartments the famous designer used to live in and next to the place where she used to have her morning coffee.

There is something special in reading about someone’s life and then strolling the streets where that person lived. Somehow, I could almost see Coco Chanel rushing through the small side streets from her apartment to the office with some new fashion drawings under her arm.

⤷ TIP : When in Paris next time, explore Opera Garnier! It’s a beautiful building, and you can learn a lot about it with this self-guided tour around it .

Coco Chanel store in Paris

Marais, street art & vintage shops

My first day in Paris was reserved for immersing in Parisian fashion. I had a nice and delicious lunch in one of the restaurants with a view of the Opera Garnier. And decided to spend my afternoon exploring some famous vintage shops in the Marais neighbourhood. I’ve never spent much time in that area, and it was such a  pleasant surprise. I loved its picturesque streets filled with small cute stores, cafes and restaurants. The whole area has such a relaxed vibe.

Old house in Marais in Paris

It’s filled with street and I loved spotting it all around me. I didn’t have enough time to join some of the street art tours this time, but would definitely like to do that on one of my future trips to Paris.

Street art on doors in Marais Paris

Marais is well known for some of the best vintage stores in Paris. You never know what you’ll find in them – Dior earrings or some other gem from the 1980s. Well, I wasn’t so lucky… But, I definitely enjoyed visiting them, checking the clothes they have and talking with other shoppers (who were some of the coolest people I’ve met in Paris).

Interior of the vintage store in Paris

I felt a bit sick that day, so I returned to my hotel early. I got myself a nice cup of hot tea and went to sleep.

⤷ Read more : Check out my post about exploring Paris like a local for more ideas about things to do and see in Marais.

Day two – Impressionists’ Paris

Looking for impressionists at montmartre.

When I woke up the following day, I was feeling much better. So, after breakfast in a restaurant close to my hotel, I was ready for some sightseeing again. Day two was reserved for learning more about and exploring the French Impressionism in Paris. It’s one of my favourite painting styles, and I am in love with that time, the bohemian lifestyle and the culture at the end of the 19th century.

⤷ Read more : Impressionists in Paris

Artists in Montmartre in Paris

I decided to take a tour around the Montmartre neighbourhood and learn more about the Impressionist painters that used to live and work there. I met my guide below the Sacré-Coeur Church, and we went to Montmartre, where he showed me some places important for the Impressionist movement in Paris.

When we left the most popular area of Montmartre behind us, some streets and houses still looked the same as they did at the end of the 19th century. I could almost imagine carriages strolling through those streets and music coming from the small cabarets.

Pink restaurant in Montmartre

The most special place for me was the house where Vincent and Theo van Gogh lived together during the two years Vincent spent in Paris. The painting Van Gogh painted while looking through the window of that apartment is displayed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam . I know the painting so well, and once standing there, the place almost felt familiar to me.

⤷ Read more : Locations linked to Vincent van Gogh in Paris

Musée d’Orsay

After a short break and some tarte tatin , I went to the Musée d’Orsay. That’s THE museum to visit if you want to see some of the most famous modern paintings. And it’s home to one of the best Impressionist collections in Paris.

⤷ Read more : Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay

Tarte tatin pastry in Paris

The building in which the museum is located is a piece of art and history itself. It was built as a train station at the end of the 19th century and later converted into a museum. Visiting it will provide you with a fantastic combination of industrial architecture and a modern art collection.

Impressionist painting of Paris in Orsay Museum

⤷ TIP : To avoid queueing in front of the museum and waiting to get in, buy your Musée d’Orsay online ticket before your visit.

Musée Marmottan Monet

My guide gave me an excellent recommendation for a lovely little restaurant close to the Musée d’Orsay, called Les Antiquaires. After a delicious lunch there, I went to another museum with one of the best collections of Impressionists’ paintings in Paris – Musée Marmottan Monet.

⤷ Read more : What to see at the Musée Marmottan – Monet in Paris

Lunch in a Parisian restaurant

I visited it a few years ago on a student trip and have wanted to return since. The museum has a beautiful collection of one of the best female Impressionists – Berthe Morisot. And the most extensive collection of  artworks made by Claude Monet . It’s not a busy museum, so there is a lot of space to enjoy some of the masterpieces of Impressionism in peace and quiet. I’m always wondering why everyone is rushing to see Mona Lisa, while there are many beautiful museums around the city, like this one.

After this trip to Paris, I’m even more in love with Impressionism than before. If the hygiene level were just a bit higher, I would love to live during that time. I would be an art dealer and go on little trips to nature to paint with Monet and Renoir. Oh, those sweet dreams…

⤷ TIP : Here is the online ticket for Musée Marmottan – Monet

⤷ Read more : Best museums in Paris

Swans painting from Museum Marmottan Monet

Day three – Modernist Paris

My last day in Paris started with one of the best breakfasts and the most amazing coffees I have ever tried. I had breakfast at a charming restaurant, Carette, located close to Trocadero. I’m sure it will become my new favourite place in Paris.

Dessert and coffee in Paris

Since I have been to Paris many times, I know the city quite well. However, there was a part I was always kind of missing – the Modernist Paris. It played an essential role in shaping the city – Art Nouveau metro entrances and Eiffel Tower are just the most famous examples of architecture from that time.

Art Nouveau doors in Paris

To learn more about it, I decided to join a walking tour called the ‘Modernist Architecture’. During the tour, we explored some of the modernist buildings, learnt about the movement and visited Foundation Le Corbusier and the modern architecture exhibition in the Palais de Chaillot ( here is the online ticket for it ). It was so interesting to see how the Modernist movement shaped the way we are living today.

First time in Paris View on Seine river in Paris

After the tour and a quick lunch, it was time to catch a train back to Amsterdam. My three days in Paris were dedicated to art, mostly Impressionism and modern architecture. I also tried to learn more about some of its famous former citizens like Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and Coco Chanel.

However, once again, I have realised solo travel isn’t bad. And that French are some of the nicest people out there, who know how to cook well and enjoy life. Well, maybe my next visit should be dedicated to learning how to enjoy life like a Parisian.

Au revoir!  Until the next time, my dear city!

⤷ TIP : If you plan to visit Paris and some of its cultural sites, consider buying Paris City Card. You’ll get free or discounted entrance to many of them with it. Here is the link with more info about it .

france , impressionism , paris , solo traveling , Travel diary

My Vacation Itineraries

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4 days in Paris

4 Days in Paris (Best First-Time Itinerary + Map)

  • February 27, 2024

Paris, the capital city of France, is one of the most popular destinations in the world. It’s a city of romance, magic, light and history. No matter if you’re looking for art, shopping, fine dining or history, the city has it all.

Paris started as a small Celtic village, situated in the tiny area of Île de la Cité. Today, nothing reminds of its humble beginning but the city’s name. It derives from the Celtic tribe called Parisii, who lived in the area.

Paris is known as the City of Lights. Not only because it was one of the first cities in Europe, which had gas street lighting. It is also because of its important role during the Age of Enlightenment.

4 Days in Paris itinerary

How to plan 4 days in Paris? It’s difficult to craft the perfect Paris itinerary, especially if this is your first time to the City of Lights. This detailed travel guide will help you decide what attractions to visit and where to eat.

Keep in mind that most of the restaurants work between 12:00 PM – 02:00 PM and 07:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Also, they often have different working hours during the weekends. So, always check the working hours before visiting (and better make a reservation).

My best advice is to buy either a Paris Museum Pass in advance or skip the lines ticket for each attraction you want to visit. Don’t count on that you’re visiting off the season and there won’t be lines for every site.

The second time I visited Paris was in late October. I decided that I’ll buy a Museum Pass from the first visited attraction. In my case, this was the Orangerie Museum.

There should be no lines at all (according to what I’ve read in many forums and blogs). And guess what? I’ve waited 2 hours in the pouring rain (in the low season). Don’t do this mistake! Paris is a super popular destination, so always buy tickets in advance.

Already have a hotel booked? Then check your hotel’s location and make sure it’s in a good area (see my guide where to stay in Paris ).

Find a map of this 4-day Paris itinerary (with all attractions and restaurants’ websites) at the end of the article.

4 Days in Paris (perfect itinerary for first-timers)

  • Day 1: Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, Triumphal Arch
  • Day 2: Palace of Versailles (day trip from Paris)
  • Day 3: Notre Dame Cathedral, Holy Chapel, Luxembourg Palace, Eiffel Tower
  • Day 4: Cruise on Seine river, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Montmartre

4 Days in Paris – Day 1

08:10 AM – 09:00 AM Start the first day of this 4 days in Paris itinerary with breakfast at Matamata Coffee Bar or  BO&MIE . Choose the BO&MIE bakery for a quick breakfast.

See Mona Lisa in Louvre Museum

09:00 AM – 12:30 PM Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre) served as a royal palace of the French monarchs until the 17th century. Also, it is one of the largest museums in the world.

The museum is vast and packed with exhibits. You’ll need days to see everything. So, prepare for your visit ahead and check out  what exhibits in Louvre will be interesting for you.

Louvre Museum

12:30 PM – 02:30 PM Stop for lunch at La Bonne Excuse or La Cordonnerie .

Tuileries Garden and Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

02:30 PM – 03:00 PM Catherine de’ Medici created the Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries) in 1564. The garden once was a part of the Tuileries Palace , destroyed in 1871 by the Paris Commune.

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is one of the three arcs on the Triumphal Way. It’s a historical axis of monuments that starts with the Grande Arche de la Défense to the west and ends with the Louvre Museum to the east.

Emperor Napoleon I commissioned Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel to remind of his military triumphs.

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

See the fountains at Place de la Concorde

03:00 PM – 03:20 PM Place de la Concorde is one of the most beautiful squares in the city. However, in the past things looked quite different. During the French Revolution , a guillotine was constructed and the square became an execution place. King Louis XVI of France and Queen Marie Antoinette lost their lives here in 1793.

Nowadays, in the centre of the square, you can see a giant 3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk. The Obelisk of Luxor (Obélisque de Louxor) is decorated with hieroglyphics picturing the reign of pharaoh Ramses II. It was a gift to France from the Egyptian government in 1829. The obelisk is also known as Cleopatra’s Needle (L’aiguille de Cléopâtre).

Two beautiful fountains decorate the north and the south ends of Place de la Concorde. Their construction was inspired by the fountains on Piazza San Pietro and the Piazza Navona in Rome. The north fountain on Place de la Concorde represents the rivers and the south is dedicated to the seas.

Place de la Concorde

Admire the Art Nouveau Bridge Alexandre III

03:30 PM – 03:45 PM Bridge Alexandre III (Pont Alexandre III) is constructed at the end of the 19th century. It is a stunning example of Art Nouveau style.

After seeing the bridge, pass along the Grand Palais and Petit Palais and then continue on Champs-Élysées.

Bridge Alexandre III

Climb the Triumphal Arch

04:30 PM – 06:00 PM Triumphal Arch (Arc de Triomphe) commemorates all who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies beneath the arch. Also, an eternal flame burns in memory of all unknown soldiers who died during the world wars.

Triumphal Arch

The 280 steps to the top of the arc are easy for climbing, as there is a museum on the way up. The views over the city, the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees are unforgettable. If you have time climb the arc right before sunset time and spend an hour on the top watching the sunset over the city.

If you are visiting in the high season, better buy a  Triumphal Arch ticket in advance (lines could be long).

View from Triumphal Arch

Try some delicious French cuisine at Chez Gabrielle or Le Bistrot d’Yves .

Take an Illuminations River Cruise

Wondering why Paris is called the City of Lights? Take this illuminations cruise along river Seine to find out.

More ideas for your 4 days in Paris – Day 1

To add more attractions to your first day, check out the suggestions below.

Go shopping at Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette is a huge shopping complex with a marvellous glass ceiling. Even if you are not into shopping, go and visit the rooftop terrace for some amazing views.

See an opera at Palais Garnier

Palais Garnier is the largest opera house in Europe. Learn more about its extravagant design by exploring the Palais Garnier on a self-guided tour .

Palais Garnier

Be amazed by Saint-Eustache Church

Saint-Eustache (Église Saint-Eustache) is a 16th-century church with a lot of history. This was the place, where young Louis XIV (the Sun King) received his communion. Also, Mozart chose the sanctuary for his mother’s funeral. Jean Baptiste Colbert, a French minister of Finance, is buried inside the church.

The church organ with its 8000 pipes is the largest pipe organ in France. Among the other treasures of the church, you can see paintings by Rubens, Vouet and Santi di Tito. Don’t miss the church concerts of Saint-Eustache choir . They are held every Sunday.

Saint-Eustache

Madeleine Church

Madeleine Church (La Madeleine) is an outstanding church, near Place de la Concorde. It was designed to serve as a temple to commemorate and celebrate the glory of Napoleon’s army.

Madeleine Church

4 Days in Paris – Day 2

To get to Versailles you’ll have to take RER C to Versailles-Château – Rive Gauche station (about 40min journey). It’s advisable to get there before the opening times, even if you already booked your tickets in advance.

Therefore my advice is to have an early breakfast at your hotel or stop for a quick bite at any bakery on your way.

Discover the Royal Palace of Versailles

08:45 AM – 12:00 PM Versailles (Château de Versailles) is one of the most famous palaces not only in France but in the world. Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, built the palace in 1682 and moved the court here from Paris. Versailles is a true masterpiece that represents the greatness of the Sun King.

Get there as early in the morning as you can. By booking online you’ll skip the first line. Keep in mind, that you still have to wait at the security check line. That is the reason why you’d better be here before the opening times.

If you haven’t booked a guided tour, you can rent an audio guide to learn more about the royal palace.

The entrance to Versailles is free on the first Sunday of every month from November to March.

Versailles

12:00 PM – 02:00 PM Take a rest and have lunch at  Chez StefS or  Le Ble Noir . For a typical French bistro visit Chez StefS, for some crêpes – Le Ble Noir.

Gardens of Versailles, Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet

02:00 PM – 06:00 PM The gardens of Versailles are marvellous, but they are huge. You’ll need hours to see them, so be prepared for a long walk and wear comfortable shoes.

There are musical fountain shows during the weekends from April to October. In May and June, there are shows every Tuesday, too.

Gardens of Versailles

The famous Apollo Fountain, the Trianon Palace and Queen’s Hamlet are located in the gardens. Louis XIV commissioned the building of the Trianon in 1670. He used the palace when he wanted to get away and rest from court life in Versailles.

Marie Antoinette commissioned the construction of the Queen’s Hamlet (Hameau de la Reine) in 1783. This rustic retreat served as her country house and a private meeting place.

Finish the day with a dinner at  Le Bistrot du 11 or  Le Cafe des Arts .

4 Days in Paris – Day 3

08:30 AM – 09:00 AM Start the third day of the itinerary 4 days in Paris with some delicious croissants. Choose from Au Petit Versailles Du Marais or Boulangerie La Parisienne .

Be amazed by the Holy Chapel

09:00 AM – 10:00 AM King Louis IX commissioned the construction in 1248 to house his collection of relics of Christ. The Lower Chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was used by all inhabitants of the palace.

The collection of relics was housed in the Upper Chapel. This Chapel was reserved only for the king and his family. It is a real masterpiece with its 6,458 square feet of stained glass windows and richly decorated wall surface.

Sainte-Chapelle

See Notre Dame Cathedral and explore Île de la Cité

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (due to the devastating fire in April 2019 you can no longer visit the cathedral) Located on Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris) is one of the city’s iconic sites. The construction of the cathedral took almost 200 years. Some of its treasures are the purported Crown of Thorns, a fragment of the True Cross and one of the Holy Nails.

Right in front of the cathedral is the Kilometre Zero (Point Zero des Routes de France). This is the starting point from which all major distances in France are calculated.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Don’t miss to explore the charming small island, Île de la Cité. Also, if you have enough time, take a stroll along the neighbouring island of Île Saint-Louis.

12:00 PM – 02:00 PM Have lunch at La Cuisine de Philippe or Hebe .

See the royal Luxembourg Palace

02:00 PM – 03:00 PM Luxembourg Palace (Palais du Luxembourg) was the royal residence of the regent Marie de’ Medici in the 17th century. She built the palace for herself after the death of her husband, Henry IV. Unfortunately, the palace is not open to the public.

Don’t miss to see the replica of the Statue of Liberty while exploring the beautiful garden.

Luxembourg Palace

Climb the Eiffel Tower

03:30 PM – 06:30 PM Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) is the most iconic monument in Paris. It was erected in 1889 for the World Exhibition. The site is constructed from 12,000 iron pieces and named after its creator, engineer Gustave Eiffel.

The 360-degree panoramic view of the city is fascinating. There are three visiting levels. You can reach the first and the second by lift or stairs. The third one – only by lift.

Eiffel Tower

There is a light show every evening. For five minutes every hour on the hour, the tower is sparkling.

The most spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower are from the Trocadéro gardens (the closest metro station is Trocadéro).

Plan your visit ahead and buy tickets in advance from the official website of the Eiffel Tower website. Choose the time of your visit. It will be stamped on your ticket. Then print the ticket or save it on your phone.

When you go to the tower, look for a sign “Entree Visiteurs Avec Reservation” (visitors with reservations). You won’t be allowed to enter more than 10-15 min earlier than the stamped time on your ticket. Don’t be late.

View from the Eiffel Tower

Finish the third day of the itinerary 4 days in Paris with dinner at  Au Bon Accueil or  Le Florimond .

More ideas for your 4 days in Paris – Day 3

Admire the architecture of hôtel de ville.

Hôtel de Ville is not a luxury hotel, as one could think taking in mind the name and its splendid exterior. It is, in fact, the City Hall. The building is gorgeous and it is right in the heart of the city. It totally deserves a few minutes of your time!

Hôtel de Ville

Place des Vosges

Place des Vosges is one of the most charming squares in the city. Built at the beginning of the 17the century, it is also the oldest planned square in the city.

Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge across the Seine river in the City of Lights.

Climb Montparnasse Tower (Tour Montparnasse)

Book a ticket for the Montparnasse Tower and visit one of the tallest skyscrapers in France. To get the best views of the city take the lift to the open-air roof terrace.

The Panthéon started its history as a church, but nowadays it is a mausoleum and a burial place of famous Frenchman. Some of the great men laid to rest in its crypt are Voltaire, Émile Zola, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas and Soufflot, its architect. Marie Curie is the only woman honoured to be buried there.

If you are visiting in the high season or during the weekends, better buy your tickets to Panthéon in advance .

Panthéon

Saint-Etienne-du-Mont Church

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church (Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont) has a remarkable ornate rood screen that dates from the 16th century. The church also contains the oldest organ in Paris, built in 1631.

By the way, the stairs of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont may look familiar to you. This is the place from where the main character Gil (Owen Wilson) is picked up every night by a car from the past in the movie “Midnight in Paris”.

Saint-Etienne-du-Mont Church

See the Thinker in Rodin Museum

If you like the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, this museum has to be on your list. It houses the famous Rodin’s sculptures “The Thinker” and “The Kiss”.

If you’re visiting in the season, book Rodin Museum skip the line ticket .

4 Days in Paris – Day 4

09:00 AM – 12:00 PM Visit an attraction of your choice (see below) or take a cruise on the Seine river . You can also join a perfume workshop  or behind the scenes bakery tour . And if you’re a wine lover, don’t miss this  wine tasting experience .

Take a Cheese, Wine & Pastry Walking Tour

Join this Cheese, Wine & Pastry Tour to discover the most charming neighbourhood of Paris, Montmartre. You’ll visit eight local artisan shops to taste delicious cheese, charcuterie, wine, pastries, and chocolate!

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Père-Lachaise cemetery (Cimetière du Père-Lachaise) is the largest and most visited cemetery in the city. It is named after King Louis XIV’s confessor, Father François de la Chaise d’Aix (called le Père la Chaise), who resided on the site. The cemetery was established by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804.

This is the final resting place of iconic figures like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, Molière and many more.

To learn more about the history of the cemetery, book a guided tour of Père Lachaise .

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Tour the famous Catacombs of Paris

The Paris Catacombs (Catacombes de Paris) are underground ossuaries that house the remains of more than six million people. It is a lifetime experience, that can’t be forgotten.

The waiting lines are outrageous and visitors are restricted to 200 at any time. I went half an hour before the opening times and there were already about 30 people. And this was in late October.

Paris Catacombs

Orsay Museum (for impressionism lovers)

Musée d’Orsay (Orsay Museum) is housed in the former railway station Gare d’Orsay. The station is built in 1900 for the Paris World Exposition. Gare d’Orsay served southwestern France until 1939 when the platforms became unusable for the new longer trains.

The museum houses impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces dating from 1848-1914. Among the featured artists are Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, van Gogh, Rodin and Cézanne.

The museum is one of the most visited ones in Paris and the lines are long (buy here Orsay Museum skip the line ticket ).

Orsay Museum

Orangerie Museum and Marmottan Monet Museum

If you’re a huge fan of Claude Monet, don’t miss the Orangerie and Marmottan Monet Museum.

Orangerie Museum (Musée de l’Orangerie) is the home of eight Water Lilies murals by Monet. In any case, buy tickets in advance. I waited more than 2 hours in the rain in the low season. At least the view of the Water Lilies was worth every single minute of waiting.

You can book an Orangerie Museum skip the line ticket here .

Marmottan Monet Museum has the largest collection of Claude Monet’s works in the world. It also houses his notable work “Impression, Sunrise”, the painting that gave the name of the Impressionism movement.

12:00 PM – 02:00 PM Have a lunch at  Le Cabanon de la Butte or  La Boîte aux Lettres .

Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica

02:00 PM – 03:00 PM Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Basilique du Sacré-Coeur) owes its shiny white colour to the travertine stone. Built in a Romano-Byzantine style, it is the most beautiful church in Montmartre. The basilica honours all soldiers who died during the Franco-Prussian War and the rule of the Paris Commune.

Due to its location on a hill, you have to climb a lot of stairs to reach it. You can also take the funicular that costs one metro ticket each way.

The views over the city from the hill are beautiful, but for truly breathtaking views climb the dome. There are about 300 steps to the top. The entrance to the dome is outside on the left side of the basilica.

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Explore Montmartre

03:00 PM – 05:00 PM Montmartre is the most beautiful neighbourhood. It’s a romantic place with narrow cobblestoned alleys, old-style bistros and street cafes. The perfect place to wander and get lost!

One of the most picturesque squares in Montmartre is Place du Tertre, famous all over the world for its painters.

Montmartre cemetery (Cimetière de Montmartre) is a beautiful old cemetery from the beginning of the 19th century. It is built below street level on the place of an old quarry that was used for a mass grave during the French Revolution.

Another popular attraction is the world-famous cabaret Moulin Rouge with its iconic red windmill on the roof.

Moulin Rouge

Finish the day with a dinner at  Chez Toinette or  Can Alegria Paris .

Cabaret show at Moulin Rouge

Don’t miss to see one of the world-famous cabaret shows at the Moulin Rouge . You can also attend a cabaret show at the Crazy Horse or Le Lido (see here a list of all cabaret shows ).

There are three major attractions, for which I strongly recommend buying tickets in advance.

Louvre Museum – 15,000 visitors per day (just imagine the lines), so book your skip-the-line ticket here .

Palace of Versailles – 27,000 visitors per day and there are two lines (one for tickets and one for security). I recommend not only to book tickets in advance here but also to get as early as you can (otherwise you’ll wait for hours).

Eiffel Tower – 19,000 visitors per day and tickets are timed entry. Plan your time ahead and book your tickets in advance here .

How to save money on your 4-day Paris itinerary

As one of the most popular destinations in the world, there is no real low season. The city is packed with tourists at any time of the year. And the waiting lines are hours long in most cases.

The best way to save money and hours of waiting is the Paris Museum Pass . I used it for both my trips to Paris and it was a lifesaver.

The pass includes:

  • free admission to over 50 museums and monuments
  • skip-the-line access
  • unlimited number of visits
  • avoid buying separate tickets for the major sites
  • river cruise (if you choose this option)

Please note that if you want to use the skip-the-line access to the Louvre, you have to book a time slot entry after you collect the pass. You can do it online here .

louvre mueum

4 days in Paris in the summer

If you’re visiting Paris in the summer, you can follow this itinerary without any modifications. My only advice is to book tickets in advance, as the summer is the busiest season. Also, don’t miss to add these activities to your itinerary:

  • have a picnic at the foot of the Eiffel Tower
  • take a late-night stroll along the Seine River
  • summer is the perfect time for a river cruise
  • watch the world go by at a café terrace

4 days in Paris in the winter

If you’re visiting Paris in the winter, you can still follow this itinerary with just a few modifications.

Skip the Tuileries Garden on the first day and the gardens of Versailles on the second day. In my Paris itinerary, you can find many options with which you can replace these sites. You just have to check the listed attractions after each day and choose according to your interests.

Also, winter is not a great time for a river cruise, but there are tens of Christmas markets! The biggest ones are at Notre Dame, Les Halles at Champs de Mars ( more info and dates here ).

Getting around in Paris

Find a map of this 4-day itinerary here .

The best way to get around the city is by using the metro or hop-on-hop-off buses . The city centre is big, so no matter where your hotel is, you’d probably use the metro 2-3 times a day.

During both trips, I used a carnet (a book of 10 single-use tickets, called t+ ticket ). It’s cheaper than buying a separate ticket every time. The carnet is valid on the metro, bus, RER (zone 1) and even the Montmartre funicular. Also, one carnet can be used by more than one person.

How to get to Paris

There are several major train stations in Paris: Nord Station (Gare du Nord), East Station (Gare de l’Est), Lyon Station (Gare de Lyon), Austerlitz Station (Gare d’Austerlitz), Montparnasse Station (Gare Montparnasse) and Saint-Lazare Station (Gare Saint-Lazare). All of them are well-connected to the rest of the city by the metro.

Check timetables and book train tickets online at SNCF official site . 

The city has two main airports – Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airport.

The easiest way to get from either airport to the city centre is by booking a private transfer directly to your hotel. I recommend this airport transfer (160+ excellent reviews).

If you’re arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport, you can also take the regional train (RER) to the city centre. 

There are no direct trains from Orly Airport to the city centre. You have to take the shuttle bus, Orlybus .

For those travelling with low-cost airlines like RyanAir or WizzAir, you’ll be arriving at Beauvais–Tillé Airport. It’s a small airport, located 70 km north of Paris. A shuttle connects the airport and Porte Maillot in Paris (1h15min journey). Yet, keep in mind that the journey could be longer if there is a traffic jam. 

Day trips from Paris

Palace of fontainebleau.

Palace of Fontainebleau

Château de Fontainebleau (Palace of Fontainebleau) is located 60km south of Paris. It’s a 16th-century palace, as sumptuous as Versailles but less crowded. Here on April 6, 1814, Napoleon I signed his first abdication.

How to get to the Palace of Fontainebleau Take a train from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon (40min journey). From there it’s about 30min walk to the palace. You can also take a bus (line 1) . 

Palace of Vaux le Vicomte

Palace of Vaux le Vicomte

Vaux le Vicomte is a 17th-century Baroque palace, situated 50km southeast of Paris. The palace served as a residence of Nicolas Fouquet, the finance minister of the Sun King.

How to get to the Palace of Vaux le Vicomte Take a direct train (Line P) in the direction of Provins from Gare de l’Est to Verneuil l’Etang station (40min journey). From there you have to take a shuttle bus to the palace .

Brussels

Brussels is the charming capital city of Belgium. It’s a great destination for a long day trip from Paris. You can explore the historic centre of Brussels only in a day (see my Brussels itinerary for more details).

How to get to Brussels Take a train from Gare du Nord to Brussel-Centraal (1h40min journey). Note that you have to change trains at Brussel-Zuid station. You can get off there, but it’s about 2km walk to the city centre of Brussels. Brussel-Centraal is closer to the historic part of the city.

