Paris has a way of folding you into its rhythms—morning croissants, afternoon museums, and riverbank sunsets. The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, is both beacon and backdrop; at night its 20,000 bulbs sparkle on the hour, a ritual locals still stop to watch. In this 7-day itinerary, you’ll savor the tower from every angle, explore world-class museums, and taste Champagne at the source in Reims.

Expect cobblestones and café terraces, iconic art and quiet courtyards. Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024, the Louvre requires timed entries, and the metro carries you nearly everywhere. Consider a Navigo Easy or Découverte pass for convenient tap-in rides; keep an eye on your belongings in crowded spots like the Champs de Mars and around major stations.

Food is a highlight: buttery pastries, market-fresh lunches, classic bistros, and natural-wine bars. Book a timed-summit ticket for the Eiffel Tower, reserve big-name restaurants ahead, and leave space for spontaneous finds—a jazz cave in the Latin Quarter, a flaky kouign-amann from a corner boulangerie, or an impromptu apéro along the Seine.

Paris

Paris is a mosaic of villages: the elegant 7th (home to the Eiffel Tower), artsy Montmartre, fashion-forward Saint-Germain, and lively Le Marais. Top sights include the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, the Orangerie, Sainte-Chapelle’s stained glass, and the golden dome of Les Invalides. For street life, stroll Canal Saint-Martin and the covered passages near Palais-Royal.

Where to stay: Base yourself near the Eiffel Tower (7th) for postcard views, in the 1st for walkability to the Louvre/Tuileries, or in Le Marais/Canal Saint-Martin for boutiques and cafés. Browse stays on VRBO Paris or compare hotels on Hotels.com Paris. Good-value areas include the 9th (South Pigalle) and 11th (Oberkampf).

Getting to Paris: Fly into CDG or ORY. Search flights to Paris on Omio (flights). If arriving from elsewhere in Europe, compare trains on Omio (trains) and buses on Omio (buses). RER B connects CDG to central Paris in ~35 minutes.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and a Seine Welcome

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Stretch your legs around Île de la Cité: admire the restored interior of Notre-Dame de Paris (book a timed entry), then slip into the flower market and the medieval beauty of Sainte-Chapelle’s stained-glass chapel. Coffee break at Shakespeare and Company Café for a flat white and a view of the cathedral.

Evening: Early dinner in the Latin Quarter: try Le Petit Pontoise (classic duck confit, warm service) or Bouillon Racine (Art Nouveau setting, budget-friendly French staples). Cap the night with a relaxed Seine stroll—watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour from Pont Alexandre III.

Day 2: The Eiffel Tower Day

Morning: Sunrise photos at Trocadéro for the best Eiffel Tower panorama, then walk the bridge to the tower. Ascend with a timed-summit ticket; learn how Gustave Eiffel added a tiny apartment at the top to host VIPs. Post-descent, picnic on the Champ de Mars—grab baguettes, Comté, and fruit from Rue Cler’s food shops (Fromagerie Marie-Anne Cantin is a gem).

Afternoon: Choose a nearby museum: Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac (bold indigenous art, lush riverside garden) or Les Invalides and the Army Museum (Napoleon’s Tomb, military history). Coffee at % Arabica or Coutume in the 7th; pastry pick: Aux Merveilleux de Fred (meringue clouds).

Evening: Seine cruise at golden hour (Bateaux Mouches or Vedettes de Paris depart by the tower). Dinner on Rue Saint-Dominique: Chez L’Ami Jean (Basque bistro, legendary rice pudding) or Café Constant (comforting French plates). Nightcap at Le Repaire de Bacchus wine bar or Le Syndicat (innovative French-spirits cocktails) if you’ll taxi or metro back.

Day 3: Louvre, Palais-Royal, and Le Marais

Morning: Timed-entry Louvre. Focus route: Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, then Detour to the lesser-crowded Near Eastern Antiquities for Khorsabad’s sculptures. Coffee and a croissant at Café Kitsuné in the Palais-Royal gardens afterward.

Afternoon: Wander the covered passages (Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panoramas) for old-world boutiques and stamp shops. Head into Le Marais: falafel at L’As du Fallafel or crêpes at Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes, excellent cider). Pop into Musée Carnavalet for Paris history (free permanent collection).

Evening: Dinner at Bistrot Paul Bert (famous steak au poivre, reserve ahead) or Robert et Louise (wood-fired côte de bœuf). For dessert, Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint-Louis. Consider jazz at Caveau de la Huchette—swing dancing in a 16th-century cellar.

