Paris has been enchanting travelers for centuries with its revolutionary art, café culture, and grand urban design. From medieval Île de la Cité to Haussmann’s boulevards and today’s vibrant creative scenes, the city constantly reinvents itself—without losing the romance that made it famous.

Expect masterpieces at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, the shimmer of the Eiffel Tower, and the frescoed jewel-box of Sainte-Chapelle. As of 2025, Notre-Dame’s interior is open again, restored after the 2019 fire—an emotional highlight for many visitors.

Practical notes: the Metro is fast and safe; buy a reusable Navigo Easy card for tap-in fares. Many museums close one day a week (e.g., Louvre on Tuesdays, Orsay on Mondays). Pack comfortable shoes, book key tickets ahead, and leave time to linger over long, delicious meals—this is Paris, after all.

Paris

Paris rewards curiosity. Wander Le Marais for galleries and indie boutiques, pause for jazz-age echoes in Saint‑Germain, then watch the city turn gold from the banks of the Seine. Food lovers can spend days chasing perfect croissants, crêpes, oysters, and market-fresh bistro classics.

• Top sights: Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Notre‑Dame, Sainte‑Chapelle, Montmartre & Sacré‑Cœur, Luxembourg Gardens, Palais Royal, Place des Vosges, Canal Saint‑Martin.
• Neighborhood vibes: Le Marais (boutiques and bakeries), Left Bank/Saint‑Germain (bookshops and cafés), 7th (Eiffel views and markets), 18th (artsy Montmartre), 10th/11th (natural wine and creative dining).

Where to stay (handpicked, with reliable transport access):

• The Ritz Paris (Place Vendôme icon; old‑world glamour, legendary Bar Hemingway).
• Le Meurice (art‑loving palace opposite the Tuileries; Dalí touches and two‑star dining).
• Hôtel Plaza Athénée (avenue Montaigne couture address; Eiffel Tower peeks, refined service).
• The Peninsula Paris (rooftop views, spacious rooms; easy Arc de Triomphe access).
• Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (fashionable 2nd arrondissement hideaway; great for night owls).
• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (romantic, steps from Sacré‑Cœur; perfect for bohemian strolls).
• Hotel du College de France (Latin Quarter value near the Sorbonne and Panthéon).
• Generator Paris (design‑forward hostel with private rooms; budget‑friendly).
• Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (modern, family‑friendly; handy for TGV connections).
• Hôtel du Champ de Mars (cosy stay steps from Rue Cler’s food market).

Browse more stays: VRBO Paris apartments | Hotels.com Paris

Getting to Paris (bookable options):

• From Europe: high‑speed trains (e.g., London–Paris ~2h16; Brussels–Paris ~1h22; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20). Compare and book on Omio trains. Intra‑Europe flights are also available via Omio flights.
• From North America/Asia: search competitive fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Airport to city: RER B train to central Paris takes ~35 minutes; taxis have a fixed fare to Left Bank/Right Bank. Pickpockets target crowded spots—keep bags zipped and in front of you.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and Saint‑Germain

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs across Île de la Cité: step inside the newly reopened Notre‑Dame to admire the gleaming vaults and oak spire, then bask in Sainte‑Chapelle’s radiant 13th‑century stained glass. Wander the flower market and the medieval lanes of the Latin Quarter.

Evening: Dine in Saint‑Germain. Try Allard for classic duck and profiteroles, or Fish La Boissonnerie for a lighter, market‑driven menu. For a nightcap, slip into Bar Hemingway at the Ritz (arrive early or be patient)—a Paris cocktail legend with literary lore.

Day 2: Royal axis, Tuileries, and the Louvre

Morning: Coffee among the colonnades of Palais‑Royal at Café Kitsuné, then stroll the manicured Tuileries Garden toward the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Pop into the arcades and peek at Colette’s former haunts and contemporary boutiques.

Afternoon: Explore the world’s most visited museum with a focused, guide‑led route that brings the highlights to life.

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access

Evening: Feast at Bouillon Chartier (since 1896) for retro dining halls, brisk service, and bargain French classics—arrive early to avoid a queue. Afterwards, sip a French 75 at Harry’s New York Bar or a signature at Experimental Cocktail Club in the lively Grands Boulevards district.

Day 3: Left Bank meander and the Eiffel Tower

Morning: Start at Poilâne on rue du Cherche‑Midi for butter‑rich breads and apple tartlets; pair with third‑wave coffee at Coutume. Browse Saint‑Germain bookshops, then cross the esplanade of Les Invalides toward the 7th’s elegant streets.

Afternoon: Head up Paris’s “Iron Lady” with timed, reserved access to skip long general lines and hear stories of its 1889 debut and daring engineering.

