Paris has worn many names—Lutetia of the Romans, Haussmann’s showpiece, and, enduringly, the City of Light. Today it is a mosaic of 20 arrondissements stitched together by café terraces, covered passages, and 37 bridges spanning the Seine. From Notre-Dame’s newly reopened nave to the glass pyramid of the Louvre, the city blends centuries of history with contemporary style.

Beyond the big icons, Paris rewards curiosity: Montmartre’s village lanes, the Marais’ hidden courtyards, Saint-Germain’s literary cafés, and Belleville’s creative energy. Food is culture here—from croissant craft to bistro classics, natural wine bars, and destination pâtisseries. Plan for late lunches, leisurely walks, and golden-hour picnics by the river.

Practical notes: Buy a Navigo Easy or Decouverte transit pass for unlimited Metro/RER zones as needed. Reserve key sights (Eiffel Tower, Louvre) in advance. Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024—book timed entry. Tipping is modest; service is usually included. For flights and trains to Paris, compare routes and fares on trusted platforms below.

Paris

Paris is best experienced neighborhood by neighborhood. Spend a morning tracing Impressionist brushstrokes at the Musée d’Orsay, an afternoon people-watching in the Tuileries, and an evening drifting past illuminated facades on the Seine. Balance blockbuster attractions with local markets, bakeries, and wine bars.

• Top sights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Sacré-Cœur, Arc de Triomphe, Palais Garnier, Père Lachaise.
• Neighborhoods to savor: Marais (historic, fashionable), Saint-Germain (literary cafés), Montmartre (artsy village), Canal Saint-Martin (indie boutiques), 11th (destination dining).
• Seasonal gems: Spring blooms at Giverny, summer picnics on the Seine, autumn art shows, festive winter lights and pastry.

How to get to Paris: If you’re flying within Europe, compare fares and routes on Omio. Coming from outside Europe, check multi-airline deals on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. From CDG/ORY, the RER and airport buses reach central Paris in about 35–60 minutes for roughly €11–15; official taxis run fixed fares.

Getting around: For intercity trains in Europe or regional routes near Paris (e.g., Versailles), search timetables and tickets on Omio Trains. Within Paris, Metro and buses are frequent and reliable.

Where to stay (Hotels.com, VRBO, and select standouts):

• Iconic luxury: Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris, The Ritz Paris.
• Boutique gems: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel du Temps, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hôtel des Arts Bastille, Hotel du College de France.
• Good-value picks: Generator Paris, Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
• Apartments: Browse vetted flats via VRBO Paris or hotel options on Hotels.com Paris.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and a Latin Quarter Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs with a gentle walk over Pont Neuf to Île de la Cité. Step inside Notre-Dame (reopened 2024; timed entry recommended) and admire the stained glass and restored vaults. Coffee pick-me-up at Odette (for choux) or Shakespeare and Company Café for a literary vibe.

Evening: Classic Left Bank dinner: Le Comptoir du Relais (bistro staples; expect a queue) or Semilla (modern market-driven plates). For something casual, grab a galette at Breizh Café Odéon. Nightcap at Le Bar du Marché (buzzy, sidewalk tables) or tucked-away whisky at Golden Promise.

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Dive into the Louvre with a guide to decode the highlights and avoid bottlenecks. Book the Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access (about 3 hours).

Breakfast beforehand at Café Verlet (heritage coffee roaster) or Du Pain et des Idées (legendary “escargot” pastry).

Afternoon: Stroll the Tuileries and the Palais-Royal gardens; peek into the covered passages (Galerie Vivienne) and browse stationery at Papier Tigre. Lunch at Bistrot Vivienne (classic setting) or Ellsworth (small plates near the Louvre).

Evening: Celebrate your first full day on the water with the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise—glass-canopy boat, views, and live music.

If you prefer land, dine at Chez Georges (timeless brasserie) and grab gelato at Grom by the Comédie-Française.

Day 3: Trocadéro Views, Eiffel Tower, and the Orsay

Morning: Photograph sunrise at Trocadéro, then ascend with timed entry using the Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift.

Coffee and viennoiseries at Carette Trocadéro or La Fontaine de Mars nearby for a hearty late breakfast.

Afternoon: Cross the river to the Musée d’Orsay for Impressionists and that glorious former Beaux-Arts station interior. Lunch at Café Campana inside the museum or walk to Les Antiquaires (polished bistro).

Evening: Picnic on the Champ-de-Mars with a rotisserie chicken from Maison Dubernet and macarons from Pierre Hermé, or sit-down dinner on Rue Cler at Le Petit Cler (neighborhood favorite). Post-dinner drinks at Bar du Central or wine at Les Caves du Louvre’s tasting bar.

Day 4: Montmartre’s Artists’ Quarter and a Food Tour

Morning: Climb to Sacré-Cœur for sweeping city views. Wander Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Place du Tertre before ducking into quieter lanes (Villa Léandre). Breakfast at Hardware Société (Aussie-style) or Coquelicot (classic bakery).

