Paris rewards the curious: medieval Île de la Cité, Haussmann’s elegant boulevards, and a museum scene crowned by the Louvre. Beneath the postcard views, you’ll find café culture, neighborhood markets, and bakeries where the scent of butter and warm crumb pulls you in from the street.

This 4-day Paris itinerary pairs the city’s headliners—the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and a Seine dinner cruise—with a full day at Disneyland Paris. Expect efficient transit, time-saving tips, and dining picks from classic bistros to natural‑wine bars.

Practical notes: the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, many restaurants close Sundays/Mondays, and advance timed entries sell out quickly. Taxis from CDG have flat fares (Right Bank ~€55, Left Bank ~€62), and RER/metro is fast and affordable. Notre‑Dame Cathedral reopened in December 2024; entry lines can be long, so go early.

Paris

Paris is a mosaic of villages: bohemian Montmartre’s stairways, the Left Bank’s bookshops, and the Marais’ cobbled lanes. Spend mornings among masterpieces, afternoons wandering gardens and covered passages, and evenings lingering over steak‑frites or crêpes with cider.

• Top sights: Louvre, Tuileries & Orangerie, Île de la Cité (Notre‑Dame, Sainte‑Chapelle), Eiffel Tower, Montmartre & Sacré‑Cœur, Canal Saint‑Martin, Le Marais.
• Local flavors: butter‑laden croissants, buckwheat galettes, Paris‑Brest, bistro classics, market‑fresh cheeses, and natural wines. Look for “bouillons” for affordable French comfort fare.
• Fun facts: The Louvre began as a fortress in 1190; the Eiffel Tower was nearly dismantled; and Paris’s “passages couverts” were the 19th‑century answer to modern malls.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• The Ritz Paris — Grande‑dame luxury on Place Vendôme, legendary Bar Hemingway.
• Le Meurice — Palace hotel facing the Tuileries; Dalí once dined here.
• Hôtel Plaza Athénée — Avenue Montaigne glamour for fashion lovers.
• The Peninsula Paris — Spacious rooms, rooftop views near the Arc de Triomphe.
• Hôtel des Grands Boulevards — Stylish boutique with a hidden courtyard bar.
• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre — Artistic hideaway near Sacré‑Cœur.
• Hôtel du Temps — Retro‑cool Right Bank boutique near great cafés.
• Hotel du College de France — Quiet Latin Quarter favorite; great value.
• Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse — Reliable family‑friendly base with transport links.
• Generator Paris — Budget design hostel with canal views and a lively bar.

Browse more stays: VRBO apartments in Paris | Hotels.com Paris hotels

Getting to/around Paris: Fly into CDG or ORY; compare Europe flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Coming from outside Europe? Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From CDG, the RER B to central Paris takes ~35–45 minutes (~€11–12) or use flat‑fare taxis (Right Bank ~€55, Left Bank ~€62). The metro is fast; buy a Navigo Easy card or contactless pay per ride.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité stroll, and a sparkling Seine dinner cruise

Morning: Travel to Paris. If you’re flying into CDG, consider the RER B (fastest in traffic) or a flat‑fare taxi. Book tickets in advance if you’re arriving by train—Eurostar from London is ~2h20; TGV from Lyon ~2h; both on Omio.

Afternoon: Check in and shake off jet lag with a gentle walk along the Seine to Île de la Cité. Admire the restored façade of Notre‑Dame (open since Dec 2024); if the line is long, circle the serene Memorial des Martyrs de la Déportation nearby. Coffee and a pastry at Café Saint‑Régis or Berthillon (try the salted caramel) on Île Saint‑Louis.

Evening: Celebrate your first night with a dinner cruise—window seats book up early.

Paris Gourmet Dinner Seine River Cruise with Singer and DJ Set

Board the Diamant Bleu for a panoramic glide past the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre‑Dame while savoring a multi‑course menu and live music. Dress smart‑casual; arrive 20–30 minutes early for smooth boarding.

Pre/Post drinks & bites: Early apéro at Le Bar des Prés (Left Bank) or a nightcap near Trocadéro for Eiffel Tower sparkle. If you prefer land‑based dining, book Bouillon Chartier (quick, classic French) or LouLou in the Tuileries for terrace views.

Day 2: Louvre masterpieces, historic Paris, and the Eiffel Tower at night

Morning: Breakfast near the Palais Royal—Claus (elegant spreads) or Café Verlet (single‑origin roasts, superb pastries). Then dive into the world’s most visited museum with a guide to save time and see the essentials.