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

Evening: Picnic on the Champ‑de‑Mars (grab cheeses from Fromagerie Marie‑Anne Cantin and a baguette from nearby bakeries) or book a table at Chez L’Ami Jean for robust Basque flavors. For late drinks, head to Le Syndicat, a stylish temple to French spirits.

Day 4: Montmartre, Sacré‑Cœur, and a Seine dinner cruise

Morning: Climb the cobbles of Montmartre. Fuel up at Pain Pain (award‑winning baguettes and lemon tarts), then visit Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping city views. Seek out the quiet vineyard at Clos Montmartre and the Place du Tertre artists’ square.

Afternoon: Dip into the Musée de la Vie Romantique’s intimate garden café or scout indie shops along rue des Martyrs. If you love cabaret history, snap the façade of Le Lapin Agile, a haunt of Picasso and poets.

Evening: Celebrate with an elegant dinner cruise—glass‑canopy boats glide past the Louvre, Notre‑Dame, and glittering bridges while you dine to live music.

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

Day 5: Versailles day trip

Morning: Travel to Versailles (RER C from central Paris, ~35–45 minutes) or opt for a guided coach + skip‑the‑line experience. Inside the Sun King’s palace, marvel at the Hall of Mirrors, then stroll André Le Nôtre’s formal gardens and musical fountains (seasonal).

From Paris: Versailles Palace Live Tour with Gardens Access

Afternoon: Lunch on the grounds at La Petite Venise or Angelina’s Versailles salon. If time allows, rent bikes or a rowboat on the Grand Canal; visit the Petit Trianon and Marie‑Antoinette’s hamlet.

Evening: Back in Paris, settle in at Chez Janou near Place des Vosges for Provençal plates and a legendary chocolate mousse. Linger over a digestif at Le Barav or Little Red Door (inventive cocktails, intimate vibe).

Day 6: Le Marais to Canal Saint‑Martin

Morning: Start at Boulangerie Utopie (award‑winning charcoal‑sesame baguette) and Ten Belles for excellent espresso. Explore Le Marais: Place des Vosges arcades, the Maison de Victor Hugo apartment, and the insightful Musée Carnavalet (Paris history).

Afternoon: Browse indie labels and vintage dens along rue Vieille‑du‑Temple and rue de Turenne. Lunch at Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes, cider flights) or Miznon (Israeli street food; order the whole roasted cauliflower).

Evening: Book a coveted table at Septime (tasting menus that define modern Paris dining) or go for perfect steak‑frites at Bistrot Paul Bert. Nightcap by the canal at Le Comptoir Général or stroll Quai de Valmy with ice cream.

Day 7: Markets, Impressionists, and au revoir

Morning: If it’s a market day, roam Marché d’Aligre for cheese, charcuterie, and seasonal fruit; grab coffee at Café Méricourt nearby. Otherwise, wander Luxembourg Gardens and the Panthéon quarter, picking up macarons from Pierre Hermé.

Afternoon: Immerse yourself in the Impressionist and Post‑Impressionist greats at Musée d’Orsay (closed Mondays). Lunch on site at Café Campana (by the giant clock) before a final Seine walk. Depart in the afternoon—bag filled with treats from Stohrer or Des Gâteaux et du Pain for the journey.

Evening: If your flight is later, consider a last stroll through the covered passages (Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas) and a simple, joyful send‑off dinner at Bouillon Pigalle.

Coffee, breakfast, lunch, and dinner cheat‑sheet (save for any day): Fragments (micro‑roastery and cinnamon buns), Holybelly 5 (hearty brunch), La Maison d’Isabelle (award‑winning croissants), Breizh Café (crêpes), Bouillon Chartier/Pigalle (classic, affordable French), Le Servan (creative bistro), Clamato (seafood small plates), Frenchie Bar à Vins (walk‑in friendly), Le Mary Celeste (oysters + cocktails).

Good to know: Book marquee tickets (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, dinner cruise, Versailles) well in advance. Carry a small umbrella and a lightweight scarf; Paris weather shifts quickly. For Metro, a Navigo Easy card plus 10-ride recharge is cost‑effective for a week of sightseeing.

Optional Add‑Ons (if you have extra time)

• Notre‑Dame & Île de la Cité in‑depth walking tour, Conciergerie, and Sainte‑Chapelle’s upper chapel at golden hour.
• Day trips: Reims (Champagne houses), Giverny (Monet’s gardens, in season), or Normandy WWII sites (long day but unforgettable).

Paris gives generously to travelers who mix the must‑see with the meandering. In seven days you’ll collect great art, neighborhood rituals, and the flavors that define the city’s daily life—from croissants at dawn to glittering bridges at night. Bon voyage, and à bientôt.