Strasbourg

If you’re visiting Paris in December, then Strasbourg is a must. This French city is known as the capital of Christmas and there is a good reason behind that. 

Yet, keep in mind that the journey is about 2h30min by high-speed train (TGV). So, it’s best to have an overnight stay. 

How to get to Strasbourg Take a train from Gare de l’Est to Strasbourg Central train station. The historic city centre is just a short walk from there.

If you’re visiting Paris as a part of a European trip, you can easily combine it with London. The capital of the United Kingdom is located just 3h away by train. For more information take a look at my 4-day London itinerary .

How many days in Paris

Are 4 days in paris too much.

4 days is the perfect time to discover Paris if you’re visiting for the first time. You’ll need 3 days to visit the major attractions and 1 whole day for the Palace of Versailles. You’ll need one day for Versailles because this is a day trip from Paris (40min away by train). Plus, the gardens are vast, it will take you hours to explore them.

What if I don’t have 4 full days in Paris?

In this case, you can combine day 2 and day 4 from this Paris itinerary in one. Dedicate only half a day for Versailles (skip the Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet in the gardens). In the afternoon visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica and explore Montmartre.

3 or 4 days in Paris?

If you’re not into art, 3 days are enough for Paris. However, if you’re a museum person, I’d recommend you to dedicate 4 days. There are so many art museums to explore!

So my advice is, spend at least 4 days in Paris if you want to enjoy your time and not rush through everything. In addition, besides Versailles, there are two stunning palaces you can visit on a day trip (see more info further in the post).

Best time to visit Paris

Paris is one of the most visited cities in Europe, so there is no real low season. However, the busiest months are June, July, August and February (around Saint Valentine’s Day).

The best time to visit Paris is the months of April, May, September and October. The weather is warm and you’ll probably need only a light jacket. Keep in mind to check for annual events and exhibitions before booking your trip (to avoid the high hotel prices).

If you are visiting Paris in July plan your trip around the middle of the month. The French national holiday (Bastille Day) is on 14 July. On this day the French celebrate the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. The celebrations include a military parade on Champs-Élysées and spectacular fireworks on the background of the Eiffel Tower.

On the first Saturday of October, the White Night (Nuit Blanche) takes place. It is an evening art festival during which you can see free artistic installations and performances all over the city.

Of course, the Christmas season is not to be missed. It starts at the end of November when the Christmas lights are lit on Champs-Élysées. Visiting any of the Christmas markets will put you in the right Christmas mood.

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11 Comments

Thanks, Marco! 🙂

The Paris Museum Pass is a lifesaver! We skipped a lot of lines, some of which very long and saved a lot of money.

Hi Thomas, Totally agree with you! I found it very useful, too. 🙂

hi, hope you are doing well. i would like to know if i wanna go to Versailles,should i have to stay night there, or i can come back to my hotel on the same day? i just wanna make sure whether its possible to book one hotel for my 4 day trip. i am planning to stay near the center of paris. thanks

Hi Abir, There is no need to stay near Versailles. You can get there from Paris in about an hour. 🙂

Milena, Can you recommend a private tour guide for a tree day trip to Paris?

Hi Dennis, I’m sorry but I can’t. 🙁

no problem….great itinerary…i will use it.

What would you recommend budget wise? I.e. 100euros a day?

Thanks, James

It is hard to recommend a budget, especially when I don’t know which attractions (and restaurants) you plan to visit. I recommend you check the total amount of entrance fees (depending on your itinerary) and then look at the menu of some restaurants, which are on your list. Most restaurants have prices on their online menus (if not, there are often photos of the menu on the restaurant’s listing on Google Maps). In this way, you can easily decide how much a dinner or lunch will cost you. And plan the daily budget then. 🙂

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

Notre Dame paris_by_Laurence Norah

3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary

Last updated: December 16, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 107 Comments

Thinking about spending 3 days in Paris? Great choice! We think that’s the perfect amount of time to spend in one of our favourite European cities, giving you the chance to see many of the top sights and attractions and really get a feel for the city.

Of course, if you have longer, that’s even better, but three days in Paris is certainly enough to see a lot, and works well either as a long weekend, or as part of a longer Europe trip itinerary like this .

To help you with your planning, we’re going to share with you everything we think you need to know to spend three days in Paris. We’re going to give you a suggested itinerary, tips for getting around, advice on where to stay in Paris, our thoughts on when is best to visit and even some suggested ways to save money in Paris.

Let’s get started!

3 Day Paris Itinerary

This three-day Paris itinerary has you hitting all the major sites and attractions in the city. Naturally we suggest you use this as a guide, and add to or remove from it as necessary.

We also suggest you check the opening times and days for each attraction. For example, the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so depending on when your trip to Paris is, you might need to re-order the days to get everything in.

Paris Itinerary:  Day 1

Eiffel tower.

What better way to start off your trip to Paris than with a visit to the Eiffel Tower . This is without doubt the most iconic landmark in Paris (if not France!), and a visit here is a must for any visit to Paris. When we visit Paris, we always visit at least once, and every time we are amazed at the sheer scale of this beautiful building.

There are a number of ways to enjoy the Eiffel Tower. First, you can just enjoy the views of the tower, which we think are particularly good from the Trocadero Gardens across the river, or the Champ de Mars gardens behind the Tower.

3 days in Paris - Eiffel Tower Paris_by_Laurence Norah

You can also go up inside the Eiffel Tower to one of the different floors, for expansive views of the city. We do like the experience of going up inside, but we don’t think it offers the best view of the city – because the view from inside the Eiffel Tower is missing the most famous part of the skyline – the Eiffel Tower itself!

Still, if this is your first visit to Paris, we highly recommend the experience. We do suggest that if you want to go up the Eiffel Tower, that you book your tickets in advance from the official website . The queues here for tickets can be very long, and with a pre-booked ticket you can skip the wait.

3 days in Paris - Eiffel Tower Stairs_by_Laurence Norah

Alternatively, if you are feeling fit, you can also take the stairs up to the first level. There is not usually a very long queue for the stairs, which have their own ticket line, and it is also slightly cheaper. See our guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower to help you plan your visit.

There are other options for visiting as well. A guided climb of the Eiffel Tower is included on the Paris Pass . This runs in the middle of the day, so if you want to take advantage of this, you will likely want to switch the Eiffel Tower and Seine River Cruise around in this itinerary. It’s also included on the Paris City Card , with a choice of timeslots.

Finally, this tour includes a guided visit (with elevator) to the second floor with the option to visit the summit if you want. It also includes free cancellation, which the official ticket does not.

Seine River Cruise

Another must-do experience in Paris is a river cruise on the Seine. This is a very popular activity, with multiple operators offering cruises up and down the river.

We’ve actually written a post about the various Seine River sightseeing cruise options which goes through the majority of the operators. If you’d prefer a dinner cruise, check out our guide to the best Seine River dinner cruises .

3 days in Paris - Seine River Cruise Paris_by_Laurence Norah

We can definitely recommend the Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise . These depart from just next to the Eiffel Tower, so fit in nicely with this itinerary, and they are included for free if you pick up a Paris Pass or a Paris City Card .

The cruise takes in all the highlights from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame, and there’s commentary included. So sit back, relax, and let the scenery roll by.

Hop on Hop off Bus

Talking of sitting back and relaxing, we find that a great way to get oriented in a new city and get an idea of the sights we want to see is to take a Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) bus tour.

Paris is no exception to this rule, and you can pick up a HOHO bus in Paris from right next to the Eiffel Tower, which will then take you around Paris’s key attractions.

3 days in Paris - Paris Hop on Hop Off Bus_by_Laurence Norah-2

There are multiple operators running different routes around the city. If you pick up a Paris Pass, it includes a 1 Day Big Bus Tour . We took this tour and enjoyed it – it’s both an easy way to get around the city, plus you can learn about many of the sights as you go.

However there are a few different HOHO options in Paris, so pick the one that works for you!

Paris Walking Tour

All this sitting around on buses and boats is great for getting oriented, but at some point you’re going to need to put your feet on the pavement! Paris is a wonderful city to explore on foot, and a guided walking tour is an excellent way to do that.

We think that if you are going to do a walking tour in a city, the first day is the best, as you can ask your guide for local recommendations such as their favourite places to eat or get a coffee, as well as get suggestions for hidden gems you might not find in the guidebooks.

There are lots of operators offering tours in Paris. We’ve taken a number of walking tours with Context Travel , and have always loved their detailed tours. They have a number of tours available in Paris, and you get 10% off with this link . We particularly enjoyed their Hemingway themed walking tour of Paris.

We also love Take Walks walking tours, and they have recently launched a number of Paris Tours . For example, they have a full day Paris tour , although this would require you to significantly alter this itinerary.

If you have a Paris Pass, it comes with a choice of free walking tours , which is worth looking into.

Tour Montparnasse

Last on our list for your first day in Paris is a trip up the Tour Montparnasse . I recommend this to everyone going to Paris, as it is, in my opinion at least, the location with the best view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower.

3 days in Paris - View from Tour Montparnasse

This is particularly the case at sunset, so if you can time your visit for sunset, you will get to witness a wonderful sunset across the Eiffel Tower, and then watch the city lights come to life.

The observation level is across two levels, one is inside and one is outside. The outside area is surrounded by glass, but there are cutouts so you can get reflection-free shots of the view. You can also bring a tripod up here! No wonder therefore that it’s on my list of favourite Paris photography locations .

There’s a fee to go up Tour Montparnasse, but it’s free for holders of the Paris Pass . You can also buy individual tickets online in advance  here .

Paris Itinerary:  Day 2

Our second day in Paris takes in some more iconic sites including some of Paris’s most famous museums and churches. It’s quite a full day, so do feel free to edit the itinerary to suit your particular interests, pace and needs!

Sainte Chapelle

It took me multiple visits to Paris before I finally made it to Sainte Chapelle . Now I urge everyone to make it a priority on their trip to Paris!

This is a relatively small chapel that is not too far from Notre Dame, but the interior, which consists of almost floor to ceiling stained glass, is absolutely outstanding. It will definitely take your breath away.

3 days in Paris - Saint Chapelle Paris_by_Laurence Norah

The 13th century Saint Chapelle is quite popular, and the small size and mandatory security checks mean that the line to get in can be long. This is why I have put it on my list as the first thing for your second day in Paris – you want to get here early, ideally get in line ten – fifteen minutes before the opening time. After all, no-one wants to spend their time standing in lines.

There’s a fee to enter Saint Chapelle, which is free to holders of the Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass .

You can also buy tickets online in advance here , which is highly recommended as it can get busy here. There’s also a combination ticket for Sainte Chapelle and the nearby Conciergerie here , which is worth visiting.

No more than ten minutes’ walk from Sainte Chapelle is Paris’s most famous religious building, known for her flying buttresses, twin towers and, of course, hunchback resident.

You will definitely see two out of those three when you visit Notre Dame , the major Catholic cathedral in Paris. Construction of this magnificent building took nearly two hundred years, and was completed in 1345.

3 days in Paris - Notre Dame paris_by_Laurence Norah

Unfortunately, on April 15th 2019 a devastating fire seriously damaged Notre Dame. The cathedral will be closed for the foreseeable future as a result of this tragic incident.

We certainly think it is worth visiting the facade, but as you can’t go inside at the moment, you might wish to visit another nearby attraction like the Conciergerie (where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned) as well. You can get a combined ticket for that and Sainte Chapelle here

Musee d’Orsay

If you like museums, Paris has definitely gotten you covered. Our next stop is the Musee d’Orsay , but before you get here, you’re going to take a walk along Paris’s iconic left bank, from Notre Dame to the Musee d’Orsay. This isn’t too far, but you’ll see the booksellers and get a feel for this part of town.

3 days in Paris - Musee d Orsay Paris_by_Laurence Norah

Paris’s museums are quite logically set up, with three main art museums covering three distinct time periods.

The Musee d’Orsay, first on our list, covers art dating from the middle of the 19th century up to the early 20th century, and is home to masterpieces from the likes of Duchamp, Kandinsky and Picasso, to name but a few.

The Louvre (see below), covers the time period before this, whilst the Centre Pompidou covers the time period afterwards, right up to the modern day. The Centre Pompidou isn’t on this itinerary, but you could fit it in if you wanted to of course!

The Musee d’Orsay is absolutely stunning. It’s set in what was once one of Paris’s main train stations, and the grand central atrium is gorgeous – almost worth visiting in of itself.

There’s a fee to get in here, but holders of the Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass get free entry as well as skip the line privileges.

You can also buy tickets and tours online in advance here or on the official site here .

If you only visit one museum in Paris, I can highly recommend making it the Louvre . This is one of the world’s most famous museums, and is home to an incredible collection of art, including Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and Michelangelo’s Dying Slave, to name but a few.

Louvre Paris_by_Laurence Norah-2

Obviously, seeing the Mona Lisa is on the wishlist for many visitors, but this museum, which covers art from ancient times up to the middle of the 19th century, has obviously got a great deal more to offer. True art lovers could lose themselves for days in the vast collection here!

Of course, if that’s you, you are welcome to do the same, although for the purposes of this itinerary we’d probably recommend you try and limit your time to two to three hours so you can fit more of Paris in.

Venus de Milo Louvre_by_Laurence Norah

We’d also highly recommend that you pick up either a Paris Pass , Paris City Card or a Paris Museum Pass , which will give you fast-track access to the Louvre.

Note that in the busy times, which tend to be the summer periods especially, the Louvre gets very busy. In summer 2019, there were multiple days when the museum actually sold out, and only holders of advance purchase tickets or timed reservations were able to enter the museum.

If you have a Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass , you must reserve your entry online on the official website . This is mandatory for holders of these passes in order to guarantee entry, and we highly recommend you do this in advance. If you do not reserve your slot in advance, you are not guaranteed entry even with the pass.

If you have a Paris City Card , you’ll book the timeslot you want when you book the card.

If you do not have a pass, you can buy your ticket and reserve your entry time either on GetYourGuide here (where we normally get our tickets), or online on the official website here . We’ve sometimes found that GetYourGuide has availability even when the official site is out, so it’s always worth checking if you want to visit and can’t find tickets on the official site.

Whichever ticket you buy, you will still have to queue for security, but the line for people with tickets is a lot quicker moving than the general admission line. In addition, when the Louvre sells out on its official website, tickets will usually not be sold on site, so you may not be able to just turn up and queue – only holders of advance tickets will be given entry.

Note the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. See opening times and more on the official site here .

Wine tasting

When you think of France, a few things likely come to mind, and I suspect that wine is likely one of them. So why not take a break from the sight-seeing and museums, and indulge in a little wine tasting.

Conveniently located just by the Louvre Museum, the Caves du Louvre  is a wine-tasting experience which will guide you through the French wine making process and introduce you to a number of different French wines. Which you get to drink.

Wine Tasting Paris_by_Laurence Norah

The tour is set in an actual 18th century wine cellar which originally housed the wine collection of the French King. Not a bad setting to learn about French wine we think!

There’s a fee for the tour (which includes the wine tasting), and it is included for holders of the Paris Pass. You can also book it separately here .

If you aren’t into wine tasting, there are a number of nearby cafes and restaurants where you can refresh and revive.

We can recommend afternoon tea at Le Meurice , the Ritz or the Hotel de Crillon if you like afternoon tea (see our guide to the best afternoon tea in Paris if so).

For a shorter and less expensive experience, the hot chocolate at Angelina Cafe is also superb.

Arc de Triomphe

We’re going to finish off the second day of our three-day Paris itinerary with a visit to the Arc de Triomphe , another of Paris’s iconic landmarks. From the Louvre you can either take public transport here, or you can walk up the Champs Elysees, Paris’s most famous shopping street.

Arc de Triomphe Paris_by_Laurence Norah

The Arc de Triomphe, built in memory of those who died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, is wonderfully photogenic.

From the top you get an excellent view of the city, which includes the roads spanning out into the distance and the Eiffel Tower.

paris my trip

As you journey up into the monument, you will also come to a museum which details some of its history. Below the monument, you will also find the tomb of the unknown soldier.

To get to the Arc de Triomphe, don’t try and cross the traffic roundabout. Head to one of the underpasses, and cross in safety.

Going up inside the Arc de Triomphe carries a fee, holders of the Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass get free access with skip the line privileges.

You can also book a ticket online in advance here , which is worth doing as the lines can get quite long.

Paris Itinerary:  Day 3

On the last day of our 3 day Paris itinerary we’re heading out of the city centre to take in one of Paris’s most famous Royal Palaces. We’re also including some extra sights in the city at the end if you can tear yourself away.

The really nice thing about having 3 days in Paris is that you have the flexibility to go a little further out of the centre. My suggestion for your third day is to visit Versailles , the incredible palace that was the seat of French political power and home to French Royalty, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

To truly appreciate Versailles, I would suggest allocating at least half a day of your third day in Paris, if not more. There is easily enough to see here to fill an entire day, which is why we don’t recommend coming here on our two day Paris itinerary .

Versailles Paris_by_Laurence Norah

We suggest starting off by touring the Palace. You’ll want to get here for opening time, as this is a really popular tourist attraction and it gets busier as the day goes on. Once you have toured the Palace and seen such highlights as the incredible Hall of Mirrors and the Kings Grand Apartments, you can head outside, where there is a great deal more to see.

A walk in the incredible (and vast!) gardens is a must. We particularity enjoyed heading over to Marie Antoinette’s estate, which is a slightly quieter part of the gardens, and home to a small model farm, tucked away temples, and walking paths.

It’s very easy to spend a whole day exploring Versailles and the grounds, and don’t feel bad if you do, it’s totally worth it.

Versailles_by_Laurence Norah-2

Visiting Versailles is quite easy, you can get a train (RER C) from central Paris to the Gare de Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche, and from the train station to the Palace it is a well sign-posted ten minute walk.

Fast-track entry to the Palace, Gardens and other Versailles attractions is included on the Paris Museum Pass – although you will still need to join the security line. You can also book tickets online here , or book a guided tour online here .

If you manage to tear yourself away from Versailles, my suggestion for finishing off your last day in Paris is to head to the Montmartre region. This is home to a large hill, atop which sits the glorious Sacre Coeur de Montmartre, another of Paris’s iconic buildings.

paris my trip

This area of Paris was particularly famous as being home to artists, and folks like Dali, Picasso and Hemingway all either lived or frequented this area.

It’s still popular with artists, and the Place du Teatre is the place in Montmartre is the place to go to get your portrait or caricature painted. Fans of Dali will also want to visit the Dali Exhibition , home of the largest collection of works by Dali in France.

Montmartre is a maze of cute little streets, cafes and shops. The Basilica is free to visit, if you get here in time, although there is a small fee if you want to climb the tower.

Montmartre is also a popular place to watch the sunset across the city, and what better way to finish your 3 days in Paris than by watching the sun set across this magical city from atop Montmartre?

3 Days in Paris Itinerary Map

To help you visualise our 3-day Paris itinerary we’ve put together this helpful map which shows the attractions for each day. You can access this on Google Maps here .

3 Day Paris Itinerary Map

3 Days in Paris Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick day by day breakdown of all the sights this itinerary covers:

  • Day 1 : Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, Hop on Hop off Bus, Paris Walking Tour, Tour Montparnasse
  • Day 2 : Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre, Wine tasting, Arc de Triomphe
  • Day 3: Versailles, Montmartre

Where to Stay in Paris

As you would expect from a major European capital city, Paris has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. We’ve stayed in a variety of places, from hotels to homestays to apartments.

Ideally you want to be fairly central if you can, to minimise your travel time. Our suggestion is to take a look at the listings for Paris on booking.com . They’re our favourite booking engine when we travel, usually giving us the best choice and the best prices. They also have everything from apartments and hostels to high end hotels. Here are some options we suggest, depending on your budget.

  • Hotel Dress Code & Spa , a highly reviewed centrally located 4 star hotel right a few hundred yards from the opera house
  • Hôtel Eiffel Turenne , a well rated 3* hotel within a ten minute walk of the Eiffel Tower
  • Ateliers de Montmartre , an apartment in Montmartre with views of the Sacre Coeur
  • The People – Paris Marais , a well-reviewed hostel in the Marais, one of our favourite parts of Paris to stay
  • Hotel le Compostelle , a highly rated 3* hotel centrally located near the Louvre Museum

If you prefer an apartment, then we recommend Plum Guide or Vrbo .

Plum Guide carefully curate their listings so their options tend to be of a very high quality whilst still being available at a range of price points. We’ve stayed at a number of their properties around the world, including a beautiful apartment in Paris with spectacular Eiffel Tower views. See their listings for Paris here .

If you can’t find what you want from the above choices, or you want some new options to try out, we wrote a whole post on the  best alternatives to AirBnB  which you should check out!

We also have a page full of travel resources, which includes our tips for getting the best deals on accommodation, which you can find  here .

Plum Guide Review Paris The Tannery

When to Visit Paris

We’re actually happy to visit Paris at pretty much any time of year, and this Paris itinerary would work at any time of year.

Summer brings sunshine and warmth, although of course the city is a lot busier at this time of year, so if crowds aren’t your thing, you might want to skip the summer months.

Mona Lisa Louvre_by_Laurence Norah

We also love Fall and Spring in the city, when the temperatures are a bit cooler and the crowds less. In the run up to Christmas, the city is beautifully decorated and some of the stores in particular are worth visiting just to see the elaborate decorations they put up. After Christmas the city is a lot quieter, and of course temperatures are at their lowest.

Ultimately, we think Paris is worth visiting whenever you can, so just decide how busy you can handle, and if you’d prefer it to be warm or cold, and go from there!

How to Get to and From Paris

As the capital of France, Paris has multiple options for visitors looking to visit. There are three major airports in Paris. Charles de Gaulle is the main airport for international arrivals, with Paris Orly being the second most popular international airport. Both of these airports are easily reachable by public transport from the city centre.

Eiffel Tower from Arc de Triomphe_by_Laurence Norah

Paris Beauvais-Tille airport is where you will likely arrive if you are flying with a budget airline. This is some way out of the city centre, but regular shuttle buses are available to take you into the city.

Paris is also connected to the high-speed French and European rail network, and there are a number of train stations in central Paris. You can even travel from the UK by train, taking the channel tunnel to do so. See our guide to getting from London to Paris for more suggested options.

Finally, of course, you can reach Paris by car from France and the rest of Europe. Our advice would be to park your car in a secure long stay car-park on the outskirts of Paris and take public transport to the centre.

We recommend against driving in the city centre, as public transport is cheap and fast, and a lot easier than stressing about driving around the crowded city streets, and trying to find a parking space.

How to Get Around Paris

Paris has an excellent public transport network, and in particular the Paris Metro system is really good, getting you around all the major parts of the city at minimum cost. There’s also a good bus network, as well as local trains.

For public transport, you can purchase t+ tickets which allow for one-off travel on the Paris bus, RER trains and metros. These are available at train and metro stations using the ticket machines. These machines accept both credit cards and cash, and can be configured for English language.

Paris Metro_by_Laurence Norah

Each ticket can be used for a single journey of up to 2 hours on the metro (including transfers) and 90 minutes on buses (including transfers). For more information on these tickets, see the official page .

From 2019, the Paris transport system has introduced the Navigo Easy Card. This is a rechargeable card system which is designed to replace the cardboard T+ tickets. A card costs €2 to buy, but allow you to buy a discounted pack of 10 tickets which will save you money if you do quite a bit of travel.

Other than being electronically stored, the tickets work the same, so we would recommend visitors to Paris using the Navigo Easy system as the most cost-effectivee method of paying for transport as a visitor to Paris.

For more on getting around Paris, see our detailed guide to how to get around Paris , which should help you plan all your transport in the city.

Walking Tours of Paris

If you’d like to take a guided tour of Paris, the two companies we usually use are Take Walks and Context Travel . These both offer small group walking tours in Paris, which are a great way to learn about some of the sights and history of the city. Of course, if you decide to take a walking tour you will have to adjust the itinerary accordingly to suit.

If you were interested in a tour, Take Walks has this  Paris in a Day tour which includes a major Museum, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre & a Seine River Cruise – an excellent introduction to the city!

Context travel offer a number of very focused tours of Paris , and these offer very specialised insights into particular subjects. We’d suggest maybe taking one of these for a specific area of interest that you really want to learn about, perhaps for Versailles . They also offer an introduction to Paris tour .

There are of course other options for various tours in Paris, including all the tours on this page , which offers a variety of things to do from different providers.

For example, there’s this delicious looking food tour ,  this in-depth tour of Hemingway locations in Paris or this tour of Montmartre .

So definitely check out the options to figure out what is best for you!

How to Save Money in Paris

Being a major European city, Paris is definitely not a budget destination. There are a few ways to save money of course, even on an itinerary as packed with attractions as this one is. Food is one way – rather than eating out for every meal for example, you could stay in an apartment or hostel that lets you cook your own meals.

If that’s not an option, consider having picnic lunches or breakfasts, and eating out in the evenings. Also, keep an eye out for the “menu du jour”, most restaurants offer a fixed lunch or evening menu which includes a number of dishes at a fixed price.

You can usually get a meal for between €12 & €25 which includes two or three courses, bread, and sometimes even wine or coffee. Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Paris for lunch deals.

The cheapest way to get around Paris is to walk of course, followed by the excellent public transport system. We usually walk as much as we can, and then take the metro for the longer trips. Taxis can be convenient, but they will eat into your budget very quickly.

RATP cards Paris_by_Laurence Norah

One of our favourite ways to save money when we visit a major city where we want to see a lot of sights is to invest in a city sightseeing pass. In Paris there are three main passes that we recommend, the Paris Pass ( buy yours from the official site here ), the Paris Museum Pass (buy here ) and the Paris City Card .

Calculating if a pass is worth it for you will of course depend on exactly which attractions you want to visit.

From our itinerary, here’s what’s included on which passes, as well the cost of individual tickets as of December 2023 and links to book each attraction directly.

  • Eiffel Tower (€38 for guided tour, €11.30 for standard stair access ticket) – tour included on Paris City Card, Go Paris Pass and Paris Pass. Book tickets on the official website here
  • Seine River Cruise (€18) – included on Paris City Card, Go Paris Pass and Paris Pass. Book online here .
  • Hop on Hop off bus (€45) – included on Paris Pass. Book online here .
  • Paris Walking Tour (~€35) – various options included on Paris Pass. Book online here .
  • Tour Montparnasse (€19) – included on Paris Pass. Book online here .
  • Sainte Chapelle (€11.5) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .
  • Musee d’Orsay (€16) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .
  • Louvre Museum (€17) – included on Paris Museum Pass and Paris City Card. Book on GetYourGuide here , or on the official site here .
  • Wine Tasting (€35) – included on Go Paris Pass and Paris Pass. Book online here .
  • Arc de Triomphe (€13) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .
  • Versailles (€19.5) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .

Adding all the above together and you are looking at around €270 in entry fees.

Our recommendation is to consider a 3-day Paris Pass.

We suggest the 3-day Paris Pass because it actually comes with a 2-day Paris Museum Pass.

With that, you get access to pretty much everything on our itinerary, as well as many more activities and attractions including more museums, walking tours, and even dining activities!

You just have to plan your itinerary so you visit the sites covered by the Paris Museum Pass on two out of your three days in Paris. Hint – we’ve already done that for you in our itinerary!

As of December 2023, a 3 day Paris Pass costs €194 for an adult, saving you around €75 per person if you do everything in our itinerary.

Paris Passes_by_Laurence Norah

Of course, your individual situation will vary, and you might have different attractions you want to visit. In addition, you should be aware that if you are an EU citizen under the age of 26 that many attractions are free or discounted to visit (you need ID!).

Also, on the first Sunday of every month, many museums are free to visit – although very crowded as a result!

We think the Paris Pass can be good value for money ( click here to buy ), but do feel free to check out our detailed reviews of both the Paris Pass and the Paris Museum Pass , and come to your own decision as to what works for you!

