Paris began as Roman Lutetia and evolved into a capital of revolutions, salons, and style. Haussmann’s 19th-century boulevards still guide the flow of cafés and conversations, while the Seine stitches together palaces, museums, and bridges as if it were a gallery of light.

The city’s 20 arrondissements spiral like a snail shell—each with its own rhythm. The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are world stages, the Eiffel Tower is the perennial curtain call, and Notre-Dame once again welcomes visitors after its painstaking restoration.

Practical notes: reserve major sights in advance (Eiffel, Louvre, Versailles), learn a few French phrases, and plan around weekly museum closures. The Metro is fast, safe, and the easiest way to hop between neighborhoods—and yes, the croissants really do taste better in the morning.

Paris

Paris rewards curiosity. Beyond the icons, wander along Canal Saint-Martin at golden hour, stalk the covered passages near the Grands Boulevards, and let the Marais or the Latin Quarter pull you into their webs of bakeries, wine bars, and bookshops.

Top highlights include the Louvre’s masterpieces, the Impressionists at the Musée d’Orsay, stained-glass radiance at Sainte-Chapelle, and city panoramas from Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur. Evenings come alive along the Seine—consider a dinner cruise to watch the city light up like a stage set.

• Where to stay (curated picks across budgets):
  • Iconic stays with polish: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris.
  • Boutique favorites: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hôtel du Temps, Hotel du College de France, Hôtel des Arts Bastille, Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
  • Great value: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Generator Paris.
  • Browse more stays: VRBO Paris | Hotels.com Paris
• Getting there (and around):
  • Flights to Paris: From NYC ~7.5–8 hrs; from LAX ~10.5–11.5 hrs. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
  • Trains in Europe: London–Paris (Eurostar) ~2h16; Brussels–Paris ~1h22; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20. Check schedules and prices on Omio Trains or buses via Omio Buses. Flights within Europe: Omio Flights.
  • Airports to city: CDG–Center by RER B (~35–45 min), Orly via OrlyBus or Orlyval+RER (~30–45 min). A carnet or a reloadable Navigo Easy card helps save on Metro rides.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and Le Marais

Morning: Travel to Paris. If arriving early, drop bags at your hotel and freshen up. Grab a first espresso at La Fontaine de Belleville—classic zinc counter, swing-era soundtrack, and textbook croissants.

Afternoon: Start where Paris began: Île de la Cité. Step inside the restored Notre-Dame to admire the reborn organ and vaults; then cross to Sainte-Chapelle for stained glass that glows like a jeweled lantern. Pause at Café Saint-Régis for a tartine and people-watching on the island’s corner.

Evening: Stroll the Seine toward the Marais. Dinner ideas: Breizh Café for buckwheat galettes (try the “complète” with farm egg and ham) and salted-butter caramel crêpes; or Robert et Louise for a rustic wood-fire grilled côte de bœuf. Drinks afterward at Little Red Door (inventive cocktails; seasonal menus) or Candelaria (tacos in front, speakeasy bar behind a white door).

Day 2: Left Bank Icons, Musée d’Orsay, Eiffel Tower, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Wander Saint‑Germain-des-Prés. Breakfast at Carette (Trocadéro or Place des Vosges locations) for impeccable pastries and hot chocolate; or go modern at Coutume for filter coffee and eggs en cocotte. Explore the Luxembourg Gardens—parisians jog past the Medici Fountain, children sail toy boats across the basin.

Afternoon: Cross the river to the Musée d’Orsay to meet the Impressionists under the museum’s grand clock. Walk through the Tuileries to Place de la Concorde, then along the Seine toward the Eiffel Tower. Late afternoon ascent with timed entry:

• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift — smooth entry and context from a guide; budget ~€35–€60 depending on level and inclusions.

  

Evening: Celebrate with a dinner cruise—glass-canopy boats glide past the Louvre, Orsay, and glittering bridges while live music sets the mood:

• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise — 2–3 hours, seasonal menus, prime views of the illuminated Eiffel Tower.

