Paris has always been a city of reinvention. From medieval Île de la Cité to Haussmann’s grand boulevards, each era chiseled something enduring—cathedrals, palaces, museums, cafés—into the city’s everyday life. Today you move through living history: stand beneath Notre-Dame’s vaults, study brushstrokes that changed art at the Musée d’Orsay, and watch the Seine turn gold at sunset.

Between great monuments are the rituals that make Paris addictive. Morning croissants that shatter when you bite. Zinc-topped bars serving crisp white wines with a plate of oysters. Simple bistros where a perfect roast chicken eclipses any tasting menu. This itinerary balances icons with local favorites so you never feel rushed—only delighted.

Practical notes: book timed-entry for major sights (Eiffel Tower, Louvre) well ahead. Keep an eye on museum closing days (Louvre Tue; Orsay Mon; Versailles Mon). Expect crowds around peak seasons and stay alert for pickpockets on transit. Paper metro tickets are largely phased out—use Navigo Easy or contactless.

Paris

Paris rewards explorers. Cross the Pont Neuf to Île de la Cité, peek at stained glass in Sainte-Chapelle, then chase pastries through Le Marais and Saint‑Germain. In the 18th, Montmartre’s stairways lead to artists’ studios and the white basilica of Sacré‑Cœur. Along the Seine, museums and bookstalls trade places with gardens where locals linger.

• Top sights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte‑Chapelle, Notre‑Dame, Montmartre, Canal Saint‑Martin, Le Marais, Luxembourg Gardens, Palais‑Royal, Opéra Garnier.
• Food highlights: buttery croissants at Boulangerie Poilâne; galettes at Breizh Café; classic steak-frites at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte; old‑school bistro cooking at Bistrot Paul Bert; casual feasts at Bouillon Pigalle or Bouillon République; falafel at L’As du Fallafel; oysters with Muscadet at Le Mary Celeste.
• Cafés and coffee: KB Coffee Roasters (South Pigalle), Telescope (1st), Boot Café (Marais), La Fontaine de Belleville (10th), Holybelly (10th) for brunch done right.

Where to stay (curated picks): For classic five-star splendor, consider The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, or The Peninsula Paris. Boutique gems include Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, and Hotel du College de France. Excellent value: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Generator Paris, or the 7th’s beloved Hôtel du Champ de Mars.

Browse wide options here: Hotels.com: Paris stays and VRBO: Paris apartments.

Getting to/around Paris: From outside Europe, compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Within Europe, check Omio flights, Omio trains, and Omio buses. CDG–central Paris: RER B (~35–45 min, ~€11.45) or taxi (flat ~€56 Right Bank/~€65 Left Bank). ORY: OrlyBus to Denfert‑Rochereau (30–40 min) or taxi (~€35–€41). Get a Navigo Easy (pay‑as‑you‑go) or a weekly Navigo Découverte (zones 1–5, around €30) if you’ll ride often.

Day 1: Arrival, Left Bank Stroll, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Travel day. If arriving early, drop bags and shake off jet lag with a gentle walk through the Jardin du Luxembourg—watch locals play pétanque and peek into the Medici Fountain’s reflections.

Afternoon: Check in, then explore Saint‑Germain backstreets: Boulevard Saint‑Germain to rue Bonaparte and the church of Saint‑Sulpice. Coffee at Telescope or Café de Flore (historic, lively). Pastry stop at Boulangerie Poilâne for a still‑warm apple turnover.

Evening: Celebrate night one with a glass‑canopy dinner cruise—Paris’s bridges and monuments glow after dark.

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

Expect classic dishes (think duck confit, seasonal fish) and picture‑perfect views of Notre‑Dame, the Louvre façade, and the Eiffel Tower’s sparkle.

Day 2: Île de la Cité, Sainte‑Chapelle, Latin Quarter, Jazz

Morning: Croissant and café crème at La Maison d’Isabelle (award‑winning croissants) near the Sorbonne. Walk the Pont Saint‑Michel to Île de la Cité for Sainte‑Chapelle’s kaleidoscopic stained glass. Visit Notre‑Dame (interiors reopened; expect security checks).

Afternoon: Cross to Île Saint‑Louis for Berthillon ice cream (seasonal) and quiet streets lined with galleries. Lunch at Le Trumilou (old‑school bistro on the Seine; try duck with prunes). Browse Shakespeare and Company across the river, then meander the Latin Quarter’s Roman lanes.

Evening: Dinner in the Latin Quarter: Le Coupe‑Chou (17th‑century rooms, hearty French classics) or Le Buisson Ardent (cozy, refined). Finish with live jazz at Caveau de la Huchette—swing dancers may pull you in.

Day 3: The Louvre, Tuileries, Palais‑Royal, and Opera

Morning: Join a focused tour to see the Louvre’s masterpieces without wandering for hours:

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access

You’ll hit the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo, plus learn to read Renaissance symbolism. Afterward, decompress in the Tuileries Garden.

Afternoon: Cross to Palais‑Royal for column photos and a quiet courtyard. Duck into covered passages (Galerie Vivienne) for bookstores and wine shops. Coffee at Café Kitsuné or a chic goûter at Angelina (try the Mont‑Blanc).