You might also decide that purchasing individual tickets makes more sense. In that case, we highly recommend booking online in advance, especially for major attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, which can get very busy and even sell out a long time in advance.

Finally, we can also suggest checking out the Paris City Card . This includes a guided Eiffel tower ticket, Seine River cruise and access to the Louvre. It also comes with an audioguide to Paris, as well as a further 10% discount on other Paris attractions.

This is a good option if you aren’t planning on visiting everything in our itinerary. It also has the advantage that you book the timeslots for the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower when you book the card, so can be convenient.

Practicalities for visiting Paris

Paris is a safe city in our experience, although it does have a reputation for being home to a number of scams. Most of these are easy to avoid once you know about them (read up on some of the common scams in Paris here ).

As with any major city, of course you need to keep your wits about you – keep your possessions in view all the time, keep your wallet or phone in a front pocket (with a zip if possible), and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do at home.

We’ve not had any problems in Paris, although there are a few scams to be aware of – check our guide to avoiding common Paris scams so you are prepared in advance.

Electricity in Paris is of the 220v standard, with the 2 pin European style plug. Travellers from countries like the UK and the US will need an adapter like this . See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the best travel adapters .

US travellers need to check their equipment supports the 220v standard – it will be written clearly on the power adapter. As a general rule, we have found that laptops, phone and camera chargers and other small electronics are universal, whilst larger devices like hair dryers and hair straighteners are not.

Paris is part of the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro. You can get Euros from ATM’s, banks and currency exchanges, although credit cards are of course widely accepted, and there is no need to carry large quantities of currency.

Internet Access

Internet access is widely available in the form of WiFi all around the city and in hotels and coffee shops, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting online. You can also pick up local SIM cards if you have an unlocked phone. If you are travelling from the USA, consider a Google Fi package which lets you use your data overseas.

Alternatively, consider an eSIM service like Airalo .

For more options on getting online when travelling, check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options. We also have a guide to picking the best travel router , which can help you extend a weak WiFi network and share it across multiple devices.

Water 

The water in the taps in Paris is safe to drink unless otherwise indicated. If you don’t like the taste, bottled water is widely available. We usually recommend you travel with a re-usable water bottle like one of these  to save on having to buy water bottles.

We love our Klean Kanteen water bottles for travel as they are lightweight, easy to clean and the company is a certified B-Corp.

Eating in Paris

If you want to eat at one of the more popular restaurants in Paris , we recommend that you book in advance. We recommend and use La Fourchette (the fork), which is the most popular online restaurant booking website in France.

It’s easy to use and makes booking restaurants a breeze, especially if you don’t speak French. Check it out here to find reviews, sample menus and book a table.

Further Reading for your 3 Days in Paris

We have visited Paris on a number of occasions, and have written a good deal about our experiences in the city. To help you further plan your stay in Paris, here are some of our favourite posts and external resources.

  • A detailed guide to 2 Days in Paris , should you be there for a shorter period or are looking for some alternative options
  • We also have a guide to spending a day in Paris , if you’re on a really tight schedule and just want to focus on the highlights
  • We have a detailed guide to attending the famous Moulin Rouge show in Paris
  • Our guide to the  best photography locations in Paris , to help you get the best shots on your trip
  • A guide to  choosing a Seine river cruise , choosing a Seine River dinner cruise , buying Paris opera tickets ,  attending a fashion show in Paris  and our tips for  the best restaurants in Paris for lunch .
  • Our  review of the Paris Pass  and the Paris Museum Pass to help you decide if these might save you money during your time in Paris
  • Galeries Lafayette is one of the most well known stores in Paris. However, there’s more to do here than shop! See our complete guide to visiting Galeries Lafayette for more information.
  • A guide to  Airbnb Alternatives  to help you find the right accommodation
  • If you like afternoon tea, check out our definitive guide to the  best afternoon tea locations in Paris
  • If you are heading out of town, check out our itinerary for 2 Days visiting Normandy and the D-Day beaches
  • We have reviewed many travel related products you might find useful. Check out our guide to the best travel routers , best travel cameras and best travel wraps to get started!
  • If you want a book, we always like to recommend the Rick Steves guides – here’s the  Rick Steves Paris  edition

And that’s it for our guide to spending 3 days in Paris! As always if you have any feedback or questions, just let us know in the comments below.

Visiting Paris? Our guide to spending 3 days in Paris provides you with a detailed Paris itinerary covering all the highlights of the city, laid out in a logical way so you can maximise your time on your trip to Paris. As well as a 3 day Paris itinerary, this guide covers lots of practical advice for your Paris trip!

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Deidre Smith says

22nd December 2023 at 6:04 pm

We arrive at the paris airport at 8am on a Sunday, will have to get our luggage and take it to our hotel. I was hoping to be to hotel by 10am. I thought of doing: Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, Hop on Hop off Bus, Notre Dame, Tour Montparnasse.

Monday: Sainte Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre, Catacombs, Arc de Triomphe (do Tour Montparnasse this day if didn’t have time on Sunday)

Tuesday: Versailles in the morning, leave to go get our luggage at hotel at 3pm, get to hotel at 4pm, get to airport by 5pm for 7pm flight to Venice.

I had to move Notre Dame on your days to Sunday, since it’s closed Monday. So my question is, is this doable? Second, I was going to get the Paris Pass but it seems that wouldn’t work on Versailles if I use it on Monday at Notre Dame, so is there a better pass for me to buy. I was worried if I bought the paris pass, and then used it to book Versailles, it might not work since it’s not consecutive days.

Laurence Norah says

22nd December 2023 at 6:47 pm

So, Notre Dame itself is not due to re-open until the end of 2024. The only area you can currently visit is the Crypt, which you are correct, is closed on Mondays. So I just wanted to clarify that that was what you meant.

For the general timing, if you don’t mind having quite a long day on the Monday you should be ok. My main concern would be that the Hop on Hop off bus is likely going to take a while (it’s a sightseeing experience rather than a quick way to get around the city). Also if you plan on using the Paris Pass or similar pass, you should be aware that some attractions are visited with a guided tour, specifically the Eiffel Tower. Those tours only run at specific times.

Given your schedule with Versailles on the Tuesday and the fact that the Paris Pass only comes with a 2 day Paris Museum Pass, you are correct that this might not be the best pass for you as the 2 day Musuem Pass would expire by Tuesday. One option would be to just get a 2 day Paris Museum Pass and use it for the Monday / Tuesday attractions. From your list it should cover everything except the Catacombs I believe. Then you could just book individual tickets for the other sights. There are passes which include some of the sights on your list such as the Go City Explorer Pass . However I honestly don’t think that it is going to offer better value than just booking individual tickets for each attraction.

I hope this helps, have an amazing time in Paris and let me know if I can offer any more help!

Catrina says

24th November 2023 at 3:13 pm

My husband and I will be celebrating our 20 year anniversary in March and are planning a trip to Paris! I love the 3 day itinerary, giving us a couple days to visit Disneyland Paris. I am interested in a budget friendly-ish stay that allows for a gorgeous view of the Eiffel Tower as in your photo above. Any way to narrow down my hotel/apartment search? Any info is greatly appreciated! Thanks for all the info already given. Super excited for our trip 🙂

24th November 2023 at 4:47 pm

Congratulations and your anniversary and what a lovely way to spend it 🙂 So there are definitely quite a few hotels and apartments with views of the Eiffel Tower. The downside is that properties are aware that this is a desirable feature, so these rooms tend to cost a bit more. We actually have a complete guide to the Eiffel Tower which has a section on recommended hotels , with many of them offering views.

We cen definitely personally recommend the Pullman , which has lovely views from many of the rooms.

Otherwise, your best option is going to be to search properties in the region of the Eiffel tower (like this search I’ve set up for you ). Any hotel or apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower will definitely make that obvious in it’s description. You just want to be sure you book a room with a view of it, which should also be pretty clear in the room description!

I hope you have a wonderful time in Paris and if you have any more questions please let me know 🙂

Catrina Baugus says

28th November 2023 at 9:43 am

Thank you so much! This gives us a great place to start 🙂

G. Heartwell says

20th March 2023 at 4:32 pm

Thank you so much for the details on the 3 day Paris tour. Sounds perfect for starting a 7 day first visit.! My granddaughter and I are planning to go after the end of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris! Any helpful travel do s and don’ts for that time period?

24th March 2023 at 6:29 pm

It’s my pleasure. So the main advice I would give is to book any attractions you want to visit as far in advance as possible. This is especially the case for popular attractions like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, which can book out months in advance at busier times of year. I’d also recommend picking a hotel with air-conditioning. It’s not always included, but summer in Paris can be hot so be sure to pick somewhere that specifically states it has A/C for a more comfortable stay.

Otherwise have a great time in Paris!

27th January 2023 at 12:07 am

Hello from snowy Toronto, Canada

My son (almost 18) and I would like to travel to France end of July for perhaps a week or so then on to England. With respect to France he wants to see the Eifel Tower and Louvre and from what I read a sunset river cruise would be great too. We can visit the Notre-Dame and anything else you suggest. I personally would then like to go south to Nice, Cannes etc. If we base ourselves in Paris for sites would you suggest base in Nice and branch from there to surrounding areas? Are Roven, Marselle and Carcassone (sp) worth visiting? Would you suggest other areas? Bordeaux looks beautiful but being that this isn’t a wine tour for myself I don’t want to visit this time. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

29th January 2023 at 9:21 am

It’s great to hear from you. So for Paris I think this guide should cover most of the highlights of what you want to see. For the south of France, it is definitely a good option to pick one or two locations as a base. However, it’s worth pointing out that France is quite a big country, so you will want to plan what you want to see. Carcassone is very pretty and definitely worth visiting, but it’s about 350 miles from Nice for example. So I think you would want to work out exactly what you wanted to see and then decide which location or locations makes the most logical sense. You will also want to figure out how you want to get around. The train network in France is very fast and good value, but it doesn’t go everywhere, so you might also consider hiring a car for example. With only a week total, I’d suggest picking one other location outside of Paris and focusing on that. Bordeaux would actually be a great option as it’s about 3 hours by fast train from Paris and there is plenty to see (lots of which doesn’t involve wine!).

Have a great trip 🙂

jacques Martial says

9th January 2023 at 3:26 am

Interesting site.. we have some friends visiting Paris for 3 days and we found your site.. Being a Parisian myself, I was surprised that you included Versailles and a Wine Tasting visit into your planning. Nothing against Versailles, it is a beautiful place but there is more to see in Paris that spending time in Versailles and tasting wine when you are not a drinker. Suggest that you give these visits as alternate. One suggestion: why don’t you have a Romantic 3 days in Paris planning? Many young couples may appreciate more for honeymoon, wedding anniversary or other. Thank you Jacques from Vancouver in Canada

11th January 2023 at 9:02 am

Hi Jacques,

Thanks for your input! We definitely appreciate that this itinerary will not work for everyone, and of course we always suggest folks adjust for their own personal interests and tastes. Many visitors to France do want to try French wine, hence the wine tasting. We also think Versailles is worth visiting with three days in Paris, but of course, everyone can make their own choice 🙂 Thanks for the idea about the romantic visit to Paris as well, we shall definitely consider that!

Marybeth says

5th January 2023 at 10:00 pm

Your information is fabulous! I will be traveling to France in June for a wedding. The wedding will take place in Provence. I plan on starting in Paris for at least 3 days. Then off to Lyon, Avignon and Provence. I am open to suggestions on what to see between Paris and Provence. Lastly, 3 or 4 days for Paris? My travel dates are a bit flexible. Thank you for any suggestions you may offer.

11th January 2023 at 9:32 am

Thanks Marybeth, and sorry for the slow response, we’re currently traveling in Uganda with limited internet!

Given your planned route from Paris to Avignon with a stop in Lyons, a few suggestions that might work for you are below. However, this depends on if you are driving or traveling by train.

Fontainebleau – most famous for Fontainebleau Palace. A nice quieter alternative to Versailles if you are not already visiting that on this trip.

Guédelon Castle near Treigny, France which is a 13th century castle they are building using traditional materials and methods

Dijon – heart of Burgundy region so lots of vineyards in area, city has a number of attractions like Musée des Beaux-Arts

Beaune – lovely walled town with cobblestones, distinctive tiled roofs and the Hôtel-Dieu Museum

3rd January 2023 at 3:09 am

Hi, Your itinerary is so great! Thank you for doing this as I plan to follow it. I’m going in February. I’d like to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up what’s the best time to get there? Thank you

3rd January 2023 at 4:46 pm

So the Eiffel Tower automatically lights up within 10 minutes of it getting dark. It’s an automated system that is based on the light. In February, the sunset in Paris is normally around 6pm (6.30pm at the end of the month), so anytime around then if you just want to see it lit up. It’s also worth noting that the tower also sparkles for five minutes every hour on the hour once it’s been lit up, so that would likely take place at 7pm when you are there. I’d definitely recommend watching that as well!

Have a great time in Paris, let me know if you have any more questions! We also have a detailed guide to the Eiffel Tower you might find useful 🙂

Andrej ands Heather says

5th July 2022 at 4:58 am

Hi Laurence and Jessica Norah

We were planning the Paris trip, actually a trip to Europe, with the first stop in Paris. We found your web blog, read it carefully and decided to follow your advice in the detail. We stayed for 4 days and used 3 days Paris pass, it is good value for the money we paid for. That was the best decision we made!

We create our own itinerary, we scheduled our trips and we made it even more than we predict. We bought a weekly Navigo on arrival( it is good to have two photos with) and travel all around by public transport, a lot of walking up and downstairs( we are 50 and 51), but we managed. We are extremely grateful for your work and effort. Thank you, guys!

5th July 2022 at 11:12 am

Hi Andrej and Heather,

I am so pleased that you had a good time in Paris (and Europe!) and that you found our sites useful. It is very kind of you to take the time to stop by and let us know, it is very much appreciated. Also for the tip on the Navigo. Here’s to many more years of adventures ahead!

All the best,

6th June 2022 at 11:03 pm

So can I upgrade the Eiffel Tower tour to an elevator one all the way to the summit with the Paris pass? That says guided climbing tour only to the second floor. Thanks

7th June 2022 at 11:45 am

This is a great question! I reached out to Experience First who handle the tour that comes with the Paris Pass, and they responded as follows:

You can First book your tour with Paris pass through: https://www.exp1.com/paris-tours/book-with-pass/

Then, after booking you will receive an email with a Booking reference number which you can use it to upgrade to summit.

To Upgrade after booking : https://upgrade.exp1.com/

So in summary, yes, you can upgrade to the summit access tour with the Paris Pass, although obviously this will be subject to availability.

Have a great time in Paris!

13th November 2021 at 7:57 pm

My husband and I will be visiting Paris in a couple weeks for 4 days (Sun – Wed). This is our first time visiting France and working on a draft itinerary. I plan on getting the Paris Pass for the 1st 2 days so to include all the museum visits. Also your thoughts on doing the river cruise at night (Bateaux Parisiens Seine River) instead of during the day one.

Sunday – Bus hop, Eiffel Tower and late afternoon head to watch the sunset…Arc de Triomphe and do Tour Montparnasse Monday – Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre, Wine tasting, River ride at sunset Tuesday – The catacombs or Montmartre then Versaille in the afternoon

Thanks in advance!

14th November 2021 at 11:10 am

Great to hear from you! Your plan sounds great to me. The only thing I’d mention, which might be obvious, is just to remember that in winter the sun sets around 5pm in Paris. I’m sure you factored that in, but just something to remember if you’re wanting to catch the sunset from the Tour Montparnasse.

It definitely sounds like you have arranged everything in a sensible order. I am not sure how busy Versailles is at the moment. In the old times visiting in the afternoon without a guided tour booked was a challenge due to the long ticket lines, but now they have timed tickets I suspect it’s less of an issue – we’ve not been since they introduced the time slots.

For the Seine River Cruise, we’ve done both day time cruises, sunset cruises and an evening dinner cruise. I think sunset is a good time as you get the mix of the city at day and at night, with the potential for a nice sky as well. If it was my first time, I’d probably not do a tour at night, just because it’s obviously dark and so harder to see everything. But that’s just my personal preference. Seeing everything lit up is lovely as well!

Let me know if you have any more questions, I’m happy to help! Have a wonderful trip to Paris – we’re planning to be there at the start of January 😀

amanda Pimm says

31st October 2021 at 4:12 pm

Hi , my husband and I plan to take my daughter and her friend to Paris next may 2022 for her 16th birthday. We have never been before and can’t speak any French, will this be a problem. I also wondered what pass would be good to buy for our 3 day sight seeing please. Would be very great full for any advice.

31st October 2021 at 6:33 pm

Great to hear from you. Let me do my best to answer your two questions.

In terms of not speaking French, this shouldn’t be a major problem, especially in Paris. It’s a popular part of the world with visitors, and English is widely spoken. However, I would say that you will likely have a better experience if you learn a few basic phrases, such as hello (bonjour), thank you (merci) please (s’il vous plait), and do you speak English (parlez vouz anglais). The Parisians have developed a bit of reputation for being rude to foreigners, but in my experience, if you start off with a simple “bonjour”, they will pretty much instantly realise that you are not a native speaker, and nine times out of ten they’ll respond in English. However, if you start in English, they’ll be less receptive. I guess you could imagine the reception if it were reversed, and a French person arriving in the UK or USA and trying to start a conversation in French. So even learning “hello” can be a bit step in getting things off on the right foot!

For city cards, this will very much depend on what you want to see. For most visitors, a trip to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and a Seine River Cruise are popular, so the Paris City Card is a good starting point as it includes those things. You then get a 10% discount for additional attractions you book through the site. If you plan to see more sights, then you might instead consider the Paris Pass , which includes a lot more attractions and activities, but it will definitely depend on what you plan to do to make sure it is good value. For example, if you plan to do most of the attractions in this itinerary, it will likely offer cost savings.

I hope this helps, have a great trip to Paris and let me know if you have any more questions!

21st April 2020 at 11:55 pm

Exploring the City of Love is such a dream come true! This 3-day Itinerary in Paris is such a great help to those who are planning to discover Paris. Thanks for sharing, nice article.

22nd April 2020 at 10:36 am

Thanks James!

rj digma says

11th February 2020 at 7:08 pm

Great site. Very helpful. One question, if I buy the paris museum pass but want to hire a private guide to take us to the museums and give us art history info, would you know someone.

11th February 2020 at 11:20 pm

Thanks very much! We don’t know any private guides personally, however we have regularly used Context Travel , who do provide private guides, so that would be worth looking into.

Good luck, and have a great time in Paris!

Veronica Webster says

1st February 2020 at 11:36 pm

Hi Laurence, We have already cleared doubts with Jessica about our London trip, and now we’re working on the Paris part. We will be visiting Paris from March 27th to April 1st. Arriving on Friday around 11:00 am. We know that being a weekend everything will be more crowded, but it is what it is. We have made our numbers and we’re thinking that the Museum Pass will work better, given that the Paris Pass 3 days only includes 2 days museums, and we have actually 4.5 days, so not really need to fit all museums in 2 days (and we’re visiting Versailles too) My question is: The delivery options for the Museum pass is pick up at arrival or Fedex (24euros to Canada). If we arrive on a Friday, if I want to reserve time slot for Louvre on Saturday, is there’s a risk I won’t find available the time I’m looking for? Same for Orsay on Sunday morning (we want to be there for both at 9:00 am) Given that we would be already saving time by avoiding lines and buying the tickets, the 24 euros fee to have the pass with us sooner and book weeks ahead sound like a reasonable option. Your thoughts please?

here’s a draft of our trip: Friday after 1 pm: Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise (we pay for those 2) Sat: Louvre (9am, museum pass), Hop OnOff (we pay) Champs E./Arc the T (mpass) Sun: Orsay (9am mpass) Montmartre Mo: Saint Chapelle (mpass), Notre Dame (just views), Pantheon (mpass), Invalides (mpass) Tu: Versailles (mpass) – We think Versailles will be less crowded on Tu, but we could switch this to Sunday.

Thank you in advance to you and Jessica! your blog has been very useful to plan this trip!!

2nd February 2020 at 3:32 pm

Hi Veronica,

Thanks for your comment. To answer your question, for the Louvre, it has become very popular, and if you want to guarantee a particular time for your entry, then paying for the delivery of the museum pass is definitely going to be the way to do that. You need the number on the pass in order to make the reservation, which obviously you will need the pass for. If you decide to do this, make sure you bring both the pass and proof of reservation with you, and then join the correct line at the Louvre for those with reservations.

Of course, Paris in March / April is not as busy as it is over the summer months, so it may be that the Louvre has plenty of availability. However, it’s all down to your personal risk preference 😉

For the Musee d’Orsay, as far as we know you can’t book in advance with this museum, you just turn up with your pass. This is the case for most of the museums in Paris, it’s only the Louvre that has the timed requirement due to its popularity.

For Versailles, the weekends are usually very busy, however, bear in mind that many sights in Paris are also closed on Tuesdays (like the Louvre), so this also means more folks head out to Versailles. We would urge you to arrive early at Versailles, as the lines can get very very long for entry. Again, March / April should not be *too* busy, but it is best to err on the side of caution in our experience!

You have done a great job with the itinerary, putting the busiest places first 🙂 Let us know if you have any more questions and we’ll try to help. Have a fantastic trip – do feel free to join our facebook group and share your experiences in our friendly facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelloversandphotography/ 🙂

Afitha says

31st August 2019 at 12:47 pm

Hi Laurence, Me and my husband will be going to paris-switzerland-italy for 11 days trip..pls gve me an advise regarding howmany days we will stay per country…eagerly waiting for ur reply..TIA

2nd September 2019 at 6:12 am

It really depends on which cities you want to visit and your personal interests. I haven’t visited Switzerland for a while but I would say if you were to do something like Paris for 3 days, then Switzerland for 3-4 days, then Italy for 4-5 days. I would suggest with that much time that you could visit 2 cities in Italy, so I’d say maybe Rome and Venice. You could also base in Rome and do day trips to places like Florence.

Have a great time!

19th August 2019 at 11:55 am

Hello Laurence and Jessica, I’m planning to go on a solo trip on January 2020 to Paris (and going to Italy). It will be my first time in Europe, and I’m very excited. I know it’s winter and it will be very cold, but I was wondering if you have any tips for a 21 year old solo female traveller? I’m planning to book an AirBnB so I can also cook some meals to be able to save some money. How much do you think I need for the three day sightseeing in Paris alone? I’m hoping to hear from you guys soon. Thank you.

19th August 2019 at 12:01 pm

So I will briefly answer your question on solo female travel. We definitely aren’t experts in that area as we usually travel as a couple, however, Paris is no more or less safe than other major western European cities, so if you practice the same sort of safety precautions that you would in your own home cities, then you shouldn’t have any problems.

For budget, January is not too busy in Paris so you should be able to find an apartment on AirBnb in the region of $60 – $100 a night. The other main costs will be food and sightseeing. For food, lunch is the best time to go out for meals generally as restaurants tend to have fixed price menus. So if you do choose to dine out during your stay, we’d recommend doing so at lunch. Otherwise we suggest croissants from a bakery for breakfast and there are lots of supermarkets for picking up supplies for cooking 🙂

Sightseeing will be your other major costs. The price will obviously vary depending on exactly what you want to do and see. If you plan on going inside many museums and attractions, then we recommend either the Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass. The best one for you will depend on what you want to see. Note that neither of them includes Eiffel tower access. If you want to go up the Eiffel Tower, the cheapest way is to buy second floor tickets with stair access. You can do this online or in person – see our full Eiffel Tower guide for more on that.

https://independenttravelcats.com/eiffel-tower-paris-france/

Overall, I would say that if you budget $60 – $100 a day for accommodation, $20 – $50 a day for attractions and $15 – $30 a day on food that would be reasonable. Of course, you could go above or below these figures based on your own preference, but that is a ballpark.

Have a great time in Paris, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any more questions!

29th July 2019 at 4:15 am

I am looking into going to Paris July 3-5 2020. I have never traveled or anything else like that how would I go about making sure I had enough money. Thank you in advance.

29th July 2019 at 7:42 pm

Well, that’s quite a big question 🙂 It will depend a bit on your travel style (hostel – luxury hotel), what attractions you want to see and what sort of food you want to eat. Also how you get around, from walking -> taxis. The main costs will be your flight to and from Paris, your accommodation, and then your sight-seeing and food costs. It’s hard to give an exact number as everyone will be different, but if you take a look at my guide to the costs for travelling in the UK, this will give you an idea of what to estimate. Paris will be a bit more expensive, as capital cities often are, but you should at least get a rough estimate. You can see that guide here:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/cost-travel-uk/

Let me know if you have any more questions!

29th July 2019 at 9:34 pm

Thank u so much I’ll check that link in just a few when I have a bit more time ????????

7th July 2019 at 3:57 am

Hi Laurence!

My husband and I will be going to Paris for six days in October. However, it’s our first time there, and I’m starting to think that we might have too many days in Paris and we might run out of activities.

Any suggestions or thoughts on that based on your experience?

9th July 2019 at 3:42 pm

You definitely won’t run out of things to do. I have just covered the major highlights in this post – there is so much more to the city! We usually visit for 5-7 days at a time, and have done so multiple times, and have never run out of things to do!

9th September 2019 at 11:13 pm

My sister and I who are in our 70 are going on a river cruise with Viking on Oct 6 an want to come in a few days early.. What hotel and tours . Is the show mon la rougue still there as I saw it 20 years and want to see it again.

11th September 2019 at 5:50 pm

Thanks for your e-mail. So the hotel you choose will very much depend on your budget, but we have some suggestions in this post for you to choose from. If you’d like to stay near the Eiffel Tower, we also have a lot of suggestions in our guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower, which you can read here . Of course, you might want to find out where your cruise departs from so you are not too far away.

The Moulin Rouge is still very much in operation, and we visited quite recently. You do need to book in advance, I have a full guide to the Moulin Rouge here which you might find helpful.

Rupali says

25th June 2019 at 2:47 pm

Hi I really like the detailed itinerary. It very good to look if you are planning the trip to Paris in advance. I would like to know if the Paris pass includes guided tours or some discount on guided tours in the museums? Also, if now do you think it is worth to take the guided tours to know about the significance of that place.

25th June 2019 at 3:20 pm

Thanks very much 🙂 So some city passes do include discounts on walking tours. However, the Paris Pass does not include many discounted guided tours. Looking at the inclusions, it includes a Montmartre walking tour, as well as discounts on a Segway tour, cycling tour and Citroen 2CV tour. It also includes the guided Opera Garnier tour. You can see some of the tours it includes on this page – just filter by Paris tours.

So if you want to do a guided tour of the museums, or a guided tour in Paris in general, then you would want to book that separately. I do think that a guided tour is a good way to learn about the city, and I link to some suggested walking tours in the post. It’s really up to you though if you want to do that. If you take a full day walking tour of Paris, then you might not find the Paris Pass offers such good value as most tours include entry to a number of attractions.

Let me know if I can be of any more help!

9th June 2019 at 7:07 pm

Hi Laurence, We stumbled across your blog recently while planning for our trip to Paris in September this fall. We enjoyed reading it. We will be arriving Paris on a Wednesday morning and leaving by plane on a Saturday 5:50pm flight. On Thursday we’ve booked a Versailles morning tour that ends 1:45pm and on Saturday morning we’ve booked the Louvre tour that ends 12:45 pm, then we will retrieve our luggage from hotel and on to the airport. Questions: Should we stay at a hotel that is near the Louvre for our convenience of Saturday’s luggage retrieval before airport Or should we stay at a hotel that is a short walk to the Hop on Hop off bus route so we can visit most of the top attraction via the bus and not to let the luggage retrieval limit the hotel location ? Could you please give us a few hotels suggestions and what top attractions we can fit in our schedule?

