Paris began as a small settlement on the Île de la Cité and grew into Europe’s lighthouse for art, fashion, and ideas. From medieval arches to Haussmann boulevards and cutting-edge galleries, its timeline is etched in stone and glass. This itinerary blends heavyweight sights with local favorites so your week feels both essential and personal.

Expect days filled with the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the Musée d’Orsay, balanced by marchés, pocket-size pâtisseries, and canal-side rambles. You’ll day-trip to Versailles, float past glowing bridges on a Seine River cruise, and explore neighborhoods—from the bohemian Butte of Montmartre to the boutiques of Le Marais.

Practical notes: book timed entries for major museums and the Eiffel Tower. The Paris Metro is fast and safe; carry a Navigo Easy or Navigo Découverte (about €30/week plus card fee) and watch for pickpockets in busy areas. Most cafés welcome solo diners; tap water (carafe d’eau) is free and good.

Paris

Paris is a city of neighborhoods, each with a mood. Montmartre’s steep lanes end at Sacré-Cœur and sweeping views. Le Marais mixes aristocratic mansions with falafel lines and designer windows. The Left Bank layers bookshops, jazz cellars, and the grand Musée d’Orsay within a stroll.

Top sights include the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame (reopened to visitors), Sainte-Chapelle’s stained glass, and the Orsay’s Impressionists. Off the main drag: canal walks by Canal Saint-Martin, covered passages like Galerie Vivienne, and sunset picnics on the Pont des Arts.

• Where to stay: Classic palace hotels, design-forward boutiques, or family-ready apartments—pick by neighborhood vibe and Metro access (lines 1, 4, 7, 9 are especially useful).
• What to eat: Croissants, baguettes tradition, steak-frites, crêpes, seasonal bistronomy, and natural wines. Don’t skip a simple café counter lunch—it’s peak Paris.

Getting there and around

• Flights and trains: For Europe-based flights or trains into Paris (CDG/ORY or major stations like Gare du Nord), compare options on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). From London, the train is about 2h20; from Amsterdam, ~3h20. If arriving from outside Europe, compare global fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights).
• Airport to city: RER B from CDG to central Paris takes ~35–45 minutes (about €11–12); taxis are ~€55–€65 fixed rate to Right/Left Bank. OrlyBus/Orlyval connect Orly in ~30–40 minutes.
• Within Paris: The Metro is frequent; a carnet on a Navigo Easy card cuts per-ride costs. Plan 30 minutes between most central sights.

Where to book accommodations

• Browse apartments on VRBO Paris or hotels on Hotels.com Paris.
• Specific picks: The Ritz Paris (legendary service, Place Vendôme), Le Meurice (art-filled palace near Tuileries), The Peninsula Paris (rooftop views by the Arc), Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (stylish boutique with a beloved bar), Hotel du College de France (value gem in the Latin Quarter), Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (families/convenience), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (artist vibe near Sacré-Cœur), Generator Paris (budget-friendly with social spaces), Hôtel des Arts Bastille, and Hôtel Plaza Athénée.

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

Morning: Fly or train into Paris. If you land early, drop bags at your hotel and refuel at La Fontaine de Belleville (classic bistro coffee, jambon-beurre on tradition) or KB Coffee Roasters (third-wave espresso, lemon loaf).

Afternoon: Walk Île de la Cité: step inside Notre-Dame (now reopened—peek at restored vaults and organ) and the jewel-box windows of Sainte-Chapelle. Cross Pont Neuf to the Left Bank and browse the bouquinistes’ green bookstalls along the Seine.

Evening: Dine in Saint-Germain. Options: Le Comptoir du Relais (beloved for duck confit and terrines; arrive early or expect a queue), Semilla (market-driven small plates), or Crêperie Little Breizh (buckwheat galettes and salted butter caramel crêpes). Nightcap at Prescription Cocktail Club for a refined speakeasy vibe.

Day 2: Louvre, Tuileries, and Covered Passages

Morning: Meet your guide for the Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access (about 2.5–3 hours; typically $60–$100 depending on group size). You’ll see the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo with context that brings the galleries to life.

Afternoon: Picnic in the Tuileries (grab baguette, comté, and fruit from a nearby boulangerie/epicerie), then wander to Palais-Royal’s striped Colonnes de Buren. Duck into Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panoramas for Belle Époque arcades, stationers, and stamp shops.

Evening: Dinner in the 11th: Bistrot Paul Bert for textbook steak-frites and pepper sauce; Septime’s sibling Clamato for seafood small plates (no reservations, try early). For a relaxed option, Bouillon Pigalle serves classic escargots, oeufs mayo, and île flottante at friendly prices.

Day 3: Montmartre Morning and the Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Morning: Coffee at Hardware Société’s former hill rival has shifted, so aim for Dose or Café Lomi for serious beans; then climb Rue Lepic to Sacré-Cœur for the city’s best free panorama. Stroll Rue de l’Abreuvoir to La Maison Rose, and peek into the Musée de la Vie Romantique’s garden café.

