Paris has a way of turning everyday moments—ordering a café crème, crossing a stone bridge at dusk—into indelible memories. Founded as a Roman settlement on the Seine, it rose to become Europe’s beating heart of art, fashion, philosophy, and pastry. Today, its grand boulevards and intimate passageways invite you to wander slowly, then linger longer.

Across a week, you’ll see the essentials—the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Île de la Cité—balanced with neighborhood discoveries: a flaky croissant before Sacré‑Cœur, canal-side apéritifs, and a royal detour to Versailles. You’ll also sample classic bistros and modern kitchens, from convivial bouillons to wine bars pouring small producers.

Practical notes: Paris is walkable and well-served by the Métro (t+ tickets about €2–€3 per ride; a weekly Navigo pass is cost-effective if you’ll ride often). Taxis and rideshares are easy; RER B connects Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to the center in ~35–45 minutes, Orly (ORY) in ~30–40 minutes via OrlyVal + RER. Book key entries (Eiffel Tower, Louvre) and dinner favorites ahead.

Paris

Paris is a city of villages. The Left Bank’s Saint‑Germain drifts from bookshops to brasseries, while the Right Bank leaps from the palatial Louvre to the indie spirit of Canal Saint‑Martin. Each arrondissement holds a different rhythm—take time to feel a few.

Top sights include the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte‑Chapelle, and the hilltop basilica of Sacré‑Cœur. Don’t miss street markets (Rue Cler, Marché des Enfants Rouges) and the bouquinistes—green bookstalls that have lined the Seine for centuries.

Dining spans timeless to inventive. Try a classic bouillon for hearty French comfort, a neo‑bistro for seasonal finesse, and a neighborhood wine bar for fromage and charcuterie. For coffee, Paris now shines: seek out third‑wave roasters across the 9th, 10th, and Marais.

How to get to Paris:

• Flights within or to/from Europe: compare on Omio (Flights) for deals into CDG or ORY. Typical nonstop times: London 1h15, Rome 2h10, Barcelona 1h50.
• Flights from outside Europe: search global options on Trip.com (Flights) or Kiwi.com (Flights). From North America expect 7–10 hours nonstop to CDG.
• Trains in Europe: the Eurostar from London (~2h15) and TGV/Thalys from Brussels (~1h22) or Amsterdam (~3h20) via Omio (Trains). Buses are budget-friendly but slower via Omio (Buses).

Where to stay (Paris):

• Luxury icons: Le Meurice, The Ritz Paris, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris. For epic landmarks, world-class service, and central locations.
• Boutique favorites: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (stylish hideaway by the passages), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (village vibe near Abbesses), Hôtel du Temps (intimate 9th), Hotel du College de France (Left Bank value), Hôtel des Arts Bastille (creative 11th). A lovely Left Bank option near Rue Cler: Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
• Good value/families: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (transport hub, larger rooms), Generator Paris (design-led hostel with privates).
• Apartments: browse centrally located flats on VRBO Paris or hotels on Hotels.com Paris.

Day 1 — Arrival, the Seine, and a Sparkling First Night

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive at CDG, take RER B to Saint‑Michel Notre‑Dame (~€12, ~40 minutes) or a taxi (~€55–€65, fixed rate to Right/Left Bank). Drop bags and stretch your legs with a soft walk along Île de la Cité.

Afternoon: Settle near the river. Coffee at Télescope Café (1st) or Matamata (2nd), then stroll the Tuileries to gauge the Louvre’s scale. Early dinner option: Bouillon Julien (Belle Époque room, classic French at friendly prices; reserve if possible) or Breizh Café in Le Marais for buckwheat galettes and cider.

Evening: Celebrate your first night on the water with the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise. Expect glass‑canopy views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre‑Dame, the Louvre, and live music—an atmospheric, jet‑lag‑friendly overview of Paris.

Day 2 — Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter, and the Louvre

Morning: Pastries at La Maison d’Isabelle (award‑winning croissants, 5th), then visit Sainte‑Chapelle for stained‑glass splendor (go early for smaller crowds). Wander the Latin Quarter’s bookshops and the riverside bouquinistes.

Afternoon: Lunch at Le Procope (historic café with Voltaire lore) or Le Pré aux Clercs (polished brasserie). Then take a guided deep‑dive with Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access—a smart way to see the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and Mona Lisa while learning how the royal palace became the world’s most visited museum.

Evening: Cross to Le Marais for apéro at Le Mary Celeste (oysters, creative cocktails) or wine at Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels. Dinner ideas: Chez Janou (Provençal, famed chocolate mousse), L’As du Fallafel (casual, iconic pita), or Miznon (inventive Israeli plates). Finish with Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint‑Louis.

