Paris has a way of making even the most hurried traveler slow down. From medieval Île de la Cité and newly reopened Notre‑Dame to the grand boulevards of Baron Haussmann, the city layers Roman roots, royal opulence, and belle époque elegance with modern culinary flair. This 4‑day Paris itinerary balances icons with local neighborhoods so you actually feel the city as much as you see it.

Art lovers will feast on the Louvre’s masterpieces and the Impressionist glow at the Musée d’Orsay; romantics will wander the Seine quays at sunset before a dinner cruise glides past illuminated bridges. A half‑day trip to Versailles slips you into the Sun King’s world—hall-of-mirrors grandeur paired with manicured gardens designed for long, contemplative strolls.

Practical notes: The Louvre is closed Tuesdays; Versailles and the Musée d’Orsay are closed Mondays—shuffle days accordingly. Buy a Navigo Easy card for Metro/bus. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas, and book major sights ahead (we’ve noted where to reserve). Paris rewards early starts, long lunches, and time to simply sit at a café and observe.

Paris

Welcome to the capital of art, fashion, and café culture. The skyline may be anchored by the Eiffel Tower and Sacré‑Cœur, but Paris’s soul lives in its neighborhoods: literary Saint‑Germain, village‑like Montmartre, creative Canal Saint‑Martin, and the former aristocratic enclave of Le Marais.

• Top sights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre‑Dame (reopened), Sainte‑Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Tuileries & Luxembourg Gardens.
• Neighborhoods to savor: Le Marais (boutiques and falafel), Saint‑Germain (historic cafés), Montmartre (artists’ hill), Canal Saint‑Martin (indie bakeries and bars), Latin Quarter (bookshops, bistros).
• Food to try: butter‑layered croissants, buckwheat galettes, steak‑frites, oysters with mignonette, and seasonal bistronomy with natural wine.

Where to stay (handpicked options):

• Iconic luxury: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris.
• Stylish boutique: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel du Temps, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hotel du College de France, Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
• Solid and family‑friendly: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse.
• Budget/hostel‑chic: Generator Paris.
• Browse more stays: Find apartments on VRBO | Compare hotels on Hotels.com

Getting to Paris & around:

• Flights within Europe: compare routes and prices on Omio (flights). Typical times: London 1–1.5h, Rome ~2h, Barcelona ~1h45. One‑way fares can range ~$50–$150+ depending on season.
• Flights from outside Europe: search global options on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com. Direct US‑Paris flights take ~7–11h.
• Trains in Europe: check timetables and book on Omio (trains). Eurostar (London‑Paris) ~2h15; TGV from Amsterdam ~3h20; Brussels ~1h25; Lyon ~2h.
• Airport to city: From CDG, RER B (~35–45 min; ~€11–12), taxi flat fare (~€55–65). From ORY, OrlyBus (~€12), Orlyval+RER B (~€14–15), taxi flat fare (~€35–45).

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and a Sparkling Seine Night

Morning: In transit to Paris.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs along the Seine toward Île de la Cité. Step inside the restored Notre‑Dame de Paris and admire its reborn interior, then slip over to jewel‑box Sainte‑Chapelle for its stained glass kaleidoscope. Coffee fix: Fragments (Marais, for serious espresso) or La Caféothèque (riverside roastery).

Evening: Celebrate night one with a gourmet Seine experience—glass canopies, live music, and floodlit monuments drifting by.

Featured experience: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

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Dinner alternatives (if you prefer land): Chez Janou (Provençal, known for pastis and chocolate mousse), Frenchie Bar à Vins (walk‑in spot with creative small plates and great pours), or Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (the Parisian steak‑frites ritual; no menu, just excellent sauce).

Nightcap: Little Red Door (inventive cocktails) or Harry’s New York Bar (classic martinis since 1911).

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Le Marais, and the Eiffel Tower

Morning: Start near the Tuileries with croissants at Boulangerie Utopie or butter‑rich viennoiseries at Stohrer (the city’s oldest pâtisserie). Then meet your guide at the Louvre to navigate highlights—Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, Delacroix, and that enigmatic smile—without the overwhelm.

Featured experience: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access

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Afternoon: Wander Le Marais: arcaded Place des Vosges, the fascinating (and free) Musée Carnavalet, and indie boutiques along Rue Vieille‑du‑Temple. Lunch picks: L’As du Fallafel (queue moves fast; order the signature pita), Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes + cider), or Miznon (roasted cauliflower and pita sandwiches).

