Paris rewards a thoughtful pace. Two thousand years of history layer Roman origins, medieval lanes, and grand Haussmann boulevards into a city designed for strolling—one museum, one café terrace, one garden bench at a time. You’ll taste centuries of craft in a single buttery croissant, then stand face-to-face with masterpieces you’ve known since childhood.

From the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame to the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, the city’s showstoppers are close enough to connect by Metro or on foot. But the fun starts in the quartiers: browse the Marais’ boutiques, settle into Saint‑Germain’s literary cafés, and climb Montmartre’s cobbles for sunset over zinc rooftops. Evenings sparkle along the Seine, where bridges become the city’s best theater seats.

Practical notes: Book big-ticket sights in advance (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sainte‑Chapelle, and Versailles). Many museums close one day a week (Louvre: Tuesday; Orsay: Monday). Metro is safe and efficient; watch your pockets in crowded areas. For dinner, reserve where you can—popular bistros fill quickly, especially Thursday–Saturday.

Paris

Why go now: Classic Paris—art, pâtisserie, riverlight—meets a dynamic bistro and natural-wine scene. This 5-day plan balances headline sights with neighborhood time so you don’t spend the trip in queues.

• Top sights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte‑Chapelle, Notre‑Dame (interior reopened), Arc de Triomphe, Luxembourg Gardens, Montmartre & Sacré‑Cœur.
• Food & drink: From historic brasseries to neo‑bistros (think Bistrot Paul Bert, Le Servan, Parcelles), plus oysters at Le Mary Celeste and crepes at Breizh Café. Coffee’s strong at KB CaféShop, Café Mericourt, and Coutume.
• Fun fact: Paris has 37 bridges spanning the Seine; Pont Neuf is the oldest (16th century) and a perfect golden‑hour perch.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Iconic heritage: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris.
• Boutique favorites: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel du Temps, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hôtel des Arts Bastille, Hotel du College de France.
• Midrange & family: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Generator Paris, Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Paris | Hotels.com Paris

Getting there & around:

• Flights within Europe: compare on Omio (flights). London–Paris ~1h15; Rome–Paris ~2h10; fares vary ~€60–€200+.
• Flights from outside Europe: search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. NYC–Paris nonstop ~7–8h, LAX–Paris ~10–11h.
• Trains in Europe: book Eurostar/Thalys/TGV via Omio (trains). London–Paris ~2h15 from ~€70–€200; Brussels–Paris ~1h22 from ~€35–€120; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20 from ~€45–€140.
• Airport transfers: CDG–center ~45–60 min (RER B or taxi; flat fares ~€55 Right Bank/€62 Left Bank). Orly–center ~35–45 min.
• Local transit: Buy a Navigo Easy card; single tickets are €2.15. Metro runs roughly 5:30am–1:15am (2:15am Fri–Sat).

Day 1: Saint‑Germain Warm‑Up + Eiffel Tower at Night

Morning: Travel day. Aim for a light breakfast and hydrate on the plane or train.

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a Saint‑Germain loop: browse Rue de Seine galleries, peek into Église Saint‑Sulpice, and take a coffee at Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots—historic haunts of Simone de Beauvoir and Sartre. If you’re peckish, grab a flaky apple turnover at Poilâne on Rue du Cherche‑Midi.

Evening: Book a sunset ascent of the “Iron Lady” for first‑night magic. Choose a guided reserved‑access slot to skip long lines and hear the tower’s backstory from the 1889 Exposition to its wartime radio role. Afterward, dine nearby: try Bistrot Belhara (seasonal French; superb soufflé), Le P’tit Troquet (classic bistro warmth), or Café du Marché on Rue Cler for affordable steak‑frites and a lively terrace.

Book: Eiffel Tower Guided Access up to 2nd Floor & Summit Option

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

Morning: Beat the crowds at the Louvre. A focused, expert‑led visit helps you thread from the Winged Victory to the Mona Lisa and Delacroix without getting lost in 35,000 works. Pick up pastries at Claus (near the Palais Royal) beforehand, or sit‑down eggs and pancakes at Holybelly 5 if you need a hearty start.

Book: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access

Afternoon: Picnic or promenade through the Tuileries Gardens, then continue to Place de la Concorde and across the footbridge to the Left Bank for Musée d’Orsay’s Impressionist glow (check Monday closures). Lunch ideas: Bistrot Vivienne (cozy, belle‑époque room), Kunitoraya on Rue Sainte‑Anne for steaming udon, or Crêperie Cancale for buckwheat galettes.

