Paris—“Parigi” in Italian—began as a Roman outpost on the Île de la Cité and grew into Europe’s grand stage for art, fashion, and ideas. From Gothic spires to Haussmann boulevards, the city layers centuries of history into a compact, walkable canvas. In four days, you’ll meet the icons and the intimate: world-class museums, riverside strolls, and the soft clink of coffee cups in neighborhood cafés.

Beyond the headline sights, Paris rewards curiosity. Peek into covered passages, snack on buckwheat galettes, and people-watch in leafy squares where locals read the paper and children race scooters. The food scene ranges from market-fresh bistros to nouvelle brasseries and natural wine bars; reservations are recommended for popular spots, especially Thursday–Saturday.

Practical notes: museums often close one day a week (the Louvre on Tuesday; Musée d’Orsay on Monday). The Metro is fast and frequent; expect about €2–€3 per ride. Timed tickets are standard for major sights, and contactless payment works on buses and Metro. Pack comfy shoes and a light layer—Paris weather loves surprises.

Paris

Paris is a mosaic of villages: the artists’ slopes of Montmartre, medieval lanes in the Latin Quarter, and the elegant geometry of the 1st arrondissement. The Seine winds through it all, offering the city’s best free show at golden hour.

Top sights include the Louvre, Notre‑Dame (reopened), Musée d’Orsay, Sacré‑Cœur, and the Eiffel Tower. Balance them with detours to the Rodin Museum’s sculpture garden, the covered passages near Opéra, and indie boutiques around Canal Saint‑Martin. A one-hour Seine cruise at sunset is a timeless Paris experience.

• Where to stay: For museum access, choose the 1st/7th; for nightlife and dining, Le Marais or the 11th; for classic Left Bank vibes, Saint‑Germain. Browse stays on VRBO Paris stays or compare hotels on Hotels.com Paris hotels.
• How to arrive: For intra‑Europe flights and trains, search Omio flights and Omio trains (and Omio buses). Flying in from outside Europe? Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Le Marais, and a Seine Sunset

Morning: Travel to Paris. If you’re coming from within Europe, check timetable and pricing on Omio trains (London–Paris ~2h15 by Eurostar; Brussels–Paris ~1h25 by Thalys/Eurostar). Flying in? Compare regional options on Omio flights or long-haul on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs in Le Marais. Start at Place des Vosges, Paris’s oldest planned square, and duck under the arcades for people‑watching. For a late lunch: L’As du Fallafel (generous pita sandwiches; quick and tasty) or Breizh Café (buttery buckwheat galettes; cider list). Coffee at Boot Café (thimble‑sized café with excellent flat whites) or Caféothèque near the river for beans roasted in house.

Evening: Take a one-hour Seine cruise from near Pont Neuf or the Eiffel Tower (about €15–€20). Gliding under Pont Alexandre III at dusk sets the tone for the trip. Dinner at Chez Janou (Provençal dishes, lively, legendary chocolate mousse) or Le Petit Cler (cozy bistro on a market street). Nightcap at Experimental Cocktail Club (speakeasy style, creative signatures) or Little Red Door (inventive, art‑driven menu; arrive early or expect a queue).

Day 2: Louvre Icons, Île de la Cité, and Eiffel Tower Views

Morning: Breakfast near Canal Saint‑Martin at Holybelly (Aussie‑French brunch; pancakes and poached eggs) or Du Pain et des Idées (buttery escargot pastries; note weekday mornings are best). Head to the Louvre for a focused 2.5–3‑hour visit—hit the Denon wing for the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace on the Daru staircase, and the Grande Galerie’s Renaissance masters. Timed tickets run roughly €22; arrive at the Porte des Lions or Carrousel entrance to dodge the main pyramid lines.

Afternoon: Cross into the Tuileries for a bench-and-fountain pause, then stroll Rue de Rivoli to Angelina for velvety hot chocolate and Mont‑Blanc (meringue, chestnut cream, whipped cream). Walk to Île de la Cité: admire Notre‑Dame’s restored nave (now reopened; reserve a time slot when possible) and bask in the stained‑glass glow of Sainte‑Chapelle (about €13–€15). Follow the riverside to Shakespeare & Company for a literary browse and views back to the cathedral.