Afternoon: Explore SoPi (South Pigalle): patisserie stop at Sébastien Gaudard, and browse indie boutiques along Rue des Martyrs. Rest at Square Louise Michel with a crêpe citron-sucre in hand.

Evening: Time your ascent for golden hour with the Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift (allow ~1.5–2 hours; often $45–$80 depending on level). Guides share construction tales and reveal perfect photo angles.

Post-view, dine nearby: Le Petit Cler (cozy Rue Cler bistro; roast chicken and crème brûlée), Chez l’Ami Jean (Basque-leaning, famed rice pudding), or Thai hotspot Aux 2N (if you crave spice). Walk the Champ de Mars when the Tower sparkles on the hour.

Day 4: Versailles and Left Bank Art

Morning: Head to the Sun King’s court on the Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris (half-day; typically 4–5 hours door-to-door, ~$70–$110). See the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, and formal gardens without wrestling logistics.

Afternoon: Back in Paris, visit the Musée d’Orsay (book timed entry; closed Mondays). Gaze at Monet’s haystacks, Degas’ dancers, and Van Gogh’s starry skies inside a grand Beaux-Arts station.

Evening: Saint-Germain classics: Allard (duck with olives), Brasserie Lipp (brisk service, Alsatian choucroute), or Relais de l’Entrecôte (one-menu steak-sauce-fries). For jazz, slip into Caveau de la Huchette—a vaulted cellar swinging since the 1940s.

Day 5: Le Marais, Jewish Quarter, and the Seine at Blue Hour

Morning: Breakfast at Boot Café (tiny, lovely cappuccinos) or Café Verlet (heritage roaster). Explore Place des Vosges and the Musée Carnavalet for Paris history. Browse the boutiques of Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and concept stores near Rue Vieille du Temple.

Afternoon: Lunch in the Jewish Quarter: L’As du Fallafel (line moves quickly; go for the eggplant-loaded “special”) or Miznon (cauliflower pita). Continue to the Picasso Museum or the National Archives’ tranquil gardens. Sunset stroll along the Seine from Hôtel de Ville to the Île Saint-Louis for Berthillon ice cream.

Evening: Natural wine and small plates at Frenchie Bar à Vins (order the duck foie gras torchon if on), or Le Baratin in Belleville for chef-favorite cooking (think veal, seasonal veg, and serious wines). For cocktails, Le Mary Celeste’s revived bar program turns out inventive sours and spritzes.

Day 6: Latin Quarter, Luxembourg Gardens, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Start with buttery croissants at Du Pain et des Idées (arrive early) or Holybelly for a heartier brunch (savory pancakes with eggs and bacon). Walk the Latin Quarter: Panthéon (great views from the dome), Sorbonne lanes, and Shakespeare and Company bookshop.

Afternoon: Unwind in the Luxembourg Gardens with a green chair and a fountain view. If you’re museum-hopping, consider the Cluny (medieval tapestries, the Lady and the Unicorn) or Saint-Étienne-du-Mont church for a serene pause.

Evening: Dress for the river and board the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise (about 2–2.5 hours; often $90–$160). Glide past the Louvre, Île de la Cité, and the Eiffel Tower as live music underscores the city lights.

Day 7: Canal Saint-Martin, Belleville Views, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Ten Belles by Canal Saint-Martin and a stroll along the locks and iron footbridges. If time allows, climb Parc de Belleville’s terraces for a local view and street art. Brunch option: BigLove Caffè (fluffy ricotta pancakes) or Le Verre Volé for a low-key, market-led lunch.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping for chocolate (Patrick Roger, dark-roasted pralines) or a cheese stop (ask for a vacuum-pack for travel). Depart for the airport or station—plan ~1 hour for CDG by RER/taxi; trains within Europe are easy to compare on Omio (trains) and flights on Omio (flights) or, if intercontinental, Kiwi.com.

Optional swaps and add-ons

• Prefer more art? Swap in the Orsay or add a timed ticket: Musée d’Orsay Entry (1.5–3 hours).
• Foodie focus? A guided tasting walk in Montmartre or Notre-Dame area is delicious and educational.

Booking the essentials (quick links)

• Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour
• Eiffel Tower Reserved Access (Top or 2nd Floor)
• Seine River Gourmet Dinner Cruise
• Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour

Insider tips

• Museums: Louvre is closed Tuesdays; Orsay is closed Mondays. Book timed entries for smooth mornings and fewer crowds.
• Metro etiquette: Stand right on escalators; hold doors for exiting passengers first. Keep valuables zipped.
• Dining: Many bistros hold tables for walk-ins at opening; lunch menus often offer the best value. Bouillons are great for hearty classics without the bill shock.

In a week, you’ll have traced Paris from Gothic spires to Impressionist sunbursts, from hilltop Sacré-Cœur to mirrored Versailles salons. The city rewards curiosity—each café stool and side street adds a brushstroke. Keep this guide handy, and Paris will feel both grand and intimate with every step.