Afternoon: Eat your way through the butchers, cheesemongers, and patisseries with the Montmartre Gourmet Food Tour with 7+ Dishes & Wines.

Alternatively, DIY with cheese from Fromagerie Quatrehomme, charcuterie from Terroirs d’Avenir, and sweets from Sébastien Gaudard.

Evening: Cocktails with a view at Terrass’’ Rooftop or neighborhood vibes at Le Sans Souci. Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (budget-friendly French classics) or Le Maquis (modern bistro beloved by locals).

Day 5: Versailles Palaces and Gardens, Saint-Germain Evening

Morning–Afternoon (Tour): Head out on a guided half day with skip-the-line access: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris (half day).

Prefer DIY? Take RER C (~35–45 minutes; about €4–5 each way via Omio Trains), arrive early, and rent a golf cart or bike to roam the Grand Canal.

Evening: Back in Paris, settle into Saint-Germain. Aperitif at Prescription Cocktail Club. Dinner at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (set steak-frites ritual) or Freddy’s (standing-room tapas with great wines). Night jazz at Caveau de la Huchette if you’ve got energy.

Day 6: Le Marais, Pompidou, and a Sunset Seine Cruise

Morning: Coffee at Boot Café (tiny former cobbler’s shop) or The Broken Arm (fashion-meets-café). Explore the Marais: Place des Vosges arcades, Musée Carnavalet for Paris history, and designer boutiques on Rue Vieille-du-Temple.

Afternoon: Lunch at Marché des Enfants Rouges—try Les Enfants du Marché (market-driven plates) or Moroccan couscous stalls. Visit Centre Pompidou for modern art or browse indie galleries. Break for a falafel at L’As du Fallafel if lines look manageable.

Evening: Take a classic narrated loop with the Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens (about 1 hour).

Dinner nearby at Chez Janou (Provençal and a towering chocolate mousse) or Robert et Louise (wood-fired beef in a rustic setting). Natural wine at Le Barav after.

Day 7: Monet’s Gardens at Giverny and Opera Quarter

Morning–Afternoon (Tour): Follow Monet’s footsteps on the Giverny Monet’s House and Gardens Half Day Tour from Paris (around 5 hours, best mid-April–October).

DIY option: train from Saint-Lazare to Vernon (~45 min via Omio) plus a shuttle/bike to the village. Snack on a tarte Normande before returning.

Evening: Explore the Opera district: peek into Palais Garnier’s grand staircase (late openings some days). Dinner at Bouillon Chartier (Belle Époque room, no-reservations, swift service) or Juveniles (wine bistro run by a Franco-Scottish family). Dessert at Bontemps for sablé cakes.

Day 8: Full-Day Normandy D-Day History

Full Day (Tour): Pay respects and learn the stories on the Normandy D-Day Sites & Cemetery Day Trip from Paris with Lunch.

Typical departure is early morning with a return around 8–9 pm; stops often include Utah/Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the American Cemetery. Light dinner back in Paris near your hotel—try Breizh Café for swift, satisfying galettes, or a comforting onion soup at Au Pied de Cochon (open late).

Day 9: Bake Croissants, Rodin’s Sculptures, and the 11th’s Dining Scene

Morning: Learn buttery technique at the Paris Croissant Small-Group Baking Class with a Chef.

Celebrate your success with coffee at KB Coffee Roasters or Télescope.

Afternoon: Visit the Musée Rodin and its serene sculpture garden; pair it with Les Invalides for Napoleonic history. Late lunch at L’Ami Jean (Basque riffs and rice pudding) or Café Varenne (Left Bank neighborhood standby).

Evening: Head to the 11th for dinner: Bistrot Paul Bert (perfect steak au poivre) or Le Servan (inventive Franco-Asian influences). Drinks at Septime La Cave (stand-up wine bar) or Moonshiner (speakeasy behind a pizzeria’s cold room).

Day 10: Markets, Last Sights, and Departure

Morning: Browse a neighborhood market for edible souvenirs—Marché Bastille (Thu/Sun) or Marché Saxe-Breteuil (Eiffel views). Coffee at Coutume or La Fontaine de Belleville. If you missed it earlier, duck into Sainte-Chapelle for kaleidoscopic stained glass or wander the Luxembourg Gardens.

Afternoon: Departure day. If time allows, quick bites: L’Avant Comptoir (standing bar crêpes and charcuterie) or Frenchie To Go (sandwiches). For one last view, walk the pedestrian Seine quays from Pont Alexandre III toward the Grand Palais.

Optional Add-Ons if You Have Extra Energy

• Swap an evening for a late-night river experience: Paris Gourmet Dinner Seine River Cruise with Singer and DJ Set (festive vibe).

  

• Prefer a shorter dinner on the water? Try the Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise (about 1h45).

  

In ten days, you’ll have traced Paris from medieval islands to modern galleries, from bakery benches to white-tablecloth brasseries, and along the river that threads it all together. With day trips to Versailles, Giverny, and Normandy, you’ll see the wider canvas that shaped French art and history. Expect to leave with a favorite café, a new appreciation for butter, and a promise to return.