France’s capital is a city of layers—Roman roots, medieval lanes, grand Haussmann boulevards, and contemporary culture. In Paris, churches hide centuries of artistry, while cafés hum with conversation and croissants still matter. This plan immerses you in the essentials with room to linger, taste, and look up.

Over five days you’ll wander the Louvre’s masterworks, stand beneath the Eiffel Tower, drift down the Seine at night, and spend a full day at the Palace of Versailles. Each recommendation is precise and current, with insider dining tips and realistic travel times.

Practical notes: Paris is walkable and metro-connected—tap into a contactless card or a Navigo Easy for rides. Book museum timeslots and Eiffel Tower access well in advance, watch for Friday late hours at the Louvre, and stay alert for pickpockets in busy areas. Expect café service charges to be included; small extra tips are appreciated but not obligatory.

Paris

Paris rewards curiosity: peek into covered passages, trace Impressionist brushstrokes, and sip espresso where writers once argued about art. Neighborhoods feel distinct—Saint‑Germain’s literary cafés, the Marais’ galleries and falafel joints, and Montmartre’s hilltop studios and quiet cobbled backstreets.

• Top sights: Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, Notre‑Dame’s parvis and Île de la Cité, Sainte‑Chapelle’s stained glass, the Eiffel Tower, Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens, and Sacré‑Cœur’s sweeping views.
• Food you’ll remember: Buckwheat galettes at Breizh Café, classic onion soup at Bouillon République, inventive bistronomy at Le Servan, seafood at Clamato, and world‑class bread from Poilâne.
• Fun fact: The Seine’s “bateaux” cruises date back to the 19th century; many modern boats are glass‑canopied for postcard views at night.

Where to stay (Paris): Browse options on VRBO Paris or compare hotels on Hotels.com Paris. Specific picks: The Ritz Paris (iconic, Place Vendôme), Hotel du College de France (Left Bank value, walk to the Seine), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (boutique near Sacré‑Cœur), The Peninsula Paris (rooftop views), or Generator Paris (design‑forward budget).

Getting to Paris: Fly into CDG or ORY. Compare Europe‑bound flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). For long‑haul fares from outside Europe, check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Versailles

Once a modest hunting lodge, Versailles became Europe’s most audacious royal statement under Louis XIV. Today it’s a day‑trip dream: gilded State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, formal gardens that stretch to the horizon, and Trianon palaces where Marie‑Antoinette sought privacy.

• Highlights: King’s and Queen’s Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Musical Fountains (select dates), Grand and Petit Trianon, the Queen’s Hamlet.
• Eats near the palace: La Petite Venise (Italian‑leaning in the gardens), Angelina (famous hot chocolate), and La Flottille (classic brasserie with lake views).

Where to stay (optional overnight): Browse Trianon Palace Versailles, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Hôtel d'Angleterre, or Hôtel Le Versailles. Or compare broadly on Hotels.com Versailles and VRBO Versailles.

How to get there: RER C from central Paris to Versailles‑Château–Rive Gauche takes ~35 minutes, about €4.50 each way. You can also compare train options on Omio (trains in Europe).

Day 1: Arrival, Left Bank Stroll, and Classic Bistro Evening

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk: Luxembourg Gardens to Saint‑Germain. Pop into Poilâne for a tartine, or enjoy hot chocolate at Café de Flore if it’s drizzly.

Evening: Dinner in the 3rd/10th: Bouillon République (heritage comfort dishes, no‑reservations, fast‑moving line) or Le Servan (Filipina‑French sisters serving bright, seasonal plates). After, walk the Seine quays for golden‑hour views of Île de la Cité.

Late drink: Natural wine at Le Mary Celeste (oysters are excellent) or an aperitif at Verjus Bar à Vin near the Palais Royal.

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Île de la Cité, and Sunset at the Eiffel Tower

Morning: Fuel up at Holybelly 5 (pancakes and eggs done right) or KB Coffee Roasters (specialty coffee). Then head to the Louvre. For context and quicker access, consider this guided experience:

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access

Afterward, decompress in the Tuileries; grab a bench by the octagonal basin and people‑watch.

Afternoon: Cross to Île de la Cité. Walk the Notre‑Dame perimeter to see the restoration progress, then step inside Sainte‑Chapelle to bask in its stained‑glass glow. Lunch nearby: Au Vieux Comptoir (hearty French classics) or Au Bougnat (cozy bistro).

Evening: Time your Eiffel Tower entry for twilight to see the City of Light switch on. Reserve access here to minimize waiting:

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

Dinner afterward in the 7th: Café Constant (classic brasserie fare) or Le Violon d’Ingres (elevated), then a riverside stroll to catch the tower’s hourly sparkle.

Day 3: Day Trip to Versailles (Palace, Gardens, Trianons)

Morning departure: Leave after breakfast—excellent options include Fragments (buttery croissants) or Coutume (light, modern plates). Take RER C to Versailles‑Château–Rive Gauche (~35 minutes; ~€4.50). If you prefer a guided, small‑group experience with logistics handled, book this:

Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris

Midday: Tour the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors, then lunch at La Petite Venise (Italian dishes in a historic pavilion) or Angelina (club sandwich and pastries; famous for “l’Africain” hot chocolate).

