Paris blends Roman ruins, medieval islands, and grand boulevards into a city made for wandering. From the Gothic rebirth of Notre-Dame to Impressionist masterpieces and contemporary galleries, it is a living museum where every bridge, passage, and café tells a story.

Across five days you’ll trace the Seine, stand under the Eiffel Tower, linger in the Louvre, and climb up to Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur. Expect market lunches, bistro dinners, and an evening floating past illuminated monuments on the river.

Practical notes: museums often close Monday or Tuesday (the Louvre closes Tuesdays; Orsay closes Mondays), so shuffle days if needed. Pickpockets target busy areas—keep valuables secure. The Navigo Easy card makes metro and bus travel simple; tap in, tap out, and you’re on your way.

Paris

Paris is a city of neighborhoods: Saint‑Germain’s literary cafés, Le Marais’ galleries and falafel lines, Canal Saint‑Martin’s indie boutiques, and Montmartre’s stair-stepped lanes. Spend mornings in museums, afternoons on market streets, and evenings in bistros or jazz caves.

• Top sights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre‑Dame Cathedral (reopened 2024), Musée d’Orsay, Tuileries & Luxembourg Gardens, Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre & Sacré‑Cœur, Sainte‑Chapelle, Musée Rodin.
• Unmissable experiences: Seine River cruise, a guided Louvre visit, sunset from Trocadéro, crêpes or galettes at a Breton address, and a half‑day at Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors and gardens.
• Food and drink: buttery croissants, buckwheat galettes, steak‑frites, oysters, natural wine bars, and award‑winning pâtisseries. Book sought-after spots or go early for walk‑in counters.

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• Iconic luxury: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris.
• Stylish boutiques: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel du Temps, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hôtel des Arts Bastille, Hotel du College de France, Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
• Great value/family: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Generator Paris, or scan VRBO Paris stays and Hotels.com Paris hotels.

How to get to Paris (book transport):

• Flights to CDG/ORY: compare fares on Omio (flights). Intra‑Europe flights often range ~$60–$200; CDG is ~45–75 minutes by RER B or taxi to central Paris.
• Trains: check Omio (trains) for Eurostar/TGV/ICE. London–Paris ~2h20; Brussels–Paris ~1h22; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20. Typical fares ~$60–$180 if booked early.
• Buses: budget options on Omio (buses) connect major European cities to Paris, often the cheapest but slowest.

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

Afternoon: Arrive and check into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a gentle stroll around Île de la Cité: see Notre‑Dame’s restored interior, then cross to Île Saint‑Louis for a scoop at Berthillon and river views. Pause at Place Dauphine for an espresso and a round of pétanque watching.

Evening: For a first taste of Parisian bistro life, consider Saint‑Germain staples: steak‑frites at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (no reservations; quick turnover), seafood platters at Huguette, or small plates at Frenchie Bar à Vins (go early for a spot). Then board a glass‑canopy boat for a gourmet cruise—Eiffel Tower, Grand Palais, and Notre‑Dame glide by in lights.

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise (typical from ~€95–€150).

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Tuileries, and the Eiffel Tower

Morning: Fuel up with a pistachio “escargot” pastry at Du Pain et des Idées or a flat white at Fringe Coffee. Then head to the world’s largest museum with a guide who brings context and shortcuts to the hits—and the hidden gems.

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access (often ~€60–€85; closed Tuesdays—swap days if needed).

Afternoon: Cross the Tuileries Gardens to Monet’s water lilies at the Musée de l’Orangerie, then browse arcades at Place Vendôme and rue Saint‑Honoré. Lunch options nearby: Bistrot Vivienne for classic onion soup and tartare, or light bites and a glass of Sancerre at Verjus Bar à Vins.

Evening: Time your ascent for golden hour or blue hour at the Iron Lady with reserved entry by lift. Toast the view after at a Trocadéro terrace or keep it casual with a bistro on rue Cler—Le Petit Cler (hearty daily specials) or Café du Marché (affordable set menus).

Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift (commonly ~€45–€75 depending on level and guide).

