Paris has reinvented itself more than once—from Roman Lutetia to medieval powerhouse to Haussmann’s grand boulevards. Today, it’s a mosaic of 20 arrondissements, each with a distinct rhythm: café-lined corners, hidden passages, and river islands strung together by 30+ bridges. The magic is in the details—carved doorways, zinc rooftops, and the city’s effortless ritual of flânerie.

Beyond icons like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, Paris rewards curiosity: a vineyard in Montmartre, Belle Époque brasseries, indie galleries in the Marais, and pocket gardens behind gilded gates. With 100+ museums, timeless pâtisseries, and a dining scene that swings from classic bistro to natural-wine cave, there’s always another discovery around the corner.

Practical notes: book major sights in advance and glance at weekly closures (Louvre Tuesday; Orsay Monday). The RER B connects CDG airport to the center in about 35 minutes; taxis have fixed fares from CDG (€55 Right Bank, €62 Left Bank). A Navigo Easy card keeps metro/bus rides simple. As always in big cities, keep an eye on your belongings in crowds.

Paris

City of Light, capital of art and café culture, and home to layered history you can read in its buildings. Start on the Île de la Cité, trace royal footprints through the Tuileries, and climb to Montmartre’s hilltop for a sunset that glows over the zinc skyline. In between, let yourself be pulled by scent—fresh butter at the bakery, espresso at the counter, thyme and jus at dinner.

• Unmissable sights: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, Notre-Dame (reopened), Sainte-Chapelle, Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur, Le Marais, Luxembourg Gardens, Rodin Museum, Place des Vosges.
• Neighborhood flavors: Marais for galleries and falafel, Saint‑Germain for literary cafés, Canal Saint‑Martin for indie shops, Pigalle for cocktails and late-night music.
• Where to taste Paris: Buttery croissants at La Maison d’Isabelle, crêpes at Breizh Café, steak‑frites at Bistrot Paul Bert, oysters and Muscadet at Le Baron Rouge.

Stay in Paris (curated picks):

• The Ritz Paris (palatial luxury by Place Vendôme; legendary Bar Hemingway).
• Le Meurice (art-filled classic facing the Tuileries; two‑star dining).
• Hôtel Plaza Athénée (Avenue Montaigne fashion address; Eiffel views).
• The Peninsula Paris (refined rooms; superb rooftop terrace).
• Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (stylish hideaway near passages; buzzy bar).
• Hotel du College de France (Latin Quarter gem; value and location).
• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (romantic, steps from Sacré‑Cœur).
• Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (family‑friendly, transport hub).
• Hôtel du Temps (boutique, Right Bank neighborhoody feel).
• Generator Paris (budget‑friendly with a rooftop; social vibe).

Prefer an apartment? Browse citywide options on VRBO Paris or compare hotels on Hotels.com Paris.

Getting to/around Paris (booking links):

• Flights (to/from Europe): Search and compare on Omio flights.
• Flights (long‑haul from outside Europe): Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Trains in Europe (including to Paris): Plan and book with Omio trains. Buses and ferries: Omio buses, Omio ferries.

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

Afternoon: Land in Paris and transfer to your hotel (CDG to center: RER B ~35–40 minutes, about €12; taxi fixed fare: €55 Right Bank/€62 Left Bank). Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk around Notre‑Dame (reopened), the flower market, and the quiet courtyards of the Palais de Justice. Coffee stop: Café Saint‑Régis on Île Saint‑Louis for a crème and tarte tatin.

Evening: Settle into Saint‑Germain. For an early, classic dinner, book Le Procope (opened 1686; roast chicken and crème brûlée) or go bistro‑modern at Le Servan (Franco‑Asian sauces and superb seasonal produce). Nightcap at Prescription Cocktail Club (intimate, low‑lit) or grab Berthillon ice cream and wander the river.

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Tuileries, and Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Morning: Dive into the world’s great museum with a timed guided visit: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access. You’ll hit the essentials—Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo—plus stories that bring the building’s royal past to life.

Afternoon: Cross the Tuileries for lunch. Try Angelina for Mont‑Blanc and a croque truffé, or Café Verlet for single‑origin coffee and the quiche du jour. Explore the Palais‑Royal gardens and the nearby covered passages (Galerie Vivienne for bookshops and antique maps).

Evening: Time your ascent for golden hour: Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access (Top or 2nd Floor). After views, dine nearby: Le Petit Cler (comforting French classics on a market street) or Chez L’Ami Jean (Basque‑leaning, hearty—book ahead). End with a late stroll on the Champ de Mars.

Tip: If your Day 2 falls on a Tuesday (Louvre closed), swap Louvre with Orsay on Day 5.

Day 3: Montmartre Heights and Canal Saint‑Martin

Morning: Ride up to Montmartre. Grab pastries at Le Grenier à Pain (award‑winning baguette) or croissants at La Maison Landemaine, then climb to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping views. Wander Rue de l’Abreuvoir, the tiny vineyard, and the Musée de Montmartre’s garden.