9th June 2019 at 8:53 pm

Thanks for your comment!

So, I think it’s up to you in regard to the hotel location. However, as the Louvre is a popular location for visitors, most Hop on Hop off buses will have a stop close by. So you can do both – just pick a hotel close to the Louvre and it will also be close to the Hop on Hop off bus.

In terms of specific hotels, it’s hard to give advice without a budget. I’d suggest using this link to start , and then narrowing your filter by price, date and what type of accommodation you are looking for. I’d generally also suggest looking for properties with a good review score, ideally an 8 or higher 🙂

PS – sorry about the slow response, we’ve been travelling for the past few days with limited internet 😀

Angela B says

9th June 2019 at 3:30 pm

Laurence & Jessica, Such an amazing and thorough explanation. My daughter (13) and I will be arriving into Paris next Sunday (16th) to watch USA play in the World Cup. My husband will be working the Paris Air Show, so my daughter and I have 3 days (17-19) to ourselves, meeting my husband at night for dinner and sightseeing. I think we will do the 3 day tour with Versailles on the last day. Based on this itinerary, does the 3 Day Paris Pass still make the best option? I am guessing it does since it includes travel, entrance, and skipping lines. We are sooooo excited!!!!! Angela

9th June 2019 at 8:57 pm

Thank you so much Angela – sounds like you’ve got a great trip coming up!

So I would say that the Paris Pass would make sense if you intend on using the various additional features it offers like the Seine Cruise, transport and so on. The one thing to be aware of is that whilst the pass is three days, it only includes a 2 day museum pass. And that pass is what you will use for places like the Louvre, Versailles and so on.

I have structured this itinerary to account for that, however, if you want to move things around, it might make less sense, and instead you might consider the 4 day Paris Museum Pass, and then a separate travel card. Of course, it’s up to you.

We have a full review of both types of pass if you would like some further reading to help you decide! They are at the following links:

https://independenttravelcats.com/tips-buying-using-paris-museum-pass/ https://independenttravelcats.com/buying-paris-pass-review-worth-it-tips/

Sumona says

30th May 2019 at 5:31 pm

Thank you so much for writing this. Really helpful and very well written!

30th May 2019 at 5:38 pm

Thank you very much Sumona – have a wonderful trip to Paris and do let us know if you have any questions 🙂

17th May 2019 at 4:52 pm

Hi Laurence and Jessica! I am travelling to Paris soon and your elaborate writing and practical tips is what exactly I was looking for. Brilliant! Thanks : )

17th May 2019 at 5:53 pm

Thank you very much Jasma – have a wonderful time in Paris! Do let us know how you enjoy the city 🙂

17th May 2019 at 7:27 pm

I will sure have a good time in the City of love . Also, Your expert advice on the accommodation pls- the place I am planning to stay is at Courbevoie. Per the owner it says 10 mins to Paris. Do you think during my stay at Paris for 3-4 days this place will be in proximity to the list you had advised in your blog. Thanks Jasma

17th May 2019 at 7:33 pm

It’s hard to tell as Courbevoie is a little bit outside the city centre, and so it will depend on which metro or train station you are near, and how far it is to the metro station. In a best case scenario it will be 10 minutes to the Arc de Triomphe, in a worse case scenario, more like 40 minutes. The Arc de Triomphe is the closest attraction in our itinerary though to Courbevoie, other attractions are further away. So it is definitely not the most convenient location, but it will work. However, if you can find somewhere more central it might work out more easily for you.

18th May 2019 at 3:33 pm

Thanks a million Laurence. You are doing a great job and I truly appreciate it. Regards, Jasma

Godfrey says

29th March 2019 at 8:41 pm

You guys are amazing..just about saved me hours of research into finding things to do in 3 days…This is exactly what fits within our 3 day visit..Keep up the great work!

30th March 2019 at 12:12 am

Thanks Godfrey – we will certainly try! Have a lovely trip to Paris and let us know if we can be of any help!

22nd February 2019 at 5:50 pm

hi! I like your blog,it’s very informative and easy to follow. but can I just know, roughly how much do we need to prepare? I mean if Im a big spender how much money will I probably spend for the tours? excluding the food. I would really appreciate if you could give me the figure so we can save for it. thanks! ☺️

23rd February 2019 at 7:25 am

It’s really hard to give figures as budgets vary greatly between people. So you can see from the tours I have suggested what they cost, and also if you buy one of the passes then many of the attractions will be included. So then your other costs will be accommodation and food. For this itinerary, including food and accommodation, you would probably be looking in the region of €500 – €1000 per person, but that would vary hugely depending on your tastes and accommodation quality.

I hope this helps a bit!

Anjana says

12th February 2019 at 11:17 pm

Hello. I liked the itinerary you suggested. We are planning to be there by mid April. Can you please guide us for weather. Also, I am an artist and wish to visit art gallary, can you please suggest?

13th February 2019 at 9:05 pm

The weather in Paris in April will be fairly warm, like around 17 – 22C. It might be cooler in evenings. Rain is always a possibility, but you would be unlucky if it rained a lot.

If you want to visit an art gallery, I would suggest the Louvre, or the Centre Pompidou if you prefer modern art!

12th February 2019 at 4:52 pm

How to get Paris Pass and the bus passes. Required details about the inclusions and exclusions of the Paris Pass .

12th February 2019 at 5:28 pm

You can buy the Paris Pass with this link .

You can see the inclusions here .

Enjoy your time in Paris!

12th February 2019 at 5:31 pm

Thank you so much.. I will sure be in touch with you if i require any more details .

Regards Shree

13th February 2019 at 7:45 am

Hi Is it mandatory to get the paris pass before hand or the same can be availed after reaching the destination as well..

13th February 2019 at 7:09 pm

You can buy the pass in Paris as well, but they don’t offer sales as they sometimes do online,

Amanda Che says

19th December 2018 at 3:09 am

If I want to visit Montparnasse will I need to purchase tickets if I have the Paris pass? Or do we just show up and they will let us in at whatever time?

19th December 2018 at 8:03 pm

If you have the Paris Pass the Tour Montparnasse is included, so you can just turn up at any time and they will let you in. It’s best at sunset if you can make it them!

Have a great trip

19th December 2018 at 10:02 pm

Thank you for responding!! I’m glad I got he passes! Does this apply to the wine tasting as well?! I’m just not sure about the places that have specific times that need reservations when visiting.

19th December 2018 at 11:10 pm

My pleasure! The wine tasting was the same when we used the Paris Pass – we just turned up and it was fine. However, if you have any doubts you can always reach out to either the attraction or Paris Pass folks to confirm 😀

24th October 2018 at 9:29 pm

Thank you so much for making my life easy!!! You have the best detailed itineraray in Paris. I purchased the 3 day Paris Pass. 🙂 I’m so excited to visit next month!

25th October 2018 at 8:13 pm

Thanks so much! Have an awesome trip 😀

Evelyne says

23rd October 2018 at 10:23 am

Hello, I am a Parisian and I read your post. I think this itinerary is very heavy (espécially days 2) unless you don’t visit the museums and just shoot the buildings. It is just an accumulation of monuments to visit but it does not give the feel of what is Paris. Fortunately, Paris is not just an opan air museum.

23rd October 2018 at 1:03 pm

Hey Evelyne!

Thanks for your feedback. I definitely make that clear at the beginning that this is a very busy itinerary, and people should adjust to suit their own pace 🙂 We usually visit Paris for no less than seven days at a time when putting these posts together, but we know not everyone has that luxury, so we try to fit everything in that people might want to see, based on our conversations with folks planning a trip 🙂

Thanks for stopping by!

kunal gupta says

30th September 2018 at 10:45 am

After having read so many posts, I felt this is the best post. It has all the tips, recommendations and anecdotes that I was looking for to create an itinerary. I am visiting Paris next month and will surely provide you guys my feedback on the experience.

Any tips on finding Indian or vegetarian lunch/dinner will be extremely helpful too !

1st October 2018 at 2:26 pm

Thanks Kunal! I’m not personally an expert on vegetarian dining, but the search engine happycow.net lists vegetarian restaurants around the world, so that would be a good place to look 🙂 Have a great trip!

Kritika says

13th September 2018 at 8:22 am

Hi, Your blog is one simple answer to all the queries I had while planning for my trip. 🙂 We are a couple visiting Paris from 29 Sept to Oct1. We would like to visit a vineyard and taste wine over there. Do you have any information regarding any vineyard nearby and how to commute? Also, We would be going to Lyon for a day. Can you suggest me a short itinerary for the same?

Regards Kritika

13th September 2018 at 11:47 am

Hi Kritika!

Thanks very much, we are happy to have been of help 🙂 We would suggest that the closest wine region to Paris is going to be the Champagne region, and the easiest way to get there would be to take a tour from Paris, which will save you figuring out transport. Plus someone else will drive, leaving you to enjoy the wine 🙂 I found this one which has good reviews so that would be my suggestion, although there are sure to be other options!

For Lyon, we haven’t visited there yet, so I can’t make any recommendations unfortunately 🙁

Have a great trip!

9th September 2018 at 7:25 am

Hi! Just read your wonderful article helps out a lot we are a family of 6..would metro\bus be cheaper or renting a car..staying in a hotel near cdg since all the good/affordable ones are taken near the center….and how I the weather in the end of September? 6 days all Together and Disneyland is included please let me know confused about driving and or bus thanks 🙂

9th September 2018 at 11:38 am

I would recommend against hiring a car as driving in Paris is not so much fun, plus you will have to spend time finding parking and paying for it. Instead I would recommend either taking the metro, or hiring a taxi to take you in. For a group of people, you would have to find the right size of taxi of course, but it should be possible. For Disneyland, the easiest way is the RER from Paris.

The weather in Paris in September should be quite good, not too hot but not too cold, I would say around 12 – 22C, so you will want to have some warmer clothes for the evenings. There is always the possibility of rain as well, so a rain jacket or umbrella would be wise 🙂

Hope this helps!

Susan Morris says

30th August 2018 at 4:14 am

Hi, I have just read your 3-day itinerary for Paris, and I thought it was awesome. Very clear and easy to follow. I look forward to following it when we head to Paris next year! My husband is also keen to visit the area of the D-Day landings at Normandy (Omaha Beach I believe). Do you have any similar itineraries or advice for a 1 or 2 day visit to that area? Many thanks

30th August 2018 at 10:50 am

Thanks very much Susan. We certainly do, we have a two day itinerary which we think you should find useful 🙂

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/normandy-2-day-itinerary-d-day-beaches-mont-st-michel/

24th August 2018 at 9:15 pm

Hi I am traveling to Paris in second week of oct 18… what would be the climate that time? Do I need to carry a lot of winter clothing?

24th August 2018 at 9:26 pm

October in Europe varies. I’d say the best option is to bring layers, and to have sufficiently warm clothes for cold weather and rain in particualr. The temperature will likely be between 5 degrees C and 15 degrees C, although if it is windy it might feel a lot colder. So it’s not like visiting Iceland or Finland in winter, but you’ll want to be prepared.

I don’t have a guide for Paris, but we do have a packing list for London at any time of year, which should help a bit:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/london-packing-list-what-to-pack-for-london-and-the-uk-at-any-time-of-year/

Qinwan says

22nd July 2018 at 1:02 pm

Hi Laurence, I am planning my visit to Paris in Oct 2018, the blog of 3 days itinerary is very much helpful and perfect for my plan. Where do you recommend to proceed after Paris for a 10 day Europe trip?

22nd July 2018 at 9:31 pm

Awesome! Well, if this if your first time in Europe, I’d probably recommend some of the other capital cities, like London or Rome, and then maybe Barcelona, depending on how much time you want to spend in each location. You can easily spend three or four days in both Rome and London. From Paris to London it’s an easy journey, as you can take the train direct. Then there are mutliple flights from London to Rome. If you like the sound of Barcelona, there’s an overnight train from Paris straight to Barcelona. Another idea might be to do Paris – > London, Edinburgh and then a bit of Scotland as well.

I’d definitely suggest not trying to see too much, and spending a bit longer in each location. Three days is a nice amount of time to see a city 🙂

Have an awesome trip!

Elizabeth Higgins says

22nd July 2018 at 5:26 am

This post is just so detail-oriented, Laurence! Any reader would not be having a difficult time browsing because you have also included hyperlinks to the sub-sections. Everything has just been written so wonderfully that I felt spoon-fed with information, in a really great way. I am so glad to find your blog! Thank you so much!

22nd July 2018 at 8:54 pm

Hi Elizabeth – thanks so much! It’s always wonderful to hear that people are finding our posts helpful! Hopefully you have a great trip, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! Laurence

Tisaygwapa says

9th July 2018 at 9:56 am

Hi, I am a fan of your blog. My planning for my euro trip makes it easier. I have an inquiry though, can you tell me what is the difference between and Paris Pass and a Paris Explorer pass? What airport is near to the attraction on day1?

We will be in Paris for 3 days.

9th July 2018 at 10:03 am

Hi Tisaygwapa 🙂

Thanks very much! The Paris Explorer Pass is a much more limited pass, and instead of giving you free access to all the attractions, it lets you choose from 3, 5 or 7 attractions. For our itinerary, we definitely suggest either the Paris Pass or the Paris Museum Pass for cost saving.

For airports, Paris has three major airports. The two closest to the city and that most people arrive at are Paris Orly and Paris Charles De Gaulle.

From Paris Orly to the Eiffel tower you can take the Ouibus, it only takes around 16 minutes: https://www.ouibus.com/routes/paris-paris-orly-sud-airport

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is a little further away, you can take the RER train from the airport – it’s probably more like an hour.

Shashank says

20th June 2018 at 5:11 pm

Hi, would like to know if we can walk in directly to Bateux Parisiens any time with the Paris Pass? Do we need to reserve online even if we have the Paris Pass?

20th June 2018 at 7:03 pm

Hi Shashank!

In our experience you can just walk up and show your pass at the ticket booth, no reservation required 🙂

Hope this helps – have a great trip!

18th June 2018 at 9:29 am

I would like to know more details of 3 day Itinerary . In the mentioned Places , how long it will take? that is regarding time span we can spent there comfortably .Can u pls suggest

20th June 2018 at 7:10 pm

IT’s really up to you and your interests as to how long you want to take. The itinerary as laid out is doable, but if you spend four hours at each location, obviously not so much 🙂 So my advice would be to look at each location and decide how much time you would like to spend their. As an example, Sainte Chapelle is quite small, so 15 – 20 minutes would be fine. The Louvre is gigantic, so will take a bit longer! But it’s really up to you 🙂

Karuna says

11th June 2018 at 5:31 pm

Thanks a lot, we are planning to visit Paris, and Italy for 12 days of vacation and this is very helpful for Paris. Can we have an advice on Hotels where we can stay like 4* hotels work walk around to these attractions if possible or nice evening walks?

And can we have an itinerary for Italy for 9-10 days trip,

Thanks a lot

11th June 2018 at 11:29 pm

Thanks very much! In the post I do link to a centrally located 4* hotel, under the accommodation section. The hotel is this one, but I’m sure you can find some other options 🙂

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/dress-code-amp-spa.html?aid=385205&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=FTU3DaysinParis

I will update the post in the next few weeks with some more specific recommendations. For the Italy guide, I will add an itinerary to the to do list, you should subscribe to the blog so you get notified of future posts and don’t miss out.

Sunil Chawla says

31st May 2018 at 8:44 am

I will be travelling to Paris with my wife in the month of August. This detailed information will surely be helpful to plan our trip Thank you very much Sunil Chawla India

31st May 2018 at 7:23 pm

Thanks Sunil! Have a great trip 🙂

Chitra Shah says

16th May 2018 at 8:36 pm

I am travelling with my husband and 2 kids ( 7 years and 1 year) to Paris in June. This is exactly what I was looking for, Thanks you. Do you think Paris is stroller – friendly or you recommend a baby carrier.

17th May 2018 at 9:26 am

Thanks Chitra! I must preface my response by saying that we don’t have kids, so haven’t faced this problem 😉 Certainly, part of Paris would be stroller friendly, but things like the metro for example are definitely not easy for stroller access as there are often only stair entrances and exits. So a baby carrier might be easier, depending on how you want to get around the city. I hope this helps a bit – have a great trip!

3rd May 2018 at 7:51 pm

This is one of the best, well elaborated and detailed article. Thank you for putting up so much effort and sharing your experience. It is indeed a great help!

3rd May 2018 at 8:35 pm

Thank you very much 😀

Nitin Bansal says

21st April 2018 at 7:15 pm

That’s a brilliant detailed summary of 3 day Paris itinerary. I am travelling to Paris soon although for a short time and will be looking forward to cover most of the places from your list here.

22nd April 2018 at 10:17 am

Thanks very much Nitin – have a great trip 😀

kristin says

28th March 2018 at 2:25 pm

I envy you guys living in Edi and being able to jet away for so many long weekend trips for cheap! I was pricing Europe from Nashville this summer, and I can’t find anything for under $1000, no matter the hub I fly into =/

29th March 2018 at 9:49 am

We are lucky on that front for sure 😀

Matheresa says

21st March 2018 at 7:49 pm

To go through in u’ll article/blogging i find it very informative and the easiest way for me to make my itinerary,,, specially i saw the Spain article but i didn’t leave a comment there coz of wanted to check for paris too,,, Spain features was fantastic keep it up LOVERS all the best in your Wanderlust started to following u’ll…

22nd March 2018 at 9:19 am

Thanks very much Mathresa 🙂 Have a wonderful trip!

kazim Gurmani says

19th March 2018 at 1:53 pm

The amazing place for the lovers. You guys are so lucky enjoying all this

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Paris in One Week: The Perfect 7 Day Itinerary for 2023

paris my trip

Planning to spend 7 days in Paris France, and looking to see as much as possible? There are so many things to see in Paris in a week. This 7-day itinerary will help you make the most out of your stay in the city.

The enchantingly picturesque city can be explored in one day or an entire month, and every visit is bound to unveil more of its secrets. In this 7-day itinerary to Paris, I will show you how you can utilize your time to be able to see the most important attractions while also being able to get a taste of local Parisienne life.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.

Table of Contents

7 Days in Paris Quick Guide

Planning a trip to Paris? Find here everything you need: Looking for transportation from/to the airport?  Click here for more information and to book your private transfer. Top-Rated Tours and Day Trips to Do in Paris: – Closing Time At The Louvre: The Mona Lisa At Her Most Peaceful –  VIP Paris Catacombs Tour with Small Group, Skip the Line Tickets, and Special Access –  Closing Time at Versailles: Small Group Versailles Tour After the Crowds with Gardens or Fountains Show –  Paris: Eiffel Tower Summit or Second Floor Access –  1-Hour River Seine Cruise Where to stay in Paris:  Hotel Gustave (near the Eiffel Tower), Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche (great location near Luxembourg Gardens), Shangri-La Paris (luxury + great location)

How to get From Airport to City Center

Before you figure out how you’re going to get from the airport to the city center, consider first which airport you’re going to be landing in. The main airport in Paris is Charles de Gaulle International Airport. Even though the airport itself is huge and might first seem as intimidating, it has a lot of transportation options to get you to the city center.

Note: If you have a lot of luggage during your week-long Paris itinerary, I recommend either taking a shuttle bus, a taxi, or an Uber straight to the hotel. It will be a major hassle for you to take the luggage to the metro station as the metro only has stairs and rarely escalators.

Charles de Gaulle:

By Train : Every 10 minutes, you can take the train, and it’s one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get to the city center. The ride will take you about 30 minutes but might take longer if the train stops at multiple stations within Paris. Bus : There’s a bus that runs directly from Charles de Gaulle to the Paris Opera, and it takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. It is the cheapest option to use if you have a lot of luggage on you. Taxi : Taxis are expensive, and the ride can range from 50 to 70 EUR, and it will take you from 40 to 60 minutes from the airport. Private Transfer with Welcome Pick Ups The easiest and most comfortable way to get to the city center is by a private transfer service like Welcome Pick Ups . It costs exactly the same as a regular taxi, only now you will have already prepaid for it, your driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name on it, a bottle of water and a city map. You will not have to worry at all about the language as all drivers speak English. Find here more information and book your private transfer.

The second most important airport in Paris also has a wide array of transportation options. Train : Even though you can take the train, there are no direct train lines from Orly to the city center. Therefore, you will need to take the train to Anthony Train Station and then switch to the city center. The journey will take an hour. Bus : The bus will take you 45 minutes. Luckily, this option is one of the best and will be able to fit all your luggage if you have a lot. Taxi : A taxi will take about 30 minutes. Private Transfer with Welcome Pick Ups The easiest and most comfortable way to get to the city center is by a private transfer service like Welcome Pick Ups . It costs exactly the same as a regular taxi, only now you will have already prepaid for it, your driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name on it, a bottle of water, and a city map. You will not have to worry at all about the language as all drivers speak English. . Consider this option for hassle-free transportation in your Paris itinerary. Find here more information and book your private transfer.

Where to Stay in Paris

If you’re staying 7 days in Paris, it’s important to choose hotels that are comfortable, convenient and budget-friendly. Here are a few hotels you can consider:

Hotel Gustave

paris my trip

Hotel Gustave is conveniently located. A 15-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower, the hotel is a comfortable boutique hotel that guaranteed a relaxing stay. Hotel Gustave is also set in a very typically Parisian building, the rooms are inspired by the Belle Époque, and there’s a continental breakfast served every day. The River Seine is a few minutes away on foot, the Petit Palais and the Place de la Concorde are also a metro ride away.

Find here more information and book Hotel Gustave.

Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche

Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche

This 17th-century residence was once the home to monks and is now an authentically beautiful hotel. There are shared living areas, a great buffet breakfast every day and free Wi-Fi everywhere. There’s a metro station only 5 minutes away from the hotel, and you’ll be able to visit most of the monuments quite easily.

Find here more information and book Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche.

One of the six hotels in Paris awarded the “Palace” status. The whole hotel is styled with 18th-century furnishings and architecture, and there is a lot of emphasis on old-style doors, antique 1940s lift, and traditional personal service.

Find here more information and book Hotel Le Bristol.

Shangri-La Paris

This hotel was originally the private mansion of Ronald Bonaparte, who was the nephew of Napoleon. You should expect incredible services, Michelin-starred Shang Palace with some of the best cuisine in town. Some of the rooms have incredible views of the Eiffel Tower.

Find here more information and book Shangri – La Hotel.

How to spend 7 days in Paris, a comprehensive itinerary

  • Day 1: Montparnasse Tower
  • Day 2: Saint Chapelle, Notre Dame, Pont Neuf, Les Marais
  • Day 3: Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe
  • Day 4: Palais Royal, Place Vendome. Opera Garnier, Paris Story, Galerie Lafayette, Printemps Department Store
  • Day 5: Montmartre, Sacre Coeur, Eiffel Tower, Seine Boat Cruise
  • Day 6: Day trip to Versailles, Crazy Horse Show
  • Day 7: St. Germain Neighborhood, Jardin de Luxembourg, Pantheon

paris my trip

Paris Itinerary: Day 1

Day One of Paris Itinerary

Your first day should be one of relaxation and lazy exploration to prepare you for the hectic sightseeing of the upcoming few days. Seven days in Paris is a lot, and it’s advisable to spend your first day idly getting used to the city. Set your bags at the hotel, maybe even cherish those fluffy beds and embark on a discovery of Paris.

Montparnasse Tower

paris my trip

On our first day, we decided to embrace the creative roots of Paris and head to Montparnasse. This neighborhood is where creativity is left to run wild, where streets buzz with local life, and where you’ll find quintessential reflections of arts and literature scenes embedded in the streets. Quaint shops, cozy cafes, and brasseries are not the only beautiful things about Montparnasse. There are quite a few attractions, from the Catacombs museums to the Parc Montsouris.

The main attraction that we thoroughly enjoyed, however, was the Montparnasse Tower. A true symbol of Paris second to the Eiffel Tower, this tower pierces the sky and is the tallest skyscraper in all of France. Climb up the tower on a clear day, and you’ll be met with spanning views, vistas, and the gorgeous skyline of Paris. It’s a good way to start your trip as this way you’ll be orienting yourself to all there is to see ahead.

Click here for more information and to book your terrace tickets.

Paris Itinerary: Day 2

In this seven-day itinerary, you’ll be spending your second day exploring different historical attractions in Paris.

Saint Chapelle

Paris in 7 days itinerary - Saint Chapelle

Saint Chapelle is nothing short of an architectural wonder with the aesthetic marvel that hides behind the Palace of Justice. Climbing the spiral staircase to be surrounded by glorious stained-glass walls, the vaulted ceilings, and the relics is itself a magnificent experience. You’ll get to see jewel-encrusted goblets, rich colors and beauty that seems to be alive. With the light streaming through the windows, the elaborate decorations and the spiritual vibe – Saint Chapelle is the perfect place start to your trip.

Tip: The queues are long for Saint Chapelle so get there as early as possible or buy a skip the line ticket.

Free entrance with the Paris City Pass / Museum Pass

More info: Sainte Chapelle

Notre Dame 

Paris in 7 days itinerary

After the recent tragic events Notre Dame is no longer open for a visit.

Embark on a journey to one of the world’s most renowned gothic cathedrals of all time. The Notre Dame embodies the soul of Paris in its walls and its 13th-century architecture. The true meaning of medieval is symbolized in this iconic gothic sanctuary and you will be able to see and experience the beauty at full force. Make sure to visit really early, as the doors open at 9 am and the lines by then are already daunting. With its gargoyles and chimerical sculptures, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to gothic times in the 13th century, so it will be worth the visit.

Notre Dame -Paris in 7 days itinerary

Head over to The Towers , where you can climb 387 stairs up to be rewarded with sweeping views of Paris. From there, you’ll be surrounded by bell towers and gargoyles with a view of the Louvre, the Sorbonne, the Panthéon, and the Ile Saint-Louis.

Pont-Neuf- Paris in 7 days itinerary -

Despite its name, Pont Neuf – which directly translates to New Bridge –  is actually the oldest bridge in all of Paris. Elegant arches reflect beautifully on the rushing River Seine, gargoyles and grotesque creatures decorate the edifice, and the skyline of Paris gloriously finishes the image…Walking the bridge is simply enchanting. Also, try going there by sunset when the sun paints the bridge and the surroundings in hues of orange and red.

Le Marais -Paris in 7 days itinerary

The closest you can get to what Paris was like in medieval times is by exploring Le Marais. This highly progressive community has come a long way since its industrial times and today it serves as the melting pot for the Jewish community, the Chinese, the LGBT, and all things progressive. You’ll also find that it’s not a major tourist hub so you can experience that little bit of Parisienneamore in the streets. Vintage boutiques, cozy sidewalk cafes, and great bars – Le Marais is worth roaming around in.

Le Marais -Paris in 7 days itinerary

Pay a visit to Place des Vosges, one of the oldest squares in Paris, and one of the most beautiful, and immerse yourself in the different facades, the lively atmosphere, and the different museums. You can visit Victor Hugo’s house, author of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, or learn about Picasso at Musee de Picasso.

Place des Vosges -Paris in 7 days itinerary

7 days in Paris Itinerary: Day 3

Of course, with seven days in Paris, you’ll have time to visit its most iconic symbols comfortably. On the third day, you’re going to be going on the ultimate tour of Paris. All the highlights you’ve been dreaming about and the symbolic attractions can be visited in a day, albeit a hectic one.

We started off with Le Louvre, a museum that puts all others to shame. Unparalleled when it comes to its collection, its sense of grandeur and its diversity – Le Louvre is one of the most renowned museums in the world. It’s more of a monument, than a museum with a staggering 35,000 pieces of artwork that span some of the world’s most important civilizations. From European artists, to Egyptian mummies – you can find everything at Le Louvre. Gawk at the Mona Lisa, take pictures in front of the giant glass pyramid, relish the Egyptian antiques or learn about Islamic in the Islamic arts section.

