7 Days in Paris and Northern Morocco: Art, Old Medinas, and Blue Mountain Towns
Two continents, one week, and a lifetime of stories. This 7-day itinerary pairs Paris—the world’s parade of art, architecture, and pâtisserie—with Morocco’s Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, where Atlantic breezes meet Andalusian echoes. It’s a journey that feels cinematic: morning croissants under Haussmann façades, evening mint tea above the Strait of Gibraltar.
Paris rewards curiosity. From Notre-Dame’s rebirth to the Louvre’s trove of civilizations, the city invites you to wander, taste, and look up. In Morocco’s north, Tangier’s hillside kasbah tells tales of Phoenicians, writers, and sultans, while Chefchaouen’s blue lanes soak up the light of the Rif Mountains.
Practical notes: Paris runs on walking shoes and metro tickets; museums favor timed entries. In northern Morocco, negotiate with a smile, dress modestly in medinas, and keep small cash for cafés and taxis. Cuisine is a highlight: bistros and boulangeries in France; grilled fish, tagines, and flaky msemen in Morocco.
Paris
Paris is a living museum with a vibrant heart—Roman remnants under Notre-Dame, Impressionists along the Seine, and cutting-edge bistronomy in every arrondissement. It’s also delightfully navigable: RER and metro whisk you between islands, boulevards, and village-y corners like Montmartre.
Top sights include the Louvre (world’s largest museum), Eiffel Tower (1889 symbol of modernity), and the royal court at Versailles. Balance marquee icons with local pleasures: people-watching in the Marais, a picnic on Canal Saint-Martin, or a buttery kouign-amann in the 11th.
- Where to stay (curated picks):
- Wallet-friendly design in Montmartre: Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (boutique, steps from Sacré-Cœur).
- Left Bank gem near Sorbonne: Hotel du College de France (quiet street, walk to Notre-Dame).
- Stylish splurge on Place Vendôme: The Ritz Paris (iconic French grandeur).
- Great-value hostel/hotel hybrid: Generator Paris (canal views, social vibe).
- Search more stays: Hotels.com Paris or apartment-style via VRBO Paris.
- How to get here and around: Compare flights to Paris on Omio (flights) and long-haul options on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. For trains within France/Europe, use Omio (trains).
Day 1: Arrival, Le Marais stroll, and a Seine night to remember
Morning: En route to Paris.
Afternoon: Land and drop bags. Shake off jet lag with a Le Marais wander: Place des Vosges arcades, Village Saint-Paul antiques, and a sweet stop at Bontemps for sablé tartlets. Coffee at Fringe (specialty roaster, photo-art vibe) or Boot Café’s postage-stamp-sized espresso bar.
Evening: Board a glass-canopy boat for dinner, views, and live music. Book the gourmet experience here: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise. Expect classics like foie gras and French desserts while drifting past the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Île de la Cité.

Pre- or post-cruise, sip a coupe at Le Bar du Plaza Athénée or, for craft cocktails, head to Le Syndicat (French-spirits-only temple).
Day 2: Île de la Cité, Louvre masterpieces, Left Bank bistros
Morning: Croissants at La Maison d’Isabelle (award-winning, buttery layers), then a loop around Notre-Dame’s parvis to see the restoration work and the romantic Pont Neuf. Pop into Sainte-Chapelle for stained-glass skies (reserve ahead).
Afternoon: Dive into art with a time-saving guided visit: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access. You’ll hit the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and Mona Lisa while learning context you won’t get from labels alone.

Grab lunch before or after at L’As du Fallafel (lively, handheld favorite on Rue des Rosiers) or Bouillon République for fast-moving, classic French plates (oeuf mayo, boeuf bourguignon) at friendly prices.
Evening: Dine on the Left Bank. Options: Le Comptoir du Relais (beloved bistro; arrive early), Le Servan (Filipina-French sisters, precise sauces), or Bistrot Paul Bert (textbook steak-frites). Nightcap at Prescription Cocktail Club.
Day 3: Montmartre morning, Eiffel Tower ascent, canal vibes
Morning: Climb Montmartre’s stairs to Sacré-Cœur for a free city panorama, then explore vineyards and ateliers off Rue de l’Abreuvoir. Brunch at Hardware Société Paris (Aussie-style; baked eggs, brioche French toast) or Coquelicot for tartines and pastries.
Afternoon: Timed entry to the Iron Lady: Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift. Guides share Gustave Eiffel’s engineering audacity and 1889 World’s Fair lore as you rise above the Seine.

Later, unwind along Canal Saint-Martin: Ten Belles for coffee, Du Pain de la Liberté for viennoiseries, and a golden-hour stroll over the iron footbridges.
Evening: Casual dinner options: Le Richer (no reservations neo-bistro), Brutos (wood-fired meats and veg), or Bouillon Pigalle (big, bustling, and fun). For dessert, head to Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis (sorbet royalty).
Day 4: Versailles—Hall of Mirrors and royal gardens (day tour)
Spend the day in gilded grandeur with a guided visit that skips the guesswork: Versailles Palace Guided Tour with Reserved Entry. You’ll see the King’s Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and André Le Nôtre’s gardens. Pack a picnic for the Grand Canal or lunch in town. Back in Paris, treat yourself to dinner at Frenchie (seasonal tasting) or Chez l’Ami Jean (Basque energy; hearty rice pudding).