Day 4: Montmartre to Canal Saint-Martin

Morning: Climb to Sacré-Cœur’s terrace for sweeping views, then wander Montmartre’s artists’ square (Place du Tertre) and cobbled lanes. Breakfast at Hardware Société (brunch-leaning with Aussie coffee) or La Bossue (homemade pastries). Stop by Le Mur des Je t’aime for a sweet photo.

Afternoon: Downhill to South Pigalle: specialty coffee at KB Coffee Roasters; browse Rue des Martyrs’ food shops. Continue to Canal Saint-Martin for a leafy walk and indie boutiques. Snack ideas: Du Pain et des Idées (pistachio escargot pastry) or Ten Belles for filter coffee.

Evening: Affordable feast at Bouillon Pigalle (order the œufs mayo and boeuf bourguignon) or book Au Lapin Agile for an old-time cabaret set. Cocktail options: Le Mary Celeste (natural wines and oysters) or the historic Harry’s New York Bar (home of the Bloody Mary, since 1911).

Day 5: Orsay, Luxembourg Gardens, and Saint‑Germain

Morning: Timed-entry Musée d’Orsay: start with Impressionists on the 5th floor (Monet, Renoir, Degas) and the clock windows for Seine views. Quick detour to the Orangerie for Monet’s Water Lilies if energy allows—two sublime oval rooms.

Afternoon: Lunch at Breizh Café Odéon (smoked herring galette; save room for salted-butter caramel crêpe). Stroll the Luxembourg Gardens, visit Saint-Sulpice Church, and browse Saint-Germain bookshops. Espresso at Café de Flore for history or Coutume for third-wave coffee.

Evening: Dinner near Sentier: Frenchie Bar à Vins (walk-in small plates; try the duck rillettes) or Septime La Cave (stand-up natural wines with charcuterie—arrive early). Sweet finish: Pierre Hermé macarons (Ispahan is the signature).

Reims (Champagne)

Reims pairs Gothic grandeur with miles of chalk caves where Champagne ages in perfect cool. The city’s cathedral hosted French coronations for centuries; today, houses like Taittinger, Pommery, and Veuve Clicquot offer cellar tours and tastings. Cobbled squares, art deco façades, and brasseries make it an easy and delicious day trip from Paris.

How to get there: Morning TGV/TER from Paris-Est to Reims or Champagne‑Ardenne TGV (then a quick tram). Journey time ~45 minutes–1 hour, typical fares €20–€45. Compare times and prices on Omio (trains). Budget buses run ~2.5–3 hours; see Omio (buses).

Optional overnight: If you’d like to linger, browse stays on VRBO Reims or Hotels.com Reims.

Day 6: Reims—Cathedral and Champagne Caves

Morning: Train from Paris-Est. Start at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims—look for the Smiling Angel statue and the stained glass by Chagall. Coffee and a pastry at Café du Palais (art deco time capsule) before your first cellar tour.

Afternoon: Champagne house visit: Taittinger (historic Saint-Nicaise chalk pits) or Pommery (grand art nouveau estate). Tours last ~1–1.5 hours and include tastings; book ahead. Lunch at Brasserie du Boulingrin (seafood platters, Champagne by the glass) or Le Crypto (modern French, set menus).

Evening: If time allows, fit a second tasting (Veuve Clicquot often offers late-afternoon slots) or explore the Musée de la Reddition (WWII surrender site). Return to Paris for a casual dinner near your hotel—try L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre (standing tapas-style bites) or Clamato (seafood small plates; no reservations).

Day 7: Markets, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Hit a neighborhood market for edible souvenirs: Marché des Enfants Rouges (oldest covered market; sandwiches at Chez Alain Miam Miam), or Marché Saxe-Breteuil with a direct Eiffel view on market days. Pick up cheeses at Fromagerie Laurent Dubois and macarons from Pierre Hermé or Carette.

Afternoon: Quick lunch before you go: Crêperie Mad’Eo (buttery galettes), Holybelly (comfort brunch), or a classic jambon-beurre from a boulangerie. Head to the airport or station—check options on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains).

Evening: In transit.

Insider tips:

• For the Eiffel Tower, book summit tickets well in advance; if sold out, consider a guided visit with elevator access or take the stairs to the second level for shorter lines.
• The Paris Museum Pass can save time and money if you plan 2–3 museum entries per day; remember some museums are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays.
• Metro etiquette: stand right/walk left on escalators; validate tickets; watch for pickpockets on Line 6 (great elevated views to the tower) and tourist-heavy stops.

In a week, you’ll have seen Paris from its iron crown and its hidden passages, tasted Parisian kitchens from bouillons to bistronomy, and raised a glass to tradition in Champagne’s chalk cathedrals. It’s a thoughtful loop—iconic moments balanced with neighborhood texture—designed to make you fall in love with Paris and keep a little of it with you.