Evening: Budget‑friendly feast at Bouillon Chartier (Belle Époque room, swift service—snails, steak‑frites, chocolate mousse). Nightcap at Harry’s New York Bar (classic cocktails) or Juveniles (wine bar with small plates).

Day 4: Montmartre’s Village Life and Paris by Night

Morning: Espresso and a cardamom bun at Pain Pain on rue des Martyrs, then climb to Sacré‑Cœur for the city’s grandest free view. Wander Place du Tertre’s artists, peek at the tiny vineyard (Clos Montmartre), and find the “Wall of Love” at Square Jehan Rictus.

Afternoon: Lunch at La Maison Rose (a century of artists’ gossip; book ahead) or Le Pantruche (bistronomy in the 9th). Explore the Musée de la Vie Romantique’s garden for tea, or browse fabric streets around Marché Saint‑Pierre.

Evening: Dinner at Le Moulin de la Galette (heritage windmill setting) or Seb’On (seasonal tasting menu without attitude). Classic cabaret? Moulin Rouge or Au Lapin Agile for chanson history—book early.

Day 5: Versailles Day Trip (Palace, Gardens, Fountains)

Spend a day in the gilded world of Louis XIV—Hall of Mirrors, sprawling gardens, and the hamlet of Marie‑Antoinette. Logistics are handled for you on this guided excursion (Versailles is closed Mondays):

Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris

Tip: If staying independent, RER C from central Paris takes ~35–45 minutes; budget extra time for security. In garden season, look for Musical Fountains shows on select days.

Day 6: Orsay, Eiffel Tower, and the 7th Arrondissement

Morning: Breakfast at Kozy Bosquet or the rue Cler market street (pick up cheeses at La Fromagerie, fruit, and a baguette). Dive into Impressionism at the Musée d’Orsay—Monet’s haystacks, Degas’s dancers—inside a grand Beaux‑Arts station.

Afternoon: Ascend the Iron Lady with timed access to keep queues minimal:

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

Stroll the Champ de Mars afterward and photograph the tower from Trocadéro. Pastry interlude at Carette on Place du Trocadéro or Aux Merveilleux de Fred.

Evening: Dinner with Left Bank soul: Chez L’Ami Jean (Basque energy, intense flavors) or Les Cocottes (modern French in cast‑iron pans). For a view, Les Ombres atop the Quai Branly museum glows under the tower’s lights. Cocktails at Little Red Door or Le Syndicat.

Day 7: Le Marais Markets and Canal Saint‑Martin (Departure Day)

Morning: Coffee at Boot Café (tiny, photogenic) or La Fontaine de Belleville (neo‑bistrot vibes). Wander Le Marais: Place des Vosges arcades, the free Musée Carnavalet (Paris history), and window‑shop rue des Francs‑Bourgeois. Brunchy galettes at Breizh Café (buckwheat crêpes, cider in bolées).

Afternoon: Last stroll along Canal Saint‑Martin’s iron footbridges; browse Artazart design bookstore. Quick lunch at Holybelly (pancakes and eggs done right) or a picnic from Du Pain & des Idées’ neighbors if lines are long. Head back to your hotel for transfer to airport or station. If you still have time before departing, a one‑hour cruise is a relaxing farewell:

Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens (great with kids and first‑timers).

Optional “Paris in One Swing” Day (if you swap days)

If you’d rather condense highlights with a guide, consider:

Paris in a Day with Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame & Cruise — an efficient alternative to Days 2–3 and 6. Note you can mix and match elements from this itinerary to suit museum closing days.

Booking shortcuts

• Flights/trains: Omio flights (Europe), Omio trains (Europe), Omio buses, Trip.com flights (intercontinental), Kiwi.com flights.
• Hotels/apartments: Hotels.com: Paris | VRBO: Paris.
• Timed tickets used above: Louvre tour, Eiffel Tower access, Seine dinner cruise, and Versailles guided day from Paris.

Restaurant map for the week (swap as needed)

• Classic bistros: Bistrot Paul Bert (11th), Chez Georges (2nd), Le Comptoir du Relais (6th).
• Trendy wine + small plates: Frenchie Bar à Vins (2nd), Septime La Cave (11th), Le Barav (3rd).
• Affordable French: Bouillon Pigalle (9th), Bouillon République (11th).
• Seafood + oysters: Le Mary Celeste (3rd), L’Ecume Saint‑Honoré (1st).
• Street eats: L’As du Fallafel (4th), Miznon (Marais), Marche des Enfants Rouges (food stalls).
• Sweets: Stohrer (oldest patisserie in Paris), Blé Sucré (legendary madeleines), Jacques Genin (caramels).

The 4 bookable experiences featured in this plan

• Dinner on the Seine: Bateaux Parisiens
• Louvre highlights tour: Masterpieces Guided Tour
• Eiffel Tower timed access: Reserved Access by Lift
• Day trip: Versailles Palace & Gardens Tour

With a smart mix of headline sights, neighborhood strolls, and appetite‑worthy cafés, this 7‑day Paris itinerary leaves room for spontaneity. You’ll come home with the city’s rhythm in your step—and a shortlist of places you can’t wait to revisit.