Tip: The lines at the Louvre are big, book a timed entrance ticket or a guided tour or my favorite closing time at the Louvre tour by Take Walks in advance to skip the lines.

paris my trip

Tip: The museum is huge so plan ahead what you want to see. Also, take advantage of the late opening on Wednesday and Friday.

More info: The Louvre

Recommended skip-the-line tours and tickets for the Louvre. Click here to book a skip-the-line timed ticket . Louvre Museum Skip the line ticket and Guided Tour – you will get to see the highlights in just 2 hours. My absolute favorite is the Closing Time at the Louvre tour by Take Walks where you get to see the masterpieces of the Louvre without the crowds in an intimate group of 6 people.

Musee d’Orsay

Paris in 7 days itinerary - D'Orsay Museum

With a fascinating history, Musee d’Orsay has transformed multiple times throughout the course of history. From being a railway station to a mail center – this museum has finally settled for its final form. A rich collection of both impressionist and post-impressionist paintings are showcased in the museum in all forms. You’ll find all sorts of sculptures, furniture displays, paintings, and a lot more!

Tip: Another busy museum in Paris you can buy a   Reserved Access 1-Day Admission Ticket and head straight at the entrance for visitors with pre-bought tickets. Alternatively, I highly recommend the Meet the Impressionists: Musée d’Orsay Skip-the-Line Fully Guided Tour by the company Take Walks

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More info: Musse d’ Orsay

Place de La Concorde

Place de La Concorde- Paris in 7 days itinerary

Unwind after those two museums at one of the fountains in Place de La Concorde, or sip on some coffee at a sidewalk café. The main attraction there will be a 23-meter Egyptian obelisk magically adorned with hieroglyphs that date back to 3000 years ago. Sit by fountains devoted to the seas and rivers, walk around the same place Marie Antoinette was executed, and take postcard-worthy pictures at this plaza!

Champs-Élysées

The acclaimed streets of the Champs-Elysees are known for their glamour, posh boutiques, and high-end shopping, but visiting them before Christmas was an entirely different experience. The streets were drenched in gorgeous flickering lights that adorned the buildings, the spirit of festivity oozed out of every alley, and dazzling displays created an unparalleled happy vibe. You could actually feel Christmas with every step you took.

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de triomphe- Paris in 7 days itinerary

Elegance and prestige emanate from one of Paris’s most symbolic icons – the Arc de Triomphe. This colossal architectural edifice acts as a central masterpiece of the Champs Elysees and has a significant place in the history of Paris. You can visit the first floor for free, but word of warning: the queues are tremendous. We always resorted to booking the skip-the-line ticket to avoid wasting our time.

Tip: To avoid the queues you can buy a Skip-the-Line Arc de Triomphe Rooftop Tickets.

More info: Arc de Triomphe

7 days in Paris Itinerary: Day 4

Day 4 of Paris Itinerary

Palais Royal

Palais Royal Paris in 7 days itinerary

Start your day at the quietest, most quintessentially French Parisian garden and enjoy the surrounding atmosphere. Sunshine creeps its way through the trees, the sounds of rushing fountains in the background, and the arcades that line the garden.

You can spend your time relaxing or strolling through galleries that border the garden – whatever it is, make sure to enjoy your morning coffee at this tranquil place. To the north of the gardens, there is the Galerie Vivienne, a passage with an array of cafes, little sidewalk bars, and beautiful mosaic floors. Try to have breakfast either there or at Galerie Colbert with its statues and architectural designs.

Galerie Vivienne -Paris in 7 days itinerary

Place Vendome

Place Vendome -Paris in 7 days itinerary

If you’re even slightly interested in jewelry, head over to the Place Vendome. This is without a doubt, the most luxurious of all the squares in Paris. Envision classical architecture, mansions, jewelry shops, luxury everywhere, and crystal boutiques – this is where you go to get a taste of all things glitzy and glamorous!

Opera Garnier

Opera Garnier Paris in 7 days itinerary

Not only is the Opera Garnier an architectural treasure – but it’s also a central spot for classical music and ballet. Home of the Phantom of the Opera, the inspiration for countless of paintings, and one of the most visually stunning spots – the Opera Garnier is magnificent!

A ceremonial staircase takes you between lavish gold and marble, and literature and art all find their snake their way through the edifices of the Opera. Try to enjoy a performance amidst this spectacle of high society! The guided tour of the Opera was one of the highlights of my visit to Paris.

Opera Garnier - Paris in 7 days itinerary

Free guided tour with the Paris City Pass . (You need to go to the opera a few hours before the tour starts and book your tour – a valid ID is required)

More info: Opera Garnier

Book a self-guided tour of the Opera Garnier.

Paris Story

Next to the Opera Garnier is a theater of 140 seats that showcases a movie about the entire history of Paris. You’ll be able to learn about the secrets of Paris, be whirled through the scenes of the most famous landmarks and how they came to be, take a voyage of time to the foundations of this contemporary city, and much more. You’ll be fully immersed in an unexplainable French ambiance, and you’ll come out much more knowledgeable than you were before.

Free entrance with the Paris City Pass .

More info: Paris Story

Galerie Lafayette

Paris in 7 days itinerary

The Belle Époque architecture isn’t the main attraction here; it’s the insanely extravagant shopping you’re about to be met with. Designer clothes, men’s fashion, home furnishings, fashion shows, jewelry, and much more are all displayed in one of the world’s most important fashion institutions. It’s a must-stop for all fashion enthusiasts, and if your budget is a little tight, a little window shopping can’t hurt!

Galerie Lafayette

Printemps Department Store

Printemps Department Store Paris in 7 days itinerary

After visiting Galeria Lafayette, we headed to the Printemps department. What caught my eye at first was the beguiling Christmas decorations that filled the entire department store. Whether I was planning to buy something or not did not matter at this point, the Christmas vibe alone made me want to stay there all day. All window displays almost compete on who can become more Christmas-y.! The stained glass, mosaic tiles, and Belle Époque designs all intertwine with the decorations to create an incredible ambiance.

7 days in Paris Itinerary: Day 5

Montmartre Paris in 7 days itinerary

Hilly, historic, and hipster – three words that accurately describe the Montmartre neighborhood. Perched on top of the highest hill in Paris, Montmartre is a world on its own. Walking through the streets of the neighborhood is like walking through an old French village with winding narrow alleys, cobbled streets, houses still as rustic as ever, and staircases that disappear into the dark. We walked around Montmartre for a while, enjoying its little alleys, and then headed over to Sacre-Coeur. If you’re feeling a little bit adventurous, visit the renowned Moulin Rouge at night.

Sacre-Couer

Sacre-Couer - Seven days in Paris itinerary

Sacre Coeur is an enchanting fairytale that has come to life. A Roman-Byzantinian design takes over the church from its exterior while magical spiraling steps, bells, mosaics, and stained glass windows all steal the show from the interior. For incredible views of Paris, try to climb up to the Basilica’s Dome.

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower - Paris in 7 days itinerary

The Eiffel Tower does not need an introduction. Piercing the sky proudly, the tower makes it hard not to stop and stare. Glimmering into the sky, the Eiffel Tower is there with all of its clichéd glory for you to explore.

You can climb up the stairs, or take an elevator up to the third floor where you can get gorgeous views of the city above with the hoards of tourists below, or watch an educational movie about the tower’s history. For the cherry on top, you can visit Gustave Eiffel’s office.

After you’re done exploring, head over to Restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel and have the meal of a lifetime. You’ll be enjoying lunch from inside the Eiffel Tower with the best views you’ll ever have in your lifetime.

The Eiffel Tower - Paris in 7 days itinerary

More info: Eiffel Tower

Tip: The queues to enter the Eiffel Tower are long and you might have to wait for hours to enter especially in high season. A great way to skip the lines is by taking a guided tour or buying a skip-the-line ticket. Please book your tickets in advance (even weeks) to avoid disappointment.

Here are some recommended tickets and tours of the Eiffel Tower (all with skip the line access):

  • Eiffel Tower Tickets: Summit-Level Access
  • Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Ticket and Small Group Tour

Another great idea is to combine your priority ticket to the Eiffel Tower with a Seine Cruise.

  • Two-in-One: Eiffel Tower and Seine Cruise Tickets

Seine Boat Cruise

paris my trip

What better way to end your day than by floating on the waters of the Seine, the city of Paris reflected unto the water, the distant sound of a violin playing, the intertwining of foreign chatter in the background? We ended our day by sitting back and relaxing with a glass of wine and a 4-course meal  – all while passing the most important monuments in Paris. We did a dinner cruise with Bateaux Mouches and it was one of the highlights of our visit.

You can read about my Dinner Cruise along the Seine with Bateaux Mouches River Cruise here.

7 days in Paris Itinerary: Day 6

Take a day trip to versailles.

7 days in Paris - Versailles

Reflecting the power of King Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles is an embodiment of French architecture and art. Even though it’s outside of Paris, the monument is still one of the most visited in all of France. The chateau is grand, a little bit intimating, and quite exhausting. But nothing should stop you from exploring the exquisite interiors and exteriors of this palace. We checked out the Hall of Mirrors, the landscapes, the Chapel, the auditorium, the Grand Apartment, and Marie Antoinette’s apartment!

Paris in 7 days itinerary

The queues at the Palace of Versailles are huge. It is recommended to buy a priority admission ticket.

More info: Palace of Versailles

Free entrance with the Paris City Pass / Museum Pass -no skip the line

The queues at the Palace of Versailles are huge. It is recommended to buy a priority admission ticket. Click here to book your skip-the-line ticket with an audio guide. Alternatively, you can book a Versailles Palace & Gardens: Skip the line Ticket, Audio Guide & Transfer with bus from Paris I highly recommend, Closing Time at Versailles: Small-Group Palace Tour After the Crowds with Garden Show from Paris by the company Take Walks.

Crazy Horse Show

paris my trip

Risqué, posh, glamorous, and intimate – the Crazy Horse is one of the most renowned cabarets in France. Acting as an ode to all things sultry, feminine, and intimate – this cabaret is what you’d imagine you’d see in a French movie. Girls with scarlet lips choreographed dance and burlesque shows, this is how the French entertained themselves years ago.

Find here more information and book your tickets.

7 days in Paris Itinerary: Day 7

Final Day of 7 Day Paris Itinerary

While seven days in Paris may first seem like a lot, on your last day, you will realize how fast the time went by and how much you absolutely need one more month at least to get a real gist of all what Paris has to offer. Spend your last day exploring neighborhoods, unwinding at palace gardens and going on food tours.

St. Germain Neighborhood

An artistic hub but also the classiest neighborhood in Paris, we visit St. German for its chic shops, historical sights, window shopping and small art galleries. It was beautiful walking around the alluring neighborhood, the actual literary heart of Paris.

Did you know? Most of the scenes in Midnight in Paris were actually filmed in this neighborhood! This should just convince you why even a simple stroll in this place is worth it!

We actually did a food tour there with Paris by mouth where we got to sample the best bread, cheese, charcuterie, and the best fine wines. Read about my experience here .

Jardin de Luxembourg

Jardin de Luxembourg Paris in 7 days itinerary

The beautiful French gardens mix Latin quarters with Italian architecture, Parisian space with greenery, and the modern with the old to create a heavenly garden. Perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, the Luxembourg Garden is a place to unwind by the lake, go pony riding, or read a nice book while a free live band plays their music.

Sitting atop the hill in the Latin Quarter, this former church forms an iconic silhouette in Paris’s skyline. Including a necropolis, a crypt, sculptures, and tombs – the Pantheon is vast. Originally a church and now a mausoleum, it’s worth checking out the impressive architecture of this edifice.

Paris City Pass

Visiting a city for the first time is usually an overwhelming experience. You’re met with hundreds of attractions and a lot of planning. You need to think of what attractions to see, how much to pay for each, where to book tickets, admission fees, and long, long lines.

To reduce that incredible amount of stress and have a carefree trip, we decided to purchase the Paris City Pass, and it made our entire trip so much easier. Basically, you get an all-inclusive pass to experience the best of Paris – with over 60 attractions and museums and the chance for us to skip most lines. You’ll see through the article why the “skip the line” option is essential!

This way you can purchase discounted tickets, you save a lot of money, and you get to spend more on other expenses during your vacation while also having more time in general.

The Paris City Pass also offers free transportation around the city.

Check out more information and book your Paris City Pass.

Best Time to Visit Paris

Paris is an incredible vacation destination year-round thanks to its changeable climate and its varying events throughout the year. Whether you explore Christmas markets in the snow in December or bask in the summer sun in the Jardins throughout Paris, you’re sure to enjoy your time in the city of lights and love.

Thanks to Paris’ relatively small size and great public transport system, it is easy to get around the city come rain or shine both on foot and under cover. Plus, this awesome city has both outdoor sights to see as well as tons of indoor activities to keep everyone entertained. Therefore, there’s no reason to use weather as an excuse not to visit.

Springtime in Paris is unsurprisingly beautiful as days start to warm up and the trees and flowers across the city are in full bloom. Make the most of dry days with long slow walks meandering along the banks of the seine; taking in the sights and street markets before stopping to enjoy the café culture in the bistros that have opened their pavement dining tables after the cold of winter. Paris in spring boasts blue skies but fewer tourists, so is probably the best time to visit the city.

N.B If you think you might visit Paris in May, find out when the Nuit de Musee (Night of Museums) is and try to plan your trip around this. It is a night when all of the city’s galleries and museums open their doors to the public free of charge and is a wonderful way to spend an evening.

Summer really starts to hot up in Paris and tourists from all over the world start to flock in to explore Le Louvre, the Champs-Elysées and the Eiffel Tower. While we all want a little sun sometimes, summer in the city can be a bit much. The metro system becomes stifling and the queues unbearable so a visit to Paris in summer is probably best reserved for those who have visited before and would rather take slow strolls around the city and discover some unknown spots. Many of Paris’ citizens head out on holiday during July and August but their numbers are definitely replaced by the thousands of external visitors.

As the colours of Autumn come into play in Paris you’re in for a real treat. The avenues and boulevards are lined with burnt orange leaves and the golden light makes for stunning photographic opportunities around the city. Tourist numbers start to die down, allowing for a much more relaxing trip and prices are lower than the rest of the year. This is the perfect time of year to explore the city of lights before spending long, slow evenings dining out French-style on indulgent meals with friends and family.

Winter months in Paris are marked by generally crisp, clear days with temperatures mostly in single figures. This is a wonderful time to wrap up warm, dip in and out of cafés for steaming cups of chocolat chaud, and discover the city’s amazing collection of museums. Christmas markets pop up along the Champs-Elysées around the end of November and the ice rink at the Hotel de Ville is truly magical.

How to Get Around Paris

Paris’ metro system is easy to understand with colors and numbers pointing the way. The metro snakes its way throughout the city and connects with overland trains and national TGV (high-speed) services so you can explore both the city and its surroundings without any hassle or confusion. Nearly all stations have automatic ticket machines that operate in a number of languages and there are a range of tickets to purchase depending on the length of your stay. Either buy a book of 10 billets which are each valid for a single journey (on the bus or metro), purchase a day pass or invest in a multi-day ticket which you can use to hop on-and-off public transport around the city with ease.

While the bus system is a little more difficult to understand, it does serve some places that are not on the metro line, so research your route first or ask in your accommodation about the best way to get around by bus.

Another option for exploring the city of lights is by bike. Paris was one of the first cities in the world to set up the pick-up/drop-off bicycle system and there are bikes available throughout the city. This is a great way to get around quite quickly, while still being able to see the sights along the way.

Finally, if the weather allows, discovering the city by foot is arguably one of the best options. Paris’ architecture and city design are truly stunning and with parks and gardens popping up all over the place it’s a beautiful space to stroll. Plus, by walking around the city you are able to find some real gems like vintage shops, quirky cafés, and unknown museums, as well as being able to watch daily Parisienne life go by.

How to Save Time and Money in Paris

The elegant city of Paris is one of the most luxurious places to live and visit in the world, with high-end dining, exquisite hotels, and perfect patisseries that are just calling out to be bought and devoured. However, this does mean that the cost of a trip to the city of lights and love can start to rack up quite quickly. That’s not to say there aren’t budget options though, so here are a few tips on where to save and when to splurge.

Accommodation:

While you may want to spend on a five-star hotel if you’re on a romantic break to Paris, there are plenty of cheaper options for groups of friends traveling on a budget. The city has some great hostels and budget hotels that are still well-located for exploring the city. Plus, if you visit in the shoulder season such as September and October, you are much more likely to get a great deal on your accommodation.

Of course, dining out in Paris is a must, but thankfully delicious French cuisine comes at every budget. Rather than sitting down for breakfast, head to a boulangerie to pick up some fresh pastries and eat them as you wander around the city to save some pretty pennies first thing. Then find a prix-fixe menu for lunch which offer two or three courses for under 20 euros! These are quite common, especially around the Latin Quarter.

Transport and Tickets:

As mentioned above, walking and public transport are both great options in Paris, and multi-day tickets are bound to save you money if you think you’ll be exploring all corners of the city. The Paris City Pass includes both attraction tickets and transportation so you can have everything you need in one pass for a fantastic price.

Major museums such as the Louver and Musée d’Orsay and the Arc de Triomphe are included which are a must for anyone visiting Paris for the first time, so it’s worth the investment. This pass also offers queue-jump privileges, so you will be saving both time and money!

Free Things:

While shopping on the Champs-Elysées is most definitely expensive, many other attractions and sights across the city are free, and making the most of these is essential. Wandering along the Seine is one of the free highlights as you can see many of the main sights while walking in a beautiful setting.

Churches too are mostly free and with Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur being some of the most stunning works of architecture in the world, visiting is a must. If you’re European and under 26 a number of museums and attractions are free of charge as long as you have your passport or identity card on hand! Plus, many museums open their doors free of charge on the first Sunday of the month, so plan your trip accordingly if you want to save!

Spending seven days in Paris is guaranteed to give you the trip of a lifetime with memories you cannot create elsewhere. You’ll be able to visit all of Paris’s different sides – the glamorous, the historic, the medieval, the natural, and the symbolic. You’ll have time to get lost in neighborhoods or enjoy museums almost every day!

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Low-angle view of the Eiffel Tower, as seen from a Paris street.

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Should the idea of being gently rocked to sleep take your fancy, check in to Paris' first floating hotel. The sleek, 80m-long catamaran-design structure…

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

Montmartre & Northern Paris

Buttes Chaumont is one of the city’s largest green spaces, with landscaped slopes hiding grottoes, waterfalls, a lake and even an island topped with a…

Les Résistants

Les Résistants

Natural oak, marble and stone blend seamlessly with a profusion of over-sized wicker lampshades and green foliage at this wildly popular, contemporary…

Musée Marmottan Monet

Musée Marmottan Monet

This museum showcases the world’s largest collection of works by impressionist painter Claude Monet (1840–1926) – about 100 – as well as paintings by…

Coucher de l'Arc de Triomphe de l'étoile à Paris

Arc de Triomphe

If anything rivals the Eiffel Tower as the symbol of Paris, it’s this magnificent 1836 monument to Napoléon’s victory at Austerlitz (1805), which he…

Le Très Particulier

Le Très Particulier

The clandestine cocktail bar of boutique Hôtel Particulier Montmartre is an entrancing spot for a summertime alfresco cocktail. Each cocktail (€10 to €16)…

Place des Vosges

Place des Vosges

Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

Inaugurated in 1612 as place Royale and thus Paris' oldest square, place des Vosges is a strikingly elegant ensemble of 36 symmetrical houses with ground…

L'Avant-Poste

L'Avant-Poste

'Eco-responsible' is the tasty buzzword at the second outpost of Les Résistants, in a former wig shop in the earthy 10e. Fresh, seasonal produce is…

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Begun in 1875 in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War and the chaos of the Paris Commune, Sacré-Cœur is a symbol of the former struggle between the…

Musée de l’Orangerie

Musée de l’Orangerie

Monet’s extraordinary cycle of eight enormous Decorations des Nymphéas (Water Lilies) occupies two huge oval rooms purpose-built in 1927 on the artist's…

PARIS - JULY 13 : Palais-Royal (1639), originally called Palais-Cardinal, it was personal residence of Cardinal Richelieu in Paris, France on July 13,2012. Sculptures..; Shutterstock ID 110693474; Your name (First / Last): redownload; GL account no.: redownload; Netsuite department name: redownload; Full Product or Project name including edition: redownload

Jardin du Palais Royal

The Jardin du Palais Royal is a perfect spot to sit, contemplate and picnic between boxed hedges, or to shop in the trio of beautiful arcades that frame…

Sézane

As if fashionistas needed any confirmation that northern Paris' 'nouveau quartier' Clichy-Batignolles is the place to be: iconic fashion brand Sézane has…

Galeries Lafayette Department Store

Galeries Lafayette

Grande-dame department store Galeries Lafayette is spread across the main store (its magnificent neo-byzantine stained-glass dome dates from 1912), its…

Chez Alain Miam Miam

Chez Alain Miam Miam

Weave your way through the makeshift kitchens inside Marché des Enfants Rouges to find Alain, a retired baker sporting T-shirts with attitude, whose…

Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen

Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen

Spanning nine hectares, this vast flea market was founded in 1870 and is said to be Europe’s largest. Over 2000 stalls are grouped into 15 marchés …

Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde

Paris spreads around you, with views of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and along the Champs-Élysées, when you stand in the city’s largest square. Its 3300…

Cire Trudon

Cire Trudon

Claude Trudon began selling candles here in 1643, and the company – which officially supplied Versailles and Napoléon with light – is now the world’s…

Marché des Enfants Rouges

Marché des Enfants Rouges

Built in 1615, Paris’ oldest covered market is secreted behind an inconspicuous green metal gate. A glorious maze of 20-odd food stalls selling ready-to…

Le Perchoir Marais

Le Perchoir Marais

Paris' original rooftop bar, run by the talented mixologists behind Le Perchoir in 11e, is a trendy sky deck languishing atop department store BHV. Seine…

Canal Saint Martin, Republique.

Canal St-Martin

The tranquil, 4.5km-long Canal St-Martin was inaugurated in 1825 to provide a shipping link between the Seine and Paris' northeastern suburbs. Emerging…

Grande Arche de la Défense

Grande Arche de la Défense

La Défense’s landmark edifice is the marble Grande Arche, a cube-like arch built in the 1980s to house government and business offices. The arch marks the…

Le Mary Céleste

Le Mary Céleste

Snag a stool at the central circular bar at this eternally fashionable, brick-and-timber-floored cocktail bar or reserve one of a handful of tables online…

FluctuArt

Opened in 2019, this hip cultural centre occupying a péniche (barge) off pont des Invalides brought an unexpected dash of coolness to an otherwise…

Le Pavillon Puebla

Le Pavillon Puebla

The folks running the hugely successful rooftop bar Le Perchoir are also behind this enchanting, self-proclaimed 'temple du bonheur' (temple of happiness)…

The Jardin des Tuileries in Paris.

Jardin des Tuileries

Filled with fountains, ponds and sculptures, the formal 28-hectare Tuileries Garden, which begins just west of the Jardin du Carrousel, was laid out in…

Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

Opened in 1804, Père Lachaise is the world's most visited cemetery. Its 70,000 ornate tombs of the rich and famous form a verdant, 44-hectare sculpture…

paris my trip

Avenue des Champs-Élysées

No trip to Paris is complete without strolling this broad, tree-shaded avenue lined with luxury shops. Named for the Elysian Fields (‘heaven’ in Greek…

Ducasse sur Seine

Ducasse sur Seine

Launched by multi-Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, 'floating restaurant' Ducasse sur Seine sails through the city past icons such as the Louvre at…

Le Perchoir

Le Perchoir

Sunset is the best time to hit this iconic, 7th-floor bar for drinks overlooking Paris' rooftops and – on Saturday night – on-trend DJ sets. Greenery…

Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé

Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé

This striking cinema has a small exhibition devoted to the history of cinema screens silent B&W movies accompanied by a live pianist. The Pathé Foundation…

11 free things to do in Paris

Parc de la Villette

Parc de la Villette

Spanning 55 hectares, this vast city park is a cultural centre, kids playground and landscaped urban space at the intersection of two canals, the Ourcq…

Panic Room

A wildly flavoured cocktail – such as Duke & Gonzo (mezcal, apricot brandy, peach bitters, smoked thyme and lime) – is the thing to sip at this cool bar…

Supersonic

With a capacity of 250, postindustrial venue Supersonic hosts mostly indie, rock, garage, electro-pop and tribute bands; the first three concerts of the…

Passage des Panoramas

Passage des Panoramas

Built in 1800, this is the oldest covered arcade in Paris and the first to be lit by gas (1817). It retains a real 19th-century charm with several…

Astair

At the intersection of covered arcades Passage des Panoramas and Galerie des Varietes, Astair has wraparound exterior tables, a hand-cut cork ceiling and…

Musée Bourdelle

Musée Bourdelle

Monumental bronzes fill the house and workshop where sculptor Antoine Bourdelle (1861–1929), a pupil of Rodin, lived and worked. The three sculpture…

Racines

Inside the glass-roofed passage des Panoramas, Racines (meaning ‘Roots’) occupies a former 19th-century marchand de vins (wine merchant’s; look up to…

Galerie Véro Dodat

Galerie Véro Dodat

For a quick taste of 19th-century Paris, it's hard to beat this shopping arcade, which opened in 1826 and retains its original skylights, ceiling murals,…

Petit Palais

Petit Palais

This architectural stunner was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, and is home to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris (City of Paris…

Tour Montparnasse in Paris, France.

Tour Montparnasse

Spectacular views unfold from this 210m-high smoked-glass-and-steel office block, built in 1973. A speedy elevator whisks visitors up in 38 seconds to the…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Things to Know

Plan your visit to Paris with these top tips on etiquette, health and safety, and know what to do if something goes wrong.

Best Neighborhoods

Paris is made up of 20 different city districts (called arrondissements), each with their own distinct charms. Get to know them with our handy guide.

While it’s hard for anyone to leave Paris, these day trips offer bucolic nature, gorgeous cathedrals and more – all only an hour or so away.

Money and Costs

With savvy planning and a bit of local know-how, you'll find a wealth of ways to enjoy Paris without blowing your budget. Here are our top tips.

Transportation

Walking is the best way to explore Paris' individual neighborhoods, but you'll need the bus, metro and RER to go further afield.

Free Things to Do

Look beyond the French capital's most famous sights and you'll discover many free things to do in Paris – and get a local's perspective on the city too.

Traveling with Kids

Whether you're traveling to Paris with babies, toddlers or tweens, we can help you find the right activities to keep the whole family happy.

Discover architectural jewelry, local design, vintage finds, and tiny treasures in Paris' independent shops and markets.

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Your Trip to Paris: The Complete Guide

Paris Guide: Planning Your Trip

paris my trip

Planning a trip to Paris? Congrats. Before you go, it's essential to learn a bit about when to visit, what to see and do, where to stay and eat out, and how to get around. Whether you're embarking on a first-time visit or already know the city well, this at-a-glance guide will help you take the necessary steps to plan your trip with ease—and enjoy the capital fully once you're there.

Planning Your Trip

  • Best Time to Visit :  Generally, the best time to visit Paris is between late spring and late summer, when outdoor activities, lively events, and nearby day trips allow you to experience the city to the fullest. The winter holiday season is also a festive and cheerful time to go, but cold weather may detract some.
  • Language:  French is the official language in Paris. Many speak English fluently or somewhat fluently, but make sure to use polite greetings in French.
  • Currency:  The Euro (€) is the official currency  .
  • Getting Around:   Paris is easy to navigate by metro, bus, and commuter-line trains (RER lines).
  • Travel Tip:  If you do choose to visit Paris in high season (roughly April to early October), try getting up early to visit museums and other attractions; if possible, avoid big-ticket attractions like the Eiffel Tower on weekends.