Evening: Drift past floodlit monuments on a glass‑canopy boat as you savor a French dinner—Notre‑Dame, the Louvre’s riverfront, the Eiffel Tower shimmering on the hour. Ask for a window seat and time it for sunset into blue hour. For a nightcap, slip into the Experimental Cocktail Club in Montorgueil or wine at Juveniles near the Palais Royal.

Book: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

Day 3: Le Marais, Île de la Cité, and Natural‑Wine Evenings

Morning: Start with coffee at La Fontaine de Belleville or KB CaféShop, then wander Le Marais: arcades of Place des Vosges, the free‑to‑visit courtyard at Hôtel de Sully, and designer‑meets‑vintage along Rue des Francs‑Bourgeois. For sweets, snag a box of macarons at Pierre Hermé on Rue Sainte‑Croix‑de‑la‑Bretonnerie.

Afternoon: Lunch your way: L’As du Fallafel (order at the window; tahini on the side), Breizh Café (buttery buckwheat galettes and cider), or Chez Janou (Provençal, famous chocolate mousse). Cross to Île de la Cité for Sainte‑Chapelle’s stained‑glass blaze and a look at the newly reopened Notre‑Dame interior (timed entry recommended). If time allows, peek into the Conciergerie for Revolutionary history.

Evening: Explore the Right Bank’s neo‑bistros and bars. Book Parcelles (Marais; precise cooking, deep wine list) or Le Servan (11th; Franco‑Asian accents). For a casual tour: oysters and small plates at Le Mary Celeste, then craft cocktails at Sherry Butt or natural wines at Le Barav. Late stroll along the Canal Saint‑Martin for reflections of iron footbridges in the water.

Day 4: Half‑Day Versailles + Jazz and Bouillons

Morning: Head to Versailles on a guided tour that streamlines transport and palace entry. Glide through the Hall of Mirrors and royal apartments, then roam André Le Nôtre’s gardens. On select days, the musical fountains add Baroque drama. Grab lunch at Angelina inside the palace complex (mont‑blanc and hot chocolate) or picnic by the Grand Canal.

Book: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris

Afternoon: Return to Paris and decompress in the Luxembourg Gardens—medici fountain, pony rides, and sailboats bobbing in the basin. Snack run: pistachio escargot pastry at Du Pain et des Idées is legendary but can sell out; if you’re nearby and it’s open, go early. Otherwise, try Stohrer (oldest pâtisserie, since 1730) on Rue Montorgueil.

Evening: Keep it convivial at a historic bouillon—Bouillon Pigalle or Bouillon Chartier—for efficient service and classics like œufs mayo, poireaux vinaigrette, and boeuf bourguignon at wallet‑friendly prices. For music, slip into Caveau de la Huchette (swing since 1946) or Duc des Lombards (modern jazz) depending on your vibe.

Day 5: Montmartre Morning, Last Bites, Departure

Morning: Montmartre’s village charm shines early. Start with brunch at La Bossue (homemade cakes and eggs) or a croissant run to Le Grenier à Pain (award‑winning Meilleur Ouvrier de France bakers). Climb to Sacré‑Cœur for panoramic views, then thread past artists on Place du Tertre and quiet lanes like Rue de l’Abreuvoir.

Afternoon: Last‑minute shopping in the covered passages (Panorama, Verdeau) or along Rue des Martyrs’ food shops. Quick, satisfying lunch: Le Coq & Fils (all things roasted chicken by Chef Antoine Westermann) or a fast galette at Crêperie Brocéliande. Transfer to the airport/train station—plan 60–90 minutes from central Paris with traffic and security.

Evening: Departure day, but if your schedule allows, save a final hour for the banks of the Seine. Pick up picnic fixings (cheese, baguette, fruit) and toast the city from the Pont des Arts as the lamps flick on.

Optional swaps and extras: If your Day 2 falls on a Tuesday (Louvre closed), swap with Day 3. If you prefer a daytime river view, trade the dinner cruise for a narrated sightseeing sailing:

Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens

Need a quick‑access Eiffel alternative? If tickets sell out, consider another reserved option on a different time slot:

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

Good to know: Tipping is modest (service compris); round up or add 5–10% for standout service. Carry a chip‑and‑PIN card, and always validate Metro tickets. Book popular restaurants and experiences 2–3 weeks ahead for prime slots.

Summary: In five days, you’ve traced Paris from Gothic spires to Impressionist light, from café counters to river reflections—and added a royal flourish in Versailles. Keep this plan handy; it’s a springboard you can replay season after season with new neighborhoods and tastes.