Tangier
Perched where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, Tangier is a port of poets and traders, with whitewashed lanes zigzagging up to a breezy kasbah. You’ll feel Spanish and Andalusian influences in the architecture, language, and food.
Top experiences: tea at cliffside Café Hafa at sunset, the small-but-fascinating Kasbah Museum, the American Legation (a unique U.S. landmark abroad), and day trips to Chefchaouen’s dreamy blues. Seafood is stellar—simple grills, spiced chermoula, and hearty harira.
- Where to stay: Base in the medina or just outside for easy access and quieter nights. Explore options on Hotels.com Tangier or browse apartments on VRBO Tangier.
- Getting from Paris to Tangier: Morning nonstop flights CDG/ORY → TNG take ~2h35–2h50. Expect ~$80–$200 one-way with checked bag on low-cost or ~$150–$280 on legacy carriers. Compare on Omio (flights); alternative aggregators: Kiwi.com or Trip.com. Airport taxis to the medina run ~15–20 minutes.
Day 5: Fly to Tangier, first tastes of the medina, clifftop sunset
Morning: Paris → Tangier flight (aim for a 9–10 a.m. departure; ~2h45). On arrival, change some cash and taxi to your riad.
Afternoon: Start at Grand Socco, then drift into the Petit Socco for coffee at Café Tingis (people-watching masterclass). Visit the American Legation Museum for a compact dive into diplomatic history and Tangier’s cosmopolitan past.
Evening: Golden-hour tea at Café Hafa—terraced tables and Gibraltar views that inspired artists for decades. Dinner at El Morocco Club (elegant Moroccan-European menu; try the monkfish tagine) or the legendary Restaurant Saveur de Poisson (fixed-menu feast of fish soup, grilled catch, figs, and honey).
Day 6: Day trip to Chefchaouen—the Blue City in the Rif
Morning: Depart 7:30–8:00 a.m. by private driver (1h45–2h; ~1,200–1,500 MAD round-trip) or CTM bus (~2h30). On arrival, wander the bluewashed medina, photographing the stepped alleys around Outa el Hammam Square and the Quartier Al Onsar doors.
Afternoon: Lunch at Bab Ssour (home-style tagines, rfissa, and fresh juices) or Aladdin Restaurant (rooftop views). For nature lovers, stroll to the Ras El Ma waterfall at the medina’s edge and up the Spanish Mosque trail for panoramas of the blue maze.
Evening: Return to Tangier. Dine at Le Salon Bleu in the Kasbah (scenic terraces, lemony grilled sardines) or Anna & Paolo (excellent handmade pasta if you’re craving Italian). Nightcap: mint tea and orange blossom at a quiet square.
Day 7: Kasbah corners, last bites, departure
Morning: Breakfast with msemen (flaky griddled flatbread) and amlou at a local café near the Kasbah. Explore the Kasbah Museum (archeology, carpets, and sultanate rooms) and the cannons at Bab el Bhar for ship-spotting in the strait.
Afternoon: Final shopping on Rue Siaghine (brass, woven baskets, leather slippers). Quick seafood lunch at Le Saveur du Poisson’s sister spot or grilled sardines at a no-frills grill near the port. Taxi to TNG for your afternoon departure.
Optional Paris add-on (food lovers)
If you have extra time in Paris or want a hands-on culinary memory, learn to laminate dough with a pro baker: Paris Croissant Small-Group Baking Class with a Chef.

Travel time & cost snapshot:
- CDG/ORY → TNG flight: ~2h35–2h50; ~$80–$200 one-way economy. Compare on Omio, or check Kiwi.com and Trip.com.
- Tangier ↔ Chefchaouen: Private car 1h45–2h (most flexible); CTM bus ~2h30; shared taxis available but confirm price beforehand.
Where to eat—quick reference:
- Paris breakfasts: La Maison d’Isabelle (Left Bank), Ble Sucré (renowned pain au chocolat), Tout Autour du Pain (organic breads).
- Paris lunches: Bouillon République or Pigalle (classic dishes), L’As du Fallafel (Marais), Holybelly 5 (brunchy plates).
- Paris dinners: Le Servan (inventive French-Asian), Frenchie (tasting), Bistrot Paul Bert (steak-frites).
- Tangier cafés: Café Hafa (views), Gran Café de Paris (Belle Époque feel), Café Tingis (Petit Socco staple).
- Tangier meals: El Morocco Club (refined), Saveur de Poisson (fixed fish feast), Ch’Hiwat L’Koudia (homey Moroccan plates).
- Chefchaouen lunch: Bab Ssour (local specialties), Aladdin Restaurant (terrace views).
Good to know: In Paris, many restaurants take reservations; walk-ins are best at bouillons and neo-bistros. In Tangier and Chefchaouen, cash is widely used in medinas; cards at higher-end spots. Friday is couscous day across Morocco—ask for it if you’re there at lunch.
Summary: In one week you’ll trace royal halls and river bends in Paris, then trade croissants for mint tea above the Strait of Gibraltar, with a day among Chefchaouen’s blue lanes. It’s a compact, flavor-packed itinerary that balances icons with local life—and leaves room to return.