Things to Do

Paris is home to many globally-renowned attractions, including the Eiffel Tower ; Notre-Dame Cathedral ; and the Louvre , the largest museum in the world . It's impossible to see and do it all during a single trip, but we recommend experiencing at least a few of the city's most iconic sights and museums during a first visit. You should also make time to get a taste of France's world-famous cuisine; attend an annual festival or gallery opening; and explore the city at night , when it's arguably at its most enchanting.

  • See our guide to the 30 best sights and attractions in Paris, including museums, and monuments.
  • Explore Paris in a more local way by getting to know some of the city's residential neighborhoods , and choosing among a few of its weird and offbeat attractions .
  • Consider taking one or more day trips outside of the city to expand your horizons and get some fresh air. The Chateau de Versailles , Monet's Gardens at Giverny, and Chartres Cathedral are easily accessible by train and doable in a day.

Explore more attractions with our full-length articles on the best things to do with kids in Paris , Paris' best art museums , and the top shopping districts in the city .

What to Eat and Drink

As the capital of France, Paris is globally renowned for its excellent and creative cuisine—not to mention its fine French wines. There are 122 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city  , and with classic brasseries , mouth-watering patisseries , and open-air markets to boot, there are so many delicious ways to "eat your way" through the capital.

Even though Paris itself doesn't produce much wine of note these days, it's still a great place to learn about—and taste—some of the finest French bottles. Spend an evening at one of the city's best wine bars, or learn more about the history and production of wine at the Musée du Vin. Care for a creative and beautiful cocktail in an intimate setting? These secret bars in Paris offer a stimulating and intriguing evening out on the town. And if beer is more your speed, head to one of the best craft breweries in the capital .

To hone in on the best places to eat out, see our complete guide to dining in Paris , as well as features on the most romantic restaurants in the capital , dining out while vegetarian or vegan , and the best budget-friendly French restaurants to try.

Where to Stay

There are hundreds of hotels in Paris, which can make it a pretty daunting task to choose the "right" one. The best approach might be to first get an overview of the different Parisian districts and neighborhoods ("arrondissements" in French) and decide which one is most suited to your tastes, budget, and travel requirements.

When choosing a hotel, you'll want to decide whether you value design and boutique-style charm over the reliable, predictable comforts offered by international hotel chains such as Marriott and Sofitel. Some travelers would happily forego creature comforts such as large elevators, bathtubs, and spas in favor of more design-focused boutique establishments with perhaps fewer amenities. Finally, rental apartments can provide a more local experience; equipped with small kitchens, they can potentially save you money since you'll be able to cook at home some of the time.

Read our full guide to choosing the right accommodations in the capital , then browse recommendations on the best hotels in Paris and the best boutique hotels in Paris.

Getting There

Paris is one of the most popular destinations in the world, which makes it relatively easy to access by air and rail. You should be able to find competitive deals on airfare, lodging, or vacation packages—provided you compare prices and book several months ahead of your trip. A major hub for most international airlines, Paris is served by three major airports:

  • Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport is Europe's busiest international hub and the largest airport in Paris. It's located roughly an hour northeast of the city; central Paris can be easily accessed via the RER B commuter line train, as well as by coach or taxi.
  • Orly International Airport is located roughly ten miles south of central Paris and is a secondary hub for Air France. It's an excellent option for connecting to or from Paris and other European destinations, and can feel degrees less stressful than CDG. The RER line B train connects from Orly to central Paris.
  • Paris-Beauvais/Tillé is located around 50 miles northwest of Paris and is served by numerous budget airlines, including Ryanair, Air Moldova, and Blue Air. This can be a good option if you're after ultra-low fares for flights from within Europe; on the downside, it will take extra time and expense to get to central Paris.

See more about the major airports of Paris in our full guide, and read up on the pros and cons of taking a taxi to and from the airport .

Culture and Customs

  • While most locals in Paris speak some English, it's always recommended to learn some basic French travel expressions ahead of your trip. Polite greetings, questions, and expressions of gratitude will enrich your experience and smooth communication with Parisians, who often value efforts made by travelers to use a few words in French.
  • It's customary to tip in Paris, but the practices are likely different from the ones you're familiar with in your home country. See our complete guide to tipping in Paris for some useful advice.
  • The city is generally quite safe for travelers, although pickpocketing and scams targeting tourists remain a significant problem. See our full guide to staying safe in the French capital for more information.

Money Saving Tips

  • Make sure to book flights and hotels well in advance to get the best deals, especially if you plan to go in late spring or summer when prices are at their highest.
  • To save on getting around the city by public transport, consider buying the Paris Visite Pass . The pass, which can cover one or several days in the capital, offers unlimited use of metro, bus, trams, and RER trains. It also comes with discounts on select attractions and restaurants.
  • Take advantage of the city's free museums, including the Petit Palais, Musée Carnavalet (Museum of Paris History) and the Modern Art Museum of the City of Paris.
  • Annual events , such as Paris Museum Night and Nuit Blanche, open many of the city's top museums and art collections to the public for free.
  • In the summer, free public events such as Seine-side beaches (Paris Plages) and open-air cinema can help to moderate the high cost of airfares and hotels. They're also a lot of fun. Meanwhile, many other summer festivals, such as the Jazz Festival at the Parc Floral, are inexpensive ways to enjoy a day of live music or other performances.
  • If you choose to take a taxi, make sure it has a visible meter and an illuminated "Taxi Parisien" sign on the rooftop. Otherwise, you may become an unwitting victim of "unofficial" taxis that inflate fares for tourists.
  • Instead of eating out in restaurants for every meal, consider staging a Parisian-style picnic instead. Stock up on French bread, pastries, quiche, and cakes at a neighborhood bakery, and get the rest of your picnic items at a local market or supermarket.
  • Learn more about how to make the most of a trip to the capital on a tight budget by exploring the best free things to do in Paris .

Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau . "Euro, the European Currency."

Pascale Filliâtre, Atout France . "7 Tips for a Successful Visit to the Louvre." June 15, 2018.

MICHELIN Guide . "Paris Restaurants."

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France Guide: Planning Your Trip

One Week in France: The Ultimate Itinerary

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Visiting Paris on a Budget

Paris' Pont des Arts: The Complete Guide

The Champ de Mars in Paris: The Complete Guide

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Home > Paris Itineraries > One Week in Paris – The Ultimate Paris Itinerary 7 Days

One Week in Paris – The Ultimate Paris Itinerary 7 Days

What to do in paris in 7 days.

Looking to spend a week in Paris? We can help! Check out our Paris itinerary 7 days for the best recommendations and tips on how to see the best of Paris in a week. This Paris 7-day itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors as it covers the key tourist attractions in Paris, plus a day trip.

Paris can be really daunting because there is literally so much to see and do. Sometimes this can be overwhelming, so it is good to have a plan. These are our recommendations on what to do with 7 days in Paris.

One week in Paris Itinerary

Paris 7-day Itinerary – Our Proposal for a Week in Paris

What to do in Paris in 7 days? Here’s our proposal for one week in Paris. This 7-day Paris itinerary will be detailed in the next chapters:

  • Day 1 in Paris – Ile de la Cité and Le Marais
  • Day 2 in Paris – Louvre Museum and the Historical Axis of Paris
  • Day 3 in Paris – The Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Prés
  • Day 4 in Paris – Day trip to Versailles
  • Day 5 in Paris – Canal Saint-Martin /Bassin de la Villette and Montmartre
  • Day 6 in Paris – Palais Royal, Opera, Grands Boulevards
  • Day 7 in Paris – Orsay Museum, Eiffel Tower, and Seine River boat tour

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Where to Stay in Paris

When it comes to  where to stay in Paris , there is no one right answer; it very much depends on the sort of trip you are planning. Check out our suggestions on the best districts to stay in Paris , or browse the map here below.

How to Get Around Paris

How to Get to/from the Airports of Paris

Once you are in Paris, the easiest way to get around is via the metro. Check out this Metro of Paris guide , with all the information, different types of metro tickets and passes, and our best tips.

Our Budget Tip for One Week in Paris

The Paris Museum Pass is one of the best deals you can find out there! If you want to visit Paris’ main attractions on a budget, look no further. Once purchased, the pass allows you to explore Paris freely without worrying about the costs of individual attractions! You can buy this pass for 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days – Click here to buy your Paris Museum Pass

7 Days in Paris Itinerary, Day 1 – Ile de la Cité and Le Marais

On day 1 of this 7-day itinerary Paris, you will be visiting:

  • Notre Dame Cathedral (from outside)
  • Sainte Chapelle
  • Conciergerie
  • Marché aux Fleurs
  • Place Dauphine – Square du Vert Galant
  • Place des Vosges
  • Musée Carnavalet

paris my trip

DAY 1 – MORNING

You have arrived in Paris, and you are ready to explore! Where to begin? Start your trip exploring Ile de la Cité , the biggest island on the Seine River, and Paris’ beating heart.

In Medieval times, Ile de la Cité was the center of Paris, home to the royal palace and the main religious and institutional buildings. As such, you will find interesting medieval sites like Notre Dame Cathedral , the Conciergerie , or the Sainte Chapelle . It is simply not enough to see those landmarks from the outside – you need to be inside!

Follow the map and visit all the suggested sites or only the ones that interest you most. On the island’s western tip, the Square du Vert Galant is a good place for a quick picnic while watching the riverboats sail by.

TIP: This combo ticket Sainte-Chapelle + Conciergerie saves you time and money!

DAY 1 – AFTERNOON

After the so much-needed lunch, cross the Seine River to the right bank through Pont Neuf , which is the oldest bridge in Paris. Then, you can take the metro line 1 from Châtelet to Saint Paul (2 stations) or walk along the quay to the east to Le Marais.

Le Marais is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Paris , well known for its elegant mansions, gorgeous hotels, art galleries, and quaint little cafés. Start your visit from Place des Vosges , one of the most beautiful royal squares in Paris and also the oldest! Then, be sure to visit the Village Saint Paul and the Carnavalet Museum if you want to learn more about the history of Paris. Behind the museum, the tranquil Square George Caïn is the perfect place for a rest before dinner – Check out our dinner recommendations in Le Marais

7-Day Paris Itinerary, Day 2 – Louvre Museum and the Historical Axis of Paris

On day 2 of this 7 days in Paris itinerary, you will be visiting:

  • Louvre Museum
  • Tuileries Garden
  • Place de la Concorde
  • Pont Alexandre iii – Grand Palais – Petit Palais (from outside)
  • Champs Elysées
  • Arc de Triomphe

paris my trip

DAY 2 – MORNING

Start the day exploring the Louvre , the world’s best museum! Because there is so much to see, we recommend checking out this Louvre Museum guide to prepare for the visit.

If you are not a fan of museums but still don’t want to miss one of Paris’ most iconic attractions, we tell you how to visit the Louvre in 2 hours or less .

DAY 2 – AFTERNOON

After visiting the Louvre, head outdoors for a stroll through the Tuileries Garden . While you can just walk down the main lane, perhaps with a quick stop at one of the cafés, we recommend this fun treasure hunt (self-guided) to learn the history of the oldest garden in Paris.

On the other side of the Tuileries Garden, there’s Place de la Concorde , the witness of some of the most terrible chapters of the  French Revolution , like the execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette . Don’t miss the Luxor obelisk – the oldest monument in Paris – brought directly from Egypt! 

Now, walk along the  Champs Elysées , the most famous avenue in Paris, and enjoy its atmosphere and window shops, perhaps with a short detour to admire the architecture of Grand Palais and Petit Palais from outside and the iconic Alexandre III Bridge .

To end day two perfectly, why not climb up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for one of the best Eiffel Tower views ? Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon I to honor the Grande Armée, this triumphal arch 55m high is inspired by the arches of Roman times –   Click here to buy skip-the-line tickets to the Arc de Triomphe

7 Days in Paris Itinerary, Day 3 – The Latin Quarter and Saint Germain-des-Prés

On day 3 of this itinerary Paris 7 days you will be visiting:

  • Saint-Germain-des-Près Abbey
  • Saint Sulpice Church
  • Luxembourg Gardens
  • Arènes de Lutèce
  • Jardin des Plantes

paris my trip

DAY 3 – MORNING

Day 3 of this Paris itinerary 7 days will see you exploring the Seine’s Left Bank. Start with a coffee at Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Paris 6), one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Paris. Before the 12th century, it was a rural village outside Paris built around the former Saint-Germain Abbey.

Stroll around Saint Germain-des-Prés , visiting the suggested points of interest. On the way, you will see many fancy cafés, art galleries, luxury shops, and boutique hotels.

When you are done exploring Saint Germain, you will be within walking distance of the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens.

The Luxembourg Gardens  were commissioned by Queen Marie de Médicis (the widow of King Henri IV) in 1612. Inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, where the Queen was born, the gardens surround the Luxembourg Palace, today home to the French Senate.

Enjoy 23 hectares of pure bliss! If the weather is good, consider a picnic in the park or this fun treasure hunt .

DAY 3 – AFTERNOON

The Latin Quarter (Paris 5) is set east of Luxembourg Gardens. While it is known as the center of university life in Paris, it’s also where the Roman Paris-Lutetia was born in IC AD. You can view the Roman Baths (from outside) at Boulevard Saint Michel and visit the Arènes de Lutèce – the Roman amphitheater.

The rest of the day is dedicated to visiting the Latin Quarter , with an interesting combination of historical sites, lively streets and squares, small bookstores, and independent cinemas proposing auteur films. Whilst strolling around the Latin Quarter, don’t miss the street food Rue Mouffetard, the lively Place de la Contrescarpe, the Jardin des Plantes , and the visit to the Panthéon , with the tombs of the most notable citizens of France – Check out our dinner recommendations in Paris 5

7-Day Itinerary Paris, Day 4 – Day trip to Versailles

On day 4 of this Paris one-week itinerary, you will be visiting:

  • Palace of Versailles
  • The Trianons and the Queen’s Hamlet
  • The Gardens of Versailles

When you have a week in Paris, you don’t have an excuse not to visit the famous Château de Versailles!

The Château de Versailles is one of the royal castles near Paris and one of the most beautiful castles in France . Built in baroque style, Versailles was home to three French Kings and their families (King Louis XIV, King Louis XV, and King Louis XVI) until the French Revolution.

If you are truly interested in learning about Versailles’ history, take this guided tour with an expert guide that includes transportation to/from Paris. If you prefer a self-guided visit instead, check out this quick Versailles Guide with our best tips.

From April to the end of October, the Gardens of Versailles host beautiful shows with music, costumes, and the fountains of Versailles running. There’s an entrance fee to visit these shows, but it is totally worth it!

TIP: This combo ticket Château de Versailles + Gardens + Trianons saves you money!

7 Days in Paris Itinerary, Day 5 – Northern Paris

On day 5 of this one week in Paris itinerary, you will be visiting:

  • Canal Saint-Martin
  • Bassin de la Villette
  • Montmartre – Sacré Cœur
  • Moulin Rouge

paris my trip

DAY 5 – MORNING

A week in Paris truly gives you time to explore the lesser-known neighborhoods! This beautiful and trendy part of town is the place to be for a much more local feeling. It may lack museums and monuments but don’t worry; there’s just as much to do and see.

Canal Saint-Martin  is a cultural hub and one of the most popular places in Paris, with cute cafés and vintage shops along its quays. Bassin de La Villette  –  Canal de l’Ourcq  sees more locals than tourists, with more things to do along the canal banks.

A fun thing to do at  Bassin de la Villette  is to  sail an electric boat along the canal  (no boating license required), perhaps with a bottle of rosé wine onboard.

DAY 5 – AFTERNOON

After visiting this area, take the metro at Stalingrad to the Anvers station (line 2) to explore the bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre (Paris 18).

For your visit to Montmartre , we suggest following this self-guided  Montmartre Walking Tour , starting from the  Sacré Coeur Basilica , which explores the main sights of Montmartre whilst learning the history of this picturesque neighborhood.

If you want to go beyond the main sights, check out our  Secret Map of Montmartre  with our favorite spots off the beaten path – Check out our dinner recommendations in Montmartre

To end day 5 perfectly, enjoy a cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge , one of the most famous cabarets in Paris . Expect an entertaining show of music and dance and the famous French can-can – Click here to buy your tickets to the Moulin Rouge (with or without dinner)

7 Days Paris Itinerary, Day 6 – Palais Royal, Opera, Grands Boulevards

On day 6 of this Paris travel itinerary 7 days, you will be visiting:

  • Gardens of Palais Royal
  • Galerie Vivienne – Galerie Colbert
  • Place Vendôme
  • Opéra Garnier
  • Galeries Lafayette

paris my trip

DAY 6 – MORNING

By day 6 of this Paris itinerary 7 days, you are probably thinking: how much more is there to do in Paris? Well, you still have amazing things ahead of you!

Start the day at the Gardens of Palais Royal . Commissioned by Cardinal Richelieu in 1633, the Palais Royal housed royal families until the Palace of Versailles was built. Prestigious and peaceful, the gardens are surrounded by beautiful magnolia trees and classic sculptures. You can see the famous 260 black and white striped Buren Columns in the courtyard near the garden.

North of Palais Royal, you will find two of the most beautiful covered passages in Paris : Galerie Vivienne and Galerie Colbert . Built in the 19th century, these passages crowned with glass roofs, are a typical architectural feature in Paris, and they all house vintage shops, tearooms, and restaurants.

Walk west to Place Vendôme , one of the most elegant squares in Paris. Dominated by the Vendôme Column, crowned by a statue of Napoleon I, Place Vendôme is home to the Hotel Ritz Paris and luxury shops.

DAY 6 – AFTERNOON

In the afternoon, visit the Opéra Garnier (self-guided tour). Designed by Charles Garnier, this building is a masterpiece of 19th-century theatrical architecture – Click here to buy your tickets to Opéra Garnier

Later, stroll through the Grands Boulevards for some shopping. This area of Paris is part of the major renovation works commissioned by Emperor Napoléon III and carried out by Baron Haussmann. The works included the demolition of medieval neighborhoods considered overcrowded and healthy.

The perfect way to end this day is by visiting Galeries Lafayette’s rooftop bar , from where you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of Paris .

7 Days in Paris Itinerary, Day 7 – Orsay Museum, Eiffel Tower, and Seine Cruise

On day 7 of this 7-day trip to Paris, you will be visiting:

  • Orsay Museum
  • Eiffel Tower
  • Seine River Cruise

paris my trip

DAY 7 – MORNING

Day 7 of this itinerary for Paris 7 days may be the last, but it is definitely not the less exciting!

Another favorite to visit is the Orsay Museum . Set in a former train station, the Orsay Museum holds mainly French art from the period 1848 to 1914 and includes artworks of Van Gogh, Gauguin, and the Impressionists. Even if you’re not into art galleries, a visit here is well worth it, just to see the stunning train station, a jewel of Art Déco architecture! Plan on being there for about 2 hours – Click here to buy your tickets to Musée d’Orsay

After visiting the Orsay Museum, head to Champ de Mars to visit Paris’ most iconic monument: the Eiffel Tower ! If you haven’t had lunch yet, Champ de Mars is also one of the best spots for a picnic in Paris .

DAY 7 – AFTERNOON

Climb up to the top of the Eiffel Tower to learn more about its history and for amazing views of Paris. Depending on the time, you may want to consider one of these activities near the Eiffel Tower before heading to the pier for your Seine River Cruise.

After your Eiffel Tower experience, what better way to finish off these seven days in Paris than taking a sunset /night  cruise down the River Seine ? Enjoy a different perspective of Paris from the water. A great boat tour with dinner we recommend is the one with Bateaux Parisiens . Enjoy a delicious bistro menu while admiring the most famous Paris landmarks, magically illuminated.

TIP: Sunset times in Paris vary greatly. Check out the Paris sunset time during your holidays in the city

Have a look at our other Paris Itineraries

  • 1 day in Paris Itinerary
  • 2 days in Paris Itinerary
  • 3 days in Paris Itinerary
  • 4 days in Paris Itinerary
  • 5 days in Pais itinerary
  • 6 days in Paris Itinerary

Click here to read more Paris Itineraries

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About WORLD IN PARIS

Quirky parisian explorer with a preference for lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas and tips to bring you the best of the city of light read more about me ., i am elisa, the travel blogger behind world in paris. quirky explorer with a preference for the local side of my city and its lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas to enjoy the best of paris & around . do you want to go beyond the louvre museum or the eiffel tower keep clicking for first-hand information & my best tips learn more.

Let Me Plan your Trip to Paris!

Have you watched me wander the city and thought "Dang, I'd love to do a day in Paris like that." Nothing but good food, great coffee, and bars that always serve solid drinks? Is the thought of researching it all proving to be a bit much in the midst of everything else?

Let me take care of that for you. If you're like me and you enjoy visiting a city by mouth, with a few sites and scenic strolls scattered between, then I just might be your guy. You've seen how I do it on YouTube. I can show you exactly how to do it on your own.

Let me plan two full days in some of my favorite neighborhoods, from coffee to cocktails, and show you the side of Paris that I would take my own visiting friends or family. You can do the Eiffel Tower on your own. I'll send you where the locals hang out. Drop us your email and let's chat to see if you'd be a good fit!

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From daydreams to reality — how our Paris itineraries delighted fellow travelers:

“Everything was amazing. The itinerary was a lifesaver. It was nice to switch to auto pilot and just follow the plan. My husband definitely appreciated the input on how to travel from destination to destination. I loved all the food places you suggested, and ALL of the staff were so gracious with us. I’m so happy that I went ahead and had you do the heavy lifting so we could just enjoy!”
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“When Jay chose to help us with a personalized itinerary, we were very excited. We have done all the usual tourist stuff. So wanted to explore some arrondissements, eat tasty food, and fall even more in love with the city. Jay 100% delivered on this for us. He helped us navigate our way through a very popular tourist area and a less visited area to see a different side of the city. Jay's love and knowledge of this city was obvious. We loved this experience. Thank you sooooo much Jay.”

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Discover Paris

Plan Your Trip to the City of Light

Visit Paris and you'll discover a spectacular city packed with a dazzling array of famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, more museums than you can possibly visit in one trip, wonderful hotels and restaurants, and fascinating historic and modern neighborhoods to explore.

And that's just the beginning.  

Cruises along the tranquil Seine River and Canal Saint Martin, shopping destinations ranging from glitzy designer showrooms to street markets, non-stop summer concerts and festivals, tours and fireworks at the Palace of Versailles, and excursions to Disneyland Paris are just a few of the things you can experience here.

Whether you're planning your first Paris vacation or have traveled here dozens of times, you'll find plenty to explore and enjoy - and all the planning tips you need right here.

Welcome to Paris Discovery Guide, an independent travel website (www.parisdiscoveryguide.com) with everything you need to plan a memorable trip to Paris.

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Notre Dame

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Guide to dining in Paris

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How to explore this famous neighborhood and its crowning jewel, Sacre Coeur Find out more

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  • Why Visit Paris? - Need some inspiration as you plan your trip?  You'll find it here
  • Best Places to Shop in Paris - Find out about the city's top shopping districts and their specialties, from luxury couture to a discount village to French cookware to the world's biggest flea market - & more!
  • Fun Paris Museums - Want to visit a Paris museum but not really interested in art?  From the Catacombs (old bones) to street art to wine-tasting tours at medieval castles, there's something for everyone!
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Want to Save on Your Paris Hotel?

Check our tips on how to find discounts, deals, and bargains for Paris hotels.  Whether you're looking for cheap accommodations or want to pay less for luxury, we'll show you how to save on hotels in Paris.  

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How to Plan a Trip to Paris: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on Last updated: June 5, 2024

Home » Destinations » Europe » France » How to Plan a Trip to Paris: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide

How to Plan a Trip to Paris: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide

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Dreaming of your first Paris trip? Let me show you exactly how to plan a trip to Paris like a pro!

This post about how to plan a trip to paris for the first time was written by family travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

If you’re on your fifth rewatch of Emily in Paris but have never visited the French capital, what are you waiting for?! Learn how to plan a trip to Paris today and turn your silver-screen dreams into a reality!

The City of Light is home to five UNESCO sites and is the second most-visited capital city in Europe. With several famous museums, restaurants, and one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, there are so many things to see and do in this elegant, cultural city.

There are so many options that planning a Paris vacation, especially if you’re visiting Paris for the first time, can feel like an enormous task.

No sweat! This simple guide will take you through the Paris travel planning process step-by-step so you can build your perfect Paris trip!

Don’t have time to read a bunch of Paris blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Paris with kids.

Popular Paris Tours/Activities

  • Scavenger Hunt at the Musee d’Orsay (my kids voted this the BEST thing they did in Paris)
  • Paris Food Tour (We ate SO many yummy treats on our Food Tour)
  • Tootbus (this is a kid-friendly hop-on-hop-off bus)
  • Eiffel Tower (skip the line and go straight to the top)
  • Day Trip to Giverny and Versailles (it’s a great city break)
  • Flytographer photo shoot (they are easy to book and really affordable)

Kid-Friendly Paris Hotels

  • Hotel Aiglon (this is a quiet area near Luxembourg Garden, and it’s perfect for families)
  • Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower Hotel (there’s a shuttle to Disneyland or Giverny from here)
  • Newport Bay Club Resort (this is our favorite place to stay at Disneyland)

14-Step Guide on How To Plan a Trip to Paris

Step 1: check your passport and visa requirements for france.

The first step of how to plan a Paris trip is the first step of planning any trip! Check that you and your family have at least six months of validity left on your passport and which visas you need.

How to plan a trip to Paris: Check your passport and visa requirements for France.

For US citizens, France is in the Schengen Area, which means you’re allowed 90 days visa-free in any of the 27 participating EU countries. From 2025, the visa waiver form you’ll fill out will be the ETIAS.

Step 2: Figure Out the Length of Your Trip to Paris

Next, decide how long you are going to spend in Paris. This will likely be a compromise between how long you want to spend in Paris and how much time you have .

How to plan a trip to Paris: Figure out the length of your trip.

If this is your first time in Paris, you need to spend at least three days in Paris at the absolute minimum. I mean, if you only have two days in Paris , it’s still worth it. But four or five days in Paris is much more ideal. 

Don’t rule out a Paris trip plan of more than a week because you can always take day tours or side trips!

paris my trip

Step 3: Research the Best Time to Travel to Paris

You’ll soon realize when planning your trip that there isn’t a bad time to visit Paris.

Paris has a continental climate that is warm in the summer and wet in the winter. Summer temperatures are around 59 – 77°F (15 – 25°C), and extreme heat is uncommon.

Low temperatures in winter are around 37°F (3°C), with some frosty mornings and evenings, but grey skies and rain are more likely.

How to plan a trip to Paris: Research the best time to travel in Paris.

When planning a trip to France, summer is the most popular and expensive time of year to travel. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are a good balance between warm weather, fewer crowds, and lower costs.

Paris has some amazing festivals and annual events you might like to visit. Check out the Paris Carnival and Bastille Day for some fun street celebrations.

paris my trip

Step 4: Create a Budget for Your Parisian Vacation

So, how much does a trip to Paris cost? It depends on many factors, including the time of year, the length of your trip, the size of your family, and your travel style.

If you would like a rough idea, Trip.com estimates that the total cost of a trip to Paris for 7 days is around $1,233 – $2,880.

How to plan a trip to Paris: Create your budget for your vacation.

Want to know how to plan a trip to Paris on a budget? Aside from booking your trip during the off-season, use Paris’s cheap and convenient metro system instead of taking taxis.

Visit during the first Sunday of the month when many museums are free. Eating picnic lunches in the public gardens with the incredible produce you can get at the boulangeries is a quintessential Paris experience!

These are just a few ways for you to save money during your trip.