Day 3: Montmartre Heights, Passages, and Cocktails

Morning: Brunch at Holybelly 5 (pancakes, poached eggs, specialty coffee) or grab a croissant at Pain Pain (award‑winning in Montmartre). Wander cobblestone lanes past the “I Love You Wall,” artists of Place du Tertre, and the white basilica of Sacré‑Cœur—don’t miss the apse mosaics and the panoramic steps.

Afternoon: Head toward Opéra for a self‑guided tour of the Palais Garnier’s grand staircase and Chagall ceiling. Drift through the 19th‑century covered passages—Passage des Panoramas, Jouffroy, and Verdeau—for antiquarian books, stamp shops, and tea at Le Valentin. Late lunch at Bouillon Pigalle (efficient, budget‑friendly French classics) or roast chicken at Le Coq & Fils.

Evening: Dinner in Le Marais: Chez Janou (Provençal flavors and a beloved chocolate mousse), Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes with Bordier butter), or the seafood-forward Clamato (no reservations; arrive early). For a nightcap, choose innovative cocktails at Le Syndicat (French spirits) or Little Red Door (inventive menus and seasonal ingredients).

Day 4: Versailles Splendor, Rodin’s Garden, and Jazz

Morning: Start with a prize‑winning croissant at La Maison d’Isabelle near the Latin Quarter. Then venture to the Sun King’s palace on a guided experience that streamlines transport and tickets and covers the Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments, and garden history.

Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris (commonly ~€80–€120; allow ~4–5 hours total).

Afternoon: Back in Paris, decompress at the Musée Rodin’s sculpture garden—think The Thinker among roses—then stroll to Les Invalides. Snack ideas: picnic supplies from rue Cler (cheese, baguette, strawberries) or a café lunch at the Rodin garden.

Evening: Classic bistro dinner at Allard (duck for two), Le Bon Georges (carefully sourced French fare), or Bistrot Paul Bert (pepper steak and Paris‑Brest). Cap the night with live music at Duc des Lombards (reservations recommended) or swing dancing under vaulted stone at Caveau de la Huchette.

Day 5: Markets, Le Marais, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Fragments (buttery financiers, excellent espresso) or Café Méricourt (Mediterranean‑leaning brunch). Browse Le Marais’ boutiques and the historic Marché des Enfants Rouges—try a buckwheat galette, Moroccan tagine, or the famed grilled sandwiches at Chez Alain Miam Miam if the line isn’t daunting.

Afternoon (departure day): Squeeze in a final museum—Musée d’Orsay for Degas and Monet—or a riverside ramble from the Pont des Arts to the Louvre’s courtyard before heading out. To the airport: RER B to CDG/ORY (budget‑friendly) or a flat‑fare taxi; for intercity trains or flights beyond Paris, compare schedules and prices on Omio (trains) and Omio (flights).

Optional “All‑in‑One” Day Tour Alternative

If you prefer a single, guided day that strings together icons with pre‑reserved entries, consider a comprehensive tour:

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

Prefer to keep your own pace? Swap in the 1 Day Paris City Tour on River & Land with Louvre Museum ticket.

Practical Tips & Neighborhood Food Shortlist

• Le Marais: L’As du Fallafel (grab‑and‑go), Miznon (Israeli street food), Breizh Café (galettes), wine at La Buvette or natural pours at Le Mary Celeste.
• Saint‑Germain/Latin Quarter: Café de Flore for people‑watching, Le Procope for history, Semper for pastries, and rue Mouffetard for market‑street grazing.
• Canal Saint‑Martin/Oberkampf: Café Oberkampf for shakshuka, Farine&O for viennoiseries, and craft cocktails at CopperBay.
• Sweets trail: Stohrer (oldest pâtisserie), Pierre Hermé (ispahan), Blé Sucré (glazed madeleines).

Bonus: Book or adjust times. The Louvre and Eiffel Tower sell out in peak seasons—reserve your slots early. Keep an eye on strike announcements and check morning museum openings if you need to swap days.

Paris rewards curiosity: peek into courtyards, duck through passages, and follow the smell of butter to your next bakery. With five days, you’ll cover icons and still find your own café stool to claim.