Afternoon: Descend toward SoPi (South Pigalle) for specialty coffee at KB CaféShop, then head to Canal Saint‑Martin. Browse indie boutiques along Rue de Marseille and Rue Beaurepaire; lunch on buckwheat galettes at Breizh Café or seafood at Clamato (walk‑in; excellent small plates).

Evening: Casual dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (budget‑friendly French staples; expect a short queue) or Bistrot Paul Bert (textbook steak‑frites and pepper sauce). Cocktails at Le Syndicat (French spirits only, creative, energetic) or Little Red Door (inventive menu; reservations recommended).

Day 4: Versailles Half‑Day, Rodin Garden, and Left Bank Jazz

Morning–Afternoon (tour): Escape to royal grandeur with a guided visit: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris. You’ll navigate Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, and the formal gardens without the logistics headache. Independent option: RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (~35–45 minutes; about €4–5 each way).

Late Afternoon: Back in Paris, unwind at the Musée Rodin. Stroll the sculpture‑filled garden with “The Thinker” and “Gates of Hell”—a serene counterpoint to Versailles’ opulence.

Evening: Dine in Saint‑Germain: L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre (standing tapas, charcuterie, great wines) or Les Papilles (prix‑fixe comfort cooking; book). Catch live jazz at Caveau de la Huchette (dance floor and big‑band spirit) or Duc des Lombards (serious listening room).

Day 5: Orsay, Latin Quarter, and Luxembourg Gardens

Morning: Musée d’Orsay’s Impressionist heart—Monet’s cathedrals, Renoir’s dancers, and Van Gogh’s swirls—in a Beaux‑Arts former train station. Coffee at Coutume (nearby) or Café de l’Esplanade if you want a chic terrace.

Afternoon: Cross to the Latin Quarter. Visit the Panthéon (Voltaire to Marie Curie rest here) and stroll the quiet lanes around the Sorbonne. Picnic or people‑watch in the Luxembourg Gardens—order a jambon‑beurre at a neighborhood boulangerie and a box of macarons from Pierre Hermé.

Evening: Classic Left Bank bistros: Allard (duck with olives, île flottante) or Le Comptoir du Relais (book far ahead). Wine bar option: Frenchie Bar à Vins (no bookings; charcuterie, deep wine list). Gelato at Grom or stroll the Seine bookstalls.

Day 6: Le Marais, Place des Vosges, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Espresso at Fragments (superb croissants, serious coffee) or Boot Café (tiny, photogenic). Explore the Picasso Museum or the free Musée Carnavalet (history of Paris), then arc through Place des Vosges’ arches.

Afternoon: Lunch at L’As du Fallafel (overflowing pita; join the line) or Miznon (roasted cauliflower, fluffy pitas). Shop Merci (design concept store) and BHV for French cookware. Pause for hot chocolate at Jacques Genin if you crave a sweet interlude.

Evening: Celebrate with a river view and refined plates: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise. Glass‑canopy boats, live music, and illuminated monuments glide by as you dine.

Post‑cruise, sneak into Moonshiner (a speakeasy behind a pizzeria freezer door; whiskey‑forward cocktails) or sip Calvados at Sherry Butt in Bastille.

Day 7: Markets, Coulée Verte, and Farewell

Morning: Start at Marché d’Aligre (bargains and bustle) and nearby Blé Sucré (legendary kouign‑amann and madeleines). Slurp a few oysters at Le Baron Rouge (weekends are lively) or save them for lunch.

Afternoon: Walk a last green ribbon along the Coulée Verte René‑Dumont (Paris’s elevated park) and pick up edible souvenirs: Bordier butter at a fromagerie, Pralus praluline, Alain Milliat jams. Late lunch options: Septime La Cave (walk‑in wine bar plates) or Café Charlot (Marais brasserie standby).

Departure: Aim for the airport 3 hours before an international flight. If taking the RER, allow ~45–60 minutes plus buffer; taxis are fixed‑fare to CDG.

Booking Essentials and Smart Swaps

• Reserve ahead: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, dinner cruise, top bistros. If a strike or closure pops up, swap museum days (Louvre Tuesday closure; Orsay Monday).
• Transit: Consider a Navigo Easy for tap‑in metro/bus rides (about €2–3 per ride); for trains in Europe, check Omio trains.
• Rain plan: Covered passages (Vivienne, Panoramas), Musée de l’Orangerie’s water lilies, and teatime at Carette (Place des Vosges or Trocadéro).

At‑a‑Glance Viator Experiences Used in This Itinerary

• Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access
• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access
• Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris
• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

In one week you’ll have savored Paris’s essentials and its everyday grace: museum mornings, market chatter, café rituals, and river‑lit nights. Keep this guide handy, and the city will keep revealing itself—one flaky croissant and cobbled corner at a time.