Paris pairs grand boulevards and centuries-old art with café culture and late-night sparkle. From medieval Île de la Cité to Haussmannian avenues, the city rewards curiosity with every corner café and museum wing. Disneyland Paris, just 40 minutes away by train, adds two days of pure storybook fun to your French adventure.

Founded in 1992, Disneyland Paris quickly became Europe’s most-visited theme park, with five themed lands, a fairytale castle, and a sister park for movie magic and Marvel thrills. Paris itself is a trove: the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the Seine weave a narrative from the Romans to the Impressionists—and beyond.

Practical notes: book timed-entry for major sights and monitor pickpockets in crowds. The Louvre is usually closed Tuesday; many restaurants fill weeks out. In the parks, arrive before opening (“rope drop”), use Single Rider lines, and consider Premier Access to cut waits on headliners.

Paris

Paris dazzles with icons—the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame—and surprises with tiny wine bars, buttery croissants, and neighborhood markets. Base yourself near Saint‑Germain, Le Marais, or Opéra for easy sightseeing and great food.

• Top sights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Tuileries, Sainte‑Chapelle, Montmartre & Sacré‑Cœur, the Seine embankments.
• Food & coffee: Brunch at Holybelly 5 (fluffy pancakes and Aussie-style coffee), pastries at Du Pain et des Idées (legendary “escargot” pastries), buckwheat galettes at Breizh Café, steak‑frites at Bistrot Paul Bert, art‑nouveau vibes at Bouillon Racine, espresso at KB Coffee Roasters or Telescope.
• Fun fact: The Louvre was a royal palace long before it became the world’s most visited museum.

Stay: Browse central stays on VRBO Paris or compare hotels on Hotels.com Paris.

Getting in: Fly into CDG or ORY; compare options on Omio (flights). From CDG, the RER B to central Paris takes ~35–45 minutes (~€11–€12). Trains within Europe—including Eurostar and TGV—can be searched on Omio (trains). Intercity buses are often budget-friendly via Omio (buses).

Marne‑la‑Vallée (Disneyland Paris)

Just east of the capital, Disneyland Paris unfolds across two parks: Disneyland Park (classic fairy‑tale lands) and Walt Disney Studios Park (cinema‑inspired areas with Avengers Campus and Ratatouille). Outside the gates, Disney Village offers dining, live music, and late‑night snacks.

• Top rides: Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, Phantom Manor, Peter Pan’s Flight, Ratatouille: The Adventure, Crush’s Coaster, Spider‑Man W.E.B. Adventure.
• Where to eat: Inside the parks—Agrabah Café (spiced buffet in a bazaar setting), Captain Jack’s (Caribbean dishes beside the pirate lagoon), Plaza Gardens (Victorian buffet), Bistrot Chez Rémy (giant‑prop French classics), PYM Kitchen (buffet with “size‑bending” bites), Stark Factory (fresh pasta and pizza). In Disney Village—Annette’s Diner (1950s burgers and shakes), The Steakhouse (Chicago‑style), The Royal Pub (hearty British plates), Brasserie Rosalie (modern Parisian brasserie).
• Pro tips: Arrive 30 minutes before opening; ride Crush’s Coaster and Big Thunder early; use Single Rider where available. Premier Access (paid) can slash waits on popular attractions on busy days.

Stay: For a short walk to the parks, consider Chessy properties (including official Disney hotels) or nearby Val d’Europe apartments. Compare stays on VRBO Chessy and Hotels.com Chessy.

Getting there from Paris: Take RER A to “Marne‑la‑Vallée–Chessy (Disneyland)” in ~37–45 minutes from Châtelet–Les Halles (about €5–€7). Timetables and alternatives via Omio (trains). From CDG Airport, TGV trains reach Marne‑la‑Vallée in ~10–12 minutes (often €19–€35); search on Omio (trains).

Day 1: Arrival, Seine Stroll, and Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Arrive and check into your Paris hotel. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk along the Seine from Pont Alexandre III to the Champ de Mars, pausing for an espresso at nearby Le Recrutement Café or a scoop from Berthillon if you detour to Île Saint‑Louis.

Evening: Ascend the Iron Lady with timed reserved access for sweeping dusk views. Book: Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift.

Dine afterward nearby: try Girafe (seafood with a Trocadéro view), Le Petit Cler (classic bistro on a charming market street), or Bouillon Grenelle (budget-friendly French comfort dishes). Finish with a crepe from a street stand on Rue Saint‑Dominique.

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Tuileries, and Île de la Cité

Morning: Beat the crowds on a curated tour of the Louvre—Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and hidden gems, plus context you’ll actually remember. Book: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access.

Grab coffee at Café Kitsuné in the Palais Royal garden afterward.

Afternoon: Picnic or wander the Tuileries, then cross to Île de la Cité. Admire Notre‑Dame’s façade and stained glass at Sainte‑Chapelle. For lunch: Le Fumoir (bookish bistro opposite the Louvre) or Café Marly (arcade seating overlooking I.M. Pei’s pyramid).

Evening: Explore Saint‑Germain’s art‑lined streets. Dinner ideas: Breizh Café (crisp galettes and salted‑caramel crêpes), Le Comptoir du Relais (beloved bistro—arrive early), or Freddy’s (standing tapas, natural wines). Nightcap at Prescription Cocktail Club or a riverside glass of Bordeaux.