Day 3 — Montmartre Mornings and Grand Boulevards

Morning: Coffee at KB Coffee Roasters (9th) and a warm baguette from Le Grenier à Pain Abbesses. Climb to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping views, then meander past Place du Tertre and the tiny Clos Montmartre vineyard. Peek at Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Le Mur des Je t’aime.

Afternoon: Descend toward Opéra. Window‑shop the covered passages (Passage Jouffroy, Passage des Panoramas), then ride the elevator to Galeries Lafayette’s rooftop terrace for a free panorama of Paris’ mansard roofs. Lunch nearby at Bouillon Chartier (a Paris institution since 1896) or Cravan’s new outpost for a refined cocktail and light bite.

Evening: Casual dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (quick-moving line, stick to steak‑frites, œufs mayo, and île flottante) or try Le Pantruche (classic bistro fare with finesse). For jazz, book Le Duc des Lombards; for a late drink, slip into Harry’s New York Bar—a century of cocktails behind an unassuming door.

Day 4 — Versailles Day Trip + Saint‑Germain Evening

Morning: Take a guided half‑day with Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris to streamline trains, tickets, and the palace route. Expect the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, and André Le Nôtre’s manicured gardens. Independent option: RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (~35–45 minutes; ~€4–€5 each way).

Afternoon: Return to Paris and decompress in the Luxembourg Gardens—chestnut alleys, Medici Fountain, toy sailboats on the bassin. Coffee at Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots for a classic Left Bank moment.

Evening: Dinner in Saint‑Germain: Le Comptoir du Relais (beloved bistro; book ahead) or Semilla (market‑driven plates). Nightcap at Prescription Cocktail Club or artisanal scoops at Grom if you prefer sweet over spirit.

Day 5 — Left Bank Art, Rodin’s Garden, and the Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Morning: Musée d’Orsay’s Impressionists shine in natural light—arrive at opening for Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh. Walk to the Rodin Museum to stroll among bronzes—The Thinker, The Gates of Hell—in peaceful gardens.

Afternoon: Lunch at Café Varenne (classic Left Bank bistro) or Coutume for third‑wave coffee and light fare. Wander the Seine’s Right Bank quays toward the Champs‑de‑Mars, pausing at the Pont Alexandre III for one of the city’s best photo spots.

Evening: Time your ascent for golden hour with Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift. Your host streamlines entry; the summit, if selected, offers a bird’s‑eye map of everywhere you’ve walked this week. Afterward, dinner at Café Constant (comfort French) or Le Violon d’Ingres (Michelin‑starred classic).

Day 6 — Canal Saint‑Martin, Markets, and Natural Wine

Morning: Brunch at Holybelly 5 (pancakes, savory specials, serious coffee) near Canal Saint‑Martin. Wander the iron footbridges and lock gates; browse indie shops along Rue de Marseille and Rue Beaurepaire.

Afternoon: Head to Marché des Enfants Rouges (since 1615) for a grazing lunch—Moroccan couscous, Japanese bento, or Sicilian panelle—then explore Le Marais’ boutiques (The Broken Arm, Merci concept store). Coffee at Boot Café (tiny, lovely) or La Caféothèque by the river.

Evening: For a neighborhood dinner, try Le Baratin (Belleville; bistronomy pioneer, superb natural wine list) or Clamato (seafood small plates; walk‑in friendly, go early). Post‑dinner, sip at Le Comptoir Général on the canal—part bar, part curiosity cabinet with tropical vibes.

Day 7 — Morning Treasures and Departure

Morning: Breakfast at Carette (place des Vosges terrace is dreamy) or Stohrer (oldest pâtisserie, founded 1730) for a baba au rhum to remember. Pick up edible souvenirs: Bordier butter at Fromagerie Beillevaire, chocolates at Patrick Roger, or macarons at Pierre Hermé.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Bistrot Victoires (reliably classic, great value) or Breizh Café (savory galettes, caramel crêpes). Depart for the airport: allow ~1 hour to CDG by RER B (more during rush hour); taxis have flat fares and are easiest with luggage.

Evening: If your flight is later, loop the Seine on the Right Bank from the Louvre to Pont Neuf for a farewell walk. Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour after sunset—one last postcard in motion.

Optional add-ons (if you swap a day or extend): Monet’s gardens at Giverny in season (April–October), a gourmet walking tour in Montmartre, or a hands‑on pastry workshop for croissants and pains au chocolat.

Handy links for Paris travel and stays: Omio Trains (Europe), Omio Flights (Europe), Omio Buses (Europe), Trip.com Flights, Kiwi.com Flights, VRBO Paris, Hotels.com Paris.

With seven days, you’ll experience the Paris everyone dreams of—Eiffel Tower sunsets, Louvre masterpieces, a glittering Seine—plus the everyday pleasures locals cherish. From market lunches to wine‑bar nights, this itinerary balances must‑see icons with lived‑in neighborhoods you’ll want to return to.