Evening: Time for the “Iron Lady.” Head to the Eiffel Tower with reserved access to skip long lines; stay for blue‑hour views as the city lights blink on and the tower sparkles at the top of each hour.

Featured experience: Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift

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Dinner nearby: La Fontaine de Mars (classic bistro fare, beloved by locals), Le Petit Cler (market‑street comfort classics), or Café Constant‑successor spots in the area; for a splurge, reserve months ahead at Arpège or Restaurant David Toutain.

Late drink: Experimental Cocktail Club (pioneer of Paris mixology) or Le Syndicat (French‑spirits‑only concoctions).

Day 3: Half‑Day Versailles, Orsay or Tuileries, and Montmartre at Sunset

Morning: Catch RER C to Versailles‑Château–Rive Gauche (~35–45 minutes). A guided tour eases the logistics and unlocks palace context—from the Hall of Mirrors to Marie‑Antoinette’s private domains—plus time to stroll André Le Nôtre’s formal gardens.

Featured experience: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris

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Lunch on site at La Petite Venise (Italian‑leaning, garden setting) or grab crêpes around Place d’Armes before returning to Paris early afternoon.

Afternoon: Back in town, choose between the Musée d’Orsay (Van Gogh, Monet, Degas in a Beaux‑Arts train station) or a lighter stroll through the Tuileries and intimate Musée de l’Orangerie (Monet’s water lilies). Coffee at Café Kitsuné (in the gardens) or KB Coffee Roasters (9th).

Evening: Ride Line 12 or 2 up to Montmartre. Catch the panorama from Sacré‑Cœur as the sky goes lavender, then thread past the artists of Place du Tertre into cobbled lanes.

Dinner in/near Montmartre: Bouillon Pigalle (big Art‑Deco dining room, classic dishes at wallet‑friendly prices), Le Bon Georges (9th; chalkboard French cooking, excellent produce), or Hardware Société (daytime Aussie‑French brunch spot, occasionally open evenings for events—check hours).

Drinks: Rooftop at Terrass’’ Hotel for views, then natural‑wine bars along South Pigalle if you’re up for a nightcap.

Day 4: Left Bank Strolls, Canal Saint‑Martin, and a Farewell Feast

Morning: Saint‑Germain wake‑up: Poilâne for tartines or croissants; classic café au lait at Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots if you want literary nostalgia. Walk the Luxembourg Gardens and visit the Panthéon, then browse the English‑language shelves at Shakespeare and Company (with its petite café next door).

Afternoon: Head to Canal Saint‑Martin for a slower, local rhythm—iron footbridges, sunlight on the water, and stylish boutiques. Brunch‑ish lunch at Holybelly 5 (pancakes, eggs, specialty coffee), or seafood plates at Clamato (no reservations; go early). Pastry detour: Blé Sucré for their famed madeleines.

Evening: Circle back to the 11th for a last‑night dinner where modern Paris cooks shine. Options: Le Servan (Filipina‑French sisters remix bistronomy with personality), Septime La Cave (wine bar with small plates; walk‑in), or Chez Janou (bustling Provençal, generous pastis and mousse). If you prefer a final glide on the water, swap dinner for another river experience below.

Alternate evening on the Seine: Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise with live music and city lights.

Book on Viator: Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Music by Bateaux Mouches

Final toast: Bar Hemingway at The Ritz for old‑school romance, or Le Mary Celeste in the Marais for briny oysters and bright cocktails.

Good to know: Reserve major restaurants 2–3 weeks ahead (longer for Michelin spots). Many bistros close Sundays/Mondays; check hours and be flexible. Always validate Metro tickets and keep an eye on belongings on public transport and crowded sights.

Optional extras if you have time: Arc de Triomphe rooftop at golden hour; covered passages (Galerie Vivienne) for rainy‑day browsing; a food crawl on Rue Montorgueil; or a pastry tour that compares classics from Pierre Hermé vs. Angelina’s legendary hot chocolate.

Summary: Four days in Paris will fly—yet with this plan you’ll cover the icons, taste neighborhoods locals love, and savor the Seine by night. Keep this itinerary handy, swap days for museum closures, and let Paris do what it does best: surprise you around the next corner.