Day 3: Montmartre Mornings, Covered Passages, and Rooftop Views

Morning: Start at Hardware Société for inventive brunch, then climb to Sacré‑Cœur for a panoramic city sweep. Stroll Rue des Abbesses and Place du Tertre (artists’ square), and peek into photogenic side streets like Rue de l’Abreuvoir.

Afternoon: Ride the funicular down and head to the 9th/2nd arrondissements for the 19th‑century covered passages—Passage des Panoramas and Galerie Vivienne—filled with stamp shops, chocolatiers, and wine bars. Coffee at KB Coffee Roasters; late lunch at Bouillon Pigalle for fast, hearty classics (oeuf mayo, beef bourguignon).

Evening: Golden‑hour views at the Terrass'' Hotel rooftop. For dinner, pick Bistrot Paul Bert (steak‑frites and île flottante), L’As du Fallafel in Le Marais for a quick, superb pita, or Pink Mamma (Tuscan plates; expect a queue). Dessert at À la Mère de Famille, Paris’s oldest chocolate shop.

Day 4: Versailles Palaces and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Travel to Versailles (~35–45 minutes by train from Paris; search options on Omio (trains)). Explore the Hall of Mirrors and royal apartments with a guide, then wander the geometric gardens and musical fountains (select days in season). Book: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris.

Afternoon: Lunch at Angelina inside the palace complex (Mont‑Blanc dessert is a classic) or a casual crêpe on Rue de Satory. Return to Paris for a brief rest.

Evening: Celebrate your last night in the city with a glass‑canopy dinner cruise—Eiffel Tower, Notre‑Dame, and the Louvre glide by as live music plays. Book: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise.

Day 5: Paris → Disneyland Park (Marne‑la‑Vallée)

Morning: Transfer to Disney. Take RER A from Châtelet–Les Halles to “Marne‑la‑Vallée–Chessy (Disneyland)” in ~40 minutes (about €5–€7). Check schedules or compare options on Omio (trains). Drop bags at your Chessy/Val d’Europe hotel—see VRBO Chessy or Hotels.com Chessy.

Afternoon: Enter Disneyland Park and head straight to a headliner: Big Thunder Mountain, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, or Peter Pan’s Flight. Use Single Rider where offered and consider Premier Access for one or two must‑dos. Lunch at Agrabah Café (aromatic mezzes and tagines in a lantern‑lit bazaar) or Plaza Gardens (Victorian buffet).

Evening: Catch the afternoon parade, then after sunset stake out a spot for the nightly castle spectacular. Dine at Captain Jack’s (Cajun‑Caribbean plates beside the Pirates of the Caribbean boats) or Auberge de Cendrillon for a princess‑themed experience (book ahead). Post‑show, enjoy a milkshake at Annette’s Diner or a pint at The Royal Pub in Disney Village.

Day 6: Walt Disney Studios Park, Avengers Campus, and Disney Village

Morning: Be at the gates before opening. Go directly to Crush’s Coaster (waits soar later), then ride Ratatouille: The Adventure and Spider‑Man W.E.B. Adventure. Coffee and a pastry at a park kiosk; snack on a warm pretzel between rides.

Afternoon: Tackle Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, Cars Road Trip with younger travelers, and re‑ride favorites. Lunch at Bistrot Chez Rémy (steak, ratatouille, and giant “props” that make you feel mouse‑sized) or PYM Kitchen (buffet with playful oversized and mini dishes). If you need a breather, hop to nearby Val d’Europe for shopping or a quick visit to Sea Life Paris aquarium.

Evening: Return for last rides and character meets. Dinner ideas in Disney Village: Brasserie Rosalie (seafood towers, steak tartare, lemon meringue) or The Steakhouse (aged cuts and bourbon sauces). For dessert, grab a gelato rose from Amorino. If you’re staying at Disney Sequoia Lodge, the Redwood Bar & Lounge is cozy for a fireplace nightcap.

Day 7: Easy Morning, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Sleep in or book a character breakfast at Plaza Gardens inside Disneyland Park. Do a final lap down Main Street, U.S.A. for souvenirs at Emporium or World of Disney, then one last spin on Phantom Manor or Pirates of the Caribbean.

Afternoon: Depart. To CDG Airport, the direct TGV from Marne‑la‑Vallée takes ~10–12 minutes (often €19–€35)—compare times on Omio (trains). Alternatively, RER A back to Paris and connect to RER B for CDG (~70–90 minutes total) or to Orly via RER B + OrlyVal. For late flights, relax by Lake Disney with a sandwich from Earl of Sandwich before you go.

Evening: In transit.

Optional add‑ons if you extend: Monet’s gardens at Giverny in spring, a Normandy D‑Day history day, or a Mont‑Saint‑Michel escape—each bookable as guided day trips from Paris via Omio (trains) plus local tours.

This 7‑day plan balances Paris’s museums, landmarks, and food scene with two immersive days at Disneyland Paris. With smart transport, timed entries, and insider dining picks, you’ll maximize joy and minimize queues—leaving time for second helpings of croissants and a final ride on Big Thunder Mountain.