Step 5: Book Your Flights to Paris, France

Figuring out how to plan a trip to France is made so much easier with all the direct flights from the US to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, where most international flights land.

Another Paris airport is the Paris Beauvais, where low-cost and chartered flights land, mostly from other connecting flights.

New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, Dallas, Fort Worth, Seattle, and many other cities have non-stop flights to Paris. 

Flying from these airports is the best way to travel to Paris! But finding easy connections at any time of year won’t be difficult.

Get Our FREE Paris Travel Planner

Step 6: plan your parisian vacation itinerary.

You’ve finally got to the fun part of creating your Paris travel plan! How to plan a trip to Paris will depend on how many days you are spending in Paris. Here are some ideas for your Paris itinerary:

  • 3-day trip to Paris – Take a walking tour to learn more about the city center, see the Eiffel Tower, and visit the Arc de Triomphe on your first day. Spend your second day at Notre Dame and museums like Musée d’Orsay or the Louvre, and your third day with a half-day trip to Versailles followed by a late afternoon in Montmartre.
  • 4-day trip to Paris – You can visit the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre, as well as spend one whole day in Versailles plus visit a garden like Luxembourg or Jardin des Plantes.
  • 5-day trip to Paris – Take a day tour!

You can also insert short food tours in between your itinerary. It’s like hitting two birds in one stone!

But if you’re planning to tour Paris for more than a week, maximize your time in this huge city.

Step 7: Choose a Day Trip From Paris

Unless you are visiting for three days or less, the best way to plan a trip to Paris is to include a day tour . 

How to plan a trip to Paris: Choose a day trip from Paris.

There are so many great options! Here are some of the most popular ones:

  • How to plan a trip to Versailles – Take an RER C train, which stops at nine stations in Paris and two in Versailles. Book your Palace of Versailles in advance to guarantee entry.
  • How to plan a trip to Giverny – Book a small group tour to where Monet painted waterlilies or take the train from Gare Saint-Lazare to the small town of Vernon.
  • How to plan a trip to Disneyland Paris – You can book coach transfers from the city to Disneyland when you buy your park tickets. 
  • How to plan a cultural trip in Paris – Paris is home to different cultures, its Latin Quarter being one of the best places to visit. You can book a day tour here .
  • How to plan a trip to Paris and London – Yes, you can easily visit London for the day from Paris! Book tickets on the Eurostar train and make sure you meet the visa requirements to enter the UK.

Step 8: Book Accommodation in Paris

Paris has hundreds of hotels, whether you prefer budget-friendly or luxury hotels, making the city the best option for a city break when you visit France. Storing your luggage before and after check-out is always super handy.

How to plan a trip to Paris: Book accommodation in Paris.

But if your fantasy is to stay in a typical Parisian loft apartment up five flights of stairs with a cat that roams the hallways, go for it! There are lots of short-term rental apartment options in every arrondissement, too.

Note that Paris charges a tax to everyone who stays in any type of accommodation in Paris . Depending on the quality of accommodation, expect a per-night sum of 20 cents to €4 to be added to your bill.

Step 9: Purchase Attraction Tickets, Transfers, and Tours

Some attractions are worth buying tickets in advance so you can skip the line. Investing in the Paris Museum Pass allows you to enter 60+ museums, and you can skip the line in every single one.

Consider the Paris Museum Pass as an all-in ticket that could save you time and money.

How to plan a trip to Paris: Purchase tickets, transfers, and tours.

If you want to climb the Eiffel Tower , that is one attraction you should book in advance. But consider another viewpoint, like the Arc de Triomphe , so that you actually get the Eiffel Tower in your photos!

You can take buses or regional express trains from all three Paris airports. But that might sound like a nightmare if you’re juggling your kids and luggage! 

Book a private airport transfer in advance so you don’t have to stress about finding a taxi when you arrive.

Want to learn how to make macarons or visit the Emily in Paris locations? Special activities, like a guided tour, are also things you should book in advance. Spaces are usually limited to small groups and will sell out.

Step 10: Organize Travel Insurance for Your Trip to Paris

It’s good practice to buy travel insurance as soon as you purchase your flights. This means any money you spend on your trip is protected should anything go wrong.

How to plan a trip to Paris: Organize travel insurance for your trip to Paris.

However, the most important thing that travel insurance protects is your health! So, as long as you take out a policy before you fly, you won’t have to pay up if you have a medical emergency.

You may already have travel insurance through your credit card benefits, so check them out before you purchase a separate plan.

Step 11: Figure Out Phone, Credit Card, and Currency

When you plan a trip to France, the Euro is the currency there. Almost everywhere in Paris will accept credit card payments but it never hurts to have a small amount of local currency in cash.

How to plan a trip to Paris: Figure out phone, credit card, and currency.

American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Mastercard or Visa, so bring a backup card.

Some cafes and museums in Paris have WiFi, but it’s useful for using data out and about. Get an eSIM if you do not have an international plan. 

If you’re heading to London as a side trip, make sure you have coverage there, too!

Step 12: Watch Movies and Read Books Set in Paris

Watching Parisian movies and reading books about France is probably the reason you want to learn how to travel to Paris in the first place! It’s a great way to get excited about your trip.

Some movie recommendations are Midnight in Paris (2011), and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022). If you’re a bookworm, check out The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George and A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway.

Step 13: Pack Your Suitcase Full of Parisian Outfits

Do as the Romans (or Parisians) do and pull out your best ‘effortlessly chic’ outfits to blend in with the ultra-stylish Paris locals.

How to plan a trip to Paris: pack your suitcase full of Parisan Outfits. Chester Luggage set reviewed by top US family travel blogger, Marcie in Mommyland.

Luckily, most Parisians forgo heels during the day and opt for comfortable flats or sneakers. Trench coats are perfect in spring and fall and you can still wear your light, floaty dresses in summer.

You may need to cover your shoulders to enter some churches, so pack a light scarf if you prefer to wear tanks or strappy dresses.

Step 14: Go To Paris!

Once you’ve finished all the steps of how to plan a Paris trip, it won’t be long before you’ll be venturing on your dream trip to Paris.

Easy guide on how to plan a trip to Paris as recommended by top family travel blog Marcie in Mommyland. Image of two boys with toy boats at Luxembourg Gardens in Paris

You won’t be able to see all the exhibits at the Louvre, and you can’t escape the crowds, but Paris will charm you into a return visit regardless.

Planning a Trip to Paris FAQs

How far in advance should i plan a trip to paris.

You don’t need to plan a trip to Paris far in advance. Paris is built for tourism with lots of hotels and restaurants, and organizing your travel documents (if you’re from the US, for example) should be easy.

However, advance tickets to big attractions like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower start selling out about three months ahead. Book flight tickets and accommodation as soon as possible for the best choice and price!

What is the cheapest month to go to Paris?

The cheapest months to go to Paris are usually November, January, or February. 

Basically, all the winter months around the holiday season are usually the best times for cheaper flights and accommodation.

How much French should I know before visiting Paris?

You don’t need to speak French fluently; you only need to learn these essential French words before going to Paris: Hello = Bonjour, Goodbye = Au Revoir, Please = S’il Vous Plait, and Thank You = Merci.

Although it would be nice to communicate with them in their language, you can easily pick up easy and useful French phrases for your next trip.

That’s not to say everyone in Paris speaks English, but almost everyone working in hospitality will be fluent. 

paris my trip

How To Plan a Trip to Paris Wrap-Up

With this Paris trip planner, it should make it much easier to figure out how to plan a trip to Paris so that you don’t forget to do something essential, like booking hotels.

Or so you don’t miss a quintessential Parisian experience that you have to do when traveling to Paris for the first time.

You can’t visit Paris without tasting macarons or visiting at least one art museum!

Seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night across the Seine for the first time will make all your Paris trip planning efforts worth it.

Looking for more Paris travel resources? Check out my tips for Disneyland Paris , top kid-friendly Paris tours , tips for visiting Paris for the first time , guide to hiring a Paris family photographer , things to do in Paris for teens , things to do in Paris at night , Paris Instagram spots , visiting Versailles with kids , secret spots in Paris , Paris day trips , things to do on a Paris family vacation , Paris Tuk Tuk Tour review , tips for visiting Paris with kids , and kid-friendly Arc de Triomphe tips !

Make planning a trip easy with this quick guide on how to plan a trip to Paris! Get our Paris packing list, itinerary, budget guides, and more!

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First Time Guide To Paris

first time guide to Paris rooftops

First-Time Guide To Paris

My first trip to Paris was just shy of my 21st birthday. I was studying abroad in Italy with my friends and decided to go to Paris for Valentine’s Day weekend. Just a day before the trip, I came down with terrible bronchitis. I had a fever and was sick during that trip, but I would let go of my dream of seeing Paris. I pushed through the weekend, making my recovery time from bronchitis much longer, but it was worth it. We took a double-decker bus, and I ate a banana and Nutella crêpes. Looking back, I wish there was a first-time guide to Paris to help me understand where to go and what not to do

Since my first trip to Paris, I have learned a lot by making mistakes and doing all the touristy things. A helpful blog and Google map that first time around would have saved us hours looking for Angelina Hot Chocolate . But we made memories, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

first time guide to Paris everyday parisian

How is Paris Laid Out?

This post is to help you have the best first trip to Paris. Paris is broken up into different neighborhoods called arrondissements. To understand how they lay on a map, the 1st arrondissement is in the center of the city and follows the path of a snail moving outwards. Paris has twenty arrondissements spanning the left and right banks of Paris. To see the significant Paris attractions, you will want to start in central Paris and work toward different areas of Paris if you have time.

You can walk the city from one end to the other in about an hour, depending on how quickly you walk.  Public transportation is everywhere, and famous landmarks are accessible by a close metro line. During your first time in Paris, please don’t feel pressured to do it all.

If you fly from the US on the first day, you will be jet-lagged. Make sure to get lots of water and fresh air. Don’t walk too much on the first day if you are tired before a few days of sightseeing. Break it up each day and enjoy the city. Choose a destination within walking distance of the hotel and grab a good meal. You can see my jet lag tips here! 

These are tips that I share with all my friends and family who tell me they are headed to Paris for the first time. It was easier to write one great blog post than to retype or forward an email. I hope this helps make your trip as a first-time visitor enjoyable!

Purchase The Paris Guide 

Suppose you are looking for a more detailed guide to Paris. Check out The Paris Guide , which is 80 pages of helpful tips and favorite restaurants, hotels, and neighborhoods to discover. It is excellent for first-time travelers or those looking for off-the-beaten-path tips.

Do I need Cash For Paris?

Paris euros coffee culture

Make sure you keep euros on you. Not everyone will accept credit cards. If you want to stop for a quick coffee or croissant, you will need small change. Check-in with your bank and notify them before leaving. I use Bank of America and can take out money from any local BNP in Paris. This is the wallet I use for a credit card and small change.

Since the pandemic, this has been updated a bit, and most places will accept a credit card or Apple Pay for coffee. Some spots have a minimum bank card amount that you have to reach. You can tap to pay a lot of places. Keeping euros on you for tipping and the market is a good idea.

I believe in tipping well in Paris . A good concierge is a gem of information and should be tipped accordingly. I also leave a few euros a day for hotel cleaning staff.

Tips to Getting Around Paris

how to get around Paris everyday parisian

Google Maps on your phone or a paper map from your hotel will lead you around the city to wherever you need to go. Take time to put down the map and get lost. A metro line is always nearby to get you back to your starting point. Explore the city on foot and see what you discover.

first time guide to paris everyday parisian

The best time to explore Paris without a bunch of tourists is in the early morning. It’s just you and the city. One of my favorite things to do is watch the sunrise over the Seine River.

sunrise in Paris

Visit a Local Café in Paris

parisian cafe people watching summer activity everyday parisian

Save money by ordering a quick coffee at the bar, which is a faster option to grab a quick coffee. Another option is to take a seat and people-watch. You will pay double the price, but the table will be yours for however long you want.  You can use this guide for How to Order Coffee in Paris. Not a coffee drinker? Grab a glass of wine or a Coke. When you visit a local café and take a table on a terrace, the terrace will be yours until you ask for the bill and pay. The French will not rush you off as they do in the US.

café culture in Paris everyday parisian

You can buy a drink and be left alone to people-watch or read a book. You can ask for the café wifi, which will most likely be available. Put your phone down and soak in the city to be immersed in the culture. Even if you don’t speak French, you can enjoy watching the world go by. This post on Essential Café Etiquette will come in handy.

5 Ways to Order Coffee in Paris

How to Ride the Metro in Paris

Buy metro tickets in a pack of 10, known as a carnet. Day passes are also available for the metro to hop on and off multiple times. The cost is cheaper than buying multiple tickets; you will always have a ticket available when needed. The metro is an affordable way to get around the city of Paris. Some stations don’t offer a ticket machine, so having these on hand is good. You must hold onto your ticket until you reach your final destination.

Do not try to cut through without paying. There are some random ticket checkers at metro stations, and you must show your metro ticket. If you do not have a valid ticket, you will be fined. Travel at off-peak times to avoid crowded trains (rush hour). You can take the metro as late as midnight, and they will be full of people, so don’t worry about feeling like you will be unsafe.

Shop Paris Metro at The Louvre Print Here

First-time Guide to Paris

Explore paris by bike.

You can rent a city bike located at different Vélib stations around the city . There are over 1,000 stations and 20,000 bikes for rent. Make sure to inspect your bike for any damages before grabbing it. I have had a flat tire before, and it wasn’t fun looking for a new docking station to switch it out. Taking a bike around the city is a great way to explore Paris. You can also book a bike tour with Fat Tire Tours . I have done two, one in the city and one in Versailles. The ticket includes a guided tour of Versailles and the grounds.

Visiting the Palace of Versailles is a day trip out of the city, but it is worth visiting on your first trip to Paris. You can also take RER C to Versailles without taking a tour.

explore versailles with fat tire on a bike

Explore The Right and Left Banks of Paris

seine river paris left and right banks

Be open to the left and right banks of Paris. They are very different but equally charming. Take time to explore them both. The River Seine divides the two banks. The Latin Quarter and Musée d’Orsay are on the Left Bank, and the Louvre Museum is on the Right Bank.

You can easily spend a day exploring different parts of Paris, such as Saint Germain des Prés, Montmartre, and the Eiffel Tower. Choose a destination and a place to eat and build around that.

Visit the Paris Gardens: First Time Guide to Paris

The gardens in Paris are a part of the culture. Jardin du Luxembourg on the Left Bank and The Tuileries Garden on the Right Bank are both famous.

Tuileries Garden

Tuileries Gardens in the fall

Luxembourg Gardens in the Spring

explore Luxembourg gardens in Paris

I personally love Palais Royal, a miniature garden behind the Louvre. Here, you can take a book or picnic, sit in the green chairs, and enjoy the sunshine.

Palais Royal spring Paris

For a park off the beaten path, visit Parc Monceau. It is a quick walk from the Arc de Triumph. In the springtime, you can see magnolias and cherry blossoms with pops of pink around the garden.

parc monceau in the fall Paris

Explore Montmartre: First Time Guide to Paris

explore Montmartre in Paris

Visit Montmartre for an afternoon to see Sacre Coeur and Moulin Rouge. You can see my full Montmartre guide here. I love grabbing lunch at an outdoor café for people-watching. You can easily spend an afternoon here. Enjoy the view of Paris from the steps of Sacre Coeur. Walk the street of Rue Lepic, which winds behind Montmartre, for a unique experience in Paris. Rue des Martyrs is filled with delicious bakeries and cafés.

First time guide to Paris explore Montmartre

Skip a Trip to the Eiffel Tower: First Time Guide to Paris

Eiffel Tower at night Paris view

The view of the city is lovely, but you miss the Eiffel Tower when you are standing there. There can be long lines, and it isn’t worth the wait. You can book advance tickets online to visit the top without delay. Make sure to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at least once. It sparkles every hour on the hour after sunset. This post has ideas on different spots in Paris to see it sparkle.

Arc de Triomphe Paris

I always recommend the view from the Arc de Triomphe to see the city of lights. Below is a view of Paris from up above.

Shop Paris Eiffel Tower Spring Print Here

Visit At Least One Museum

Purchase a Paris Pass , which gives you access to multiple museums and tourist attractions at a discount, including the Arc de Triomphe (with a great view of the Eiffel Tower), Sainte Chapelle, and Versailles. The Louvre is also included in the pass, giving you access to the Mona Lisa if seeing her is high on your list. A pass will save you money and time. For budget travelers, the first Sunday of every month allows for free entry to some of the major museums in the city.

Musee D'Orsay Paris view from The Tuileries

Enjoy French Macarons in Paris

Paris macarons

Paris is known for their pastries. You will hear much about Ladurée for macarons, but I prefer to visit Pierre Hermé rather than Ladurée. The tarte au citron at Sébastian Gaudard is a personal favorite.

pierre macarons paris france first time guide to paris everyday parisian

Choose a Paris Hotel with a Central Location

Paris hotels where to stay everyday parisian

You may not spend much time in your hotel room, but you will want something clean and safe. There are many options in the city of Paris and different budget ranges. A bad stay can make or break a first trip anywhere. I have a full list of favorite hotels in Paris that I recommend to readers and friends. I prefer boutique hotels over larger hotels.

le narcisse blanc Paris hotel

During your first time in Paris, stay in central Paris. This way, you are within walking distance of all the Paris landmarks and monuments. You can return to your hotel throughout the day to rest and recharge.

hotel adele and jules paris

Try Berthillon Ice Cream on île St Louis.

Berthillon Ice Cream in Paris

Visit on the weekdays as the weekends are packed. I love the chocolate noir and the fruit sorbets. There are seasonal flavors that are fun to try, too. Berthillon has several locations on the island of île St. Louis. If one has a line, try further down to try another spot. It’s worth the wait. This is a perfect opportunity to try out some of your French phrases when you order.

berthillon ice cream first time guide to paris france everyday parisian

Spend a Sunday in The Marais: First Time Guide to Paris

Place des Vosges is the main square and park in the Marais. Picnic here or go for a stroll. You can enjoy one of the many cafés close by. Enjoy the adorable Merci concept store on Boulevard Beaumarchais for shopping in the Marais. Explore the Bastille Market early in the morning and pick up a few items to picnic.

paris my trip

The Marais will be lively and filled with tourists and locals on Sunday. Place des Vosges is an excellent spot for a picnic on a warm day. Visit the Picasso Museum, which is also available on the city museum pass.

Picasso museum Paris what to do on a Sunday

L’as Au Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers has always been a favorite. There will be a line, but it will move fast. I love Miznon, just across the street.

first time guide to Paris visit The Marais on a Sunday

Café Camille is an excellent spot for brunch or a glass of wine for people-watching. The streets will be packed with people, and around this corner, there is music by local artists that will play in the afternoon.

Listen to Jazz in Paris

I fell in love with jazz in Paris. The local brasserie I would have dinner at each night would play TSF Jazz on the radio. Listening to jazz brings me back to those quiet nights in Paris when I first discovered the city.

jazz in paris everyday parisian

I love Duc de Lombards. If it isn’t in your price range, check out Café Laurent on the Left Bank.

Picnic on the Seine

Grab a bottle of wine, baguette, cheese, and charcuterie, and find a spot along the river bank. This is a simple meal, but it will be one of the best things you can do if there is good weather. Local markets throughout the city will offer everything you need for the perfect picnic. You can also shop a food street such as Rue Cler or Rue Montorgueil.

You can see ideas on where to picnic in Paris in this post.

seine picnic first time guide to Paris

 Visit a local boulangerie: First Time Guide to Paris.

Plan a visit to a local bakery and try different French pastries. (pain au chocolate, pain au raisin, croissant au beurre )I love to visit  Du Pain et Des Idées for croissants. They are famous for their escargot croissants in the shape of a snail. Pain au raisins and pistachio are their traditional flavors, but they also have some unique flavors, including red fruits. Larger groups should send one person to order, and the rest can grab a seat outside at a table.

the best croissants in paris

For the best croissant, check out this post. 

du pain et des idees Paris boulangerie to visit

Beware of pickpockets and scammers.

Paris is a big city, and you must always be aware of your belongings. A bag that zips is highly recommended when exploring Paris. Keep a small wallet with change, a credit card, and everything else safe at your apartment or hotel. Make a copy of your passport and send it to your family or a close friend, and email a copy to yourself so you can always have access to it.

paris my trip

Check out my safety tips for travelers here. 

Try A Classic French Bistro

Explore French cuisine. Steak Frites at Le Relais de l’ Entrecôte is a fun experience for your first time in Paris. They only serve steak frites and don’t take reservations. You will find a line here around dinner time. The line moves quickly, and it is worth the wait. If you have your heart set on trying this place and don’t want to wait in lines, try the restaurant at lunch right when it opens. I have had luck with getting in quickly. You will tell the server how you like your steak prepared and order anything to drink. The server will write your order on the white paper tablecloth, disappear briefly, and return with the salad starter and drinks.

Don’t skip out on dessert. You may have to save room as the waiter will return for a refill of steak and fries. The profiteroles are out of this world good and worth trying at least once.

le Relais de L'Entrecote Paris steak frites

Skip tourist streets with set menus mostly along the Champs Elysées and Latin Quarter.

Here is my list of favorite places to eat and drink in Paris

where to eat and drink in Paris

Visit the market in Paris.

French markets in Paris give you a taste of the local experience.

My five favorite ones are here. You can plan your visit based on your itinerary or hotel location.

I love the Bastille market. Arrive around 9 a.m. before it gets too busy. It is open on Thursdays and Sundays. You can pick up fruits, vegetables, bread, and cheese and make your picnic. To navigate a French market like a local, see this post.

Shop Paris Peonies Market Print Here

Always Pack an Umbrella Even When Rain isn’t In The Forecast

It can rain without warning, even if the weather doesn’t call for it. The covered passages of Paris make for my favorite rainy-day activity. This is one of my favorite memories from living in Montmartre. You can easily walk from the 9th at the end of Rue des Martyrs through Galerie Vivienne by only taking a few steps outside. The covered passages in Paris are filled with shops and restaurants to help pass the time on a rainy day.

Paris in the rain everyday parisian

Check out this post for ideas on what to do in Paris when it rains.

first time guide to Paris everyday parisian

Watch the sunset or sunrise.

Enjoy the sunset or sunrise from one of the bridges on the Seine. In the summer, you can bring a bottle of rosé and watch from the Seine with the rest of the Parisians.

The sunrise in summer is extremely early, around 6 am, and sunset at 10 pm.

where to see the sunset in Paris

Leave the Activewear at Home/ Dress Like a Local

everyday parisian winter in paris

Comfortable shoes are a must in Paris. Vejas and other sneakers are very popular right now for men and women. A neutral-color capsule wardrobe is ideal when packing for Paris in any season. In this post, I recommend other walking shoes for different seasons.

Makeup is pretty neutral in Paris; just a few essentials, such as blush, mascara, and lipstick, are needed. Skincare is more of a focus for Parisians with a glowy, healthy look.

Visit a French Pharmacy in Paris

French pharmacie paris

The best French skincare can be bought on almost every street corner. Brands include Caudalie, Klorane, Nuxe, and Avène. The staff is very knowledgeable at the pharmacies. They can explain your concerns (dryness/anti-aging, etc.) and recommend specific products for your skin type.

Take A Cooking Class

Book a cooking class or Market Tour with La Cuisine Paris. I have done a few classes with La Cuisine over the years, including a food walking tour of the city. The macaron and croissant classes are a lot of fun! They also offer a market class that teaches you how to navigate a market, and you will return to the school to cook what you have shopped for.

Paris cooking class La Cuisine Paris

Please don’t feel pressured to do it all. I always leave something for my next trip. Paris should be enjoyed and not rushed. The classics will always be there. I hope this guide to Paris helped you plan your trip to my favorite city.

first time guide to paris, france via everyday parisian

Bonjour, I’m Rebecca!

I’m a photographer, blogger, croissant-lover, and world traveler. I hope that Everyday Parisian inspires you by bringing a bit of France into your daily life and helps you plan the best trip to Paris with personalized recommendations for places to stay, explore, and eat.

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Great post and beautiful photos.

I remember when you first started your posts and have enjoyed them ever since. Thank you, Rebecca, keep up the great work!

Where is the size guide? How does one make a purchase if they do not know what size to purchase?

Best neighborhood for a reasonable hotel and convenient access( walking) to great restaurants and sights

Although it is not my first trip to Paris, I still found your tips rewarding. What do you recommend for seeing the area that artist Toulouse Latrec frequented?

Thank you, Sherry! The area Toulouse-Lautrec was frequently in Montmartre. Here is a guide for you to explore : https://everydayparisian.com/a-guide-to-montmartre/

Love this post! Very helpful. Thank you!

Thanks for this post! We are going for our first time this fall and I am trying to research a ton! Really enjoy all of your posts, thank you!

Hi Rebecca! My husband and I are off to Paris for the first time in October. I kept putting off taking French lessons and missed the Alliance Françoise de Chicago sessions and the Lycee Francias classes butt into our trip (which is SUCH a bummer it’s a block away!) Do you have any suggestions to learn simple, fun, travel friendly French phrases on short notice? Thanks so much!

I have an amazing French tutor in Chicago I am happy to connect you with. Also, I wrote this post on 5 apps to help you learn French on the Go which might help you prep for your trip. Have a great adventure! http://www.everydayparisian.com/every-day-parisian/5-apps-to-learn-french-on-the-go

You are amazing! Thanks so much Rebecca! Looking forward to more Paris posts 🙂

Thank you so much, Nikki!

I didn’t know about the carafe d’eau, neather the coffee at the bar, thanks! Maybe I was lucky but I didn’t wait that much in the line for the Eiffel Tower, and I think the view is incredible! How can you say is not?

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Browse other top International Holiday packages by Theme : International Tour Packages , International Honeymoon Packages , International Cruise Packages , International Beach Packages , International Family Packages , International Adventure Packages , International Luxury Packages , International Leisure Packages , International Pilgrimage Packages , International Wildlife Packages

Best Paris Tour Packages in 2024

With monument-lined streets, exquisite museums, classical bistros and designer boutiques, Paris is the dream holiday destination for many. Paris tour packages will show you some of the most famous monuments in the world. From the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe and from the Notre Dame Cathedral to the Place de la Concorde, all are stunning, and not to be missed. Of course, the Eiffel Tower is the highlight of Paris packages. A view from its top is captivating, revealing Paris in all its splendour.

Paris packages also offer sightseeing tours covering various museums including the Louvre, Fragonard Perfume Museum, the Centre Pompidou and the Musee d'Orsay. Be it family holidays or honeymoon, whatever you travel to Paris for, the entertainment options are limitless: visit the many bars, enjoy the opera or groove to the many jazz or rock concerts. Another highlight of Paris tourism is shopping - from lively flea markets to lofty boutiques, Paris has it all. The city is synonymous with fashion, and fashion shopping is a “Paris thing”. Paris remains at the forefront of international trends, and visiting designer boutiques and flagship stores is among the top things to do in Paris. You’ll find homewares shops and resplendent art nouveau stores, vintage shops and antique flea markets. Bookshops, and of course, gourmet-food and wine shops galore line the streets of Paris. Paris is a city that never sleeps, and you shall never get bored, not even for a minute.

One of the most romantic cities in the world, Paris is one of the most popular destinations for a European honeymoon. Stroll on a bridge across the river Seine, enjoy a glass of wine at an artistic sidewalk café, visit colourful street markets, and shop at designer stores on your Paris honeymoon.  

Paris’s reputation for its cuisine is known world over. Whether you seek a cosy neighbourhood bistro or a Michelin-starred restaurant, you'll find your pick of them on your Paris trip. Dining in a Michelin star restaurant is one of the best things to do in Paris. Enticing patisseries, boulangeries (bakeries), fromageries (cheese shops) and crowded street markets offer a culinary paradise to visitors.