Evening: For golden-hour Eiffel views, head to Trocadéro or the Champ de Mars. Eiffel Tower summit tickets are ~€29–€35 depending on elevator vs. stairs; booking ahead is wise. Dinner nearby at La Fontaine de Mars (duck confit, cassoulet; Obama‑famous but still classic) or Café Constant‑style bistros in the 7th that serve hearty terroir cooking and a solid glass of Bordeaux. If you prefer a skyline toast, try a rooftop like Sequoia or a Seine‑side pop‑up in season.

Day 3: Palace of Versailles and Saint‑Germain Evenings

Morning: Take RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (35–45 minutes from central Paris; about €4–€5 each way). Arrive for opening to enjoy the Hall of Mirrors before the crowds. Plan 3–4 hours for the palace and gardens; rent a bike or golf cart to reach the Grand and Petit Trianon. On musical fountain days, expect a separate garden ticket; otherwise the grounds can be free.

Afternoon: Return to Paris for a late lunch in Saint‑Germain. Try Semilla (produce‑driven plates, open kitchen), Le Comptoir du Relais (classic bistro fare; book ahead), or Breizh Café Odéon (buckwheat galettes, Bordier butter). Browse the Left Bank’s art galleries and the arcades of the Odéon neighborhood, then unwind in the Luxembourg Gardens among statues and sailboats.

Evening: Make it a Left Bank night: dinner at Bistrot Paul Bert’s Left Bank peers like Le Servan (Franco‑Asian, vibrant flavors) or Clown Bar (Belle Époque tiles; inventive small plates, natural wines). For jazz, head to Duc des Lombards or Sunset Sunside near Les Halles—intimate rooms with strong lineups. Prefer cocktails? Try Le Syndicat (French‑only spirits; creative, energetic) before a late stroll along the Seine.

Day 4: Montmartre Morning, Covered Passages, and Departure

Morning: Start in South Pigalle with specialty coffee at KB Coffee Roasters or Coutume on Rue de Babylone if you’re staying Left Bank. Climb to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping views, then wander Rue de l’Abreuvoir, Place du Tertre’s artist stalls, and the photogenic Maison Rose corner. Detour to Musée de la Vie Romantique (small garden, light cakes) if you want a quiet, romantic nook.

Afternoon: Work your way toward Opéra to explore the 19th‑century covered passages—Passage des Panoramas and Galerie Vivienne—for stamp shops, independent bookstores, and old‑world cafés. Pop into Galeries Lafayette’s rooftop terrace for a free panorama. Early lunch at Bouillon Pigalle (fast‑moving line; steak‑frites, œufs mayo, île flottante at friendly prices) or Brasserie Dubillot (updated classics, generous portions). Head back to your hotel to collect bags and make your afternoon departure via Omio flights, Omio trains, or long‑haul on Trip.com / Kiwi.com.

Evening: If time allows before you go, pick up edible souvenirs: Bordier butter and aged Comté at Marché des Enfants Rouges, or macarons from Pierre Hermé. A final espresso at Café Kitsuné in the Palais Royal gardens is a gentle goodbye to the city.

Extra tips and local gems:

• Museum strategy: Consider a multi‑day museum pass if you’ll visit 3–4 major sights; it can save time at security lines.
• Views without lines: The rooftop of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and the steps of the Sacré‑Cœur offer superb free panoramas.
• Market mornings: Marché d’Aligre (12th) buzzes with cheese, oysters, and produce; arrive before noon for the best selection.
• Bakeries to know: Farine & O (Left Bank), Boulangerie Utopie (11th), and Stohrer (oldest pâtisserie in Paris on Rue Montorgueil).
• Reservations: Hot tables like Septime book 2–3 weeks out. For same‑day seats, try at opening or ask to wait at the bar.

In four days, you’ll have traced Paris from palace grandeur to café corners, from river reflections to hilltop vistas. Keep this guide handy for routes, meals, and momentum—and let Paris’s small moments fill the spaces between the icons.