  

Prefer to dine on land first? Near the Tower, La Fontaine de Mars (old-school bistro classics) and Le Petit Cler (neighborhood café on a market street) are solid, friendly choices. For a late-night viewpoint, Trocadéro’s esplanade frames the Iron Lady at her sparkling best (on the hour).

Day 3: The Louvre and Historic Paris

Morning: Fuel up with a flat white at Télescope (near Palais-Royal) and enter the Louvre early to beat the crowds. A focused tour brings the monolith to life:

• Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access — see the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo with an expert guide; plan ~2–3 hours.

  

Afternoon: Wander the Palais-Royal gardens (arcades, striped Buren columns) and the covered passages—Passage des Panoramas and Galerie Vivienne—for antique bookshops and old-world cafés. Consider a self-guided peek at the Opéra Garnier, a gilded fantasia that inspired Phantom of the Opera.

Evening: Explore foodie Rue Montorgueil. Options: Frenchie Bar à Vins (walk-in small plates like roasted cauliflower with parmesan and capers), Au Pied de Cochon (onion soup and late-night brasserie energy), or Bistrot Victoires (affordable steak-frites and duck confit). Cocktails at Experimental Cocktail Club—one of the bars that kickstarted Paris’s craft scene.

Day 4: Versailles Half-Day and Montmartre Sunsets

Morning: Venture to the royal seat. The palace’s Hall of Mirrors, manicured parterres, and musical fountains (seasonal) tell the story of absolute monarchy in panoramic fashion. Doors open early; Mondays are typically closed—plan accordingly.

• Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris — small-group logistics, priority entry; expect ~4–5 hours door-to-door.

  

Afternoon: Return to the Right Bank and head up to Montmartre. Pause at KB Coffee Roasters on Rue des Martyrs, then climb to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping city views. Trace artists’ footsteps around Place du Tertre and hunt for quiet lanes like Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Villa Léandre.

Evening: Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle—democratic prices, Belle Époque vibe, and comforting fare (œufs mayo, boeuf bourguignon). For something finer, Le Bon Georges in the 9th nails classic French dishes with serious sourcing. Nightcap options: Le Syndicat (French spirits–driven cocktails) or a jazz spin at Caveau de la Huchette.

Day 5: Markets, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Browse Marché d’Aligre, a lively mix of open-air stalls and the Beauvau covered market; pick up cheeses (Comté, Saint-Nectaire), charcuterie, and seasonal fruit. For pastries, detour to Blé Sucré nearby—their orange-blossom madeleines and glossy millefeuille are worth the pilgrimage.

Afternoon: Take a final stroll along Canal Saint‑Martin (Ten Belles for one last coffee) or through the Latin Quarter’s bookshops—Shakespeare & Company remains a literary rite of passage. Grab a quick crêpe at Breizh Café (Odéon) or a falafel sandwich at L’As du Fallafel if you’re near the Marais, then head to the airport or station. CDG by RER B is ~35–45 minutes; Eurostar check‑in at Gare du Nord usually 60–90 minutes pre‑departure. For transport options and tickets, compare on Omio Trains or Omio Flights; long-haul flight searches: Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Good to know: Weekly closures matter—Louvre (Tuesday), Orsay (Monday), and many restaurants on Sundays/Mondays. Reserve the Eiffel Tower sunset slot 3–6 weeks out in peak season, and book dining-heavy spots (Frenchie, Le Bon Georges) in advance. On transit, a Navigo Easy card or a day pass keeps Metro costs predictable.

Included Viator experiences in this plan:

• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access (Day 2)
• Bateaux Parisiens Dinner Cruise (Day 2)
• Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour (Day 3)
• Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris (Day 4)

Five days in Paris blend headline sights with neighborhood nuance—from stained glass and museum marbles to pâtisserie windows and twilight bridges. Return with a camera full of light, a pocketful of metro stubs, and a shortlist of places you’ll promise to revisit.