 Whether you are couple looking for romantic Paris packages, or considering Paris for your next family vacation, or a traveller looking to explore the art and museums of Paris, MakeMyTrip can find you the right Paris tour packages to choose from.

Best Time to Visit Paris

The best time to visit Paris is from spring to fall, which lasts from March to October. Summer is also the most crowded time – and the most expensive – for Paris tourism. For lower rates of Paris packages and significantly shorter lines at attractions, plan a visit in the fall. Seasonal attractions will surely delight you but if you are travelling on a budget, the off-season is the best time to visit Paris. Keep in mind, though, that Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, seeing more than 30 million travellers yearly. So, no matter what time you visit, there will always be a lot of tourists. Here is a monthly breakup that might help you decide your best time to visit Paris.

March to May: Paris comes alive in spring with beautiful flora all around. February to April is excellent for outdoor activities like cycling, walking, picnics and more. This is the peak season for tourists visiting Paris as the Paris weather is at its best.

June to August: Summer time in Paris is when the city receives more than eight hours of sunshine daily. However, there can be unexpected showers so remember to carry an umbrella with you at all times. Light cotton clothes, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses and a bottle of water are some other things you need to carry if travelling to Paris between June and August.

September to October: September to December is autumn in Paris. The average temperature is between 10-15°C and the nights are cooler. Paris packages for travel during this season are relatively lower priced than summer.

November to February: The temperature during these months can drop to 1°C and the Paris weather can be pretty cold. If you plan to visit during this time, be sure to pack enough heavy woolens to help you brave the cold Paris weather. Since there are fewer tourists, the prices of accommodation and transit decrease considerably. This is the best time to visit Paris for budget travelers.

How to Reach Paris

Being the capital of the most visited country in the world, Paris sees a lot of tourists throughout the year. There are three international airports in Paris, namely Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Orly International Airport and Beauvais (Aéroport de Beauvais Tillé). 

If you are looking at booking Paris tour packages from India, you can choose from a variety of airlines. Many airlines operate flights to Paris from various Indian cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru etc. Direct flights to Paris from India are operated by Air India and Air France.

Paris enjoys good bus service, both within the city and to and from other cities in France. Eurolines is one of the major bus operators in Paris. There is also Megabus, a budget travel bus operator, which connects Paris with Brussels, United Kingdom, Amsterdam etc.

Paris is linked to all important cities of France by excellently built expressways (also called autoroutes). Traffic is dense, and it is best to travel by public transport. If you do wish to travel by car, it is advisable to hire a taxi.

Paris enjoys excellent railway connectivity to all other parts of France and the rest of Europe, which greatly boosts Paris tourism from all around the world. Paris has six different railway stations, which are not connected to each other but run trains to and from various other cities and European countries. Some of the important trains in Paris include the Train Express Régionale, Trains à Grande Vitesse, the high-speed Thalys, the Eurostar and Intercity trains.

Paris Visa for Indians

Indian travellers visiting Paris or any other city in France for a holiday are required to obtain a France visa before travel. France is a part of the Schengen group of countries and hence the Schengen visa rules apply for France visa. A tourist visa is granted for a period of less than 90 days, and can be applied for up to 3 months before the start of the intended Paris tour package from India.

MakeMyTrip offers visa application assistance as a part of Paris tour packages.

Places to visit in Paris

Eiffel Tower

The most enthralling and mesmerizing of all Paris tourist places is the Eiffel Tower. It finds its place among the Seven Wonders of the World. An architectural marvel, the Eiffel Tower tops the list of places to visit in Paris. It is synonymous with the identity of Paris, and is undoubtedly the most visited monument in the world. 

La Dame de fer (the Iron Lady), as the French call it, the Eiffel Tower is truly magnificent and stands proudly at a height of 300 metres. Once the tallest structure in the world, it is now France’s best-known landmark. It consists of three floors, with the first two levels offering restaurants while the top level is for panoramic views of the city. The Eiffel Tower is best seen at night, when the city of Paris glitters below in all its glory. You can also pre-book a visit to the Eiffel Tower as a part of your Paris honeymoon package.

Palace of Versailles

Once the residence of King Louis XIV of France, the Palace of Versailles is one of the three most visited monuments in France. The Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Grand Apartments and the Museum of History of France are located in the Palace and offer insights into the French history. The magnificent palace complex, along with its beautiful gardens and grounds, leave visitors spellbound. Owing to the grand size of the palace complex, a mini train shuttles between the terrace in front of the castle and the Grand and Petit Trianon. This palace is one of the grandest and the most historic places to visit in Paris.

Louvre Museum

A pilgrimage for art lovers, the Louvre or Musée du Louvre is one of the most visited art museums in the world. Home to the iconic painting of Mona Lisa that art aficionados from across the globe come to see, The Louvre is also the biggest museum in the world in terms of the number of exhibits. Located on the banks of the River Seine, the museum showcases ornate traditional architecture, and is one of the most famous Paris attractions. The Louvre houses some of the most famous and in-demand art collections in the world including Venus de Milo and the Victory of Samothrace. 

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Also known as Notre Dame Cathedral, Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris), is one of the world's most stunning Gothic-style cathedrals. It tops the chart of the most iconic places to visit in Paris and has been the highlight of Paris tourism for ages. One among the connoisseurs of art and architecture, Notre Dame Cathedral is famed for its dramatic towers, spire, stained glass, rose window, statues and sculptures. After a disastrous wildfire struck the cathedral and caused significant damage in April 2019, it has been shut down for visitors. Repair work at a large scale has been started and efforts are being made to restore the structure.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe, the world’s largest triumphal arch is a significant Paris attraction. In 1806, Napoleon I ordered the construction of this arch to honour the Grande Armee, and it now makes for a breathtaking center of Paris’ cityscape. The iconic monument is inspired by the arches of Antiquity, and carries some renowned names from the country. If you stop by in the evening, you’ll notice that a flame is lit for the Unknown Soldier. Explore the monument to know its incredible history and national importance. 

Champ-Elysees

Soak up the unique experience of Paris on the Champs Elysees, the most stunning avenue in the world. It is located right across The Arc de Triomphe. It is visited each day by nearly 300,000 people, who come to admire its majestic monuments, enjoy a shopping spree, or get caught up in the excitement of the major festive events that are organized here. It is the best place to visit in Paris for fashionistas. There’s always something going on, by day or by night. It is a shopper’s paradise and you will find outlets of all major brands in the world, local as well as international. Your Paris honeymoon package is incomplete without visiting this spot.

Sacre Coeur

Referred to as "that big meringue" by the Parisians, Sacre Coeur rests atop the hill of Montmartre. Over a million tourists flock to visit the structure every year. They climb up almost 270 stairs to the top of the hill, to reach this Basilica. Its gold-leaf heavy, Romanesque and Byzantine-style interiors are a huge hit. However, visitors prefer staying outside on the terraces which offer panoramic views of the city below.

Montmartre is a medieval hilltop village in Paris. You will notice a white building atop a hill, St-Pierre-de-Montmartre, one of the oldest churches in Paris, and a historical landmark in Montmartre. This church makes for the highest point in the city of Paris. St-Pierre-de-Montmartre is built on a traditional Latin-cross plan, and gives a hint of medieval and later styles in its make. A must-visit on your exploration of Montmartre, this historical church with its stained-glass windows is absolutely jaw-dropping. A walk through the artistic neighbourhood of Montmartre is one of the most interesting things to experience during your Paris honeymoon.

Quartier Latin

The Latin Quarter is the intellectual center of Paris. Bookstores, schools, churches, book-clubs, publishing houses, and expensive boutiques characterize the district. It is the best place to visit in Paris for literature lovers. Founded in 1253, the quarter was called Latin because students and professors spoke the language. You will follow the footsteps of Descartes, Verlaine, and Hemingway as you explore. Changing times have brought Greek, Moroccan, and Vietnamese immigrants, among others, offering everything from couscous to fiery-hot spring rolls and souvlaki. Stroll along Quai de Montebello, going through the collection of the Bouquinistes (secondhand-book dealers).

The most entertaining of all Paris attractions, Disneyland is one of the best places to visit in Paris, especially with kids. Disneyland boasts two theme parks, along with entertainment options, shopping complexes and food courts. There are also seven resorts and a golf course within Disneyland, making it a delightful destination for children as well as adults. Relive your favourite Disney moments- enjoy live musical performances, get onto thrilling themed rides, meet your favourite Disney characters, and be amazed by the end-of-the-day parade which culminates in a spectacular fireworks show.

Things to do in Paris

Indulge in a shopping spree

The ultimate and the world’s most favored shopping destination, Paris will enlighten you with a whole lot of couture and flagship stores. Home to all the leading fashion and luxury brands, it is rightly known as the fashion capital of the world. You can shop your heart out at the world’s largest antique flea market, St. Ouen, or bag all you can from the leading flagship stores of Louis Vuitton and Sephora. Shopping is one of the most loved things to do in Paris.

Relish delicious local delicacies

Savor French delicacies at Michelin star restaurants, street-side cafes, bistros, and lounges. The most loved dishes include croissants, patisseries, crepes, and baguettes complemented with local French wine. Tasting the local produce is one of the best things to do in Paris. Baked goods are found in abundance in a lot of street side bakeries. Breads, cakes, puddings and cupcakes, with freshly brewed coffee are a huge hit.

Explore the famous museums

Paris is a city of museums. Renowned for her cultural contributions to the world, the city hosts hundreds of them, from the world-class artifacts of the Louvre to the priceless artworks of the Musée d’Orsay. The Mona Lisa has the world’s most recognizable smile. More than 10 million visitors come to the Louvre each year to see it. Whether it’s contemporary art, fashion, architecture or temples to Monet and Picasso, there’s a museum for visual art in all its forms here. Add a couple of museums to your Paris city tour to really explore the soul of Paris.

Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Seine River

As romantic as it can get, a cruise dinner on the Seine River is one of the best things to do in Paris. As you sail off from the harbor, you will get to see some of the most scenic vistas all along the river. Enjoy a peaceful sunset from the cruise, with your loved one on your side and glass of exotic French wine in your hand. A romantic Seine cruise is an ideal addition to a Paris honeymoon package.

Go on a day trip to Mont St Michel

For more than a thousand years, the distant outline of this island abbey has sent pilgrims' spirits soaring. Today, it does the same for tourists. Mont St-Michel, one of the top pilgrimage sites of Christendom through the ages, floats like a palace on the horizon, some 4hrs away from Paris. If you can take out time from your Paris sightseeing, this makes for a good day trip.

See the famous landmarks of Paris on a bicycle tour

Paris is a charming city, and one of the ways to explore it is by cycling. Bikes are available across the city and you can avail one at an access terminal for Euro 1.70. After 30 minutes, you can return your bike to any stand in the city. A bike ride in the French capital is the best thing to do with family and friends.

Watch a sunset from Eiffel Tower

The most iconic monument in Europe, Eiffel tower boasts of its rich history. It stands as tall and proud as ever. Watching a mesmerizing sunset from the top floor of the Eiffel Tower is one of the most enchanting things to do in Paris. You will catch a glimpse of the Paris skyline and overlook the beautifully designed city.

Take a tour of famous monuments

Tour the city and admire the beautiful architecture of some of the well-renowned and historical monuments. Palace of Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Opera house are some structures worth visiting on this Paris sightseeing tour. Palace of Versailles traces its history back to the French Revolution. Notre Dame, though a revered site once, suffered a sudden fire in early 2019, and now stands closed for visitors. Eiffel tower and the Opera house still boast of their old-world charm.  Pre-book your Paris sightseeing with MakeMyTrip.

  Watch a cabaret show at the Lido

After day of Paris sightseeing, head to the city’s famous Avenue des Champs-Elysées and discover a world of decadent dancers, sparkling dresses, extraordinary sets, magical lighting and captivating music. With the talented performers on stage and talented chefs producing delicious dishes in the kitchen, take in the sights and sounds of one of Paris’ newest and most impressive cabaret performances. Dreamlike and tantalizing, the show's sets offer a tour de force of imagination and excitement!

 With so much to do in and around the city, no wonder that Paris tour packages are so popular amongst travellers! So, go ahead and shortlist your preferred Paris packages and get set for a trip of a lifetime!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Paris Packages

1. What are the must-dos for a 4 day trip to Paris?

A: The must-do’s for a 4 day trip to Paris include a Paris City tour, a visit to the Eiffel tower, the River Seine cruise, tour of Paris by night, visit to Disney Land, Versailles, and the Louvre.

2. What are the best areas in Paris to stay in, for a tourist visiting for the first time?

A: If you are visiting Paris for the first time, the best areas to stay include around Opera (Paris central station), Gare du Nord, and the 1st or 7th Arrondisements.

3. How much would a Paris trip cost from India?

A: A 4-5 Night Paris trip from India would cost around Rs 80,000 to 1 Lakh PP.

4. Is Uber available in Paris?

A: Yes! Uber is very easily available in Paris.

5. Is Paris safe at night?

A: Paris is safe at night at most of the places, though Goutte D’or or the areas around the metro stops Barbes Rochechouart and Chateau Rouge can be avoided at night. Similarly, the area around Gare du Nord train station, though bustling during the day, can be a little unsafe at night. Avoid dark and isolated stretches here.

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Paris Travel Planner

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Paris Trip According to Your Aspirations

Like a wedding planner, PARIS BY EMY creates  tailor-made trips for each clients’ personal preferences and interests. Whether you are solo, a couple, a family, a group or on a business travel, make the most of your time : discover iconic landmarks and historical districts, explore hidden gems, embrace French culture, try local cuisine, enjoy recreational activities, experience spiritual sites and go off the beaten track. Be receptive to different perspectives, cultural discovery is an enriching experience. Cultural tourism is also preserving cultural heritage and our planet.

Personalized Tours and Luxury Services

Paris-based within a fabulous network, let me enhance your travel journey by a wide array of luxury services and a custom-made Paris tour package : personalized itinerary, private tour guide with optional driver in electric Mercedes van, airport hotel transfer, hotel and restaurant recommendations, leisure activity booking such as Louvre private tours, baking class, wine tasting, private luxury shopping, Normandy, Champagne tour… Your trip is personalized, optimized with expertise and efficient time management according to your interests, preferences and spending orientations.

Be Cosseted Ongoing Support and No Platform

PARIS BY EMY provides a travel experience for each client based on ongoing support before your arrival and during your stay through genuine human exchange: no platform, no already-made. You will not see us on touristic platform. Be cosseted, pampered and enjoy a stress-free travel. We are here for unforeseen events. Each interaction contributes to a personalized adventure that is exclusively yours within our fabulous Parisian network. We optimize every aspect of your journey, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the City of Lights.

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Inspiring Travelers

Emy is my American nickname for Emelyne. I lived 5 years in the United States of America in my twenties (study, graduate and work). Having friends from the US visiting Paris, it gave me the idea of PARIS BY EMY. In addition to living 5 years in the US, I travelled to many corners of the world such as : Europe, Africa & the Middle East. I love to :

  • Explore Paris with tailor-made tours
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With a master’s degree in Business, a corporate background of 15 years in SMB industrial group, I became entrepreneur in 2018. Indeed, after 8 months in an incubator, I have created PARIS BY EMY, a company dedicated to planning bespoke vacation packages with private tours, focusing on high quality services and local culture.

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Tailor-Made Paris Itinerary

Itinerary for 3 days or more : Enjoy a customized itinerary with museum ticket booking and personalized services. Paris based, we set iconic Parisian tours. Each itinerary is custom-made according to your aspirations for each day of your stay. We optimize your time with our local network that others may not have

Luxury Paris Tour Package

Paris Trip Package : All inclusive vacation custom package, we recommend hotels, restaurants, museums with booking, boutiques, leisure activities, and set custom itinerary, airport hotel transfer, private tour guide with private driver, special event organization such as marriage proposal

Private Tour Guide with Optional Driver

Personal Tour Guide Paris : Hotel pick up by local private guide, for a tailor-made tour according to your aspirations, historical Paris, iconic monuments, off the beaten track, museum private tour guide, shopping, Normandy landing beach tour, Champagne tasting tour, with private driver in electric Mercedes van

From 3 Star hotel recommendations

Best places to stay in Paris verified by PARIS BY EMY, we recommend hotels among 1,500 Parisian hotels according to your criteria. We identify the perfect hotel’s features and greatest locations. Paris based, we recommend hotels from 3 to 5 star palace hotel with the greatest view. From your hotel district, we set a customized itinerary

Gourmet restaurant recommendations

Paris as the “City of Love,” is equally the city of food lovers. From traditional bistros, charming bakeries, delicatessen stores, famous brasseries to Michelin-starred establishments, PARIS BY EMY recommend you restaurants with reservation for the greatest food experience of breakfast, lunch, diner among 13,000 Parisian restaurants, according to your buds and preferences

Leisure activity recommendations

No matter of who you are, a family, a couple, a group of friends, a teacher with students, we set private city tours and activities, according to your interests : Beauty and wellness experience, cooking class, macaron workshop, baking class, louvre private tour guide, private luxury shopping with a driver, wine tasting, souvenir photoshoot, Seine River private cruise, perfume workshop...

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Paris Art and Museums

  • Paris Landmarks Sightseeing

Paris Olympics 2024 by PARIS BY EMY

Paris Olympics 2024

| A Spectacular Celebration of Sports | The Paris Olympics 2024 is gearing up to be one of the most exciting and anticipated sporting events of the decade from Fri, Jul 26, 2024 –  to Sun, Aug 11,…

Historical Paris , Paris Entertainment

Omaha Beach Normandy Tour by PARIS BY EMY

Omaha Beach Normandy

| Landing Beach Normandy | Omaha Beach : On June 6, 1944, 5 divisions convoyed in nearly 4,300 barges and protected by nearly 500 warships landed at daybreak in Normandy on the 5 beaches called Utah,…

Historical Paris , Outside Paris

Taylor Swift Paris concert by PARIS BY EMY

Taylor Swift Concert in Paris

|Paris La Défense Arena Taylor Swift Concert| Taylor Swift Paris Concert : Crossing the United States and the Atlantic to see Taylor Swift concert ? No problem for tens of thousands of Americans, as…

Paris Shopping , Paris Entertainment

Place Vendôme, luxury square top things to do in Paris by PARIS BY EMY

Place Vendome Paris

| Symbol of French Luxury and Refinement | Place Vendome Paris, named this way since 1799 after having successively been called Place des Conquests, Place Louis-le-Grand from 1699 and Place des…

Paris Landmarks Sightseeing , Paris Shopping

Christian Dior the new look tour by PARIS BY EMY Miss Dior perfume

The New Look

| The New Look TV series about Christian Dior | Christian Dior in The New Look : My dear clients while visiting Paris are asking me about the TV series The New Look. So, the minimum I can do is…

Parisian Icons , Paris Shopping

The American Revolution Story: Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Marquis de Lafayette by PARIS BY EMY

Benjamin Franklin in Paris

| The American Revolution Story : Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Marquis de Lafayette | As a cornerstone in world history, the American Revolution stands for the birth of a new nation and…

Les Invalides Napoleon's tomb PARIS BY EMY

Les Invalides Napoleon Tomb

|Hotel des Invalides Army Museum and Napoleon's Tomb| Les Invalides Napoleon Tomb : A prominent sight in the Parisian landscape thanks to its famous gilded Dome, the Hôtel National des Invalides is…

Visiting Versailles by PARIS BY EMY

Visiting Versailles

|Versailles what to see| Visiting Versailles is a journey back in time to the era of kings and queens, where lavishness knew no bounds. Let’s explore the must-see within the palace walls and the…

Paris Art and Museums , Paris Landmarks Sightseeing , Outside Paris

Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette (1876). Oil on canvas, 131 × 175 cm (52 × 69 in). Musée d'Orsay, Paris - history of Impressionism by PARIS BY EMY

History of Impressionism

|150th Anniversary of Impressionism in 2024| History impressionism : 150 years ago, on April 15, 1874, the first impressionist exhibition opened in Paris. “Hungry for independence”, Monet, Renoir,…

Macaron's origin in Paris by PARIS BY EMY

Macaron in Paris

|The Macaron’s Origin in Paris|   Macaron in Paris : The macaron, a delicate and iconic French pastry, has a history that traces back centuries. While its precise origin is debated, it is…

Paris during Christmas Holidays by PARIS BY EMY

Paris During Christmas Holidays

|What to Do in Paris During Christmas Holidays ?| Paris, the City of Lights, transforms into a magical wonderland during the Christmas holidays. The crisp winter air is filled with the scent of…

Sacred Heart Basilica in Paris by PARIS BY EMY Paris Trip Planner

Sacred Heart Basilica Paris

|The basilica of Montmartre| The Sacred Heart Basilica, known as "Basilique du Sacré-Cœur" in French, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris. Perched atop the picturesque Montmartre hill, it…

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IMAGES

  1. Guide for a short trip to Paris

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  2. 6 Day Paris Itinerary For First Time Visitors

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  3. TRIP TO PARIS

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  4. 10 day road trip in France

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  5. The Best Day Trips from Paris France

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  6. The Ultimate 2 Days In Paris Itinerary

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VIDEO

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  2. My favorite video from my trip to Paris! #viralshort #paris #thankful #eiffeltower #parisvibes

  3. I live in a 14m2 APARTMENT in PARIS 🏠 (HOME TOUR)

  4. My €5,000 Paris Trip Breakdown: Where I Spent the Most Money

  5. 5 Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Paris! #paristravel #traveltips

  6. Paris my favorite city 🇫🇷🤍

COMMENTS

  1. My travel diary: Three days in Paris

    However, recently, I was in Paris for the first time on a solo trip. It was a mix of business and personal trips, so I had enough time to enjoy the city during my short trip. Well, here is my travel diary with things I did during my three days in Paris. Three days in Paris Day one - Fashionable Paris. This post contains some affiliate links.

  2. 4 Days in Paris (Best First-Time Itinerary + Map)

    4 Days in Paris (perfect itinerary for first-timers) Day 1: Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, Triumphal Arch. Day 2: Palace of Versailles (day trip from Paris) Day 3: Notre Dame Cathedral, Holy Chapel, Luxembourg Palace, Eiffel Tower. Day 4: Cruise on Seine river, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Montmartre.

  3. Plan Your Trip to Paris: Best of Paris Tourism

    Paris, France. Paris lives up to its hype: A city with unbelievable food and culture, plus stunning views everywhere you turn. With 18 arrondissements, it's a lot to see in one trip, but each neighborhood has a personality all its own. You can't miss the iconic 7th, where art and history meet—there's the Eiffel Tower, sure, but the ...

  4. 3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary + Map and Tips!

    Here's a quick day by day breakdown of all the sights this itinerary covers: Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, Hop on Hop off Bus, Paris Walking Tour, Tour Montparnasse. Day 2: Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, Musée d'Orsay, The Louvre, Wine tasting, Arc de Triomphe. Day 3: Versailles, Montmartre.

  5. Paris Trip Planner: Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Trip to Paris 2024

    7. The Cheat Sheet for Your Paris Trip Planner. The next step of your Paris plan is to decide what to see and do. If this is your first trip to Paris, the lists below cover the main attractions and the most iconic things to do in Paris. >> 50 Iconic Things to Do in Paris.

  6. Paris in One Week: The Perfect 7 Day Itinerary for 2023

    How to spend 7 days in Paris, a comprehensive itinerary. Day 1: Montparnasse Tower. Day 2: Saint Chapelle, Notre Dame, Pont Neuf, Les Marais. Day 3: Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe. Day 4: Palais Royal, Place Vendome.

  7. Paris travel

    Paris. France, Europe. Check out this year's Best in Travel winners. Paris' monument-lined boulevards, museums, classical bistros and boutiques are enhanced by a new wave of multimedia galleries, creative wine bars, design shops and tech start-ups. Best Time to Visit.

  8. Paris Guide: Planning Your Trip

    Planning Your Trip . Best Time to Visit: Generally, the best time to visit Paris is between late spring and late summer, when outdoor activities, lively events, and nearby day trips allow you to experience the city to the fullest.The winter holiday season is also a festive and cheerful time to go, but cold weather may detract some. Language: French is the official language in Paris.

  9. The Perfect 5 Day Paris Itinerary, Planned by a Local

    Tip #4 - Don't Fixate on the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower viewed from inside a facing building in the 7th arrondissement. The Eiffel Tower is a key part of any Paris itinerary, especially for first-time visitors. The area around the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement is also beautiful.

  10. One Week in Paris

    Here's our proposal for one week in Paris. This 7-day Paris itinerary will be detailed in the next chapters: Day 1 in Paris - Ile de la Cité and Le Marais. Day 2 in Paris - Louvre Museum and the Historical Axis of Paris. Day 3 in Paris - The Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Prés. Day 4 in Paris - Day trip to Versailles.

  11. Bespoke Paris Itineraries

    You've seen how I do it on YouTube. I can show you exactly how to do it on your own. Let me plan two full days in some of my favorite neighborhoods, from coffee to cocktails, and show you the side of Paris that I would take my own visiting friends or family. You can do the Eiffel Tower on your own. I'll send you where the locals hang out.

  12. Planning a Trip to Paris

    Step 3: Book your accommodation. After you've bought your flight tickets, it is time to book your hotel in Paris! You'll want to pick a place near the metro so that you can easily travel around the city. The metro in Paris is very extensive and essential for getting around the city.

  13. Paris Trip Planner

    10 - 11 days. 12 days or more. Dreaming of visiting Paris? It has become one of the most popular European destinations for a reason, with exceptional activities and sights awaiting you on its every corner. It might not be easy to plan a trip to France with unlimited experiences and a limited amount of time; however, there are surely tours that ...

  14. Paris trip planner: make a Paris itinerary & map

    With Wanderlog's mobile travel planner on Android and iOS, access and edit your trips wherever you go — even while offline. 4.9 on App Store, 4.7 on Google Play. Keep your places to visit, flight/hotel reservations, and day-by-day itineraries for your trip to Paris in our web and mobile app vacation planner.

  15. Paris Travel Guide

    Visit Paris and you'll discover a spectacular city packed with a dazzling array of famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, more museums than you can possibly visit in one trip, wonderful hotels and restaurants, and fascinating historic and modern neighborhoods to explore.. And that's just the beginning. Cruises along the tranquil Seine River and Canal Saint Martin, shopping ...

  16. How to Plan a Trip to Paris: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide

    Step 5: Book Your Flights to Paris, France. Figuring out how to plan a trip to France is made so much easier with all the direct flights from the US to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, where most international flights land. Another Paris airport is the Paris Beauvais, where low-cost and chartered flights land, mostly from other connecting flights.

  17. First Time Guide To Paris

    First-Time Guide To Paris. My first trip to Paris was just shy of my 21st birthday. I was studying abroad in Italy with my friends and decided to go to Paris for Valentine's Day weekend. Just a day before the trip, I came down with terrible bronchitis. I had a fever and was sick during that trip, but I would let go of my dream of seeing Paris.

  18. 54 Paris Tour Package Starts @ 𝐑𝐬.162999 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙉𝙤𝙬

    MakeMyTrip currently offers over 54 tour packages to Paris, with prices starting as low as Rs.162999. Explore a variety of itineraries and choose from Paris travel packages with or without flights. With our unbeatable deals and discounts, your money goes further! Don't forget to add tours and activities to your selected Paris packages.

  19. PARIS BY EMY Travel Planner

    Like a wedding planner, PARIS BY EMY creates tailor-made trips for each clients' personal preferences and interests. Whether you are solo, a couple, a family, a group or on a business travel, make the most of your time : discover iconic landmarks and historical districts, explore hidden gems, embrace French culture, try local cuisine, enjoy recreational activities, experience spiritual sites ...

  20. Biden aims to deepen transatlantic ties with trip to France for D-Day

    US President Joe Biden will touch down in Paris on Wednesday for a trip marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day and engaging in a State Visit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.