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access

See the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Mona Lisa while learning the stories behind them. Note: the Louvre is closed Tuesdays; swap this day with Day 3 if needed.

Afternoon: Stroll the Tuileries, then pop into the Musée de l’Orangerie to meet Monet’s Water Lilies. Cross to the Marais for a casual, delicious lunch: L’As du Fallafel (fast, lively), Miznon (Israeli street food), or Breizh Café (buttery galettes and cider). Explore the arcaded Place des Vosges and the photogenic covered passages (Passage des Panoramas, Galerie Vivienne).

Evening: Cap the day with the Iron Lady herself—night views are magic.

Eiffel Tower Elevator Tour Access to 2nd Floor with Summit Option

Join a guided entry for context and smooth access; choose the summit option for the highest platform if available. Dinner nearby: Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (no reservations; classic steak‑frites with secret sauce), Chez L’Ami Jean (Basque bistronomy), or Café Constant (warm neighborhood feel).

Day 3: Disneyland Paris day trip (rides, parades, fireworks)

Morning: Fuel up early at Du Pain et des Idées (legendary escargot pastries) or Holybelly (Aussie‑style pancakes and eggs). Take RER A from Châtelet–Les Halles or Auber to Marne‑la‑Vallée–Chessy (right at the park gates): ~40 minutes, ~€5–7 each way. Arrive for rope drop; start with Big Thunder Mountain and Phantom Manor, then hop to Walt Disney Studios Park for Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force.

Disneyland® Paris Parks Admission Tickets

Lunch: Book Bistrot Chez Rémy (shrunken‑rat POV, French comfort dishes) or go quick‑service at Toad Hall (fish and chips) or Fuente del Oro (Tex‑Mex). Coffee and a sweet pick‑me‑up at Market House Deli.

Afternoon & Evening: Catch the afternoon parade on Main Street, then Pirates of the Caribbean and Hyperspace Mountain. For dinner, try Annette’s Diner (retro burgers and shakes) or Big Fernand (French burgers) in Disney Village before the nighttime spectacular. After fireworks, return on the RER A; trains run late but expect crowds—grab a seat near the platform ends.

Day 4: Montmartre morning, last tastes, and departure

Morning: Wander Montmartre’s lanes before the crowds. Start with brunch at Hardware Société (Aussie brunch with a Paris twist) or a classic jambon‑beurre from Coquelicot. Visit Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping views, then loop past Place du Tertre (painters’ square) and the photogenic Maison Rose. Coffee at KB CaféShop or Café Marlette on Rue des Martyrs.

Afternoon: Quick lunch before you go: Bouillon Pigalle (fast, hearty French classics), Le Pantruche (if you snag a booking), or a crêpe from Breizh Café near Pigalle. Head to your train or flight: book Europe trains/flights on Omio (trains) / Omio (flights). For airports, allow 2–3 hours; RER B to CDG is ~35–45 minutes, taxis are flat fare, and OrlyBus is ~30–40 minutes depending on traffic.

Optional swap if not doing Disneyland: Half‑day Versailles with skip‑the‑line gardens and palace access via Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris

and spend your final evening wine‑tasting in the Latin Quarter.

Extra foodie picks by neighborhood:

• Saint‑Germain: Le Comptoir du Relais (bistro benchmark), Semilla (market‑driven plates), Pierre Hermé (macarons).
• Le Marais: Breizh Café (galettes), Fermentation‑focused wines at La Buvette, Les Enfants Rouges market stalls (try Japanese‑French bentos).
• Opéra/Grands Boulevards: Juveniles (wine bar with Scottish‑French soul), Frenchie Bar à Vins (walk‑in small plates), Ellsworth (fried chicken and seasonal veg).
• Montmartre: Le Coq & Fils (roast chicken temple), La Mascotte (seafood platters), Le Refuge des Fondus (cheeky fondue fun).

Booking toolkit: Hotels: Hotels.com | Apartments: VRBO | Europe trains/buses/ferries/flights: Omio / Omio Buses | International flights: Trip.com or Kiwi.com

In four days you’ll savor Paris’s greatest hits—Louvre icons, twinkling Eiffel views, and a river lit with reflections—plus a joyful day at Disneyland Paris. With thoughtful pacing, great food, and smart transport, this itinerary turns Paris from dream to ritual.