4 Days in Paris: Art, Icons, and Insider Eats in the City of Light

From the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower to Montmartre and Versailles, this 4-day Paris itinerary blends world-class museums, Seine River views, and local food favorites.
A romantic candlelit dinner with a couple enjoying a cozy evening. Parisian vibes and intimate setting.
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels

Paris has a way of folding centuries into a single street corner: medieval spires on Île de la Cité, Haussmann boulevards sweeping toward the Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower presiding over it all. Founded as Lutetia by the Parisii tribe, the city grew into Europe’s cultural beacon—home to impressionists, existentialists, couturiers, and chefs who defined modern taste.

Within the compact heart of Île-de-France you’ll find the Louvre’s treasures, Notre-Dame’s newly reopened nave, and neighborhoods with their own rhythms—elegant Saint‑Germain, creative Le Marais, bohemian Montmartre, and canal-laced corners that locals love. The food scene spans old-school bistros and contemporary wine bars, buttery viennoiseries and market-fresh crêpes.

Practical notes: Paris is walkable with an efficient Metro (rides ~€2.15; consider a Navigo Easy card and 10-ride carnet ~€19). Book timed tickets for major sites—especially the Louvre and Eiffel Tower—well in advance. Keep an eye on pickpockets in crowded areas, and remember many restaurants require reservations, particularly on weekends.

Paris

Paris is a moveable feast—and this plan balances blockbuster landmarks with local delights. Mornings are for art and croissants, afternoons for neighborhoods and markets, nights for glowing bridges and a well-earned glass of wine.

Top sights include the Louvre’s “Mona Lisa,” Sainte‑Chapelle’s stained-glass blaze, the Eiffel Tower’s citywide panorama, and the gilded grandeur of Versailles. Between, you’ll graze on buckwheat galettes, falafel in Le Marais, and classic steak-frites.

Where to stay (curated picks + booking links):

How to get to/around Paris (book with these links):

  • Flights from within Europe: Omio flights (Europe). Typical 1–3 hours from major hubs; fares often $60–$200 one-way booked in advance.
  • Flights from outside Europe: Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. NYC–Paris ~7.5 hours nonstop; LAX–Paris ~10.5–11 hours.
  • Trains in Europe (Eurostar/TGV): Omio trains. London–Paris ~2h15; Brussels–Paris ~1h22; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20. Advance fares often €45–€180.
  • Buses (budget option): Omio buses. Longer but cheap—often €10–€40 between major cities.
  • Airport to city: CDG to central Paris 35–60 min. RER B ~€11–€12; flat-fare taxis ~€55–€65 (Right Bank/Left Bank). Or prebook a shuttle via your hotel.

Day 1: Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter, and Saint‑Germain (Arrival Afternoon)

Morning: In transit. Aim for an early arrival so you can enjoy the afternoon. If you arrive before check-in, ask your hotel to store luggage and set off lightly.

Afternoon: Start on Île de la Cité. Step inside the restored Notre‑Dame Cathedral to admire ribbed vaults reborn and the luminous new organ. Then head to Sainte‑Chapelle for a kaleidoscope of 13th‑century stained glass—arrive late afternoon for the best light.

Evening: Wander Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés. For dinner, pick a classic bistro: Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (set steak‑frites and secret sauce), or the historic Le Procope (opened 1686; order coq au vin). For a lighter option, try Breizh Café Odéon for buckwheat galettes and Normandy cider. Nightcap choices: Bar Hemingway at The Ritz (martinis with literary lore) or Experimental Cocktail Club (speakeasy vibe). Stroll Pont Neuf for golden-hour Seine views before turning in.

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Tuileries, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Fuel up at KB Coffee Roasters (top-notch flat whites) or La Fontaine de Belleville (classic Parisian counter, jambon-beurre). Pastries? Blé Sucré’s famed kouign‑amann or Boulangerie Utopie’s inventive viennoiserie. Then dive into the Louvre on a guided tour—skip lines, see icons, and learn the stories behind them:

Post-tour, walk the Tuileries toward Place de la Concorde; pause at green chairs by the fountains for a quintessential Paris moment.

Afternoon: Explore Palais‑Royal’s arcades and striped Colonnes de Buren, then dip into Le Marais. For lunch: L’As du Fallafel (lively, overstuffed pitas), Miznon (cauliflower and beef kebabs), or Breizh Café Le Marais (butter‑caramel crêpes). Browse Merci’s concept store or the Marché des Enfants Rouges for market bites.

Evening: Dress for the Seine. A dinner cruise lets you watch Paris light up between courses, gliding past the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower’s sparkle on the hour:

Prefer to stay on land? Try Le Comptoir du Relais (bistro classics, book ahead) or Clamato (seafood small plates) and finish with Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint‑Louis.

Day 3: Half-Day Versailles, Montmartre Sunset

Morning: Head to Versailles for Hall of Mirrors opulence and manicured gardens. To simplify logistics, go with a guided small-group tour from Paris that handles timing and entry:

Independent alternative: Take RER C to “Versailles Château Rive Gauche” (~45–60 min; ~€4–€5 each way) and arrive at opening.

Afternoon: Back in Paris, recharge near your hotel. Then aim for Montmartre: wander Rue des Abbesses, find Amélie’s Café des 2 Moulins (for a quick photo), and climb to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping views.

Evening: Dinner ideas: Bouillon Pigalle (fast, lively, classic dishes at friendly prices), Le Bon Georges (butcher‑driven bistro—great beef and seasonal veg), or Hardware Société (Australian‑French plates; good for early dinners). For drinks, try Terrass’’ Hotel rooftop (sunset), or New Morning for live jazz if you want music. Post-dinner stroll through the cobbles around Place du Tertre after the painters pack up.

Day 4: Eiffel Tower Morning, Rue Cler, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Telescope or Coutume and a flaky croissant from La Parisienne on Rue du Bac. Then take a timed entry to the Iron Lady—go early to beat crowds and catch crisp views from the second level or summit:

Afterward, browse Rue Cler’s market street: fruit stands, fromagers, and chocolatiers. Pick up picnic fixings for the Champ de Mars lawns if weather plays nice.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Le Petit Cler (omelets, tartare, good terrasse) or Café Varenne (left-bank bistro). If time remains, pop into the Musée Rodin’s sculpture garden or stroll the Champs‑Élysées toward the Arc de Triomphe. Depart for the airport or station—plan 1–1.5 hours to CDG including security.

Additional local gems (swap in as you like):

  • Covered Passages: Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panoramas—bookshops, vintage prints, cozy cafes.
  • Canal Saint‑Martin: Picnic by the locks; coffee at Ten Belles Bread’s successors or Brûlerie de Belleville outposts.
  • Shopping: Le Bon Marché for design-forward finds; Shakespeare and Company for English‑language books and readings.
  • Crêpes crawl: Breizh Café (multiple branches) for buckwheat galettes and salted butter caramel crêpes.

Good to know: The Louvre is closed Tuesdays—swap Day 2 with another day if needed. Many restaurants close on Sundays/Mondays; always check hours and book dinners. For families, consider a half‑day at Disneyland® Paris (book tickets in advance on another day if you extend your stay).

At-a-glance booking recap:

This 4‑day Paris itinerary pairs headliners—the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Versailles—with neighborhood wandering and well‑chosen meals. You’ll leave with masterpieces in your mind, butter on your fingers, and a list of places you’re already planning to revisit.

Paris rewards the curious. Use these routes as a backbone, then turn down a side street whenever something delicious or beautiful beckons.

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