Afternoon: Stroll the formal gardens; if Musical Fountains are scheduled, linger by the groves. Continue to the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet for a quieter, pastoral Versailles.

Evening (back in Paris): Dinner around Saint‑Germain: Semilla (market‑driven, open kitchen) or L’Avant‑Comptoir de la Terre (standing tapas‑style plates, fantastic charcuterie). Nightcap at Prescription Cocktail Club.

Day 4: Montmartre Morning, Covered Passages, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Start at Place du Tertre before the crowds, then slip into Rue de l’Abreuvoir and the vineyard of Clos Montmartre for a glimpse of old Paris. Coffee at La Fontaine de Belleville (retro bistro atmosphere) or KB Coffee Roasters on the slope.

Afternoon: Head to the Opéra district’s 19th‑century passages—Vivienne and Jouffroy—for antiquarian bookshops and toy stores. Lunch options: Kunitoraya (udon comfort near Palais Royal), Juveniles (wine bar with seasonal plates), or Cravan (stylish café‑bar).

Evening: Celebrate with an illuminated river dinner cruise—gliding past the Louvre, Notre‑Dame, and the Eiffel Tower under glass canopies and live music:

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

If you’d rather dine on land, book Clamato (no reservations; seafood small plates) or Le Comptoir du Relais (classic Saint‑Germain hotspot; arrive early for a table).

Day 5: Le Marais, Canal Time, and Farewell Paris

Morning: Breakfast at Carette (butter‑rich pastries, proper eggs) or The French Bastards (creative viennoiseries). Explore the Marais: Place des Vosges arcades, Musée Carnavalet courtyard, and boutique‑lined Rue des Francs‑Bourgeois.

Afternoon: Last‑minute gifts at Marché des Enfants Rouges (try a buckwheat galette or Moroccan couscous stand). For a calmer vibe, wander up to Canal Saint‑Martin—bridges, indie shops, and bakeries. Brunch‑ish options: Le Verre Volé (winey bistro plates) or Holybelly if you missed it earlier. Depart in the afternoon—RER B to CDG is about an hour and roughly €12; RoissyBus to Opéra is about an hour.

Evening (if you have time): Quick bistro classics at Bouillon Pigalle (efficient, affordable) or a final crêpe at Breizh Café. Toast the trip with a glass of crémant or a zero‑proof verjus spritz.

How to Get Around & Between Cities

• Metro/RER: Taps on bank cards work at gates; a day pass for central zones is around €8–€10. Trips to Versailles run about €4.50 each way. For train comparisons across Europe, use Omio (trains) or Omio (buses).
• Airport transfers: RER B (~€12) to central Paris; taxis from CDG have fixed rates to Right/Left Bank (ask the stand). For flights, compare on Omio, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com.

Optional Add‑Ons (If You Swap a Segment)

• Hop‑On Hop‑Off orientation: Big Bus Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Tour for flexible sightseeing on arrival day.
• Alternative Seine evening: Notre Dame Cathedral: Interior & Exterior Small Group Guided Tour if you prefer a walk instead of a cruise (seasonal options vary).

Restaurant & Café Shortlist (Save for Later)

• Breakfast/Coffee: Fragments (croissants, espresso), Holybelly 5 (hearty breakfasts), La Fontaine de Belleville (Parisian café classics), KB Coffee Roasters (specialty beans), Carette (tea salon pastries).
• Lunch: L’As du Fallafel (iconic pita in the Marais), Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes and cider), Juveniles (seasonal bistro near Palais Royal), Kunitoraya (udon comfort), Marché des Enfants Rouges (varied stalls).
• Dinner: Bouillon République or Bouillon Pigalle (value, historic dishes), Le Servan (inventive bistronomy), Clamato (seafood), Bistrot Paul Bert (steak‑frites), Semilla (market menu), Le Comptoir du Relais (Saint‑Germain staple).
• Drinks: Le Mary Celeste (oysters, natural wine), Prescription Cocktail Club (Left Bank cocktails), Le Bar at The Ritz (glam classic for a splurge).

One More Can’t‑Miss (Combo Day Option)

If you’d like to condense the classics into one expertly paced day, consider:

Paris in a Day with Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame & Cruise

Swap this for Day 2 if you prefer a guided “greatest hits” overview.

Daily Meal Ideas by Neighborhood (Quick Reference)

• Saint‑Germain: Breakfast at Poilâne; lunch at Semilla; dinner at Le Comptoir; drinks at Prescription.
• Marais: Coffee at The Broken Arm; lunch at Breizh Café or L’As du Fallafel; dinner at Le Mary Celeste/Verjus wine bar.
• Montmartre: Breakfast at Hardware Société Paris; lunch at Le Coq & Fils (rotisserie focus); dinner at Bouillon Pigalle.

Final tip: Museums close one day weekly (the Louvre is typically closed Tuesday); book time‑slots early, especially for Versailles and the Eiffel Tower.

At‑a‑Glance Viator Experiences Used in This Itinerary

• Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access — see link and image above.
• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift — see link and image above.
• Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris — see link and image above.
• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise — see link and image above.

In five days you’ll collect the Paris essentials—masterpieces, river light, neighborhood cafés—plus a royal interlude at Versailles. Return home with a camera roll of icons and the addresses you’ll recommend to friends.